Wamego’s USD 320 will be moving forward with a performance bond for maintenance projects. At Monday’s meeting, Navitas engineer, Ryan Terry went over project pro forma cash flow statements for two different configurations showing the breakout of financing and saving options. After a brief discussion, the board voted to proceed with configuration two, which included the High School HVAC improvements.
In other business, the Board approved adding a therapy dog to West Elementary. According to teacher and dog owner, Robin Butler , who are both registered through Therapy Dogs International, the presence of therapy dogs can increase reading skills, as well as contributing to social and emotional development. Butler said the addition of therapy dogs in school counselor’s office has been shown to reduce anxiety, and help students work through anger and bullying issues. Approval was granted.
In addition, the board approved adding a 5th grade position at West Elementary, which will give the 5th grade a sixth section to reduce classroom overcrowding. According to Principal Amy Flinn, the third and fourth grade classes each have six sections.
Also at Monday’s meeting, High School Instructor Dr. Allen Sylvester said he was approached by Caterpillar in August with a project idea to study how to eliminate metal shards getting in worker’s eyes. Two students were assigned the independent study project, senior Trace Campbell and sophomore Conner McVay, and brought their findings to the board. McVay’s findings determined the most efficient grindstones by brand, and recommended the use of magnets on the worker’s helmets to capture the metal shards. Dr. Sylvester said Caterpillar had not thought of the magnet usage, and was impressed with the student’s findings. The project will be entered in this year’s Science Fair.
In other business, Bowman, Bowman & Novick Architects (BBN) Nancy Burton presented a Statement of the Project in order to determine the Scope of Work required for the projects identified by USD 320. Several options were outlined for the Catholic Church Campus, plus the needs outlined for the Sports Complex and the West Elementary Playground problems. BBN and Coonrod & Associates will bring cost estimates for the slated projects to the April meeting.
A request by teacher Jennifer Topliff to have a Sunday matinee for the Spring play, “The Man who Came to Dinner” on Sunday, February 22nd. Topliff also asked to have the Sunday matinee an option on a yearly basis. According to Board President Richard Weixelman, any Sunday school related event requires board approval. The Board approved the current request by a vote of 5 to 0 (Board members Mark Bettencourt and Amy Schwein were absent), but will review the policy for the option of an annual event.
Approval was also given for the Spanish Club students in Spanish II and III classes to travel to Kansas City on April 29th. According to teacher Lotus Hazlett, there will be between 50 and 60 students, plus a docent for every 10 students taking the trip to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.
In addition, the 3rd annual Kansas Honor Flight will be leaving Wamego on April 29th and returning on April 30th. According to teacher Shawn Hornung, 25 Veterans, 25 student guardians, 2 support staff and a medical team of 3 will be taking the trip to Washington, D.C. The vote was unanimous.
