The conversation to explore one campus began over ten years ago due to growing repair/replacement needs in both buildings and lower student enrollment among other reasons. In April of 2024, the BOE heard a report from DCS Services who conducted a comprehensive facilities study of the district. On April 29, 2024, after reviewing the DCS Facilities assessment in regular session, the following motion was made and voted on by the Board of Education: 

M/S (Jenny Betschart - Seth Harrington) to move the Elementary School to the Junior High & High School for one year and have a community meeting within one month and a special meeting in two months to determine facility needs for both Junior High/High School and Elementary School.

M/C 5-2 (Fast, Grigsby)

On May 22, 2024, the USD 220 Board of Education held a Community Information and Listening Evening to explain this situation and gather feedback directly from the community on this move. We are grateful that over 115 community members attended and many shared their thoughts and ideas. 

On May 29, 2024, the BOE held a special meeting to determine the short-term, mid-term, and long-term priorities for the district.  

Over the Summer of 2024:

• The old Home Economics room at Ashland High School was renovated into a 750 sq ft classroom to serve pre-school students.
• The south door of AHS was unbricked and reopened.
• $10,000 of donated fencing and 14 volunteers fenced in a 35,500 sq-ft playground area on the south side of the building
• 6 rooms received new carpet/flooring thanks to a generous donation from Home Lumber.
• $20,000 in anonymous donations was received and specifically earmarked to facilitate the move. Many volunteers gave their time and energy to move furniture and set up classrooms getting ready to welcome students back for a new year. 

All students, grades Preschool – 12^th started school on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 under the same roof.

At the August 19, 2024 regular meeting, Mrs. Rice presented to the board an updated, running document of needs at the grade school. Eck Plumbing was out to look at the elementary and plan to provide a quote for mini splits in each classroom, as well as replacing the cast and galvanized iron for the evacuation lines. Mr. Brandon Grigsby asked about adding a drop ceiling for sound and insulation. Mrs. Rice stated that she has asked three local contractors to quote out the project, as well as making inquiries about tuckpointing and she plans to apply for the Kansas Historical Society Grant in November. Mrs. Rice stated that she had been tasked with determining what it would take to have the building removed from the historical registry. Discussion ensued about potential ideas of future use for the elementary building. Mr. Seth Harrington asked about the legalities of closing a building if that determination were to ever be made. Mrs. Rice informed the board that a public hearing would need to be held and that they (the BOE) make the decision following that hearing. She added that if we were to sell the building, it must go to the state as they have the first right of purchase. 

At the September 16, 2024 regular session meeting, Mrs. Rice informed the board that she has a running spreadsheet in our Google Drive that identifies priorities from the board, staff, and administration for repairs and needs. She stated that it is tough to get contractors, but we need to develop schedules of work and scope of jobs. Eck had come out and scoped the plumbing at the elementary school and discovered that the gate traps on the toilets seem to be the biggest problem with the plumbing. We currently have low flow toilets and the gate traps are designed to work best with high-flow toilets. Eck also looked at and provided a quote for $138,450.00 to install mini splits in the classrooms for heating and air to work in conjunction with the boiler. Mrs. Rice informed the board that Mr. Brandon Grigsby has spoken to several local contractors about installing a drop ceiling in the classrooms, but she has not heard back from two of them and one of them declined.

Mrs. Rice also informed the board that we need the walk-in cooler and the south doors at the high school replaced as soon as possible and we have applied for a grant to help with these items. Information was provided to the board of the staff input on the current building situation. 

At the October 22, 2024 regular session meeting, Mrs. Rice informed the board that she has updated the running to do list document.  She stated that they had received no official recommendation for the plumbing at grade school, however high-flow fixtures would help the problem and to replace all low-flow items would cost roughly $75,000.00. Mrs. Rice also stated that a building cannot come off the Historical Society Register unless there was an error in putting said building on the registry or if the building has been condemned. 

Mrs. Rice informed the board that if we go back to two buildings, we might lose teachers, however if we do go back, we must do it correctly. She stated that we must have everything lined up such as food service, etc, and have adequate space for a teacher break room, conference room, and staff bathrooms. Mrs. Rice said that the Fire Marshall informed her that preschool through first grade must be on the first level, and they recommend that second grade would be on the first floor as well. A comparison of utility costs was presented and it was stated that we did not get specific cost savings on property insurance, but our schedule shows that Ashland Elementary School is roughly 25% of the schedule. Mrs. Rice stated that the staff’s only negative comments about the move to one building consists of: bathrooms (need more), no sandbox, and a lack of a conference room. She stated that if we stay in one building, we need to look at more classrooms.  Relatively short-term items for the high school include replacing the locker room water heater, as well as the lights at the football field and the track.  Other needs include the bus barn and vehicle fleet replacement. Mrs. Rice presented to the board the legislation’s language on closing a building and stated that KASB says the vote would be to close an attendance center, not actually closing a building.

