Revisited Adding Golf Program To Athletic Program
The Madison/Virgil USD 386 held a special budget and Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) meeting during their regular meeting on September 18. The board passed Resolution 2324-386 to authorize exceeding the RNR for the 23-24 school year. The resolution passed in a 4-1 roll call vote with Gary Kile voting no. The approved RNR will raise the mill levy by 1.187 mils. Superintendent Tammy Baird advised the board that KSDE did state to her that most school districts are exceeding in Greenwood County. Following the special budget and RNR meeting, the board approved to set the Local Option Percentage amount to 33% for the 23-24 school year. The board also approved the USD 386 Budget for the 2023-24 school year and passed on the proposed allocating of funds to improve the needs of the district using the District Needs Assessment, State Assessment Scores, as well as staff input.
In other business, the board heard an update by Baird on district and high school events, and an update on the elementary school by Principal Amanda Schild. The board also revisited the possibility of adding a golf program to the athletic offerings at Madison High School. Baird advised the board that there are potentially 5-10 boys, and several girls interested at this time, and that the district currently offers dual sports so it could still be used with golf and track. Baird advised that the potential overall cost for golf would be $1,956 plus coach and transportation for a girls team, and $3,470 plus coach and transportation for a boys team. These costs include entry fees and uni-forms. “That is not a bad cost,” Williams stated, and advised that those numbers do not include Hamilton students. He went on to add that he thinks it is a workable solution. Although board member Todd Pyle showed concern. “What kind of issues would you have with transportation?” Pyle stated. The board asked for more information and tabled the discussion until the next board meeting.
Baird updated the board on the two violations of KOMA by the school board. The Kansas Attorney General's office advised Baird that one violation was not confirmed as the newspaper that had filed the complaint could not verify that they had requested to be notified. The other was determined a violation, in remediation of the violation the board is required to notify all those that have asked to be notified of meetings and continue to comply with KOMA.
In a transportation update, Baird advised the board that the new bus has been sent to Kansas City for repair with an undetermined time frame to be repaired, and one other bus is in for repair due to a coolant leak. Currently Southern Lyon County district has given the district a loaner to use, due to no loaners being available from the school district's vendors. Dacia Brandt, Food Service Director / District Testing Coordinator, gave an extensive comparison on using OPAA or doing food service by the district. She stated at this time it would not be cost effective for the district to take this on. Board President Williams, thanked Brandt for the report and asked to have more updates and communication on food service moving forward.
After an executive session for personnel, the board hired Sarah Luthi as the Recess Supervisor and Zach Nuessen as the High School Track Coach. The board also passed a Classified employee raise of a 3% increase.
The next USD 386 Board meeting will be October 9, at 7 p.m.
