Having failed to convince the Iola City Council to reschedule its bimonthly meetings so as to avoid conflict with the district’s school board meetings, Iolan Larry Walden took his appeal to the USD 257 board of education itself. “I would love for you to consider changing your meeting nights. I made the same request of your cohorts at the city but unfortunately they didn’t see it through.” In January, the city council voted unanimously to maintain their habit of meeting on the second and fourth Mondays of every month. “You see,” said Walden, who believes the double-booking comes at the taxpayer’s expense, “a citizen just simply can’t be at both places.”
School board president Tony Leavitt promised Walden that the body would take his request under consideration.
The board approved the purchase of a home at 408 E. Jackson. The property, which will likely be slated for demolition at a future date, abuts district property. The board purchased the house for $15,000.
The board approved the 2017-18 school calendar.
Tammy Prather, the library media specialist at McKinley Elementary School, briefed the board on the improvements taking place at the kindergarten library. The changes, explained Prather, have been conceptual (i.e., using the latest computer technology to aid learning) as well as environmental (the formerly brownish, book-choked room now boasts fresh layers of bright paint, a happier layout, and a new book “loft” where high-achieving students can retreat up a small ladder for their private reading pleasure).
Finally, the board approved the resignations of technology director, Brett Linn; first-grade teacher, Bayley Linn; and high school cheerleading sponsor Autumn Peeper. New hires were: Rochelle Kohlmeier as McKinley/Jefferson counselor; Amanda Strickler as assistant high school volleyball coach; and Scott Carson as assistant high school principal and athletic director.
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