Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education opposed several requests due to budget constraints. At Monday’s meeting, the Soccer proposal that was presented at the last meeting was reviewed. After the board studied the proposal, President Richard Weixelman said he didn’t know how they could approve the request because of the cost of the district. After weighing all the issues, a motion was made to deny the proposal for soccer as an added sport. The motion passed by a vote of 6 to 1, with Board member Joe Steele opposed.
The board denied a request from a patron to waive the board’s policy on out-of-district student enrollment. Superintendent Denise O’Dea said she received a letter requesting the waiver. All the board members referred to the policy that was amended to deny any new out-of-district transfer requests because of the State funding issue. A motion was made to deny the request, which passed by a vote of 5 to 2. Board members Richard Weixelman and Michele Johnson opposed.
In other business, the board approved the 2015-16 handbooks for all the school students, parents and staff as written by a vote of 7 to 0. The board also approved all the revisions to the Kansas Association of School Board’s (KASB) Policy by a vote of 7 to 0.
O’Dea and Board member Michele Johnson visited with the Catholic Church board asking for an extension of their stay in the USD 320 Administrative building. O’Dea said the discussion moved to the use of the rectory, and an agreement was reached to allow Father Mike to remain there, and for USD 320 to stay in the current building until remodeling is complete. She said a contract is pending, and both parties are working together in a good way.