by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — One month after hearing two alternative proposals for future football facilities, the Wellington school board has decided to explore the matter even further.

Last month, the Wellington school board heard two proposals concerning the future of Wellington High School football:

1) build a new high school football field with artificial turf at the Wellington High School complex for $5.5 million, or;

2) build locker rooms, bathroom, and a concession stand at the existing stadium for $4 million and keep the current natural grass (see story here).

At Monday’s meeting, the board directed Wellington Superintendent Adam Hatfield to ask DCS Services of Wichita, the architectural firm that made the initial stadium designs, to see how much it would cost to convert Sellers field from natural grass to artificial turf. Also, how much would it cost to build a stand-alone track facility at its current location?

Currently, as it stands now, there is about a $1.5 million difference between the two proposals. Undoubtedly adding artificial turf to the current stadium and a new track would up the price of the Sellers Park proposal, perhaps making it more expensive than building a new stadium.

Wellington school board member Chris Buckman said he has been asked if someone was going to donate a large sum of money to build a high school stadium, would they have naming rights — much like GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City or Koch Arena at Wichita State University. Hatfield said he didn’t know the answer to the question but would research the matter.

The Wellington 20-year bond project that funded the construction of the current high school and other building improvements in the early 2000s is going to expire in 2026. With the bonds coming off the books, there will be tremendous cost savings to the tax base. The thought is if such stadium construction and/or other improvements to be made, this would be best to do it when taxpayers would not experience a tax increase from the previous year.

The board also discussed other project needs. For example, the roof at WHS is needing to be replaced. Also Crusader Lane — the road leading to the WHS from the south end— is in disrepair.

“Again, we are in the idea stage of the process,” Hatfield said. “We have a lot to think about between now and bringing a proposal to the voters.”

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In other business:

•Hatfield briefed the board on legislative changes. Recent state legislation was passed that requires school districts to demonstrate the financial needs of every building based on its individual state assessment scores. Also by January 2024, a school district must submit to the state legislature a report on how many non-resident students it can add.

•The board reviewed its crisis plan. It will continue the discussion in the August meeting.

•The board to remove the Kennedy Elementary outbuildings.

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The board also adopted the consent agenda unanimously. The consent agenda was larger due to it being the first meeting of the new 2022-23 scholastic year.

The following appointments were made.

•Deputy Board Clerk – Daniel Farley.

•Food Service Representative – Kelly Adams.

•Federal Programs and Projects Representative – Ann Shinliver.

•Coordinator for homeless children – Dr. Jen Kern.

•KPERS Representative – Stephanie Lawrence.

•Freedom of Information Center – Adam Hatfield.

•Federal Anti-Compliance Officer – Farley.

•Official newspaper for legal publication – Wellington Daily News.

•Official depository for school district funds – Impact Bank.

•Adopt hourly required school year as follows: Kindergarten – Grade 11: 1,116 hours. Grade 12: 1086 hours.

•Milage rates: $.56 per mile.

•Approve meal prices for 2022-23: Breakfast – $1.50; Lunch – elementary $2.80, middle school $3, high school $3.25, adult $3.90; reduced breakfast $.30,  reduced lunch $.40.

•District legal counsel: Martin Peck.

•District treasurer: Jared Brown.

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