By SYDNEY KENT
Passionate parents and coaches filled the media center at the Southern Wells board meeting Tuesday evening with one request — an additional gymnasium.
“Many of us are here to kickstart a conversation about an auxiliary gym at Southern Wells,” began Lucas Hamilton, a coach, parent of two elementary students, and husband to a Southern Wells bus driver. “We fully understand there are many hurdles to overcome. We’re asking that the board approves an opportunity to create a committee to address the issues.”
Nine additional coaches for the district spoke about the many challenges they face without adequate space for students to practice, as well as the negative impact it has on the district. Some of these challenges impact student athletes in the short term, with difficult to manage or canceled practices. Others, they explained, impacted the students’ futures by preventing them from accessing the resources they needed to excel.
Whitney Powell, varsity volleyball head coach, told the board it was difficult to walk through neighboring schools and see state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Powell explained that some students were often defeated with a belief that they were not good enough to have the same facilities.
“That’s what builds the good,” Powell said pointedly. “That’s what makes them better — it is that they have the opportunities. These kids deserve the opportunities that their neighbors have at their fingertips.”
Mike Carter, physical educator teacher in the elementary, affectionately gave the school’s location as his home address when introducing himself. Carter then advocated on behalf of the students and families, with emphasis on the archery team. The district received several donations for the team at the meeting. Carter also recounted an afternoon at the Raider Dome in the spring, where more than five teams struggled to find space to practice around each other. He said that this is more often than not the case.
Chase Harris then pointed out that a new gymnasium could bring in revenue with tickets for games and events. He also noted that property taxes for the area were the lowest in the state. Harris then explained that with the introduction of open enrollment approximately 10 years ago, students now had the ability to go to school out of the district they reside in. He stated there are currently athletes in the district for which this is the case.
Evan Huffman, Jacob Duncan, Monica Edgeman, Jeff Sprunger, Gary McFarren, and Kyle Penrod reiterated the need for additional space and resources for their students.
Board President Todd Fiechter thanked everyone who spoke for their dedication and respectful approach to the issue.
“The school is funded by property tax values, at least for the facility,” Fiechter explained. “A year or so ago, Paddlefish Solar came to the district and said they plan to put a solar plant in our district. I’m not here to debate that. They asked the council for a tax abatement so they would not have to pay tax on their infrastructure for 20 years. In return, they’re going to pay Wells County 8.5 millions dollars that would have gone to the school system.”
Fiechter went on to explain that the company has announced their plans for an additional project and an additional abatement.
“The money that would have come to us is going to the county council to use as they see fit,” Fiechter continued. “We were at the council meetings (and) we said we don’t have a voice in this. It feels like they’re taking money that is rightfully ours. We asked what we were going to get out of $8 million. They never gave us a real answer.”
Fiechter concluded with a clear recommendation: go to the county council and commissioners with the issue. He also advised that a plan to utilize current space to relieve some of the strain on coaches and students could be implemented. Fellow board members Chad Roush and Delora Schneider echoed the sentiment.
“We are only one vote for these guys,” Roush said. “If we all do it, it will open their eyes that there is a need here. If they don’t support what we’re doing, they will have consequences to pay come next election time. We need to make our voices heard. Dec. 5 is the next meeting.”
Fiechter recommended coaches and families passionate about the issue call their local members to request a one-on-one conversation, or make a plan to add the item to the agenda.
“Some things are hard to hear,” Fiechter said. “Nothing changes fast. I believe we have some of the best teachers, administrative staff, and coaches in the state. One things I am proud of is that 38 percent of students drive from out of the district to attend Southern Wells. It’s easy to be discouraged. And, well, we know it is not the facility they’re coming for. It’s all of you.”
Schneider expressed her approval for the committee and offered to be a representative for the council.
“My oldest is in eighth grade,” Schneider concluded. “I hope her high school graduation is in (a new gym).”
Elementary art teacher Shelly Ivans was also recognized at the meeting for her outstanding efforts as a dedicated educator for the district. Ivans was acknowledged for significantly enriching childrens’ experiences with her passion for creativity and bringing perspective from her real-life experiences. In one creative project, Ivans created “flat raiders” with students as they studied the book Flat Stanley. The flat raiders then traveled with Ivans across the world for a mission trip and took photos for the kids.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Accepted personnel resignations from early childhood education preschool teacher Marcella Winters, effecrtive Nov. 10; business teacher Jamie Grim, effective Dec. 21; and Integration Specialist Abby Ramseyer, effective Nov. 17; preschool instruction aide Jennifer Bannister, effective Nov. 10, 2023;
• Approved an employment recommendation for Sherri Dyer as the early childhood education teacher, effective second semester, and Mallory Nussbaum as the preschool instructional aide, effective Nov. 13.
• Approved donations for the archery club, cross country team uniforms, history books, cross country, and basketball.
• Approved the removal of spring conferences after a recent survey revealed they were not necessary.
• Approved a contract for cafeteria flooring in the elementary school with Wagner’s Construction.
• Approved Monday, April 8, as a virtual learning day due to the solar eclipse.
• Approved several financial items in the form of a fund report, appropriation report, bank reconciliation and bank statements, and credit card statements.
• Approved an overnight stay for a wrestling competition in December.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting is at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 in the Southern Wells Cafeteria.
sydney@news-banner.com
