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Resident asks to consider educational opportunities for former Tonganoxie Elementary School

By Shawn Linenberger - | Nov 10, 2015

A former Tonganoxie USD 464 school board member is asking the current board to consider a partnership when it comes to the future of the former Tonganoxie Elementary School.

Bill New spoke to the board in open agenda.

He said he thought there was opportunity to convert the building into another type of educational hub. He mentioned, for instance, turning the former school into a technical center. He referenced a partnership between the Leavenworth school district and Kansas City Kansas Community College in repurposing a former building into a technical center.

“We know that not everyone is motivated to go to the university,” New said, throwing out a number of reasons, including skyrocketing tuition costs.

In closing, he again asked the board to consider a tech center.

“I know you’re all here to help individuals,” New said “I would appreciate you creating a vision, so we can be an outstanding district to help the very young to senior citizens, like myself.”

The board will be accepting bids for the building, with a deadline of early February. The board is expected to make a decision on the winning bidder at that month’s meeting.

Resignations, work agreements accepted

Resigning were Christy Angell, Tonganoxie Elementary School special education para-educator; and Nancy Harr, special education bus paraprofessional, both effective immediately.

Angell resigned her position to become TES general education para-educator, replacing Susan Donnelly. Leigh Lyman replaces Angell as TES special education para-educator.

Other approved work agreements were Cody Elmer, van driver (replacing Lisa Robbins); Megan Hadley, TES special education para-educator (replacing Melissa Ridihalgh); Melissa Shepherd, TES general education para (replacing Jennifer Fatherly); Sarah Staples, TES building aide (filling new position); Patrick Holton, Tonganoxie Middle School boys track assistant coach; and Brian Gravatt, THS evening custodian (replacing Brenda Lynch).

Board conducts superintendent’s review

The school board met for 15 minutes in executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.

Board president Dan Hopkins said after the meeting the board conducted Superintendent Lyn Rantz’s semi-annual review.

Updates to packet schedule

Board Member Kaija Baldock requested that the board receive agenda packets for meetings earlier than the Thursday before a meeting. Regular board meetings take place at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the Tonganoxie Elementary School library.

Baldock said she’d like more time to review packet materials to help in better preparation for the meetings.

Hopkins suggested trying a “warning order” first before moving up the agenda date. A military term, a warning order provides a list of items that are expected to be in the packet so that board members can begin preparing earlier. Hopkins asked that the additional information also be provided to The Mirror when sent out to board members.