Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Educations called a Special meeting to discuss issues from the last meeting. At Monday’s meeting, Board President Richard Weixelman began the discussion of the Board’s advertising policy. The issue is an advertisement on the new scoreboard at the Sports Complex purchased by the Booster Club, who secured the advertising from a local liquor store, which was approved by the then Assistant Athletic Director. Superintendent Denise O’Dea had a handout of KASB’s (Kansas Association of School Boards) policy at the last meeting, spelling out “ads promoting the sale of any controlled substance, drug paraphernalia or any other illegal material or activity are prohibited”.
Board member Richie Chrest said if it’s illegal for kids to consume alcohol, it should be considered by the board. According to Weixelman, the ad does not promote the sale of anything, with the message “21 is 21”, which he feels is a good message. After a lot of back and forth and citing other businesses that advertise sell items that are illegal to underage kids. O’dea said administration will stay on top of future advertising, which needs to be run through them before placement. After Weixelman stated he thought the policy is fine the way it’s written, the rest of the board agreed.
Also at Monday’s meeting, Dr. G. Kent Stewart reviewed his recommendations from the last meeting from the comprehensive study he prepared. The Catholic Church building is the issue, with a consensus wanting to purchase the building and use it for educational purposes. Dr. Stewart stated he’d talked to a Bishop of the Diocese, who had letters from the Archbishop stating the building was to be razed in one of the letters, and restating the fact in the second letter. Stewart said he, too, doesn’t like to see buildings torn down, but felt the cost to renovate the 104 year old building to meet the Districts needs would be too costly and recommended the building be razed.
According to Stewart, part of the issue with a purchase of a church is the District would have to own it forever. He said needs are going to change, and wondered if the District would be able to use it forever. After the recommendation, Board member Richie Chrest said he would still like to see the issue reviewed by the Archdiocese in order to save the building. After a lot of back and forth both for and against the review, a motion was made to pursue alternative uses for the church property with the Archdiocese. Weixelman opposed citing it’s the Board’s responsibility to be financially responsible with the Districts funds, and feels it would more economical to let the church be torn down, at no cost to the District, and build a new, more energy efficient building that would meet the District’s needs. He did agree to sign a letter to the Archdiocese requesting purchase of the Church building for educational use. According to the contract, the Church building is scheduled to be razed on June of 2015.
The Board agreed the District is facing an overcrowding problem, especially at Central and West Elementary, and discussed different ways to manage the crisis. Board member Mark Bettencourt suggested restricting out-of-district students. O’Dea said there are over a 100 currently. Board member Joe Steele supports building a new building, citing additions give the District only a few years. A decision was made to request several design/build architects to give the Board ideas on how to best use the Districts property. A special meeting was set for December 1st to hear the results.
