by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — In Wellington’s first home football game on Sept. 2 at Sellers Park, Activities Director Luke Smith had a dilemma on his hands.

WHS player Lukas Soria had broken his leg on the football field, and almost simultaneously there was someone needing medical attention in the stands.

It occurred to the first year AD that Wellington was in need of a school athletic trainer.

“We are the only Class 4A school without a trainer on staff,” Smith told the Wellington School Board at last Thursday’s meeting. “It is something we need to address.”

It is an idea that both the board and Wellington Superintendent Mark Whitener appear to be in favor. Whitener estimates it will probably cost the school district about $20,000.

Basically, the school will either find somebody local or contract with Via Christi who will be a full-time trainer. The trained medical professional would then be on call during the time of high school and middle school team practices starting at 3:30 p.m. and at home sporting events including away events for high school football.

The board told Smith to run some figures and provide a cost analysis at a future board meeting.

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Whitener reported that enrollment at USD 353 remains steady for Kindergarten through 12th grade at around 1,500 students. The exact numbers won’t come out until Sept. 20.

“I think we have some new students come into the school district that offset some students who moved away,” Whitener said. “Overall, I would say the numbers remain steady.”

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School officials are reporting rave reviews for the new cafeteria plan in which the services have been taken over by a food management system through OPAA Food Management (see story here).

“It has been very well received by all the principals,” Whitener said. “There are more students participating in the lunch program. Kids really like the choices.”

Best of all, Whitener said, the school district has received zero complaints.

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The construction for the safety/security project is 95 percent done, Whitener reports.

Currently, Kennedy Elementary needs some brick work due to the loose mortar at the school. Wellington Middle School’s new auxiliary gym needs some paint and tiling in the restrooms. There are still some landscaping projects that need completed.

“We are about $200,000 under budget,” Whitener said. “We will see what transpires over the next few months, but it is money we will need to spend.”

It is too early to see what the energy cost savings are to Kennedy, Eisenhower Elementary and the Wellington Middle School with new HVAC units. Also the new safety room at Eisenhower is being used for music.

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Technology advances continues to be a goal for Whitener, who took over at USD 355 on July 1. He said he will discuss with the board of purchasing one computer per student for those in high school in middle school.

“Chromebooks are the most economical machines and they cost under $250,” Whitener said. “It will be an interesting topic as we move forward with this goal.”

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As far as employment, USD 353 is short a speech pathologist in special education. Athletic Director Smith is continuing to teach two science classes while working A.D. duties. Others are helping teach the other science courses. Whitener anticipates USD 353 will be hiring a full-time science teacher in the future.

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