M (Seth Harrington) to begin publishing a notice to hold a public forum and hearing to present our case for closing the attendance center and to listen to comments from the public.

Motion dies, no second.

Discussion ensued about meeting dates and time restraints/deadlines for a notice of public hearing. As Mr. Grigsby and Mr. Fast were not present at that time, the board decided to have a special meeting to set a public hearing date and tasked Mrs. Rice to find a date next week to hold the special meeting.

That special meeting was held on October 28, 2024. At that meeting:

M (Seth Harrington) to begin publishing a notice to hold a public forum and hearing to present our case for closing the attendance center and to listen to comments from the public.

Mr. Brandon Grigsby asked that we discuss the topic further before voting.

Motion dies, no second.

Mr. Brandon Grigsby asked about the Heritage Grant for the tuck-pointing repair at Ashland Grade School. Mrs. Rice stated that she is currently in the process of completing the application where she is asking for $100,000.00 and the grant will be submitted by Friday. 

Mr. Jeremy Fast stated that he feels as if we are rushing this process and that we are not even a full semester into being in one building for this year. He stated that we must be economically responsible and the basic repairs for the HVAC and mini splits at the Grade School would cost $288,000.00. He stated that the current Grade School building is superior to a Morton building for $880,000.00.

Mr. Brandon Grigsby stated that he has received complaints about junior high kids being kicked out of the math classroom for an art project with another class. Mrs. Rice stated that there is a joint project between 4th grade and 10th grade that did require the use of the art room, but the math kids went to the lunch room and continued their lesson at that time. Mrs. Rice stated that while we do not have the ideal classroom setup and layout for two classes, it is working. However, we will need more classrooms in the future. Mr. Seth Harrington spoke about the projected enrollment in future years and his concerns for declining enrollment. Mr. Jeremy Fast said that our issues are the concerns of declining enrollment, staffing, and curriculum. All of which the building has nothing to do with. He stated that the building has deferred maintenance, but the roof project is underway and we have received quotes for both electrical and plumbing. Discussion ensued.

Mrs. Jenny Betschart suggested that perhaps we utilize the space that we have by splitting the art room and library into different classroom spaces and just maintain the Ashland Grade School for the gym space or potentially renting out space for local businesses or turning the upstairs classrooms into apartments for teachers. Mrs. Rice informed the board that the Elementary School building must be used in a district capacity, therefore we cannot rent out any spaces to local businesses. Dr. Travis McCarty asked if we should extend the one-year trial to two years to get firm numbers of cost savings, etc. Mrs. Jenny Betschart then asked if we extend the trial, must we close the attendance center? Dr. Travis McCarty stated that we cannot go back and forth between buildings. Mr. Ransom Gardiner asked how long can we continue this configuration with all students in one building before having to close an attendance center. Mrs. Rice did not know the length of time, but would find out. 

M (Brandon Grigsby) to table discussion for one year until classroom configuration is complete and we have firm financial numbers for all configurations and building/space usage, amendable up to three years.

Dr. Kelly Deewall, Dr. Travis McCarty, and Mrs. Jenny Betschart all stated that they want to make sure the teachers, community, and students are not being pulled back and forth. The entire board agreed.

Mr. Brandon Grigsby retracts his motion.

Mrs. Rice stated that she would like specific board direction. Mr. Seth Harrington suggested we have a staff meeting on May 19th before the board meeting to receive their input of how things went this year and then hold a public hearing on May 30th where we share the staff input and a year’s worth of data, financial numbers, and plan options. Discussion ensued.

The board tasked Mrs. Rice with preparing options for both buildings to remodel within our current building footprint to fulfill our spatial needs. Mrs. Rice asked the board for time where she can prepare all the information and stated that she will have all information to the board at the February 2025 meeting.

At the November 18, 2024 regular meeting Mrs. Jenny Betschart asked if we can get a building committee formed for both the grade school and high school projects to keep the ball rolling.  Mrs. Rice stated that she is open to forming building committees as long as there is a clear and focused purpose, but no committees were formed.

On December 16, 2024, at the regular BOE meeting, Mrs. Rice informed the board that there was a leak at AES in the 26-foot pipe below the locker rooms and it was replaced by Eck at aa cost of $7,200.  We also had the exterior drains cleaned for water runoff at a cost of $1,400.

