USD 234 signs ballpark agreement

After several delays, a memorandum of understanding and interlocal agreement concerning the proposed LaRoche Baseball Complex has been finalized.

The USD 234 Board of Education approved documents regarding maintenance, use and operation of the facility during their regular meeting Monday. The board approval comes on the heels of recent approval of the agreements by the city of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Recreation Commission.

Approval by all entities involved will put the two agreements into effect.

The proposed complex is being constructed in the Fort Scott Industrial Park located just off U.S. Highway 69 south of Fort Scott.

USD 234 Superintendent Bob Beckham said approval by the other entities involved sent the documents to the USD 234 board.

"I think we finally have come to terms on language we can work with, on this wonderful gift that is going up in front of us every day," Beckham said.

Answering a question from a board member, Beckham said the public will be charged fees for baseball games starting next year so "we can begin to start drawing revenue toward our half (of the agreement.)"

The city will own the complex and costs of operation and maintenance will be split evenly between the city and school district. Funds related to the ballpark will go through an account established through the city, officials said.

"This is an exciting thing to approve," board president Jordan Witt said. "I've heard a lot of good things across the state about this."

Adam LaRoche, a former Fort Scott High School baseball star who plays for the Washington Nationals, is spearheading the project. LaRoche and his family intend to provide fundraising and donate funds in order to finance construction of the $2 million facility.

Consideration of approval of the agreements had been delayed in recent months as local attorneys, as well as LaRoche's financial advisor, discussed and reviewed documents to make sure all entities involved approved of details of the agreements.

Scheduling of events at the complex throughout the year will be handled by USD 234 and the FSRC. The FSRC has no financial obligations to the project.

The memorandum of understanding spells out what the ballpark can be used for while the interlocal agreement details responsibilities and obligations of the three entities involved.

The facility will be used primarily for the FSHS baseball team and to attract recreational programs to the community and benefit both parties, the agreement states.

The 500-seat stadium is currently under construction. The main playing field will be named after former FSHS baseball coach Dave Regan, who died in 2002. The complex will also include an area for a practice field or a future additional playing field.

In other business:

* The board approved the 2014-15 budget. There were no comments from the public during the public hearing regarding the projected budget and little discussion by the board. Board vice-president Gary Billionis asked Brown what, if anything, could alter the budget as approved, during the upcoming school year.

"Enrollment not coming in as targeted," Brown said. "That's about it."

* The board approved the consent agenda, which included bills and claims and payroll for July totaling $974,403.

* Beckham introduced new building administrators to the board and audience. Shawn Thomas of Burlington is the new principal at Fort Scott High School and Jim Howard of Scott City is the new principal at Fort Scott Middle School.

"I'm thrilled to have them join the administrative team and I'm happy they're here," Beckham said.

* During Beckham's report, he said an enrollment schedule for the district has been finalized and school officials are preparing for the public during enrollment periods this week.

Beckham said there have been some recent concerns "at the grade school level" regarding the annual Halloween parade that takes place at the schools. Beckham said officials plan to get more feedback from parents before a Halloween parade is planned this year.

* Fort Scott Middle School teacher Stephanie George updated the board on planned Kansas National Education Association events. George said the "Read to Your Bunny" project is "going well." The annual scholarship bucket auction will take place Wednesday, Aug. 27. A Back-to-School Bash is planned for Saturday, Sept. 6 at Gunn Park.

"We're doing something different this year in that we're inviting everyone in the district. They don't have to be KNEA members to attend," George said.

* The board approved a Head Start Agreement of Cooperation, which Beckham said has been approved each year the last several years. The agreement allows Head Start to continue providing services at the Fort Scott Preschool Center.

* Beckham informed the board of a $10,000 Monsanto Fund grant recently awarded to Winfield Scott Elementary School. He said the grant, which will fund the purchase of Ipads and training for teachers, requires no matching funds and there are "no strings."

"This is free dollars," he said.

The district's only responsibilities will be accounting for how the grant money is spent and data tracking, Beckham said.

The board accepted the grant.

* Brown reported to the board the district's petty cash fund, which currently has a total of $763.93. The board approved the annual report.

* The board approved a $92,013 bid from Heartland Seating, Inc., for replacement of bleachers at Frary Field. The bid, which was the only bid received, includes a base bid and alternate bid. Installation of the Perma Cap Vinyl will be completed in October or November. The base bid will be covered with insurance claim dollars from the April 2013 hail storm and the remainder will be paid from the capital outlay fund, a district document said.

"We had some insurance proceeds from the hail storm and we're able to replace all of them with insurance proceeds," Brown said.

* The board conducted an executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and for preliminary discussion relating to the acquisition of real property.

* After the executive session, the board approved various employment items for the 2014-15 school year:

A retirement request from Ruby Myers, middle school cook;

Resignation requests from Linda Lawrence, Eugene Ware paraprofessional and Margie Fountain, middle school cook;

Transferred Eileen Goltra from high school cook to middle school cook; and Beverly Cummins, Winfield Scott teacher aide, to Eugene Ware paraprofessional;

Hired Sarah Davis as a Winfield Scott teacher aide, Jane Hill as a high school 6.5-hour cook, Virginia Laver as a Winfield Scott 6.5-hour cook, Heather Fink as central office secretary/accounts payable, Allison Gorman as middle school volleyball coach, Jake Lattimer as middle school football coach, and Erin Vann as middle school volleyball coach.

The board also approved, as recommended by Beckham, the addition of two Title I teaching positions, one position at Winfield Scott and one position as half-time at Winfield Scott and half-time at Eugene Ware. Susan Regan, Winfield Scott kindergarten teacher, will transfer to Winfield Scott Title I teacher and Heather Davenport, middle school paraprofessional, will transfer to the half-time Title I position.

Beckham said the two Title I positions will be funded by federal funds.

"It will help better prepare Winfield Scott students for Eugene Ware," Beckham said.