Marion board rehires coach, approves bonds
Staff writer
After concerned people questioned a delay, Marion High School boys basketball team officially has a coach after Monday night’s school board meeting.
School board members voted to renew a contract of high school principal Donald Raymer as boys’ basketball coach.
The fact that Raymer’s contract was not renewed earlier brought parents to the meeting to air concerns during public comment time.
Traci Lanning told board members it was not fair to team members to have no one appointed as coach. She said having an administrator as coach might not be the best thing, but she wanted to know whether the district had a plan.
Raymer formally was hired for another year after a lengthy executive session later in the meeting.
In other personnel actions, the board gave raises of 50 cents per hour to all hourly employees; gave 3% raises to all contracted staff; gave Raymer a $2,500 raise; gave business manager Kelsey Metro a $1,000 raise; hired Kristine Meyerson as aquatics director at $41,000 a year; and hired Carson Suntrapak as elementary school teacher aide for $11.50 an hour.
In his final school board meeting, interim superintendent Lee Leiker reviewed proposed policy changes. A policy on enrollment of students who live outside the district will require a public hearing before being adopted, Leiker said.
The hearing was set for next month.
Board members adopted a resolution approving $3.26 million in borrowing for improvements to sports facilities. The project will include building new locker rooms and a new concession stand, and installing new lighting at baseball and softball fields. Plans include using the proposed facility’s summer weight room in winter as pickle ball courts in hope of creating social and recreational opportunities.
Before bonds can be issued, board members must approve their sale. They are scheduled to do so July 12.
Board members approved a contract with Wichita architectural firm Spangenberg Phillips Tice to oversee the project.
In other matters, board members:
- Increased meal prices 10 cents.
- Increased enrollment fees by $5 a child.
- Approved enrollment requests for out-of-district students.
- Approved a cooperative wrestling agreement with Centre that would allow Centre students to compete and allow the wrestling team to fill in weight classes.