Centre district AD defends programs
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Bud Peterson, athletic director for Centre USD #397, appeared before the board of education Monday in support of athletic and other extra-curricular programs. Several patrons were present.
Cutbacks in programs and fees for participation are being considered because of budget constraints.
Peterson said Centre is known for its strong activities programs. He said students who participate in extracurricular activities usually do well in school.
He noted that these activities sometimes motivate students to graduate who otherwise might not. The programs also generate scholarships for college-bound students. He said the weight program develops self-confidence.
Peterson wants all programs to be kept but, if the board feels compelled for fiscal reasons to cut them back, he said, they should keep the programs which have the most participation.
He did not encourage institution of a "pay-to-play" policy. He noted surrounding schools have full programs at present and don't have fees for participation.
Board member Jennifer Kassebaum said she was told that in a pay-to-play situation, pressure could be put on a coach to play participating students regardless of their effort or ability. Also, if students who pay to play wouldn't get to play much, they might drop out.
Peterson defended junior high athletic programs, saying the effort is made to get students home as early as possible. He suggested using two gyms during high school games to shorten the evening for junior high students who play in the band.
"There's been a concerted effort to get kids home early," Superintendent Demitry Evancho concurred.
Peterson said he hopes scheduling cutbacks, if they become necessary, will be done at the state level, to make an even playing field for all schools.
Peterson suggested a higher enrollment fee for all students might be better than a pay-to-play fee. He also spoke in favor of maintaining an activity bus for a flat rate user's fee.
Board president Ronnie Carlson and board member Leona Hajek presented a list of items to consider to raise revenue. They presented a target of $20,000 in increased revenue and decreased costs and $80,000 in increased LOB tax revenue.
The activity bus was discussed. Board member Clark Davis read a letter from Marion County EMS Director Joan Knak in which she recommended keeping it as a safety measure.
Clark said Kansas law prohibits charging a transportation fee for special education or lower economic students. He noted that 43 percent of Centre students take free or reduced lunches.
Kassebaum questioned Clark's reading of Kansas law. She said a school offers activities but is not required to provide transportation.
Clark requested the board get a legal opinion on activity bus fees. His motion to table the issue until such an opinion could be received was approved.
Enrollment fees were discussed. Carlson and Hajek proposed a $20 fee with a limit of $80 per family. It was suggested that fees possibly should be pro-rated for income level.
Pros and cons were presented until Lester Kaiser spoke up.
"It looks like you're taking the easy way out," he said. "What other options do you have without charging the people? You're rolling everything back to the people."
Peterson hesitatingly rose to his defense.
"We have a lot of families who struggle," he said. "There are ways to look at our operating budget and do a better job."
He suggested elementary students could be moved to the high school site to eliminate upkeep and insurance on a second building.
Kaiser and Jesse Brunner suggested having a longer school day to shorten the school year. Brunner said Hope saved more than $18,000 a year by extending the day a few minutes.
"Trim your operating budget," Peterson said again. "There are some hard working people out there who aren't making a lot of money."
Superintendent's car — After a break, the board addressed many patrons' concerns about Evancho's use of a school car, as expressed in a recent survey. The ensuing discussion revealed people's misunderstanding of the situation.
Records show the board offered use of the car to Evancho two years ago in place of increased compensation. The offer was extended last June for another year. Evancho pays income taxes on a dollar amount calculated on use and value of the car.
Clark Davis made and Steve Jirak seconded a motion to eliminate the superintendent's use of the car. It was defeated by a vote of 2-4. He then moved to eliminate the car and pay Evancho a one time compensation of $2,400. The motion failed for lack of a second.
Beth Riffel said it was not made clear to patrons that the car was "in lieu of" compensation. She also noted, however, that patrons want to see cuts "from top to bottom."
