HARTFORD — An option to keep all USD 252 school district’s buildings open is still on the front burner after Monday evening’s board of education meeting in Hartford.
Options to balance the Southern Lyon County district budget are still being considered and were again discussed during Monday evening’s meeting, which more than 400 people attended.
The Southern Lyon County school board has three options it’s looking at:
• Option No. 1 proposes that the number of attendance centers be reduced from three to two, which would close Neosho Rapids and send those elementary students to Hartford .
• Option No. 2 proposes that all three attendance centers — in Neosho Rapids, Hartford and Olpe — remain open.
• Option No. 3 proposes that three attendance centers stay open with high school students consolidated to one location. No decision has been made on which school would house the high school.
In January, the school board came to a consensus to pursue option No. 2. If Option No. 2 doesn’t work, then Option No. 1 would be pursued. The district is looking at a $400,000 budget shortfall for the 2010-11 school year. Option No. 2 is still viable in light of this, Superintendent Mike Argabright said.
“We’re on track to keeping Option No. 2 with what we’re doing as long as we can create savings ...” Argabright said. “We’re working hard to make that work.”
Argabright cautioned the board not to stop at $400,000 in savings in the district in case more cuts are made next school year.
“We need a little bit of cushion there,” he said. “I think we need a range where we’re safe to play, so to speak.”
Argabright said grants the district is receiving will help free up money in the general fund. The district will receive two grants. The first grant is a Technology Rich Grant, which is for $125,000 with a $50,000 match. The grant will provide technology equipment to the district. The second grant is through the Jones Trust Foundation for 26 interactive boards for classrooms in the district.
On a budget-related agenda item, Kyle Trendel, director of operations for Devore Associates Architects, presented information regarding the combination of Neosho Rapids with Hartford students.
“The district asked me to look at Neosho Rapids and cost savings as well as modifications to the Hartford facility,” Trendel said.
Trendel discussed demographic information that showed that Neosho Rapids has lost 35 students in five years; Neosho Rapids Junior High-Hartford High School has lost about 49 students in five years; Olpe K-6 has gained 20 students in the last five years and the Olpe Junior-Senior High has lost about 32 students in the past five years. There are 96 out-of-district students in the district. This breaks down to 43 students at Olpe Elementary; 31 at Olpe Junior-Senior High; 10 at Neosho Rapids; and 12 at Hartford.
Trendel said the evaluation of the Neosho Rapids Elementary showed the facility in excellent shape.
“The facility has minimal maintenance or deficiencies,” he said in his presentation.
The Neosho Rapids building has 26,200 square feet. Cost savings of closing the building would be $151,300.
Hartford building modifications would have to be done to accommodate the Neosho Rapids students. These modifications would cost from $23,700 to $30,900 and include Early Start and special education modifications; restroom modifications; hallway door near restroom modifications; computer lab modifications; music classroom modifications; trash dumpster modifications; music storage modifications; hard and soft play area modifications; freezer modifications; locker modifications; additional modifications to the weight room and playground equipment from Neosho Rapids would be relocated to Hartford.
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glennis (anonymous) says...
Every school in USD 252 has great students, teachers, and administrators. As parents, we need to support what they are doing, and be patient with the board as they try to figure out the best path to take. The board has to be rational and look at the facts. We're ALL too wrapped up in the emotions and rumors and trying to find someone to blame!
I'm glad the board is sticking with Option 2 for now. WIth all the cuts that have been made, maybe it will work. And if it doesn't, at least they'll have more information from the efficiency study, so they can make an informed decision.
March 9, 2010 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
I hope they keep the elementary school kids where they are. We have a child entering kindergarten next year. If he'll be crammed in with the older kids, he may end up going to an Emporia grade school instead. It depends on how they separate the age groups and how many classes get cut. We're upset that everything is still up in the air. It makes it hard to make any plans on daycare etc when you don't know what date school will start, the days or hours yet. I pray no 4 day weeks as that will be a hardship on those with children too young to stay home alone.
March 9, 2010 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
glennis very well put
March 10, 2010 at 7 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AuntOra (anonymous) says...
I think that in the long South Lyon County will be sorry if they stick with Option 2.
March 11, 2010 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )