By the end of December, the final touches will be completed on the 78.8-million dollar bond issue Hutchinson School District voters approved nearly five years ago, the Hutchinson School Board learned Monday evening.

In his last regular report on bond issue work, Bob Williams, district bond project manager, updated the board on the final jobs being completed. The final projects are being funded by interest accrued on the bonds after they were sold.

Williams said that of the 10.9-million dollars of interest earnings, the board previously voted to use 5.5-million dollars to reduce the bond and interest mill levy while 1.2-million of the excess interest will have to be paid to the IRS.

The balance of the interest income was used for projects that focused on safety, security and improved the longevity of the facilities. All the projects will be done by Dec. 31.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the board monitored district reading results and determined that reasonable progress was being made. For the first time, the report included building-level targets for reading.

The board also made its first evaluation of Superintendent Shelly Kiblinger and determined her performance, based on board policy, met expectations with several commendations. With Coherent Governance, the superintendent’s evaluation is based largely on district performance on regular results and expectations reports, which are given each month. The board did not go into executive session to make its evaluation.

They also approved the Interfaith Housing Program agreement. The Building Trades Program now works with Interfaith Housing on its rehabilitation projects. The projects give students a wide range of construction experience.