Board asked to consider bond issue to replace textbooks

During Monday night's regular meeting of the USD 234 Board of Education, Superintendent Diane Gross, during her report, raised the possibility of a potential school bond issue in the near future.

"One of the things that we've been doing recently, and really over the course of the year, is that we look at all of the needs that we have in our school district," Gross said.

Gross said the district is in a state where many of the textbooks currently being utilized are outdated.

"I received a phone call from a parent who is pretty upset about, in this case, it was the science textbook at the middle school, that's about 20 years old, I think 18 (years old) maybe to be exact," Gross said. "Her comment to me was, 'well, maybe I need to take my kids out of school in Fort Scott and take them down to Girard or Humboldt where they have iPads and an updated curriculum.'

"We're in a state where we have so much to do in the area of curriculum. With that said, I know we've had some discussion about the use of whether it's iPad's or technology rather than buying textbooks. Should we be purchasing technology tools that allows us to (have) the textbooks or resource materials at the push of a button, rather than having big books and things that get outdated within a couple of years?"

In documents made available to the board, Gross listed various items currently being discussed in terms of technology and costs.

"We are in a state where through just the textbook needs and technology needs -- and this doesn't even begin to cover what we're going to hear about in terms of facility needs -- I think it's important that our board at least entertain some conversations about a bond issue," Gross said. "And I'm not asking you to make any decision on that right now. I know it's a touchy subject. Nobody wants their taxes to go up. But we don't have time to do this a little bit at a time because it's only going to get worse. Those costs are going to continue to increase and the needs are going to continue to increase."

Gross said she would like the board to have further discussions about whether or not the district can put together "some sort of proposal" which would enable district officials to go out and communicate with Fort Scott citizens about what the bond issue would entail and what the funds would be used for.

"Specifically, some of these curriculum materials that we need, and specifically some of the technology needs that we have," Gross said of the potential bond issue. "And again, the facilities we're going to talk a little bit more about on Jan. 20. I think we'll also have the opportunity to hear a little bit more about what it would entail to put together a bond issue on election."

Gross said that recently she has had discussions with Fort Scott Community College President Clayton Tatro regarding ideas about partnering with the district. However, Gross did not elaborate how this related to a potential bond issue.

"One of the things I think is important to consider, if we do a bond issue anytime soon (this year), and maybe move forward with it, there is state aid that is available," Gross said. "Essentially we get state aid contributions for almost half of the cost. If we didn't have that state aid it would be a burden of our taxpayers here in this community. I think it's something we need to be aware of, that there are huge needs.

"And like I said, I don't think it's something that we can continue to push off and say 'we'll get to that next year, or the year after, or two or three years down the road.' I think we need to make some decisions about what's important. We have another technology meeting this week, and we're going to be talking about what is the most important thing for us to address if we're going to pursue some of these ideas with technology. And where does it fit with our curriculum and the adoptions we need to make, and the updating of our materials and resources."

Gross said there is still much more information that needs to be shared regarding a potential future bond issue.

"I do want you to know that some of these conversations are beginning to happen within the community with various people," Gross said. "And some of the folks that I've talked to are very much advocates for education and feel like it's time for us to think about what needs to happen for Fort Scott and the school district."

Gross further elaborated on the potential bond issue after the conclusion of Monday's board meeting.

"In order to make a dent in moving to where we want to be, for instance a one-to-one (education) initiative where every student might be issued or have access to an iPad or laptop, or some sort of mobile device -- it's almost like we can't wait to put a little bit in now, a little bit next year, a little bit the year after," Gross told the Tribune. "We need a big pool of money or resources to make a big jump, a big leap to catch up to where we should be."

Gross said not addressed in the bond issue discussion during the board meeting was feedback relating to the facilities assessment recently completed.

"That would just add another huge chunk of money" Gross said. "We need to do something to see if we can't get a large pool of money to address the concerns that we have, in particular the resources that we need to do our instruction including technology and some of our facilities."

Gross said any potential school bond issue would involve raising taxes.

"It would increase the mill levy," Gross said. "I know that's not a popular subject. I know our taxes are high here (in Bourbon County). But as I said earlier, if we wait, that cost is going to increase. It means a higher mill levy increase. And right now we do have the potential to get state aid. The state contributes to paying back part of that bond issue, or to give us the money to move forward. And there is some legislation that's being put together to take away some of that state aid. So the timeliness of considering some of our needs and moving forward at this time benefits the community, in that we would get a contribution back to help us pay for that."

Bullying issue

Also during her report, Gross said she was contacted by the grandmother of a Fort Scott High School student, as well as the mother of a local student (also who contacted FSHS principal Bob Beckham) regarding bullying issues and concerns. Gross provided a letter to board members, which related to the topic of bullying.

