The USD 470 Board of Education approved a tentative negotiated agreement Monday night with the Arkansas City Teachers Association for the 2026-27 school year.
The agreement, which must still be ratified by ACTA members, includes continued step and column movement on the salary schedule, an increase in the non-indexed salary amount from $2,750 to $3,000 and a revised school calendar that provides a full week of Thanksgiving break for students and staff.
The tentative agreement also reduces the certified staff contract year by two days, creates a flexible workday option allowing certified staff to work remotely or on-site on the final day of the first semester, increases the paid leave buyback rate from $100 to $130 per day and updates several supplemental contracts. The agreement carries an estimated cost increase of 1.89 percent.
The board also received an update on bond-funded construction projects from representatives of McCownGordon Construction and Schaefer Architecture.
Plans continue to move forward for secure entrance and office renovations at Adams and Roosevelt elementary schools, along with the first phase of district technology infrastructure improvements. Bids for several projects are expected this month, with recommendations likely coming before the board in July.
District officials said construction at Adams and Roosevelt is expected to begin during the 2026-27 school year. Work on the Arkansas City Middle School renovation and addition, as well as the new Early Childhood Center, will follow as bond projects continue moving forward.
During the meeting, the board recognized Arkansas City High School state track and field medalists Karson Palmer, Harper Webb and Gabby Banta for their performances at the Class 5A State Track and Field Championships.
Palmer finished as state runner-up in both the shot put and discus. Webb earned runner-up finishes in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and placed fourth in the 400-meter dash. Banta placed fourth in the discus. The three athletes combined to bring home six state medals.
In other business, the board approved renewal of the district’s workers’ compensation insurance through KASB. The annual premium will increase from approximately $90,500 to $143,300. Continue below ad.
The board also approved moving forward with a request for proposals for a new playground at Jefferson Elementary, authorized an application for a Kansas Safe and Secure Schools Grant to help fund improvements to the Arkansas City High School intercom system and other safety projects, and approved annual property, liability and student accident insurance renewals.
Property and liability insurance costs will increase about 12 percent, from roughly $522,600 to $584,600, while student accident insurance will increase about 3 percent to approximately $37,300.
The board approved Assistant Superintendent Braden Smith as the district’s authorized representative for state and federal school meal programs and reviewed a first reading of policy updates recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards.
The board also hired LaDawna Knighten as academic coach at Arkansas City High School.
Board members met in executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and scheduled a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. June 15 for additional personnel discussions.
