By Katee Underwood, Staff Writer
The USD 300, Comanche County school board adopted an emergency management plan and discussed staffing, athletics, curriculum and student activities during its recent meeting.
All local emergency personnel met for approximately two and a half hours last Wednesday to collaborate on a new district crisis plan. The meeting included Britt Lenertz, Comanche County Emergency Manager, and other district staff, along with higher-level personnel. The collaboration was described as “really productive.”
The board also quickly adopted a plan with emergency management for future FEMA funding, if the issue arises.
Staffing and Personnel
The board received a resignation letter from Supt. Mike Baldwin, effective at the end of his contract. Rather than immediately seeking assistance from Kansas School Boards Association (KSB), the board decided to advertise the position independently first, saving some money. The opening will be posted on job sites and the school’s Facebook page.
The board approved the hiring of Jaylen Delaney as the new head middle school boys’ head basketball coach. Delaney previously served as the assistant coach. The district plans to discuss the possibility of adding another assistant coach with him.
The district also continues to address an open custodial position, for which no applications have been received. In the meantime, eight students expressed interest in helping clean the school. Students completed applications, résumés and interviews as part of the process, and all eight were hired to work one shift per week, with an hour before and an hour after school. High school principal Tyler Bates says he turned this into a learning opportunity and taught them how you would go through that entire process as an adult in the real world going after a job. Bates said the students have worked hard and impressed him, with staff members providing additional support. The students were treated to ice cream in appreciation of their efforts. The arrangement will continue until the district finds a permanent employee.
Academics and Student Activities
The district is preparing to seek a new middle school math curriculum. The current curriculum is approximately seven or eight years old.
Students in both schools will also have an opportunity to experience new music through a “Lied Across Kansas” presentation scheduled for Oct. 19. The program brings musicians from the University of Kansas to work with students and introduce them to instruments and musical experiences they might not otherwise encounter. A jazz musician and jazz pianist are expected to participate this year.
Scholars Bowl will begin this month, with 20 students trying out for the team. Alondra Rivera will coach the team, with practices beginning this Monday morning.
In athletics, middle school basketball practice is scheduled to begin Oct. 26. Tennis regionals are scheduled for this weekend in Conway Springs, while the high school league volleyball tournament will take place Saturday in Greensburg. The team enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed. Senior Night is also approaching, and school officials reported that eligibility lists remain relatively small. The cross-country team has missed its last two meets because of rain. Meanwhile, the football team is ranked No. 2 in the state.
Bates also discussed the Friday Night Lights 5K fundraiser sponsored by T-Mobile that they recently received that will help provide a sound system for the high school football field.
Middle School Track Project Remains a Priority
The proposed track project remains a major focus as the district continues to explore funding options. The fundraising effort has reached approximately $45,000, but the Patterson Foundation will not provide funding for a track. A new bid for a six-lane track came in at $218,000. The district has general funds available, though officials still must determine how much could be committed to the project. The fiscal year begins July 1, which may affect the timing of available funds. Board members discussed approaching the track company to explore a payment plan, potentially allowing the district to make an initial payment and spread the remaining cost over time. If additional funding cannot be secured, the board will need to decide whether to contribute more school funds or abandon the project. Baldwin emphasized that the board needs to “put some skin in the game.” Several options remain under consideration, and board members plan to check on additional possibilities before making a final decision. For now, the board agreed not to give up on the project and to continue pursuing funding.
Distracted Driving Awareness
The district received a “Don’t Drive Distracted” rug from the Lender family, who also included a letter explaining the significance of the gift. The family lost their daughter a year ago, and a sunflower on the rug represents her favorite flower. The presentation brought attention to distracted driving and its consequences. According to the information shared with the district, Kansas ranks second-worst in the nation for distracted driving, with a reported rate of 14%, compared with a national average of 8%.
Additional Business
Mike also reported attending a SCKSEC meeting, describing it as well-organized and worthwhile. He said he was the only superintendent from Kansas in attendance and called it “time well spent, in my opinion.”
The board also addressed scheduling, noting that upcoming school board meeting dates have been changed from those previously listed on the calendar.
