Hays High Site Council met on Oct. 7 in the library with some members joining via Zoom.

The meeting started with installation of the new Site Council president, Misty Lohmeyer, and was followed by the report from the superintendent Ron Wilson.

Wilson discussed his role as superintendent and the type of environment he aims to cultivate throughout the district.

“I’m trying to build a culture that shows what we do, why we do it and the reasons that are going to get us to where we want to go,” Wilson said.

USD 489’s mission statement is: “USD 489 will provide a valuable learning experience for every student, every day, in every classroom.”

“I had zero influence on this mission statement,” Wilson said. “It’s been here for a long time before I came here, but I really feel like we nailed it, and it shows what we’re truly about.”

Wilson then outlined the district’s vision and core values before passing the meeting over to Dennis King, who reported on information regarding Fort Hays State University.

“Right now, we’re prepared for a lot of different things to happen on campus,” King said. “It’s looking like we’re going to be the only four-year school in the state that will end the semester still offering some in-person classes, as long as nothing happens over Thanksgiving.”

Jasmine Arial discussed the Music Booster program and the upcoming music events including the Orchestra fall concert, which will be held Oct. 13 with adequate social distancing and required masks.

Principal Martin Straub ended the meeting by talking about enrollment numbers this year.

“Our official count was around 858 students, which puts us in the top of the bottom third of 5A,” Straub said. “We’ll probably move up some next year. We have a larger class coming in from the middle school than the graduating class this year, so we’ll probably be really close to that 900 mark by next year.”

21afeyerherm@usd489.com