USD 451 Declines Consolidation Proposal
by Brian Rottinghaus, Principal
March 11, 2010
As I’m sure most of you are aware, last night was a monumental night in the history of the Axtell/Summerfield school system. The B&B Board of Education did arrive at 7:30 as scheduled, with a crowd of over 100 people in attendance. The B&B board president read a prepared statement to our school board and to the crowd indicating that the USD 451 BOE, by consensus, is not interested in pursuing a two-way consolidation with the west side of USD 488 via HB 2627. Shortly thereafter the 488 BOE took a brief recess to exchange pleasantries with the B&B BOE members and allow them to exit. Upon reconvening, Mr. Bartkoski made the recommendation that USD 488 to pursue a two-way consolidation with USD 441 with the intent that the new district can take effect for the 2010/11 school year. Our board motioned accordingly and voted 7-0 in favor of that recommendation.
Within the context of this decision there are some important points to take into consideration:
- This agreement to consolidate is subject to the majority support of voters in each USD 488 & 441, and will only become official if that happens.
- The current 488 building configuration will remain in effect for next year.
- The Axtell/Bern/Summerfield schools will operate next year with the reduced certified staff numbers outlined by the February BOE decision to reduce certified staff by 4.1 positions.
- Axtell & Bern Schools will and must proceed with our plan to work collaboratively to share teachers and operate in a cooperative nature.
- If the consolidation becomes final, the length and day and number of instructional days of the new district must be consistent across the district. Sabetha/Wetmore currently operates on a school day that runs from 8:00 to 3:15.
- Mr. Schnacker and I have been working extensively to take into consideration all of the recommendations from the first proposed schedule and provide a second schedule to review, analyze and pre-enroll. This schedule will be based on a school day that runs from 8:00 to 3:15 and will apply the traditional eight-period day concept. We hope to have this available for the teachers and students to review and critique in the relatively near future.
I think that this decision represents a wonderful opportunity for the future of the Axtell/Summerfield Schools and the entire USD 488 community! This will necessitate some change and willingness to adapt for all of us, but it gives each school and community the ability to determine it own fate! It is fundament that we stand united in our efforts to make this work. With collective hard work and determination, and with shared vision, I believe the future of public education in the Axtell/Summerfield community is extremely bright!
