By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Nearly three hours into a meeting that lasted almost six hours, the USD 407 Board of Education decided Monday night not to vote on a resolution to close Ruppenthal Middle School in Russell. The resolution is one of two in the works by the board to close buildings to increase efficiency and save the district money. In a public hearing on the closure before the school board meeting, Michael Davidson, vocal music teacher at the middle school and high school, spoke out against closing the school.
"This is obviously an important and emotionally-charged decision to make for our district," he said. "I don't believe it's an exaggeration to say our district is in crisis. We are short short teachers. Our enrollment continues to shrink as Hays schools sweep up our most accomplished students from our most affluent families. Our parents are becoming more angry and distrustful of USD 407 every day. I understand the gravity of this moment."
Davidson said the degree to which district teachers had been cut from the decision-making process was shocking and insulting, and that when teachers do not get to speak together, they lose their power. Davidson said in his decade with the district, he's worked under nine principals and four superintendents. While administrators come and go, their decisions can impact generations.
"I stand here to directly oppose the formal closing of RMS, not because it is the wrong move for our district, but because as it stands, I cannot see a successful path forward," he said. "With adequate time and a firm commitment to consistent and continuing input from teachers, I believe it could happen. But it is nearly February, and I fear it is just too late. Please give us the time to do it properly."
The proposal included sending sixth graders who currently attend Ruppenthal to Bickerdyke Elementary, which currently serves grades 2-5. Seventh and eighth graders at the middle school would be moved to the high school.
Superintendent Jordan Perez said closing the building is a matter of efficiency. There are four empty classrooms on the third floor of the middle school for most of the day, and several other classrooms are used just a couple hours a day. There are also empty rooms at the high school.
"If you look at where we're currently at, and you if paid attention to other districts that are closing schools, you really want to be like 85 percent occupancy to be considered an efficient school building," he said.
Since 2019, USD 407 has seen its enrollment drop from 852 students to 747. Built in 1938, Ruppenthal Middle School is the oldest building in the district. The late Sen. Bob Dole graduated from high school in the limestone building in 1941.
The other resolution for future consideration is the closure of the District Office Building. Perez and the board discussed possibilities for a new office location inside the middle school or high school. Perez said the middle school location checked all the boxes for staff and district needs.
A notice of public hearing on the closure of the district office is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 12 at 5:15 p.m. at the District Office Building located at 802 N. Main Street in Russell.