Robb stated he believed that the meeting could not be held legally, unless all seven members of the board signed the waiver. “That is to prevent the majority from quickly ramming something through on the minority on short notice,” said John Robb via speakerphone to Fred Van Ranken, superintendent of USD 373, and Mallory Morton, president of the board of education, during a sidebar in the hallway of McKinley administrative Center shortly after a special meeting was called to order. Under Kansas Statute, special meetings require a two-day notice for each board member, unless that requirement is waived by the board members. The confusion began when three members of the board of education refused to sign a waiver of notice. When the board of education calls a special meeting, for any reason, there are rules about notice of board members, and those rules became a confusing quagmire on Feb. Three of the four board members who voted in favor of the change have children who are part of the Newton High School wrestling teams. The action taken by the board to amend the policy opened the door for the athlete to compete at the KSHSAA State Wrestling Championships. That notice also contained a notice that the meeting would not be live streamed.īoard members who reached out to the Kansan confirmed that the discussion centered around an athlete who was declared ineligible for the tournament – and the desire of some members for the athlete to be reinstated. About six hours later, board members received a notice of special meeting – to discuss student matters and the school district policy. School staff applied the Railer Way policy, and declared the athlete ineligible for this weekend’s state championship tournaments.Īccording to board members who spoke to the Kansan, superintendent Fred Van Ranken notified members of the board of athlete’s ineligibility. Also part of that effort was Healthy Harvey, Newton Medical Center and Mirror Inc.
#The newton kansan code#
In Newton the sale of vapes and tobacco products is not allowed to anyone under the age of 21, a city code created at the behest of STAND – a group of high school students who work to reduce the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco products among their peers. The use and/or possession of vapes by minors is considered a crime, and can result in an arrest of the juvenile. The use of vapes, tobacco products and illicit drugs is a direct violation of school district policy, and discussed during “Railer Way” meetings which are required for athletes and their guardians at the beginning of the school year. However, according to multiple board members who spoke to the Kansan requesting anonymity, there is video of a student athlete using vapes in the hallway of Newton High School. 22, was to discuss student matters and possible changes to district policy. The stated reason for meeting, defined by the public notice of meeting at 1 p.m. Just why the board was meeting, and with such a sense of urgency, is difficult to document as student privacy issues and open meeting exemptions for student disciplinary measures come into play. Members of the board reached out to the Kansan, questioning the legality of the meeting – and the very need of a special meeting.
It was a meeting that despite the innocuous appearance beforehand, was rife with controversy. Brenna Haines left the meeting early, before the vote was taken. Andrew Ortiz and Melissa Schreiber voted against. Mallory Morton, Matt Treaster, Dayna Steinmetz and Edwards voted in favor. He reread the motion, by request, several times.įollowing a brief discussion about when the policy would be effective – immediately – the board voted 4-2 in favor of the change. “I would make the motion to amend our code of conduct add language that states every situation is different and administrators reserve the right to deviate from the code of conduct when deemed appropriate.” They were greeted with member Luke Edwards asking if it was time to make a motion, and a statement from board president Mallory Morton of “Anything can happen here.” 22, media and the public were welcomed back into a special meeting of the Newton USD 373 Board of Education.
Following hours of executive session on Feb.
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