After 15 years of service, Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School District board member Darin Holecek resigned Monday night at the board’s monthly meeting.

“I think it’s time for somebody else to man this spot,” he said. “I have no regrets, I’ve enjoyed it.”

In other business, the board heard land transfer information presented regarding the school in Wilson from several community members.

Michelle Brokes was one of three who addressed the USD 327 board. Last month, USD 112 voted to relocate grades 7-12 to the Claflin building starting in the 2023-24 school year.

“This has been in the works for three years,” she said of the 5-2 vote. “At that point, we knew we had to take some action because it doesn’t fit for us.”

Wilson residents also opened a conversation with Sylvan-Lucas Unified Schools USD 299.

“We’re not looking for a bail out, for someone to take us on because we’re sinking,” Brokes said. “We’re looking to the future. A K-12 (school) may no longer be an option, but we also know our future is not sending our kids to Claflin. We’re looking for a partnership that makes more sense for our community, for our families.”

She said a concern in the community is keeping the students together.

“We want our kids to stay together as much as possible,” Brokes said. “I feel our kids will split in about four directions.”

She touched on some of the practical matters.

“We want our tax dollars to go where our kids are going,” Brokes said. “Also, a seat at the table. Wherever we are, we want to be truly part of the district.”

Additionally, keeping students from Dorrance with the Wilson group is a priority.

Board member David Hand asked about any school debt that would come with a land transfer. Brokes said the school has none.

“We are positioned,” Wilson mayor Mike Peschka said. “We are not a step-child that you would take on that would drain your pockets.”

Susan Thielen, Dorrance, said the school has 97 students in grades K-6 and 67 students in grades 7-12.

The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss a proposed land transfer. No action was taken.

In other business:

• Retired teacher Jerry Marsh expressed frustration about board transparency.

“I think everyone here will agree that patrons have the right to ask BOE members how they stand on issues that could affect students, teachers and staff,” he said. “If members will not interact in open forum, what about by e-mail?”

Marsh was specifically curious about Senate Bill 58, which is labeled as a parents bill of rights. It includes a parent’s right to speak at school board meetings and contest the use of library books.

“I’m talking educational issues that affect students, teachers and staff,” Marsh said. “You’re elected representatives. We have a right to know where you stand on issues.”

Board president Cynthia Edgerle reiterated the tenants of school boards.

“I think it’s important to remember school board is not a partisan position,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if we’re Republican or Democrat.”

• The board heard the audit report from Summer, Spencer and Company of Salina. No action was taken.

• Approved updates to school handbooks. Changes were minor, including adding fourth grade to the school in Kanopolis, and changing staff names in the other books.

• Approved gifts and grants to the district, including: $3,598 from the Smoky Hills Charitable Foundation for the purchase of an AED at the golf course and district office; $950.88 from the parent teacher organization for the purchase of PE equipment; a $500 One Oak Grant, as a result of Bernie Schulte receiving the Central Region Volunteer of the year for One Oak; $456.54 in unused funds from the student benefit fund.

• Approved surplus property distribution at Ellsworth Elementary School. The board gave the nod for the school administration to make excess supplies such as games, old workbooks and old rubber stamps available for parents and students. Any items left over should be recycled, if possible.

• Discussed, but took no action on the food service/meal prices. USD 327 has a contract with Chesterfield, Mo.-based OPAA!

“We’ve had two years of free lunches for kids,” board clerk Dina Rankin said. “It’s hard to know what our meal numbers will be. We’ll go back to kids bringing their lunch.”

The district re-negotiates the food service contract annually, and Rankin said the proposed increase is four percent for the 2022-23 school year.

Edgerle said some families might shy away from applying for free or reduced lunches, and David Hand asked whether there is a general idea of number of students who ate school lunches before the pandemic.

Rankin said the numbers are up, but she doesn’t have anything definitive.

“It’s been so hard because nothing is normal,” she said. “Three years ago, our enrollment numbers were different. There are so many moving parts to it.”

Svaty expressed frustration with OPAA!’s service.

“I’m not interested in giving them a raise if they’re not fulfilling their obligations,” he said. “They’ve been neglecting KMS, so we’re going to reward them with a raise? Somebody’s feet need to be held to the fire. It’s time to cut bait.”

• Approved a 403b matching program for the superintendent, principals and athletic director. The program (which currently includes teachers) will now allow the district to match up to $50 per month for administrators who invest an amount in their retirement accounts.

• Approved on second reading policies from the April meeting.

• Heard a report from McGowan about the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation meeting.

“The teachers were just amazing to listen to and share the good stuff,” she said. “They also shared lows, but none of them were negative.”

• Discussed the air conditioning at Kanopolis Middle School, which is currently broken.

“We have a bid for three air conditioning units,” Edgerle said. “They’re not even ordered. I don’t know if we can get the repair in before school is out.”

KMS principal Kristy Rodriguez said the school has large, industrial fans running.