The USD 417 Board of Education moved Monday toward seriously considering the possible closure of Prairie Heights Elementary School while also questioning low average class counts in core academic subjects at Council Grove Junior-Senior High School.
No decision was made to close Prairie Heights during the Sept. 14 meeting, but board members agreed the discussion needs to continue as the district faces declining enrollment, higher per-student costs at Prairie Heights and significant longterm facility needs.
The discussion carried a somber tone as board members acknowledged what the possible loss of Prairie Heights would mean to the Alta Vista community, students and employees.
Superintendent Tyson Eslinger reported current enrollment of approximately 72 students at Prairie Heights, 270 at Council Grove Elementary School and 346 at CGJSHS. Based on capacities established for open enrollment, Prairie Heights is operating at approximately 52 percent capacity, compared with 75 percent at CGES and 88.7 percent at CGJSHS.
The cost to educate a student also drew attention. Based on 202526 operating figures, the total was $13,489 per student at Prairie Heights, compared with $8,822 at CGES and $8,323 at CGJSHS.
Board member Patty Talley questioned whether continuing to operate Prairie Heights at that cost is sustainable.
Board President TinaRae Scott then asked whether Prairie Heights students could be absorbed into Council Grove Elementary. Eslinger said they could, although moving all students would place CGES at approximately 95 percent of its established capacity. Prairie Heights has already undergone staffing reductions. Following resignations last year, not all teaching positions were filled, and the district no longer has a principal assigned solely to the building. Eslinger said the district has little room for additional cuts while still operating the school safely and providing a quality educational program.
“This conversation is not new,” Scott said. “We have had this conversation and kicked this can down the road to the point where we are sitting here today.”
Board members asked for additional information, including the capital costs required to continue operating Prairie Heights. Eslinger stressed that the board was only beginning the process. Any closure would require formal action, published notices, a public hearing and other statutory steps.
Construction adviser Jeremy Niederwerder also presented the district’s developing long-range facilities plan. Approximately 400 maintenance items have been identified, with about $7 million in first-year needs, $14 million during the first three years and approximately $34 million over 20 years.
Needs include HVAC systems, roofing, electrical panels, older cloth wiring, fire suppression and other building improvements. Niederwerder said high-priority HVAC needs at CGJSHS alone total approximately $2.4 million.
The board also questioned low average class counts at CGJSHS. Eslinger reported averages of 9.9 students in English, 9.4 in math, 9.8 in science and 9.4 in social studies.
Board members questioned whether those numbers are sustainable and whether the trimester schedule contributes to the low averages by creating multiple sections of the same courses.
The issue will be examined by the high school schedule committee. The board appointed Travis Schweger, Jessica Rohloff and Patty Talley as its representatives on the committee, which will explore a possible semester schedule and is expected to make a recommendation by Oct. 30.
Before the regular meeting, the board held separate Revenue Neutral Rate and budget hearings.
Council Grove resident Jan Koepke spoke during both hearings, expressing concern about the effect of property-tax increases on senior citizens living on limited incomes. She compared the increase in her taxes to the number of $4 meals she purchases at the Council Grove Senior Center.
Jane Rickenbrode also spoke during the budget hearing, questioning district spending at a time of declining enrollment and asking the board to consider the financial pressures facing taxpayers.
All six board members present voted during the Revenue Neutral Rate hearing to exceed the district’s Revenue Neutral Rate. Terry Powell was absent.
The regular Board of Education meeting followed. During that meeting, the board later adopted the 202627 budget as published. The estimated total tax rate is 59.977 mills, up from 58.623 mills the previous year. The budget lists $4,785,506 in taxes to be levied, compared with $4,598,630 the previous year.
Business Office Manager Bryce Johnson reviewed the district’s budget process and financial pressures, including special education costs, declining state aid and enrollment.
Superintendent Tyson Eslinger said remaining at the Revenue Neutral Rate would have reduced district revenue by approximately $600,000 and likely required reductions in staffing or programs.
The board also approved a 33 percent Local Option Budget.
During open forum, Joey Fricilone expressed frustration over what he described as difficulty getting his concerns about Applied Behavior Analysis services fully before the board. Fricilone said he had attempted to be placed on the agenda but was told he could not and had prepared a longer presentation that he was unable to give during the three-minute open-forum period. He said he was encouraged after meeting with Superintendent Tyson Eslinger earlier that day and learning the district appeared to be moving toward a memorandum of understanding for third-party providers. Fricilone urged the board to make sure any agreement addresses ABA services in the classroom and protects the rights of students with disabilities. The board later approved third-party best practices and a memorandum of understanding for outside providers working with students.
FFA instructor Taylor Green recognized students for spring and summer accomplishments, including a fourth-place state livestock judging team, fifth-place state horse judging team and individual honors in agricultural mechanics and speech. Macy Hensley placed second at state in speech as a sophomore. Green said Council Grove FFA currently has 75 members.
Logan Stockwell was recognized for placing seventh in the 110-meter hurdles and eighth in the 300-meter hurdles, while baseball coach Matt Wilkens was honored as the Class 3A Coach of the Year following the Braves’ 26-2 season.
The district’s Every Day Difference Makers were Danielle Blue of CGES, Kymbr Simmons of CGJSHS and Dawn Hershberger from the classified staff.
Blue was also recognized after being selected by Wichita State University’s Teacher of Promise program as one of two outstanding teacher-education students.
The Morris County Early Childhood Task Force was recognized by Child Care Aware of Kansas as a Child Care Community Champion.
Among other action items, the board approved a $7,500 contract with Emergent 3 for a school-safety application that will provide emergency plans, building maps, real- time communication and student reunification tools.
The board also approved FFA travel to a horse judging competition in Kansas City, Missouri, and the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
A $5,000 Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant was accepted for CGES’s One School, One Book program.
Following an executive session, the board approved Kymbr Simmons as assistant play, instrumental music, vocal music and assistant musical sponsor and Derron Reddick as FBLA sponsor. The board accepted the resignation of CGES cook Karla McNeese and the retirement of high school math teacher Kenton Gant at the conclusion of the 2026-27 school year.
During Good News, Schweger noted Council Grove’s football victory over Osage City and the participation of former Council Grove students in athletics and activities at Emporia State University. Kelcy Hartman recognized the Braves’ No. 1 football ranking, while Jessica Rohloff thanked district nurses and health aides and Patty Talley expressed appreciation for transportation employees. James Blue noted progress on roofing and air-conditioning projects and TinaRae Scott recognized students participating at the Kansas State Fair.
The next regular USD 417 Board of Education meeting is Oct. 12.