The Chanute Public Schools Board of Education voted to formally begin the process of unifying the district’s branding during their recent meeting on Wednesday, June 4.
Board members unanimously voted to change the colors district-wide to blue and gold. Across all sites, the mascot is now the blue comet to match Chanute High School. Along with these changes, some building names will be different. Lincoln Early Learning Center will now be known as Chanute Early Learning Center. The biggest visual changes will take place at Royster Middle School, now Chanute Middle School.
During the discussion, most commissioners voiced a consensus wanting to see these changes made at one time, instead of taking a multiyear approach. The estimated costs associated with this action are $124,400, which includes exterior signage, interior paint, rugs, benches, gym floor repainting, gym mats, bleacher panel replacement, and activity uniforms.
Superintendent Matt Koester said that some changes would go into effect immediately. On Thursday morning, logos and names had already begun to change the impacted social media pages.
In other business, a second reading of the cardiac emergency response plans was held for each of the buildings, and the Greenbush Health Trust Agreement. Further discussion and final approval were tabled until next month’s meeting.
A lengthy discussion on property insurance was held. Options were between renewing a one-year contract with MRH Insurance Group, or taking on a three-year contract with Gallager and being a member of the Kansas Insurance Cooperative for Schools. MRH offers a self-funded plan, while KICS is an insurance pool consisting of other school districts. The board voted to stick with MRH. Board member Cassie Cleaver and Board President Heather Guernsey expressed during the discussion that this information was presented too late in the fiscal year and said they felt that they did not have enough time to consider changing insurance carriers at this time.
The district also voted to approve another fiveyear agreement with Ozark Coca-Cola, which will continue to sell soft drinks, cups, and equipment to the district, and maintain vending machines throughout the district. The district can set concession stand prices, and sell district-branded water bottles under this agreement. The agreement also offers up to $1,000 in annual sponsorship fees paid to the district, and commission paid to the district on vending sales. This agreement will go into effect July 1 and is set to sunset on June 30, 2030.
A preliminary discussion on the future of fleet management was held, with Enterprise Fleet Management to work with the district to recommend when to purchase or sell vehicles, and how to replace aging 10-passenger vans which are not in production anymore.
According to Koester, there are over 20 vehicles owned owned by the district currently.
A purchase for eSports lab equipment was approved in the amount of $22,950, which will cover mousepads, keyboards, gaming monitors, headsets, and 10 computers for an eSports lab at Chanute High School.
The board also approved the Access Control Project, through the Safe and Secure Schools Grant applying the remaining grant funds totaling $17,539.69.
In regular business, a memorandum of understanding between ANW Special Education Interlocal and USD 413 was approved, as was this year’s CHS course catalog, and the Child Nutrition & Wellness Program through the Kansas State Department of Education.
Many students were recognized for success in clubs and activities this month.
Family Career Community Leaders of America: National qualifiers: Jaydin Clounch, Bailey Brecheisen, Emily Kennedy, Hannah Hare, Helen Mendez, and Madisyn Lopez. State qualifiers: Jaydin Clounch, Lucy Sheble, Ellie Sheble, Lovie Crosby, Everleigh Matlock and Bailey Brecheisen.
Future Health Professionals (HOSA): National Qualifiers: Isabella Barney, Nursing Assisting; Abby Fisher, Phlebotomy; and Cami Jensen, Sports Medicine. State qualifiers: Rainey Carter, Nursing Assisting; Madalee Farmer and Laney Hillmon, Forensic Science; Maddie Kepley, Nursing Assisting; Danielle Kerr, Vet Science; Shamirra Rice, Biotechnology; and Arlee Westhoff, Pharmacology.
Instrumental music Regional Solo and Small Ensemble ratings I: Rahley Holcomb, flute; Leah Burnett, flute; Abby Fisher, clarinet; Wyatt Scott, trombone; Dylan Aday, timpani; Brielle Coate, horn; Nathan Womack, trombone, and the Flute Quartet, Rahley Holcomb, Chloe Espinosa, Isabella Godinez, and Leah Burnett. II: Quinn Robb, saxophone; Nathan Guernsey, clarinet; Brycen Warriax, clarinet; Chloe Espinosa, flute; Anna Swafford, flute; Isabella Godinez, flute; Trombone Duet, Wyatt Scott, and Eric Blakesley; Trombone Quartet, Wyatt Scott, Eric Blakesley, Abril Cuin, and Nathan Womack. III: Woodwind Duet, Brooklyn Espe, and Brayden Baker.
Vocal Regional Solo and Small Ensemble ratings: I: Bailey Brecheisen, O’Neal Smith IV Greyson Finley; Josiah Bates; Madelynne Lowry; Chloe Hill; Anni O’Dell; Leah Burnett; Ethan Burnett; Paige Kueser; Eric Blakesley; and The Gals: Samantha Brown, McKenzie Clines, Lilah Grewing, Shawntay Grier, A.J. O’Brien, Reychell Puckett, Amber Riebel, Anna Swafford, and Diana Wang. II: Jocelyn Sluder, Addy Ruggles, Tommy Beasley, and Logan Bilby.
Chess: Brayden Baker, Ben Blakesley, Logan Boeken, Ethan Burnett, Mark Davidson Jr., Eric Erbe, Brooklyn Espe, Jacob Hurtado, Alex Kennedy, Logan McMillian, Quinn Robb, Nathan Studebaker, and Imerson Vaughan.
Forensics state qualifiers: Gabe Wolf, Eric Blakesley, Josiah Bates, Kayleigh Watts, Anni O’Dell, Ezra McAdoo, Kaylee Duncan, and Kynleigh Oliver.
The next Chanute Public Schools Board of Education meeting will be a special meeting on Monday, June 16, at 6 p.m. at 321 E. Main St., Chanute. At this time, no action is planned to be taken at this meeting, the board will hear presentations on the needs assessment and state assessment