"I wanted you to see the letter that was addressed to the board," Gross said. "And all I can tell you at this time is we continue to address any concerns that are brought to our attention, we do investigate that. I think some of these kinds of responses, because they haven't been given all the things we've found out in that investigation -- I think it's natural for some of these folks to assume that we're not doing anything, because maybe they're not getting the result they wanted. But I can assure you that anything that gets turned into my office, the office of our principals -- I think teachers are making every effort they can to monitor poor behavior on the part of students and anything that would constitute bullying behavior.

"Everybody has something to contribute, it's our job as educators to make sure that the environment is a safe secure, inviting environment for our students," Gross said.

2014-15 School Calendar

Additionally during her report, Gross detailed some areas of the calendar for the 2014-15 school year, but did not make any recommendations.

"It seems like a lot, especially as compared to some of the other school districts, but that Literacy First training does require five days of training for the folks that are coming to that training," Gross said. "And to fit that in, we don't have money to pay teachers to come in at the beginning of the year and do that outside of their contract time. So we've built it into the calendar. But again, I'm giving you (the board) some options to look at, and appreciate any feedback that you have."

The schedule also addresses teachers' request to change the beginning and ending dates for school.

"When you have a compacted schedule, it leaves a lot of extra time in the summer that can allow for kids to not retain the information that was taught, and it's almost like having to start over again in the fall," Gross said. "But I also know that's been a huge request of the teachers to take a look at how we start later in the year and maybe get out earlier. And we've done that with the scheduling. We could probably even take out a couple more days if we have to."

Gross later added "I would tell you the other thing with a compacted calendar, you start extending the day, and those kids that are involved with activities, it just really extends their day. I mean all of those things have to be considered, and there is not going to be a calendar that pleases everybody, I know that. But I am trying to be considerate of the requests that our teachers have.

"The people that it adversely affects are going to be bus drivers and food service (staff)," she said later. "They would lose days and there is no way to build in extra time for them."

Workforce development

Near the beginning of the meeting, Bob Garner, vice president and marketing manager of Landmark National Bank in Fort Scott, and a key figure in spearheading the Workforce Development program, gave a presentation to the board relating to the program. After the presentation, the board unanimously approved the program, which entails the peer mentoring and introduction into the local workforce of selected FSHS students.

"I'm excited for our kids to have that opportunity," Gross said. "I think what we'll be able to do is introduce them to some of the business and industry that they may not be aware of. It provides them with a connection where they're going to see actual experiences of what it takes to be successful in those various positions and jobs that are available. I think making that connection just gives them a leg up, so when they are looking for a job they've already got some connections established."

Heather Griffith, director of economic development, who also was instrumental in putting the program together, also attended the meeting.

"I'm so excited because we're going to be getting the students in touch with the people who are actually in the field who are hiring right now, who know the jobs skills they are looking for, who can literally coach and mentor them to make them more employable," Beckham told the Tribune. "I think it gives the students an opportunity to apply what they've learned in school into the real world. So I'm so excited to have that help from those people in the community."

Workforce development grant/Youth career connect grant

Gross discussed a grant application titled "Youth Career Connect," which would serve to develop the skills of young community members. The grant specifically targets skill development in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

"Originally when I was approached about that, I thought it fell in line with what we were trying to do with some of the mentoring pieces (Workforce Development program)," Gross said. "But the focus of this grant is developing programs at the high school level in connection with community college and four year institutions that allow you to develop the career pathways programs. But they're really focusing on the areas of technology, medicine, some of those high demand jobs that involve a technical skills, that some of our folks in the United States haven't been well versed with. I mean, there's so many positions that are available, that what they're the doing is outsourcing some of those positions to people from foreign countries and bringing them over to fill those jobs, because there's such a need for them. Engineering and in the area of medicine were two big areas that were brought up."

Gross later added "If we pursue that (the grant) what we're trying to do is look at the programs that we already have in the high school, 'how do we enhance those programs?' "It doesn't prevent us from developing programs in the area of technology, computer engineering or something like that. It just takes a lot to put those programs together and I don't know that we're equipped to do it as soon as what we would be required to do it with the grant. But I do think it would allow us to do some of the things that we're trying to do with welding, construction trades, some of the health careers, connections with our community college and development, helping the nursing program, EMT training -- I think there's opportunities there for us to look as those."

Gross said the grant is a state-wide application.

"We're providing information to the folks who are going to put the proposal together with districts across the state, she said. "And one of the things they have to look at is how many students would be participating in those programs to see if we even qualify."