Non-Discrimination Statement

Unified School District 489, Ellis County, Hays, Kansas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, sex, age disability, or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities. It is the intent of Unified School District 489, Ellis County, Hays, Kansas, to comply with both the letter and spirit of the law in making certain discrimination does not exist in its policies, regulations, and operations. Grievance procedures for Title IX and Section 504 have been established for students, their parents, and employees who feel discrimination has been shown by the local education agency. If you have questions regarding the above, please contact Title IX Coordinator or the Section 504 Coordinator.

Homeless Policy

Hays Unified School District 489, in accordance with state and federal law and the state of Kansas plan, will ensure that homeless children in the school district have access to a free and appropriate public education. Homeless students are individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

Compliance Coordinator for all Federal Programs
Ron Wilson, Superintendent
rwilson@usd489.com
785-623-2400

USD 489 Homeless Liaison
Jess Reling, Assistant to the Superintendent
jreling@usd489.com
785-623-2400

Migrant Program Director
Mikayla Lobato
mlobato@usd489.com
785-623-2400

Severe Weather

Announcements for closures will be made on the following radio and tv stations: KAYS, KHAZ, KJLS, KFIX, KQQY, KWCH-TV, KBSH-TV, KAKE-TV, KHCT, AND KSN-KSNC.

We will also announce school closings on Facebook (Hays Unified School District 489) and our Twitter account. Search USD 489 and like our pages to receive free updates.

School Messenger through Power School will be the service that USD 489 will utilize to contact parents and guardians of school closings. To opt-in to this service, text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. You will receive a text back telling you that it was successful. Email Amy Arnhold at aarnhold@usd489.com if you run into any issues or problems opting into the system. Please email the name of the school your student attends as well as the phone number and email address you wish to receive notifications.

Dangerously low wind chills and hazardous driving conditions will impact whether or not school is canceled. USD 489 will do its best to make the right decision to keep everyone safe this winter season. We encourage parents to make the best decision for their students if driving conditions become too hazardous. Safety is our number one priority. Please allow for extra travel time on inclement weather days.

• USD 489 will only close school early once school is in session for the day in extreme situations when the weather is expected to deteriorate rapidly.
• Please plan with your child what to do in the event school is closed early or canceled.
• If your child walks to school, please have a back-up plan for when weather conditions become adverse.
• The school district will make every attempt to cancel school the night before in order to give plenty of advance notice.
• February 19th and April 20th are designated as make up days in the event we go over our allotted snow days.

Part-Time Students

The board allows any child to enroll part-time in the school district to allow the student to attend any courses, programs, or services offered by the school district if the child:

• Is also enrolled in a nonaccredited private elementary or secondary school or in any other private, denominational, or parochial school as required by law;

• requests to enroll part-time in the school district; and

• meets the age of eligibility requirements for school attendance.

District administrators shall make a good faith attempt to accommodate scheduling requests of students enrolling in the school district in these situations but shall not be required to make adjustments to accommodate every such request.

Part-time students, other than those specified previously in this policy may enroll with the administration’s permission if they complete all paperwork in a timely fashion and are in attendance no later than the first day of school. Such part-time students may be admitted only to the extent that staff, facilities, equipment, and supplies are available and the students follow the district’s student conduct policies and rules.