Board members expect to hear a recommendation for a new elementary school at their next meeting, 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26. Members of a steering committee studying the issue have decided what type of elementary school and at what location they feel will best meet the districts future needs, after a series of community meetings to narrow the choices. If the board follows the recommendation, theyll likely begin plans to introduce a bond issue for voter approval.
(Click here to read addtional coverage of the steering committee.)
A three-year comparison of USD 257 budgets shows this years budget is mostly in line with last year, Superintendent Stacey Fager reported. The district increased salaries but made slight adjustments in other areas to compensate. Another notable difference was a decrease in the food service budget, mostly because fewer students are eating school meals. Administrators plan to meet with Opaa food service officials to discuss ways to encourage more students to eat their food. Also notable was an increase in maintenance and repair costs, primarily because of repairs to the districts HVAC systems.
On behalf of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, the board accepted a donation from the Clopton Family Trust. Clyde Toland donated $1,000 through the trust, with $500 to go to the Iola Area Symphony Orchestra for its twice-yearly concerts and $500 to go to Dr. Gregory Turner, who has conducted the orchestra for 25 years.
With a margin of 66 to 34 percent, voters approved a proposal to elect all board members on an at-large basis rather than by districts in last Tuesday’s election. The tally was 1,700 to 867. Other area districts, including Marmaton Valley and Humboldt, elect board members on an at-large basis. The next election is November 2019, when four seats will be up for election.
