ShawneeDispatch.com

A proposal to redraw boundaries of board members’ districts in De Soto USD 232 is on its way to Johnson County officials for consideration.

Jack Deyoe, district planning and operations director, explained to Board of Education members at their meeting Monday that the redistricting was needed because the district was not in compliance with a state statute requiring the members’ districts not vary more than 5 percent from a mean population. In De Soto USD 232, there are three districts, each with two representatives on the board, and one at-large representative.

Because of disproportionate population growth in certain parts of the district, Deyoe said some board members’ districts are significantly larger or smaller than others. He suggested the district boundaries be redrawn to reflect shifts in population and comply with statute.

Data presented by Deyoe showed that 28,112 people reside within the district, meaning that each of the three board member districts should have within 5 percent of 9,370 residents. Currently, according to Deyoe’s data, the three districts do not meet that criterion.

Although the board does not have the authority to enact Deyoe’s redistricting proposal, its members did approve it to be presented to the Johnson County Election Office.

Alvie Cater, USD 232 director of community relations, said the Election Office was expected to act on the issue Dec. 1.

Aside from approving the redistricting proposal, the board also sanctioned the use of the De Soto High School football field for a “Punt, Pass, and Kick” competition designed to raise money for the Kirk Johnson family. The fee that generally accompanies use of the field was waived.

The only extended exchange of the evening came at the outset of patron input. A man who identified himself as Patrick Clay of Shawnee said that he witnessed board member Bill Fletcher putting up “Vote No” signs in area of Kansas Highway 7 and Johnson Drive. Clay said the signs were regarding the bond issue that appeared on the Nov. 4 ballot.

“You’re a liar, sir,” Fletcher quickly shot back, “because I did not put up anything.”

“That’s all I have to say,” said Clay, who stepped down and excused himself from the meeting.

Also during the meeting, Superintendent Sharon Zoellner showed a Powerpoint presentation lauding progress made at De Soto High School in standardized test scores. Representatives from Clear Creek Elementary and Monticello Trails Middle School also gave glowing reports of their schools’ progress.

As he did at last month’s meeting, Randy Tolle, Shawnee, urged the board to examine hiring practices, in particular regarding the Science Olympiad Team at Mill Valley High School.

While rules forbade him from speaking but in generalities, Tolle said, “The hiring practices of the district and school are not what they should be.”