Sumner Newscow report — The following is a roundup of the Wellington USD 353 school board meeting held Monday night by communication specialist Russ Sturm…

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New high school field proposal. (Click to enlarge)

Discussion Items: Athletic Facilities Update 

Brett Miller from DCS services presented an update on the revisions to the Athletic Facilities Plan that the board had requested. 

In June, Miller presented plans for a new football/track facility to be constructed at the High School and a plan for updating the current facility. This revision also included plans for resurfacing the track at the Wellington Middle School and updating the stands and concessions at that site. 

The cost of new construction at the high school was approximately $5.3 million. The renovation project, including the updates to the Middle School track and the football field at Sellers Park, came in at around $7 million. Board members requested a cost breakdown and the size of each building to be constructed. It was also suggested eliminating the Middle School track portion of the renovation plan.

Board members also questioned Miller about the cost difference between natural grass versus artificial turf. They also requested renderings of the facility at the high school to run north and south instead of at an angle. DCS will make the recommended adjustments and bring the revisions back to the board later. 

Bond Information 

Dustin Avey, a representative for Piper Sandler, presented the possibilities for a future bond issue. The Wellington High School bonds will be paid off in 2026 and if the BOE is interested in trying to pass a bond issue to upgrade the facilities, they will need to start working on that soon. Dustin provided the board with information on a bond issue that would keep the mill levy the same and one that would generate more money but would increase the mill levy. He also relayed to the board that it is a 90-day process, meaning that the board would need to approve a bond issue by resolution 90 days before it could be placed on the ballot to be voted on by the public. 

WHS Early Graduation 

The board provided the annual list of high school students who want to graduate at the end of the first semester. Each year students at WHS can apply to graduate a semester if their credits match up. 

Andrea Kreifels motions to approve the listed students for graduation at the semester. Deanna Garver seconded it. Motion passed 7-0. 

E-Gaming Update 

Wellington High School Athletic Director Elly Johnson and Kennedy Elementary Principal Joel Nichols updated the board on the current status of the E-gaming program. Nichols was originally going to be the E-gaming coach before he took the principal’s job. But he is still helping to get the program started. 

Kyle Schmidt was recently named the new E-gaming head coach. High School students signed up for this sport last week and middle school students signed up on Monday, September 12. Thirty-six high school students signed up, with 54 percent not participating in other activities. They had 22 middle school students sign up, with 60 percent not participating in other activities. The E-gaming season begins on Monday, September 26d. 

Substitute Teaching Rates 

The district presented additional information regarding increasing the substitute teaching rate to match market data. At the last BOE meeting, the district brought up the option to raise our substitute teaching rates to meet the average market rates in our area using local 4A districts as comparisons. 

A board member felt that since the pay rate was in the middle tier of the school, the money would be better spent on our current certified teachers. The board requested that the district provide additional information on a long-term substitute plan. 

Electronic Badges 

The BOE discussed the option of providing electronic badges to BOE members. 

Board member Pat Zeka motions to provide board members with electronic badges. Garver seconded the motion. 

Motion failed 3-3 with one abstention 

Consent Agenda 

New Hires approved:

Haley Bursack – Para – WHS 

Tonia Cliffman – Para – WHS

Samantha Foster – Para – WHS

Erika Cliffman – Para – WMS

Caden Lawrence – Grounds

Maintenance Shelly Seals – Para – WHS 

Zairen Warnock – Para – Lincoln 

Rebecca Emerson – Para – WMS 

Brian Rossillon – Para – Eisenhower 

Julie Thrush – Para – WHS 

Crissy Denniston – Para – WHS

Anna Taylor – Para – Lincoln

Chelsea Ricke – Student-teacher – Eisenhower 

Lynn Jenkins – Accompanist – WHS

Kyle Schmidt – E-sports head coach – WHS 

Resignations approved

Daniel Gilbreth – Para – Kennedy

Melanie Dvorak – Custodian – Eisenhower Kendra Buen – Para – Lincoln

Jessica Barnes – Para – WMS

Krystal Scobee – Para – Eisenhower

Courtney Benavides – Para – WMS

Coral Frohlich – Para – Lincoln

Tamberlyn Hendrix – 3rd-grade teacher – Lincoln 

Approve Transfers/Position Changes 

Kelce Owens – Lincoln Para to Speech Para

Brittany Brown – Eisenhower Library Aide to Eisenhower Custodian

Andrea Maxwell-Baker – Eisenhower Para to Eisenhower Library Aide.