Managing editor
High school swim teams will not be a part of the school’s sports schedule next year.
Rod Garman presented information Monday to the USD 408 Board of Education about swim and dive seasons for boys and girls.
After his presentation, school board members expressed concerns about bringing in a new sport when they were faced with cutting other programs last spring because of budget concerns.
Recently, the Kansas State High School Activities Association divided swim teams into two categories — 6A and 5-1A. There are 25 6A schools with swim teams and 29 5A through 1A schools.
There are several schools in the Marion area with swim teams including McPherson, Newton, El Dorado, Emporia, and Hutchinson.
The boys season begins Nov. 15 and ends Feb. 19. The girls begins Feb. 28 and ends May 21.
Athletic director Tod Gordon said he was concerned about adding another sport because it could take athletes away from other sports. However, when he contacted other schools with swim teams, he was told that was not necessarily the case.
Garman, who used to coach swim team at Seaman High School in Topeka, said he had elite swimmers who swam year round and those who did not. He presented the possibility because the school district has a facility to accommodate a year-round swim team and there are athletes interested.
But in the end, with declining enrollment and concerns about maintaining the programs already in place, the board nixed the notion of adding swim team to the list of sports.
Technology coordinator resigns
The board accepted the resignation of Mike Fruechting, the district’s technology coordinator, as part of the board’s consent agenda.
No explanation was given for the longtime employee’s resignation. His last day will be Oct. 31.
Making a difference
Teachers and staff were recognized for making a difference in the classroom and community.
Shannon Cooper was recognized for teaching a kindergarten class in the mornings while Kim Whiteman was on maternity leave.
Susan Hall, Michelle Adkins, Kris Burkholder, and Staci Hansen cleaned the MES gym after every home volleyball game.
Cindy Vinduska, Laurie Secrest, Cathy Whitaker, and Pam Varenhorst organized a family fun night.
Brandi Hendrix and Mike Fruechting worked diligently to make adjustments when Technology Excellence in Education Network switched Internet service from Tri-County Telephone Association to Eagle Communications. Hendrix worked all night and Fruechting worked until 2:30 a.m. to get the network up and running.
Other business
A youth track meet is being planned May 21 at the Marion track. Youth track meets are offered in the area with some local youth participating in meets at Minneapolis. The meet would be for students kindergarten through eighth grade. MES Parents Advisory Council would sponsor the event.
An amendment to the TEEN interlocal agreement was approved, allowing TEEN to use any fiber optic line that may be abandoned if a school district withdraws from the network.
Bleachers used at home swim meets and owned by Marion Recreation Commission will be stored by the school district. The board approved the request.
Following a 30-minute executive session for personnel, the board hired Linda Wyss as a kindergarten aide because of an increase in kindergartners.