At the January 21, 2025 regular session board meeting, an update was provided on the building research. Mrs. Rice stated that during the November 2024 meeting she said that if she wasn't making significant progress on research for the building projects, she would ask for help, so she was asking for help. She said that she is currently having trouble with getting quotes for projects, specifically the grade school. At a prior meeting, Mrs. Jenny Beschart suggested forming building committees for both the grade school and the high school. Mrs. Rice stated that if we form building committees, we must have them in open session and open to the public. Mrs. Rice stated that we do have estimates from DCS, but the majority of feedback that we are receiving is that contractors do not want to spend time bidding jobs/scope of work without a guarantee of a job. Dr. Travis McCarty asked about DCS’s commitment from the needs assessment and suggested starting conversations with them and Sam Brown.  Mrs. Rice state she had been in contact with both.

On February 16, 2025 at the regular session meeting, Mrs. Rice presented to the board basic information on both buildings (year built, square footage, land/area, value, annual utilities, insurance costs, recent upkeep and repairs, and major upcoming needs) and the estimates for renovation on each building. The renovation for the Elementary (with no changes to previous layout) includes: tuck-pointing, HVAC (mini splits for classrooms to work in conjunction with the boiler), a secured entrance, toilets replaced, sinks & vanities replaced, addition of stall dividers in the boys restrooms, and handicapped bars/equipment installed in downstairs west restroom is estimated at $649,964.00 without grant monies or professional installation accounted for. The cost of those renovations with grant monies and self installation are calculated at $529,461.00. If we were to change the layout to make a fully self-contained grade school with preschool - first grade completely on the lower level, the total cost estimate is $1,112,497.00. That would include construction on the upstairs classroom, dividing the current office into a Title 1 room and office, building a stand-alone building north of the gym for a library, and making an adequate food service area. The renovations to the High School include: construction of classrooms in the library, HVAC for the conversion of classrooms in library, moving the library to the art room, removing (from AES) and reinstalling playground equipment, tire mulch, playground landscaping/groundwork, and adding a playground concrete area. The cost of those renovations are estimated at $148,126.00. Mrs. Rice stated that both estimates  represent only immediate/emergent needs for physical space and they do not include any unforeseen/unknown items that may emerge during construction (such as mold, asbestos, wiring, plumbing, etc.) or potential long-term high ticket equipment/structural needs. She stated that anything exceeding $20,000.00 will need to go through the bid process. Mrs. Rice also informed the board that both models allow all classes to have their own individual space (no traveling teachers and/or shared rooms), a minimum of one handicap accessible restroom and full access to most all areas of the building, a teacher workroom/supply room, and on-site library, music, physical education, and food service. 

Mr. Brandon Grigsby asked if the tuck-pointing quote was on the entire building or just the side that was leaking. Mrs. Rice stated that the bid included the entire building. Mr. Grigsby stated that we should use the Heritage Fund Grant to repair the tuck pointing on the troubled areas and expressed his concern of the fallacy that the grade school cannot be used now and it will take a large sum of money to repair the building to where it is operable, which is not true. He stated that we could be using the building right now. Mr. Jeremy Fast stated that we also must keep in mind of future expenses, such as the track, for the high school as well.

Heritage Trust Fund: Mrs. Rice informed the board that we were awarded the Heritage Trust Fund Grant for repair of the tuck pointing/masonry at the Elementary School and presented the acceptance letter and application to the board. She stated that we must decide if we will accept the grant by March 21st.  Mrs Rice stated that the original project was estimated at $156,200.00, but the bid from Lawrenz Masonry was for $474,000.00 to make the building completely waterproof. Mrs. Rice stated that the terms of the grant state that you must own the building for the next five years, or be subjected to a $20,000.00 per year buyback if sold before five years, it is an 80-20% grant, and that the Heritage Foundation and Historical Society is involved in the process and must approve the scope of work prior to the bid process and the work done. They must sign off on the work before the grant is paid to the school. Dr. Travis McCarty expressed his hesitation, stating he feels as if there are a lot of stipulations and strings attached if we accept the bid.

M (Jeremy Fast) to accept the Heritage Trust Fund Grant.

Motion died, no second due to continual discussion.

Mrs. Jenny Betchart stated that she would be in favor of accepting the grant to repair the tuckpointing, continue to use the gym as needed, but keep all the students at the High School. Dr. Kelly Deewall expressed her concerns of the cost of insurance to just keep a building for gym use. Mr. Jeremy Fast stated that if we continue to invest in that building, we could better serve the future students of our district.

M/S (Jeremy Fast - Brandon Grigsby) to accept the Heritage Trust Fund Grant.

Motion died to lack of vote, continual discussion ensued.

