OLPE — Three options remain on the table for the Southern Lyon County School District following a meeting Wednesday evening.
The Southern Lyon County Board of Education met Wednesday night for a special meeting as part of an attempt to balance the district’s budget. The meeting took place in front of more than 250 people. Before taking one option off the table, the board had four options to consider. The options were discussed and whittled down to three by a vote of 7-0 on the last option, which was to reduce the number of attendance centers from three to two and move to one K-12 attendance center and one K-8 attendance center. The board voted unanimously to take that option off the table.
The options that remain are:
• Option No. 1: Reduce the number of attendance centers from three to two and move to two K-12 attendance centers to maintain both high schools and programs.
• Option No. 2: Maintain three attendance centers.
• Option No. 3: Combine both high schools into one and determine the location.
Before the vote, the options were first rated by the board in a tally. The board rated the options from one to four, one being the most important to them. The vote followed.
Wednesday evening’s meeting also included a public comment session. Several people stood up to voice concerns and offer suggestions to the board.
Former school board member and former Lyon County commissioner Bob Davis of Olpe stood up first to address the school board. In his comments, Davis said he vehemently opposes closing any school and that the district is too close to Emporia and other areas.
“You’ll lose students and you’ll lose valuation,” Davis said.
Olpe resident Lynn Redeker suggested the board consider that point as well if students were to leave the district.
“Your savings could end up wiped out,” Redeker said.
To read complete story see the print edition or the online print edition.