USD 257 Board of Education members were in the zone Monday night. Sherry Riebel, Allen County Clerk, addressed the members about school district boundaries. Riebel said the district’s current map omits certain areas that should be included.
Riebel also suggested the board adopt an “at-large” plan for electing school board members. The board currently has six member districts with one board member elected from each and one at-large. Members voiced their concerns of adjusting the districts.
“We don’t exactly have people knocking down doors to run,” Tony Leavitt, board president said. “We would potentially have a larger list if we did go the at-large route.”
Mark Burris, board member, was concerned how the at-large option would change the district.
“It’s something that will have a large impact on our district for many years,” he said.
Jack Koehn, superintendent of schools, asked members to form a small committee in order to discuss the re-zoning in depth. Leavitt, Burris and Darrel Catron will meet with Koehn and bring a proposal to the board.
Iola High School principal, Stacey Fager, spoke to the board about changing credit options for Crossroad Alternative School students. Currently Iola High School students and Crossroad students are required to complete 28 credit hours. Depending on the situation of the student they could follow a 21-credit path.
“It could be where a student transfers in from another school and they have fewer credits,” Fager said.
The 21-credit path helps give students a way to earn a diploma instead of dropping out. Those who take the 21-credit path will not receive an Iola High School diploma. Instead, they will receive a State of Kansas diploma and will not be a part of the Iola compository or allowed to walk at the Iola graduation ceremony.
Board member Buck Quincy voiced his concern on how it might be unfair to other students.
“Students here are going to say, ‘Oh they have it easier there,’” he said.
Koehn understands where the concern is coming from.
“Is it the same education?” Koehn asked. “Nope, but it’s better than dropping out.”
The board passed the 21-credit option for Crossroads.
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