HUMBOLDT — After a long wait and an awfully hot summer, Humboldt’s community fieldhouse will soon have new HVAC units installed. At least that’s the plan, USD 258 Superintendent Amber Wheeler informed board members at Monday night’s meeting. Wheeler received confirmation Tuesday that four new units, which will be installed in the gymnasium, are slated to arrive by Oct. 20. Two smaller units have already been installed to regulate the locker rooms and foyer.
Air conditioning in the fieldhouse had been spotty since this summer, and the old units, which were connected to a finicky geothermal heating system, were disconnected once the school year began. The new units will use traditional electric and gas.
The improvements are part of the school district’s $17.45 million bond issue, which after being approved by voters last May, is now kicking into high gear. “It’s exciting to see,” said Wheeler. “Things are really getting moving.”
HUMBOLDT’s student enrollment increased for the second year in a row. The district’s headcount this year was 1,001, up from 976 last year and 964 the year prior. These numbers include the district’s virtual school and Pre-K students.
Virtual school enrollment increased to 303 students, up from 243 last year. The virtual school accepts students from across the state; those who complete the program receive a diploma from Humboldt High School. 92 adults are currently enrolled in the program.
USD 258 currently has 29 youngsters enrolled in its half-day preschool program.
With just one teacher and three paraprofessionals, the program is at capacity, noted Staci Hudlin, Humboldt elementary school principal. Thanks to the bond issue, plans are in the works to build another preschool classroom to help ease the load and grow the program.
Chanute Public Schools lost 21 students in grades K-12 this year, while Iola’s USD 257 reported 1,061 K-12 students, a loss of 26 compared to last year.
KIM ISBELL, Humboldt High School’s Career and Technical Education coordinator, was recognized for her role in establishing Humboldt High School as the top 3A high school in Kansas for FAFSA completion rates. An impressive 100% of last year’s seniors completed the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used by universities and colleges to award grants, scholarships and loans. The class of 2022 had around a 98% completion rate.
“There’s a lot of opportunity for kids to get funding for post-secondary education,” said Isbell, who is in her second year as the CTE coordinator and 20th with the district. Isbell noted a new version of the FAFSA will be released this December. The new form should be easier to complete; Isbell is eager to see the updates. 
USD 258 board members also learned the district has seen a spike in the number of students who eat free lunch. Around 44% of high school students qualify for free meals, while about 46% and 47% do so at the middle and elementary schools. Humboldt High School principal John Johnson noted he’s seen an increase in the number of students eating breakfast now that a second grab-and-go meal is offered between second and third periods. The middle school offers a similar “second chance” breakfast between first and second periods. “It’s a great opportunity for those kids who don’t want breakfast first thing in the morning to grab something to eat,” said Johnson.
Humboldt schools do not offer universal free lunch for students. Board member Ashley Johnson wondered if a large number of students were in arrears on their accounts, but Wheeler said the district works hard to make sure families don’t fall too far behind. Those who can’t pay for a meal get a sack lunch provided by the district.
IN OTHER news, Humboldt USD 258 is rolling out its new vision and mission statements. The vision statement, “Cubs Nation: Where all people matter,” and mission, “Cubs graduates have the knowledge and preparation to succeed and are actively pursuing a direction to achieve their goals,” were approved by the board in September.
Board members also approved changes to standardize fringe benefits for staff and made several personnel decisions. A decision on the district’s open enrollment policy, which generated much discussion, must also be settled before the end of the year.
MONDAY’s board meeting was the last before the Nov. 7 election, with four positions up for grabs. Drake Tilman, Sandra Whitaker, Anthony Works and Josh Wrestler, who currently serves as board president, have all filed for re-election. Chelsie Angleton, Josh Hart, Kevin Heisler, Cindy Jaro, Andrea Newman and Hiram Raby are challenging the incumbents for a four-year term.
