Wamego’s USD 320 is welcoming 17 new teachers for the 2014-15 school year. At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, the respective principals introduced their staff to the Board. Central Elementary Principal Teri Dow introduced eight teachers, while West Elementary Principal Amy Flinn, Wamego Middle School Principal Viki Jennings and Wamego High School Principal Tim Winters each introduced three new teachers.
In other business, the Board approved the FBLA’s (Future Business Leaders of America) request to attend the National Fall Leadership Conference in Minneapolis, MN, November 13th thru the 15th by a vote of 7 to 0. The goal is to have 20 FBLA officers and members attend.
The Board voted 7 to 0 to waive school policy to allow a memorial service at the Sports Complex or the upper gym as a backup plan on a Saturday. The current policy states no USD 320 property shall be used for a funeral service. The request was made by a patron who is terminally ill.
With Wamego’s USD 320 budget approved, it was time to revisit the Capital Improvement List. Director of Operations Larry Hannan presented the Priority List of maintenance issues that need to be completed in the near future. Hannan asked for the Board s help to narrow down the projects that can be accomplished with his limited resources. During the discussions, the Bus Maintenance Facility was revisited, and the immediate need before winter weather is upon us.
According to Hannan, 75 percent of the bus maintenance is done in-house, and is done out in the open. Board President Richard Weixelman suggested a trimmed down addition to the existing buildings that could be done in a short time span. Hannan was asked to come back with cost estimates by the next meeting before final approval is given. Also approved was a security locking system at the High School and correcting the Playground drainage issue at West Elementary.
The District’s Roof Report was also revisited, and Board member Mark Bettencourt said preventative maintenance is the key issue and made a motion to replace 2 roofs sections at the High School, the maintenance on the Middle School roof, and replace the roof on the Catholic Rectory recently purchased by the District. The motion was approved by a vote of 7 to 0.
Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education approved technology replacements att Monday’s meeting. Director of Technology Anitta Staats presented her Top Five List of Technology Upgrades. The Board approved replacing all the Windows XP systems (which are no longer supported), at the High School, Middle School and West Elementary. This will include 78 systems at a cost of over $70,000. What didn t make the cut were teacher laptops at Central Elementary and upgrades for the Office and Maintenance staff.
In other business, the three properties the District purchased have been demolished and replaced with vacant land. Director of Operations Larry Hannan said City Code requires the lots be paved, but asked for authority to request a variance from the City to gravel the lots for now, since the District doesn’t have a firm plan for the property. Both issues were approved by a vote of 7 to 0.
