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Donors' names allowed on flag cover
An issue up for vote Thursday during a special meeting of the USD 234 Board of Education resulted in one board member walking out after voting, but before the board's scheduled business was finished.
Although it wasn't unanimous, board approved acceptance of a gift to the school district that includes advertising for two local businesses during a special meeting Thursday at the USD 234 board office.
The board approved the donation on a 5-1 vote. Gary Billionis was the only "no" vote.
"As a veteran, this bothers me and I vote 'no'," he said.
Billionis left the meeting after the vote and before the board was finished with its business for the meeting.
The board was asked to consider the gift of a large U.S. flag and display device donated by Kevin "Skitch" Allen, who operates a local hauling and excavation business, and Twister Trailer, a local trailer manufacturer.
Allen was present for the board's discussion and vote on the matter. He said he and some of his employees helped work on the flag project. The donated flag was scheduled to be lowered from the rafters and unfurled during the Fort Scott Tiger basketball games Thursday night and tonight in the Fort Scott High School gym.
The donation of the gift was slated to come up for a vote when Billionis expressed his disagreement with the advertising associated with the gift. He said he has researched the U.S. flag code and feels it is wrong to have an advertising sign attached to the flag, as it takes the focus off the flag.
"I'd like to see some other type of recognition for these two businesses," Billionis said. "Advertising on the U.S. flag puts it above the flag ... Is there some way we can do an alternate thing?"
Board President Janet Braun said board policy indicates the board must have a meeting to consider approval of any advertising on district property. The special meeting was called on short notice since the first use of the flag was scheduled to be Thursday night.
Upon board questioning, Allen said he has talked with some area veterans about the flag and they "know about it and have shown no concerns." He said the names of the businesses are in a display box located above the flag.
"They've seen it. They think it's about the coolest thing they've ever seen," Allen said.
He said his intent was not to cause discontent, but to donate a project that demonstrates a tribute to patriotism in Fort Scott, adding veterans he had talked to planned to see the flag Thursday afternoon and attend both home basketball games.
"That's why we did it. American pride, Tiger pride," Allen said.
Board Member Justin Meeks said he is also concerned with whether the advertising near the flag could be seen as potentially offensive to local veterans. The general agreement among board members was they do not wish to see veterans offended in any way.
"I know some veterans who take the flag code very seriously," Meeks said.
"So do I," Allen said.
Some board members asked Allen if he would, down the road, be open to finding another solution if this particular project becomes a problem. Allen agreed, adding he has seen some similar projects done locally and in other surrounding towns.
"I'm not trying to get business or put my number up there and say 'Call me.' I've seen it done all around town," Allen said. "I'm not saying Skitch is above the flag. I was trying to do something nice for the community. It's something we've seen, not invented."
Board member Jordan Witt said he thinks "Skitch is trying to do the right thing."
In a letter to board members from USD 234 Superintendent Diane Gross regarding the special meeting, Gross recommended approval of the donation.
"We are fortunate to have parents and patrons in this community who give of their time, resources, and effort. Thank to you Kevin Allen (Skitch) and the folks from Twister Trailer," Gross said in the letter.
The board also agreed to hold a future discussion on the issue of approval of future gifts and advertisements, businesses that want to have opportunities to advertise and whether the board is prepared to offer those opportunities with limited space available.
Board members present for Thursday's meeting were Witt, Braun, Jamie Armstrong, Michelle Hudiburg, Billionis and Meeks. Michelle Parker was the only board member not present.
Board members also had to sign a form prior to the start of the meeting acknowledging they did not receive the required two-day notice before a board meeting.
"They signed to say that it's OK to have the board meeting," Deputy Clerk Connie Billionis said after the meeting.
Board policy states that no advertising on district property is allowed without prior board approval, she said.
"Everything has to be approved," she said.
Snow makeup days
The board voted to change the school schedule to include snow makeup days.
The only other matter on the agenda was approval of the procedure regarding makeup days for inclement weather. Gross said she recently met with members of the FS-KNEA negotiating team to discuss options for making up instructional time due to inclement weather and school cancellations. At that meeting, it was determined because the early release days in January and February were changed to full instructional days, there were four hours of credit toward inclement weather make-up time, leaving two full days of instructional time unaccounted for in the district's total instructional hours, or 786 minutes, a letter from Gross to the board said.
"We hope no more days are missed," Gross said Thursday.
The consensus of the FS-KNEA members was to change April 2 and May 7, which were formerly early release days, to full instructional days, to have a full day of school on April 18, and to change May 22 to a half-day of instructional time. The teachers' half work day will be moved to the afternoon of May 22, the letter said.
The changes will be reflected on the district calendar, distributed district-wide and also posted on the district's website. The changes and expectations are expected to be discussed at each school. Parents will be notified through school newsletters or memos, text messages, e-mails and the district's website.