By ALICIA FEYERHERM
Tiger Media Network
USD 489 Board of Education briefly discussed naming rights of the new Hays High football field during Monday’s board meeting.
Golden Belt Bank has offered to purchase the naming rights for the new field. Board President Curt Vajnar said the offer was going to be on the agenda, but he removed it and rescheduled the discussion for the October 27 work session.
“We should be in charge of naming, not reacting,” Vajnar said.
This delay provides more time to discuss contract length and provisions, as well as allowing for competition.
“We should let all supporting businesses have an opportunity,” Vajnar said.
Board member Ruth Ruder questioned the delay.
“October 27, you’re halfway through the football season, even more so,” Ruder said. “That could be retracted, the offer.”
Board member Ken Brooks noted that per board policy, three members can request a special meeting.
“I think there’s a lot more considerations than just say ‘yes’ to the first one that comes along,” Vajnar said.
“I also feel like the community has the right to know that a donation was set in place,” Ruder said.
Board member Jayme Goetz pointed out that the offer was more of a purchase rather than a donation.
“It is generous and it is worth discussing, I just think we need to be careful about how we talk about it,” Goetz said.
During citizen comment, a resident brought up concerns about using the field name as advertising.
“Having somebody come in, give x amount of dollars so they can advertise is a slap in the face to all the people that pay the property taxes, all the taxes, doing everything, the citizens and everyone that voted,” she said.
“You can only sell your soul so many times,” she later said.
The only action item of the meeting was approval of an edit to the high school graduation requirements. The updated policy removes the provision about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to graduate. The revision passed unanimously.
The next board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on September 8 at the Rockwell Administration building.