LAHARPE — Chuck Richey, LaHarpe, said the Iola school district “shot itself in the foot,” by closing the LaHarpe Elementary School in 2009 and questioned whether it was worth the money saved because of students who have since transferred to other districts.
Tony Leavitt, board president, admitted it “caused some hard feelings,” but that it was a prudent move, “considering our budget has been cut by $2.2 million” since 2008.
In an effort to improve relations with LaHarpe residents, the USD 257 board of education held its regular meeting Tuesday night at LaHarpe City Hall, but to no avail. Only a handful of residents showed up, with Richey, a senior citizen, the only one willing to speak up.
The savings to the school district to close the LaHarpe school is about $300,000 a year, said Brian Pekarek, superintendent of schools.
Leavitt asked that Richey consider the real culprit in their decision to close the school – the Kansas Legislature.
“We’re simply doing what the state legislature has forced us to do. I can guarantee the teachers aren’t very happy with it; and it hasn’t been good for the students or community in general. I would ask that you reconsider who’s to blame. We’re playing the cards we’ve been dealt.”
Last year, 61 students from USD 257 attended Moran schools. Forty district students attended Humboldt schools, with another 14 students attending schools in Chanute, Colony and Yates Center. The official attendance numbers for this year will be released Sept. 20, Pekarek said.
Last year’s numbers are less than those of 2010-2011, but still reflect a higher exodus of district students compared to incoming students from other districts. Last year, 44 students from 10 other districts came to Iola for their education.
Enrollment at USD 257 schools has decreased by 21 students, down from 1,352, according to a preliminary headcount, Pekarek said.
“There’s no pattern to either our losses or our increases from year to year,” Pekarek said. “We gained enrollment after the flood of 2007 and again when Haldex closed, which surprised us.”
IN AN EFFORT to improve communication between school administrators and parents of students, starting today an online survey will be posted on the district’s website, www.usd257.org.
The survey asks 10 questions regarding Iola schools.
For parents whose children choose not to attend Iola schools, a face-to-face visit is necessary, suggested board member Mark Burris.
STACEY FAGER, principal at the high school, said its teachers have taken “a leap of faith,” in allowing students to use their cell phones in between classes and during lunch break.
“It put more ownership on the students, and they responded,” Fager said, citing few abuses of the new policy. The change has allowed students “to put more focus on their studies when in the classroom.”
JACK STANLEY, principal at Iola Middle School, said he welcomes senior citizens to become “greeters” at the school each morning.