Dr. Travis McCarty stated that he liked the compromise of accepting the grant, using the building for gym space, but keeping the students in one building, because we do not have a plan to get rid of the building, or an interested, buyer, nor do we have a current plan to get another gym facility in the next 5 years. Mr. Jeremy Fast suggested seeing if any donors would like to contribute to the project funds. Discussion ensued about the need for the Elementary School gym. Mr. Brandon Grigsby stated that we can apply for the Heritage Grant several times. Mrs. Rice stated that the stage has significant leaks, the emergency tuckpointing needs redone according to the Historical Society standards, the door is pulling away from the building, as well as the white ledge. Dr. Kelly Deewall suggests not accepting the grant and repairing the tuck pointing, and stated she feels like we are wasting taxpayer monies on a building that we do not need. Dr. Travis McCarty stated that he is concerned about the risks of accepting the grant.

M/S (Jeremy Fast - Brandon Grigsby) to accept the Heritage Trust Fund Grant.

Motion tied 3-3 (Nay: Harrington, Deewall. Abstained: McCarty)

Restroom break from 9:28 p.m. to 9:33 p.m.

 M/S (Brandon Grigsby - Ransom Gardiner) to accept the Heritage Trust Fund Grant.

                  M/C 5-2 (Harrington, Deewall)

Mrs. Jenny Betschart expressed her interest to close the Elementary School as an attendance center. Mr. Ransom Gardiner asked if we need to look at remodeling before making that decision. Mr. Brandon Grigsby stated that adding four classrooms is a good start, but he hated to walk away from eight classrooms and a gym, and we should get a long-term plan in place. Mrs. Jenny Betschart stated that adding four classrooms at the high school will get us by for a few years and if there is an influx of students it would be a great problem to have and we can figure it out. Mr. Seth Harrington stated that we would likely lose more students and certainly lose staff by going back to the elementary building. Mr. Ransom Gardiner asked about the timeframe and process for holding a public hearing. Dr. Kelly Deewall stated that the board listens to the public’s opinions on the matter at the hearing and then the board votes on it after hearing what the public has to say. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Rice stated that state statute reads that a notice must be published for a consecutive 2-weeks and a hearing must be followed 10-20 days later.

M/S (Jenny Betschart - Seth Harrington) to close the Elementary School as an attendance center and hold a public hearing.

M/C 5-2 (Fast, Grigsby)

Public Hearing Scheduled for April 7, 2025 at 6:30 pm at Ashland High School.  Published in the Clark County Gazette on March 15, 22, and 29, 2025. Published on the USD 220 webpage and Facebook page.

        PUBLIC NOTICE OF HEARING FOR CLOSING SCHOOL BUILDING OR BUILDINGS

        Notice is hereby given pursuant to K.S.A. 72-1431, of a public hearing to be held on the                  7^th day of April, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Ashland High School regarding the Unified School                  District No. 220, Clark County, Kansas proposal to close Ashland Grade School as it is no                  longer needed for district instructional purposes and should be closed to improve the school            system.

        Students in preschool to grade five previously attending at the above location shall be                    permanently relocated to a combined campus serving grades preschool to twelve located at            311 J.E. Humphreys St, Ashland, KS. 

        A representative of the board of education will present the proposal to close Ashland Grade              School and the board will hear testimony as to the advisability of the proposed closing. 

On April 7, 2025, approximately 60 people joined came to listen and speak at the Public Hearing.  Video Link: Public Hearing - Closure of Ashland Grade School - April 7, 2025

The handouts provided at the hearing consist of the building information (please see the other tab on this page of our website) and the following: 

There were no decisions made at the Public Hearing. 

At the regular session meeting held on April 21, 2025, the BOE adopted the official resolution to close Ashland Grade School. 

               M/S (Seth Harrington-Jenny Betschart) adopt resolution 003-2024-2025 as written.

               M/C 5:2 (Fast/Grigsby)

Purpose: To be established at the first meeting. 

Meeting Information: All meetings are open for public observation.  Comments or interaction with the committee will not be available during these meetings. 

Next meeting: Monday, April 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. – Ashland School Library

Members: 

Brandon Grigsby, BOE Member

Jenny Betschart, BOE Member

Seth Harrington, BOE Member

Nick Johnson, Director of Facilities Management & Transportation

Paula Rice, Superintendent

Building Renovation Estimates

Both estimates represent only immediate/emergent needs for physical space and do not include any unforeseen/unknown items that may emerge during construction (mold, asbestos, wiring, plumbing etc.) or potential long-term high ticket equipment/structural needs. Anything exceeding $20,000 will need to go through the bid process.

Grade school renovations must include a secured entrance and all services/areas that PreK – 1st grade access must be on the first floor.

Both models allow: