Retired educator Jerry Marsh addressed a concern to the USD 327 Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo Board of Education during Monday night’s meeting.

“Schools, students and staff have become a favorite target for acts of violence, gun violence being the most deadly,” he said during the public comment time.

He pointed out gun violence is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-17.

“The onus for such violence and threats lies with legislators. Their dumb gun laws allow access to guns and ammo,” Marsh said.

“Voters refuse to hold legislators accountable.”

He urged school board members to remain attentive to the issue.

“Often the blame falls on boards of education, school administrators, teachers and staff because they did not do the right thing at the right time,” Marsh said. “My point is to ask you to lay the blame for school violence precisely where it belongs — at the feet of legislators.”

In other business, the board:

• Heard updates from OPAA! during the public comment time.

Grandparents will be invited to eat lunch on Grandparent Day Oct.

24. A contest is planned for can decorating. Additionally, they are trying to schedule a Donuts With Dad event.

• Accepted several gifts and grants: $460 Rice County Tourism Grant. The grant helped pay for the use of the Bar K Bar Arena, Lyons, where the Ellsworth Invitational Horse Show was held.

$3,800 for the Be Alert: Stop Trafficking presentation to be held Oct. 22 and 23. The money is from the Horst Reiter Foundation through a grant to the First Presbyterian Church.

$3,250 for Velcro upgrade to Dollamur Mats.

• Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dan Magie discussed Second Step Curriculum.

“We knew we needed to address child safety,” he said.

The district already owns the program, and will plan to use it with kindergarten and second grades.

“Starting what’s safe,” Magie said. “Wear a helmet when you’re on a bike, don’t touch guns. What is an appropriate touch? Who do you talk to?

“We wanted to make sure you’re aware of the content.”

He said if staff is satisfied with the program, they can add fourth grade.

The board approved the request.

• Approved purchasing new mats for the weight room. In all, three mats will be purchased at a cost of $28,242.

Superintendent Deena Hilbig said the recommendation is to purchase all three mats at once, rather than stagger the purchases.

“It’s recommended to do it all at the same time because of the dye lots,” she said.

The money will come from the capital outlay fund.

• Approved updates to five policies: BBG (deletes consultant language); BCBK (executive session; creates sample form); CL (remove reference to BBG); ID (changes wording from certified to licensed staff ); IF (adds criteria when sending materials for review — i.e. a book challenge).

The board will review policy CJ (use of consultants, specify when consultants can be used). Board member David Hand asked if policy CJ defines “consultant.” The answer will be presented at the next meeting and the board will consider the policy update then.

• Upcoming events include Be Alert: Stop Trafficking Project Oct. 22 and 23.

• The board will hold a work session from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the district office.

• A District Site Council/community meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School Commons.

• A Legislative luncheon will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 14 at the Smoky Hill Education Center.

• Board members will attend the Kansas Association of School Board Convention Nov. 15-17 in Wichita.

• Went into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel.

Following the executive session, the board hired: Zoe Potter, kindergarten (second semester); Cursstyn Browning, class magazine/sales sponsor; Kathryn Cole, substitute teacher; Joseph Montero, substitute bus driver.

The board also accepted resignations: Danica Uhl, kindergarten aide; Randy Peschka, seasonal groundskeeper.

• The board went into executive session for an additional 20 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. No action was taken.

The next regular board meeting is at 7 p.m. Nov. 11. Prior to the meeting, board members will tour Ellsworth Elementary