HOISINGTON — The Hoisington Unified School District 431 School Board took action on a couple of items and heard updates on several more when it met Monday night.
The board approved and signed a million dollar lease-purchase Transaction with Wilson State Bank, Hoisington. The agreement is for a five-year payoff for the work in progress updating the turf and track at the Hoisington High School Stadium.
Superintendent Patrick Crowdis updated the board concerning the sale of the old turf. The majority of the turf was sold as rolls 7.5 feet by the width of the field. Sixteen rolls have been sold and three are going to the Hoisington baseball fields for batting cages and other areas. Some of the turf will be sold in squares at Labor Day. The large cardinal mascot from the 50 yard line was sold to the highest bidder, Ryan Woydziak.
After some discussion, the board voted 4-2 to continue the cooperative agreement with Central Plains USD 112, allowing the out-of-district students to play on Cardinal softball and baseball teams.
Sara Tarlton, attending via telephone, expressed her long-standing view that out-of-district players prevented in-district players from participating.
Traci Schneider explained that without the out-of-district players, Hoisington would not have had enough players to field a softball B team for competition.
Becky Mooney noted that the cooperative agreement has worked for a number of years. “We shouldn’t punish them (the players),” she said.
Jessica Base was in favor so long as Central Plains upholds its end of the agreement of paying for the third coach and providing transportation for the Central Plains players.
The board accepted a donation from the Hoisington Elementary Parents Association for the installation of a 8-by-40-foot traverse climbing wall at Lincoln Elementary. While the donation will not cover the entire $22,788 turnkey installation, Lincoln Principal Karisa Cowan plans to use her building budget to pay the remaining cost.
Cowan noted that annual flower sale proceeds add to that fund. Superintendent Crowdis also explained that the current liability insurance would include the wall. The board approved the purchase.
Other Updates
Crowdis reported that the Great Bend Economic Development was preparing a grant application to help with developing the day care at the Roosevelt School campus. The City of Hoisington along with the school district have provided letters of support.
No primary will be necessary for the USD 431 School Board election. Running are: Jessica Base, Julia Debes, Rebecca Mooney, Kevin D. Patterson (choose 4).
Neil Ochs is running for one unexpired term. They will be elected in November and take office in January.
