The talk of change seems to be growing louder in Manhattan, and now the message has finally become clear to the USD 383 Board of Education. For the second straight meeting, the board has been addressed about the mascot issue during the public comment section.
Joe Sanders, a local parent, had three minutes to make his case to the school board. According to Sanders, students who live under the pressure of stereotypes under-perform. Sanders passed out a transcript of his speech to the board, and included cited works. Sanders said he is happy with the education his children are receiving, but also claimed tradition is not enough to justify keeping the indian as the mascot at MHS.
“If there is one thing that we are supposed to do in our schools, it is set our students up to succeed. The mascot at Manhattan High School does not do that,” Sanders said.
Board president Marcia Rozell afterwards told the board it is time to bring the issue to the table at future meetings. Multiple members voiced their approval, and the board agreed to start forming committees and bring the issue to the agenda this fall.
More on the mascot topic can be found here:
The board also heard about some space concerns existing with a certain special education program. Seventeen students with intellectual disabilities are housed within Frank Bergman Elementary school, and the program is now outgrowing the space which was once suitable.
“It’s an interior space, so, if you think about how Frank Bergman is set up in that circular pattern with the hallway… being one of those interior rooms, it’s an odd shape. The square footage is not great,” Dr. Deb Howser, Executive Director of Special Education, told board members. Howser and Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid conducted a study throughout the district, searching for different buildings which might be suitable for the growing needs of the class.
Accommodating the program has often been difficult. Students require extra amenities such as specialized restrooms and access to nursing care. Howser said between the large staff and possibility of adding an additional student next year, something needs to change.
Moving a “special” class such as art or music to a mobile unit was discussed as a temporary solution to space troubles. The board will discuss the issue again at a later meeting.
In new business, the board approved one final bid for new desktop and laptop computers, and also shortened the current school year by one day. Students will be released from the district one day sooner than the calendar shows. According to Superintendent Bob Shannon, it also makes financial sense for the school year to end on May 25.
