N. Lyon Co. patrons to speak out on school closure
By Brandy Nance (Contact)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
ALLEN — A meeting for the public to voice their concerns and opinions on the recommendation by North Lyon County Superintendent Mike Nulton to close Admire School because of budget concerns will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Northern Heights High School south gym.
Speaking to a group of more than 100 people, Nulton made his final recommendations in a PowerPoint presentation to balance North Lyon County’s budget during the school board’s meeting on Nov. 23. No action will be taken on recommendations until January.
After Gov. Mark Parkinson handed down more than $258 million in budget adjustments on Nov. 23 — including $36 million in public school cuts — the North Lyon County school district stands to lose $206 per pupil as base state aide was taken down to 2006 levels, or $4,012.
Nulton told the crowd on Nov. 23 that $202,230.20 has to be cut from the current 2009-10 budget, which includes the recent cuts. In addition, he projects the district will lose $593,622 in revenue for the 2010-11 school year, based on projections from the Kansas State Department of Education.
Nulton’s presentation was based on the district’s Futures Study Group’s recommendations completed in April 2006. The 19-minute presentation outlined three options for the school district. The Futures Study Group had three options. The third option was to close one school. Nulton recommended closing Admire, based on several factors, including attendance, building condition and maintenance, utility costs and building layout. This option would include one K-5 building at Reading; one K-8 building at Americus and NHHS would remain open with Grades 9 through 12. Total savings of Option 3 would be more than $532,000.
In his presentation, Nulton outlined why Admire is the best choice for closure. Nulton addressed each school separately, which included Americus, Admire and Reading.
Americus
• Demographically has the largest enrollment and the greatest population density.
• Also the only attendance center with adequate space and configuration to house K-5 elementary and a 6-8 middle school.
• Ruled out as a viable possibility for closure.
Admire/Reading comparison
• Attendance: Current attendance at both schools is nearly the same. Historically Admire has had the largest enrollment but the trend over the past 10 years has been a steady decline. Neither school has an attendance advantage.
• Operating efficiency: “Reading’s lower gas usage is somewhat offset by its higher electric usage because the Reading building relies on electric heat pumps for much of its heating. When gas and electric consumption are added together, Admire exceeds Reading by nearly $7,000. When the two buildings are compared by the cost of maintenance and repair, Admire costs well over twice what Reading does,” according to the PowerPoint presentation.
• Condition of buildings: “The higher cost of utilities and upkeep for Admire is an indication of the building’s condition. By contrast, the 1994 Bond Improvements at Reading translate to a more energy efficient building and modern classrooms. Reading has a more reliable infrastructure and major repairs to heating, electrical and plumbing are years away. These problems are today’s problems at Admire and account for much of the higher maintenance and repair costs. Much of the classroom space at Admire is still located in temporary classrooms that require students to exit the main building to access those rooms. Reading has adequate classroom space in a quadrangle arrangement that is easily accessed and supervised. The layout of the Reading building presents the better learning environment, albeit this is a quality that is difficult to define.”
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