USD 383 board approves playground shade, Seaco Park change order and Amanda Arnold renovation
January 22, 2026 | Manhattan-Ogden USD 383, School Boards, Kansas
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The Manhattan‑Ogden USD 383 Board of Education unanimously approved multiple facilities projects and consent‑agenda items at the Jan. meeting, voting 7–0 on each measure.
On new business, the board approved a $25,605 contract with Aspire to Play for two playground shade structures at Frank Bergman Elementary. The motion was made by Greg and seconded by Kristen and carried by voice vote.
The board then approved change order number 1 for the Seaco Park construction project submitted by BHS Construction of Manhattan for $112,940. BHS Construction also provided a donation of $12,742 toward the project. AJ Devlin, the project manager, gave a progress update: turf installation was about 95% complete, concrete about 80% complete, and the central building finishes were roughly 85% complete. Devlin outlined features including CMU dugouts, turf infields, removable bases, batting cages, a viewing deck, and plans for Pixellot streaming cameras and scoreboards; staff estimated field availability in late March or early April depending on weather.
The board approved base and alternate bids plus a 5% contingency for the Amanda Arnold Elementary Phase 2 renovation in the amount of $1,879,500; board members said the work will be funded from capital outlay and is part of ongoing maintenance planning to avoid future deferred‑maintenance bond issues.
Earlier in the meeting the board approved the consent agenda (minutes, bills, finance and human resources reports), noting donations and grants totaling $38,046.28 and two retirements, including reading intervention teacher Julie Head (effective June 1, 2026). Board members congratulated CTE staff for a $25,000 Perkins program reserve grant supporting STEM programs and praised students and staff for recent extracurricular successes.
Ending: All facilities motions passed 7‑0. The board set upcoming meetings for Feb. 4 (6:30 p.m.) and Feb. 18 and directed staff to continue project oversight and community communication on construction timelines.
On new business, the board approved a $25,605 contract with Aspire to Play for two playground shade structures at Frank Bergman Elementary. The motion was made by Greg and seconded by Kristen and carried by voice vote.
The board then approved change order number 1 for the Seaco Park construction project submitted by BHS Construction of Manhattan for $112,940. BHS Construction also provided a donation of $12,742 toward the project. AJ Devlin, the project manager, gave a progress update: turf installation was about 95% complete, concrete about 80% complete, and the central building finishes were roughly 85% complete. Devlin outlined features including CMU dugouts, turf infields, removable bases, batting cages, a viewing deck, and plans for Pixellot streaming cameras and scoreboards; staff estimated field availability in late March or early April depending on weather.
The board approved base and alternate bids plus a 5% contingency for the Amanda Arnold Elementary Phase 2 renovation in the amount of $1,879,500; board members said the work will be funded from capital outlay and is part of ongoing maintenance planning to avoid future deferred‑maintenance bond issues.
Earlier in the meeting the board approved the consent agenda (minutes, bills, finance and human resources reports), noting donations and grants totaling $38,046.28 and two retirements, including reading intervention teacher Julie Head (effective June 1, 2026). Board members congratulated CTE staff for a $25,000 Perkins program reserve grant supporting STEM programs and praised students and staff for recent extracurricular successes.
Ending: All facilities motions passed 7‑0. The board set upcoming meetings for Feb. 4 (6:30 p.m.) and Feb. 18 and directed staff to continue project oversight and community communication on construction timelines.
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