Questions surrounding the formation and appointment process of the Comanche County Recreation Commission took center stage at the USD 300 Board of Education meeting, drawing a larger-than-usual crowd and prompting discussion about the district’s legal responsibilities.
Charlie Herd addressed the board during public comment, raising concerns about whether the recreation commission was properly established under Kansas law and whether its members were appointed through the required process. Herd referenced Kansas statutes governing public recreation commissions and questioned whether there was documentation showing the school board had formally created the commission, appointed its members and provided public notice allowing community members to apply for positions.
He said he submitted an open records request in October, seeking documentation but had not received the requested records.
Herd also expressed concern about the amount of taxpayer money involved, noting the commission received more than $25,000 in tax revenue in 2025. He questioned whether taxpayers had been given a fair opportunity to participate in the commission’s membership.
Current recreation commission member Aj Prusa addressed the concerns, apologizing and acknowledging she had not been aware of the appointment requirements when she joined the commission in 2020. She said she had not been provided guidelines or instructions regarding the process when she was asked to join and did not realize replacements needed to be approved by the school board.
When she started, it was a board that met maybe twice a year. The current set of members have worked hard to make it what it is and meets much more often now.
She said commission members had worked to improve recreation opportunities for local children and were willing to reapply for their positions if necessary to ensure the commission operates properly and goes the way they’ve been working towards.
The discussion also raised concerns about the upcoming youth basketball season, with registration approaching in approximately two weeks. Commission members expressed concern that delays in resolving the issue could jeopardize the season.
Prusa expressed the urgency of resolving this matter as quickly as possible so as not to cause any issues in the upcoming pee-wee season the kids always look forward to participating in each year.
Board members discussed several possible ways to move forward, including establishing a new commission and opening applications to the public. A proposed five-member structure consisting of representatives from Coldwater, Protection and Wilmore was also discussed.
Currently, there are two members from Coldwater, two from Protection and one from Wilmore. The board thought that was a fair representation of the entire county. Members also agreed to move forward with that same structure.
Earlier, Herd discussed that the members need to be on rotating four-year terms. However, board members expressed a desire to obtain additional legal guidance before proceeding.
The board ultimately tabled the item, scheduling a special meeting while officials work to determine the appropriate next steps.
The board also postponed consideration of a proposed increase in the recreation commission’s mill levy from 1 mill to 2 mills.
In other business, the board approved a bid from Welsch Construction for $6,830 to construct an additional accessibility ramp behind the South Central Elementary and Middle School gymnasium. KAT Construction submitted a bid for $7,000.
The ramp will provide easier access for anyone who might need to enter or exit the back side of the school towards the track for practice, whereas now they would have to go around to the front of the building to get back in.
The board also approved JT Prusa as the middle school assistant basketball coach. Board member Steve Prusa abstained from voting because JT is his son.
Jennifer Cronin’s resignation as assistant volleyball coach was also presented. Cronin has served in the position for 21 years and is stepping away to spend more time watching her grandchildren participate in sports.
During school updates, administrators reported a 92 percent attendance rate at recent parent-teacher conferences.
Twenty-eight students were selected for the KMEA regional music festival from the middle school, and middle school music teacher Melanie Thompson was named regional Middle School Music Teacher of the Year.
The district also reported progress on school safety initiatives following a recent Kansas State Department of Education safety presentation for all staff, which included instruction on responding to active threats within the school.
