The Hutchinson School Board Thursday night heard a report from Donna Davis, executive director of secondary education, on the possibility of opening a virtual school in the district. As a land-locked district of only 14 square miles, USD 308 is looking at innovative approaches to expand its student body.

A virtual school would allow the district to serve students from across Kansas who may not want a regular classroom experience or need the flexibility that a virtual school can provide. It also would allow the district to serve some students who live in Hutchinson but currently attend another virtual school.

Dr. Shelly Kiblinger, superintendent, updated the Board on the impact of the federal Affordable Care Act on district finances. The district will have to come up with as much as $1.5 million in additional funding to meet the law’s mandates when it is implemented for the 2014-15 school year.

Lori Blakesley, district executive director of finance, updated the Board on work of the Community Budget Committee. The committee, composed of students, parents, community members and staff, has met twice and will meet a third time on March 4.

Dr. Kiblinger also updated the Board on the Kansas Learning Network’s report on McCandless Elementary School, the district’s largest Title I school. McCandless Principal Glenn Owen then gave a continuous improvement report on the school.

The board also declared March as Youth Arts Month in the district during its meeting Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013.

With elementary art students in attendance, art educators for the district reviewed the many benefits art education provides and invited Board members to participate in the on-line sixth grade art show.

The art show can be seen at https://www.usd308art.com/.

Thursday nights meeting was a make-up for Monday’s regular meeting that was postponed because of the snow storm.