Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education received revised projected enrollment numbers at Monday’s meeting. Kansas Association of School Boards Research Specialist, Ted Carter reported errors in the information he presented at the November 10th board meeting. He said there was one number that skewed the results. His earlier projection was based on the anticipated addition of 300 new housing units within the district by 2020, which increased the enrollment from 1600 in 2014-15 to 1825 students by 2019-20. The Board questioned the 300 new housing units at the meeting.
After verification, Carter’s new projections are based on 60 new housing units, with an expected enrollment increase of approximately 1900 students by the 2019-20 school year.
With this new enrollment projection, Board President Richard Weixelman said the new enrollment numbers and the fact that Caterpillar plans hiring increases, and the fact the Government announced funding NBAF Monday, the district needs to be looking at the long-term facility needs of the District. This information also guided the decision of the Design/Build team.
In other business, the Board heard from Coach Dale Burkholder on the condition of the Sports Complex locker rooms and restrooms. The needed improvement to the Sports Complex is on the current to-do list of facility needs, and the Board was aware of the conditions.
Also, Superintendent Denise O’Dea added she is not in a position to add new staff, but wanted the Board to be aware the District has 1 school nurse for over 1600 kids, when the acceptable quota is 1 per 700 students.
The USD 320 Board of Education received a good grade this year. At Monday’s meeting, the board heard the results of their annual audit from Agler & Gaeddert, which showed no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies for the 2013-14 audit. The Board accepted the audit as presented by a vote of 5 to 0. Both Rob Adams and Michele Johnson were absent.
In other business, Piper-Jaffray’s Managing Director, Greg Vahrenberg gave a draft financing analysis of the District’s bond financing options. Vahrenberg said he had worked with the District on prior bond issues, and stated USD 320 has a Standard & Poors A+ rating. He presented different financing scenarios for the District’s upcoming projects.
In a related issue, the Board chose the Design/Build, Architect/Contractor Team of BBN Architects and Coonrod and Associates for the District’s upcoming projects. After a brief discussion, the Board ranked the teams by preference, with Rob Adams participating by phone. The vote was 5 to 1, with Joe Steele opposed. The three Design/Build teams made their presentations at the December 1st Special meeting.
Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education recognized both students and teachers. At Monday’s regular meeting, Board President Richard Weixelman recognized Instructor Josh Wildin and his students who recently became members of the Kansas Music Educators Association’s All-State Middle Level Choir. Wildin introduced some of the 15 members to the Board.
Teacher Cheryl Callahan was recognized as recipient of the Kansas Association for the Gifted and Talented General Advocacy Award Winner for 2014, and the Kansas State University College of Education Student Affairs 2014 Distinguished Cooperating Teacher award.
Also, Wamego Middle School teacher Michael Peterman is in the running for Region 1 Teacher of the Year award, and recently completed his National Board Certification requirements.
In other business, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students who attended the National Cluster Conference in Little Rock recently, presented gifts to the Board member’s in appreciation for their support.
