SAFE BASE will stay at Lincoln Elementary School again this year, its 11th providing after-school tutoring and enrichment activities for USD 257 students.
The program was conducted at Jefferson Elementary its first five years.
“The next school obviously is McKinley,” since SAFE BASE has been five years each at the two other elementaries, Dr. Craig Neuenswander, superintendent of schools, told board members Monday, but, he said, “that presents a few issues, primarily related to the size of McKinley.
Lori Maxwell, McKinley principal, also noted her school’s space limitations and said that busing in SAFE BASE participants would conflict with McKinley students waiting to be bused home. Also, she said, storage of SAFE BASE materials would require construction of a small detached storage building.
Brad Crusinbery, Jefferson principal, also cited space problems at his school, with two rooms formerly used for SAFE BASE now holding daily classes.
“We also have problems,” said Larry Hart, Lincoln principal, “and my teachers have done their tour.”
A petition from several Lincoln teachers and classified staff encouraged board members to move SAFE BASE elsewhere.
Regular classrooms are utilized by SAFE BASE after hours.
“It’s an awesome program,” Board Member Deanne Burris replied, “and it irks me that we’re making a decision on it on Aug. 23.”
She also expressed regret for the divisiveness its location was causing.
Angela Henry, SAFE BASE director, pleaded for one more year at Lincoln, “and then we’ll be out.”
Henry said she had prepared for upcoming activities — they start Sept. 13 — on the assumption the program would remain at Lincoln. Among planning has been to arrange for use of a nearby lot owned by the city for a garden that students will plant and tend. Gardening is a feature of the $168,351 grant SAFE BASE received from Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City for the 2010-11 school year.
“I agree with all that’s been said,” Neuenswander said, “but this summer I thought it was better to leave SAFE BASE at Lincoln. However, the kids will be well-served wherever the program is based.”
SAFE BASE classes stay at Lincoln
