HUTCHINSON, Kan. – USD 308 School Superintendent Dr. Shelly Kiblinger told school board members Monday that she would recommend the governing body move up the July payday by eight days if it appears the legislature will be unable to satisfy a Supreme Court order.

Kiblinger said it was unclear exactly what the court will do if the Legislature doesn’t pass a constitutional school finance formula during its special session that begins June 23. The court has set June 30 as its deadline for a constitutional finance formula.

At this point, the superintendent would recommend the board look at preparing to close all but essential district services to allow the district to do whatever it needs with money it has in cash balances. Kiblinger said she would likely ask the board to approve a resolution at the June 27 meeting if it is uncertain whether legislators have passed a constitutional finance formula – giving administration some unusual flexibility.

That flexibility would include moving July payroll to July 7 from July 15 (a one-month move only). District staff are paid only once a month, generally on the 15th of the month.

Also included would be authorizing payment from cash balances for bids approved previously, contracted services, goods delivered, etc. without board approval as a payable

Officials say moving up payday should get district hourly staff who worked in June their pay prior to any closure. The majority of district teachers took a lump sum payment for their summer pay and will receive that pay prior to any closure.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the board reviewed one of the data points the district uses to measure success for its Strategic Plan – the Developmental Reading Assessment.

The assessment evaluates elementary students in the fall and spring and focuses on reading engagement, oral fluency and comprehension. The DRA also fulfills the state’s requirement for an early reading intervention assessment. The assessment also serves as an indicator for the district’s Strategic Plan.