Staff writer
Josh Gayle wants to graduate a semester early from Marion High School.
On Monday, he pleaded his case in front of the Marion Board Education.
Gayle has applied to the Manhattan Area Technical College to enter their electrical power and distribution program to become an electrical lineman. He sent in his application last February, but the normal waiting period for acceptance into the program is one to two years after a student applies. He is hoping to be accepted this fall so he can start the program in January.
Gayle said that if he is not accepted, he will get a job while he is waiting. In his rush to graduate, Gayle has been unable to look for a job because of his school schedule — currently, he is in three English classes, including college level English, and College psychology.
The board pondered his case and hesitantly accepted his proposal, allowing him to return to walk with the other graduates in May.
The school board also approved the audit report and consent agenda, which approved the appointments of Kathy Holub as a new cook at Marion Middle School and High School, Chad Atkins as an assistant softball coach, and Jeff McMillin as an assistant track coach.
The board continues to hover in limbo on the issue of joining Schools for Fair Funding, deciding to engage the topic in future meetings. Kansas has cut state funding and the Marion school district has already been hit. A small coalition of schools are banding together under Schools for Fair Funding to sue the state for more funds.
Schools for Fair Funding filed a similar and successful suit against Kansas in 1997 taking the case all the way to the Kansas Supreme Court.
The board also decided against providing plaques for any of the newly constructed school buildings.