HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Good news in downtown Hutchinson is prompting the Hutchinson School Board to examine a tiny portion of the district’s elementary school boundaries.

During the regular board meeting Monday, they heard a report from Superintendent Dr. Shelly Kiblinger about the Wiley Building apartments which are expected to open next winter. The apartments will have the potential for up to 68 “second or third bedrooms” that would allow families to live in the Wiley with children.

Currently, the Wiley Building and nearby area east of Main is in the Faris Elementary School attendance area. Faris, however is nearing its capacity. Adjacent to the area to the south is the Lincoln Elementary School attendance area and they have room for additional students.

As a result, the board has been asked to consider moving Lincoln’s boundary north between Poplar and Main from its current boundary on Sherman north to the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad tracks. The addition would be about six city blocks.

Less than 10 students in permanent housing live in the area and would be given the option to stay in their current schools.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the board was updated on the final report about math technical assistance. Dr. Connie Schrock from Emporia State University spent time this winter and spring in district classrooms and offices looking at how mathematics is taught in the district. Dr. Schrock also met with focus groups of teachers and administrative staff on curriculum and curriculum alignment.

Schrock was hired by the board to take an in-depth look at the district’s math curriculum, the resources available for math education and professional development for staff.