McPHERSON, Kan. — The June 17-18 rain and windstorm that brought between 7-10 inches of rain and near 90 mile an hour winds resulted in the floor of the McPherson High School Roundhouse being ruined.
The McPherson USD 418 Board of Education last night accepted a $278,500 quote from Lankford Enterprises of Bucyrus, Kansas to replace the floor, that Superintendent Shiloh Vincent said had 1 ½ to 2 inches of water on it that was basically blown in through a door on the north side of the gym.
The district does not have flood insurance to cover this loss, but it does have more than adequate capital outlay funds to cover it. Vincent added they have submitted this loss for possible reimbursement should the state of Kansas qualify for public assistance through FEMA from this storm. Removal of the existing floor could begin by the end of next week and a new floor installed by the end of October if all goes as planned. That is the earliest time frame possible due to other projects that all contractors in Kansas who do gym floors are now involved with.
A report presented to the Board projects the number of students in the district will drop another 110 students over the next five years. Vincent said the study prepared by RSP Associates also indicates by the 2029-30 school year the district’s five attendance centers will have a less than 70 percent utilization rate.
This comes off about a 100-student drop in enrollment over the past year, which directly impacts the districts state aid for this year. Specifically, it’s projected general fund aid will drop by about $300,000, and local option budget aid by another $150,000.
This is on top of a 25 percent increase in special education assessments, and a $130,000 jump in property insurance premiums, which once combined with known savings will result in the district being $452,000 in the hole revenue wise. The district has more than that in their contingency fund, along with other reserves that can be drawn on for some line items.
The Board gave final approval to a contract with incite Design Studio of Overland Park for architectural services for future bond projects. The Board received this contract last month, and gave approval after documents were reviewed by legal counsel.
During the meeting the Board approved all of the annual designations and other matters it has to take at the beginning of a new school year, which included re-election of Board president Lara Vanderhoof and Vice President Chelsea Busch to continue in those positions for another year.
Commenting on the floor replacement at The Roundhouse, McPherson High School Athletic Director Shane Backhus said, “The flooding, and moisture trapped under the floor has caused major water damage, including buckling in places, which will continue to get worse over time.” He added that the floor must be replaced because the damage to the wood is irreversible.
Backhus is currently working on solutions for impacts to the fall volleyball season and classes when school begins in August.
