The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education heard emotional testimony from parents regarding serious transportation safety and timeliness issues at its Wednesday meeting. The board also formally approved the district’s $41.5 million budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which accounts for the final spending on major construction projects. In a move to modernize operations, the board approved new software platforms for managing board policies and transitioning to paperless digital meetings. For more details on the transportation concerns and the budget approval, see our full coverage.

Brief Title 1: Auditors Give Clean Opinion
The accounting firm Lauterbach & Amen, LLP presented the district’s annual audit, issuing a clean opinion on a cash basis. The audit noted a total net decrease in fund balances of $19.6 million, primarily due to spending on the new junior high school. A prior-year recommendation to formalize and update the district’s capital asset policy was repeated, and administrators stated they would work to implement it in the coming year.

Brief Title 2: Superintendent Outlines Annual Goals
Superintendent Dr. Damien Aherne presented his goals for the 2025-26 school year, which are aligned with the district’s new strategic plan. The goals are focused on four key areas: operations, communication, curriculum and learning, and visibility. He emphasized his commitment to building trust by being present in schools and at community events, enhancing communication, and refining district systems and procedures to better serve students and families.

Brief Title 3: District Adopts PACE Framework
The board unanimously approved the implementation of the Postsecondary and Career Exploration (PACE) framework. This state-level initiative provides a structure for schools to deliver comprehensive guidance to students on career and college readiness. The framework helps ensure that students are exposed to various post-secondary options and career paths as they progress through middle school and prepare for high school.

Brief Title 4: Board Approves Personnel Moves
The board approved several personnel actions following a closed session. Victoria McAndrew was hired as a school counselor for Wilson Creek, while Amy Novelty, Carla Spander, Margaret Johnson, and Christina Stradlo were hired for non-certified instructional and technology assistant roles. The board also approved the transfer of teacher Michelle Walker to an instructional specialist position and accepted three resignations from district staff.

Brief Title 5: District Enrollment Stands at 2,023
Superintendent Dr. Damien Aherne reported that enrollment for the new school year is 2,023 students from Pre-K through eighth grade. The largest grade level is fourth grade with 245 students, while kindergarten is the smallest with 175 students. Dr. Aherne noted that the first three weeks of school have gone smoothly and students have settled into their routines quickly.

Brief Title 6: Fall Athletics Underway
The board received an update on fall athletics, learning that the softball and baseball teams recently concluded their seasons. The popular fishing club has returned with about 60 students attending its first meeting. Girls’ basketball tryouts have just finished, showing an encouraging increase in participation at the sixth-grade level, and boys’ basketball is scheduled to begin in October.