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Church leader asks USD 464 to reconsider rent space request denial

By Shawn F. Linenberger - | Jan 15, 2025

Shawn F. Linenberger

Rev. Matthew Wilke speaks to the Tonganoxie USD 464 school board Monday during the board’s regular meeting. The district recently denied a space rental request from Tonganoxie United Methodist Church to use the professional development room at the USD 464 Administrative Center for services temporarily while renovations take place in the foyer at the church.

The Tonganoxie school board will be reevaluating its rental policy following denial of a request for temporary usage by a local church at the district’s administrative center.

Rev. Matthew Wilke, pastor at Tonganoxie United Methodist Church, spoke to the school board during public comment.

Wilke thanked the board and administrators for their service and explained that, per the district’s current rental use policy, the church checked the boxes for proper use of facilities based on the organization.

The church soon will be undergoing some renovations in its foyer and for suitable Americans with Disability Act compliance, church leaders were seeking to use the professional development room at the administrative center, which both the Tonganoxie Recreation Commission and the school district utilize at the center. TRC leases the southern-most portion of the building for its activity center. The PD room previously was the debate room when the building was part of the high school campus.

TUMC, though, recently was denied its request.

“The inconsistency of this … creates the perception that the district doesn’t follow its own policy,” Wilke said during his comment period.

Wilke also is president of the Tonganoxie Ministerial Alliance. Other Tonganoxie ministers, as well as TUMC members attended the meeting .

“We are here to support you,” Wilke said later. “We are your base.”

The board listens to public comment, but typically doesn’t respond specifically to topics discussed.

After the patron comment time was up, Feldkamp circled back to the topic and explained that the decision was made based on legal advice from Kansas Association of School Boards lawyers, who represent the district.

“What we found out is schools that do allow it are going against recommendations of KSBE,” Feldkamp said, referring to the Kansas Board of Education.

Board Vice President Chris Gratton later interjected.

“Based on the knowledge I have of this matter … we need to form a committee and then it would be put on the agenda as an action item,” Gratton said.

Feldkamp said the best process moving forward would be board members forming a committee and working with the superintendent on revising the policy.

Several board members showed interest in being on the committee.

Board Members Stephanie Shupe, Linda Vernon and Ryan Bruce voiced concerns of not approving the application based on current policy.

Brune said he’s a member of the church, so admittedly it could be conflict of interest to interject, but noted that “on a temporary basis this is just a good partnership. I understand if there’s a risk out there that we need to get it shored up and make that happen.”

Feldkamp appreciated the board’s willingness to form a committee and reiterated his initial decision.

“I was following legal advice, pure and simple,” he said.

Board President Justin Sturgeon was absent from Monday’s meeting.