HUMBOLDT — Monday night’s school board meeting was Ed Bideau’s, candidate for the House of Representatives, latest stop on his tour of area schools for building better communication.
Bideau, a Chanute Republican, is running unopposed in the November elections. He attended the Iola school board meeting earlier this month.
“I don’t know many state representatives who have met with everyone, but I can try,” Bideau told USD 258 board members. “What I am trying to do in all districts, but particularly Allen County, is to reach out to different governmental units and establish communication.
“My goal is to put together an informal advisory group during the legislative session,” he said.
Bideau’s major concern going into the next legislative session is the possibility of doing away with school equalization.
Allen County school districts, similar to many rural school districts, receive federal funding recycled from the profitable and bigger, urban school districts, Bideau said.
“If equalization is taken away, if it does happen, we will be facing some bad times,” Bideau said.
Another worrisome topic Bideau wanted board members to be aware of is leadership in the House.
“There are three declared candidates for Speaker of the House, and they are all from Johnson County,” Bideau said. “I don’t like that.”
Bigger counties such as Johnson County would be a negative impact on the rural school districts because urban legislators and their concerns differ from those of rural areas.
Though Bideau says he doesn’t have all the answers, he does say that being vigilant in the rural areas is key.
APPROVALS AND general housekeeping took precedence over the second part of the board meeting.
Ruby Crawford’s resignation was approved. Crawford taught Spanish and language arts and has been with USD 258 since 1979.
Rob Myers was approved to be the new cross country assistant coach.
The board approved a raise for substitute teacher pay from $75 to $80 a day.
Bids were placed from surrounding and in-town companies for the Building Trades house.
