Board rejects $19,000 upgrade to sound system in gym, again years ago
by Eric Clark
News Editor
After defeating a proposal a month ago to purchase a new sound system for the Robert C. Brown Gymnasium for over $19,000, the proposal was added to the agenda again for Monday's meeting after a board member asked that it be placed back on the agenda. Once again, the proposal was defeated by the board of education.
The last time the proposal was brought to the board's attention, it was defeated because of a quorum. Three members had previously voted in favor of the proposal and two voted against it. But because the state requires a majority vote of four (in this case) the motion failed.
On Monday, the new motion to purchase the sound system from Sound Innovations, Inc. again was defeated because of a lack of quorum. But several board members addressed the proposal with several differing opinions.
"My hesitation in all of this is that the public will see us spending all this money," board member Debbie Geis said. "But I know we need to (upgrade the current system.)"
Superintendent Gordon Mohn stressed the need for the new system, and said that the school has to hire someone to come in every year to fix various problems.
"We usually have someone come out to replace components (on the current system) once every year," Mohn said.
Mohn added that purchasing the new system would greatly increase the quality of sound at commencement, sporting events, and musical events.
Despite a 3-2 vote in favor of the proposal, the motion was defeated.
Fred Miller of the Marion County Special Education Committee spoke to the board about general "happenings" pertaining to special education.
"We continue to look at the quality of education that we offer," Miller said. "I don't get the feeling that we're serving students we shouldn't be serving, and we're serving all the kids we should."
Donna Fadenrecht from the accounting firm of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, LLC located in McPherson, spoke to the board about the financial audit for the 2002-2003 school year.
The board made a motion and approved the audit report.
Several individuals were awarded supplemental contracts for the upcoming sports season.
The board approved the issuance of a contract to Scott O'Hare as an assistant middle school wrestling coach.
The board also accepted Carson Greenhaw's resignation as assistant high school wresting coach.
According to Athletic Director Max Heinrichs, Greenhaw was injured during a football game and his injury will prevent him from coaching this season.
As a result, the board approved a supplemental contract for Jake Schenk, who will fill the void left by Greenhaw as the high school assistant wresting coach.
The board appointed Brent Barkman as the USD 410 representative to the KASB Delegate Assembly that will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 in Topeka.
In recommended action, the board adopted an administrative guideline for purchasing vehicles costing less than $20,000. They also authorized the superintendent to purchase either a used 2002 or newer mini-van with less than 30,000 miles or a new 2004 mini-van so that the district could replace and reassign several of the district's older vehicles.
For the purpose of discussing matters of personnel, the board went into executive session from 9:29 to 9:50 p.m. before adjourning.
