It was a light agenda Monday night at the USD 257 board meeting. Board members agreed to continue participating in Schools for Fair Funding.
Schools for Fair Funding was created to restore balance to funding in school districts. It is a coalition of more than 50 school districts representing Kansas students. It helps protect K-12 learning within communities. They are the group that filed a lawsuit against the state of Kansas to provide equal funding.
“We’ve been in it this far, I see it as a necessity to continue,” board member Buck Quincy said.
Lincoln Elementary Principal Larry Hart said the school has had problems with vandalism.
“There has been a group of older kids gathering on the playground after school hours,” Hart said.
The students are in the middle school to high school age level. Playground equipment has been graffitied and there was even a fire set on the grounds a few weeks ago. Hart said the castle on the playground may have to be removed because groups gather inside it.
“I just wanted to bring this problem to your attention and if you have suggestions on how to handle it please let me know,” Hart said.
Trilby Bannister, Olivia Bannister and Caitie Venter came to the meeting to perform for the board members. The three students are part of the Iola High School Forensics team. The young women have qualified for state competition and will compete on Saturday.
In other news:
— The board accepted the resignation of Cameron Jesseph and Brad Carson as wrestling coaches.
— The board accepted the resignation of Lori Stone as a teacher at Jefferson Elementary.
— The board accepted the hiring of Rene Gifford as a High School Language Arts teacher.
— A bid from Desco for a new kitchen floor was approved.
