WAPELLO, Iowa — The public might have to decide if the Wapello High School baseball field should be named after former coach Kent Johnson.

The idea was presented to the Wapello School Board last month by local residents Darren Short and Jim Moore. Short, a former high school ballplayer under Johnson, outlined Johnson’s commitment and dedication to the sport during his 30-year career at Wapello. Johnson retired last year.

However, board members said the proposal was not supported by past Board decisions and there had not been enough documented public support.

“I’m not saying anything against Kent, but I don’t see how (this Board) can make that decision,” board president Rod Fisher said, adding he favored some type of public vote or other expression on the issue.

Athletic director Gwen Schaeffer suggested Moore and Short could circulate a petition to present to the Board, but Fisher hinted that document could be skewed by who was asked to sign it. Board members also said previous actions for honoring coaches had not involved naming facilities in their honor.

Board member Charlie Kerr pointed out that with the exception of the Carl “Mac” McGill Football Field, no other facility in the District had been named for any former coach. He said other coaches had been recognized through tournaments or other events.

School officials did not indicate when the issue would be re-examined.

In other action

The Board discovered its current facility use policy does not cover the high school auditorium. Renovation of the facility is nearly complete and Superintendent John Weidner had included a review of the policy, anticipating that the renovated auditorium would be in demand. However, when the policy was checked for fees the school assesses for non-school use of its buildings and grounds, it was discovered there was no fee named for the auditorium.

The Board agreed the fees listed in the policy, which ranged from $7 up to $12.50, did not meet the school’s cost.

“It would cost us more than that for the janitor to empty all the trash baskets afterwards,” board member Larry Moser said.

Fisher also wondered if the auditorium could have a separate policy developed for it. Weidner said he would develop something for the Board to discuss next month.

The Board approved a revised sharing agreement with the Morning Sun School District. Morning Sun also has a sharing agreement with the Mediapolis and Winfield-Mt. Union School Districts. Under those agreements, Morning Sun’s junior and senior high school students can choose to attend classes in any of the districts.

Last year the Wapello School Board approved only a one-year agreement, but the Mediapolis and Winfield-Mt. Union school Boards approved six-year agreements.

The revised agreement approved Wednesday will extend the old one-year document for another five years.

 The Board approved a $235,000 loan with the State Bank of Wapello to help pay for recent construction work at the school. The loan will be repaid using revenue from the 1 percent sales tax.

Correspondent contact information

Jim Rudisill: 319-523-2213

jimrudisill@yahoo.com