Staff writer
Marion-Florence USD 408 board of education members discussed the possibility of the return of the Marion High School pep bus.
The bus, which takes students to athletic events, mainly football, has been active the past few years, but was not available for the opening game of the 2008 season.
USD 408 superintendent Lee Leiker said not enough people signed up to make the trip worthwhile.
The board discussed allowing patrons to ride for a charge of $5.
“It’s cheaper for them than gas, and it provides a bus for the students,” board member Keith Collett said.
Board member Kathy Meierhoff said she has been contacted by two parents who said they would be willing to pay to ride the bus.
Leiker said in the past patrons have ridden the bus, and enjoyed themselves.
“I’d give five bucks,” MES principal Rod Garman said. “It would be cheaper for me in the long run.”
MHS activities director Tod Gordon said a high number of students drive to the game. MHS wrestling coach Chad Adkins said he agreed.
“I don’t know why, but they do,” he said.
The board decided it would try out the bus for the Sept. 26 game at Sterling with students riding free and patrons paying $5.
Children in seventh grade or lower must be accompanied with an adult to ride the bus.
In other business:
- The board approved the hiring of Kristin Garman as district nurse with an annual salary of $25,000.
- The board approved the resignation of Katie Rahe as MHS forensics coach, John Mulvenon as bus driver, and Dick Maggard as transportation/maintencance supervisor. Mulvenon and Maggard will come back in October to work part-time and collect KPERS pay.
- District curriculum assessment coordinator Missy Stubenhofer gave a presentation on the state assessment test from this past year.
- The board approved a request from FCCLA to attend a cluster meeting in Dallas. The club raised all its money, but needed permission to miss one day of school, and the approval for a bus ride to McPherson before leaving for Dallas.
- The board approved Amanda Faber, Ian Woulgenuth, and Michael Kirkpatrick as lifeguards at the USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center.
- The board approved Woody Crawshaw as a district bus driver.
- The board approved a raise in substitute teacher pay from $75 per day to $80.
- The board approved all fund-raisers for the district.
- The board approved a $3,600 annual lease with the saddle club for a storage unit. Leiker said it was possible the construction technology class at MHS would build the district a storage shed in the near future. The lease runs from Nov. 1 through Oct. 31.