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That would explain why I remember him being in sixth grade at Longton.  I am not going to argue with you about anything.  I am simply going to state that I am a proud graduate of West Elk, my children attend West Elk,  as well as relatives of mine and we have never encountered any attitude issues.  My opinion differs from yours on West Elk, end of story.

Ross, if I do recall your son did not graduate from Moline Grade School.  My son was in his class and I recall you pulling him out in grade school.  At Moline Grade School, students graduate from grade school at the end of sixth grade.  I remember your son playing basketball for Elk Valley when he was in sixth grade.

I am so tired of Ross bashing West Elk Schools.  My children attend West Elk, and I am aware of the superb education they are getting.  It saddens me how he is constantly slamming the educational system, as if it were sub-par.  The graduating class has earned over 700,000 dollars in scholarship money, the scholar's bowl team placed second in state competition, the math team has dominated the league for years, the FCCLA teacher was the 2013 recipient of  Kansas Association  for Career and Technical Teacher of the Year,  and the other caring educators that challenge students daily to set goals and achieve them. 

I don't care how you feel about the bond issue, that is your right.  But to constantly attack the educational system at West Elk and the lack of West Elk being a Blue Ribbon school is tiresome.  There are many wonderful schools that have not received that type of recognition.   I am proud of the educational system that is West Elk.

I hope the citizens of Elk County get their information about the West Elk Schools from reliable individuals that can present them with facts and not twisted interpretations of things they have heard in the local feed store.  Pretty sure those who are bitterly opposed to this bond are so because of hurt feelings, which is sad for our county.  Talk to those directly involved, if you don't respect what the school board has to say ask those individuals who spend their time there daily. 

Ross, I find your constant referral to the town of Howard as How-weird offensive.  You might think you are being witty and funny, but you are coming off as an instigator.  It seems that you are trying to ignite a feud in this county.  Luckily, the majority of people in this county are sane enough to see you for what you really are...a blow-hard  that spouts off his mouth without a full understanding of the matters at hand.  Yes, I know you have been to board meetings and I know you have posted documents, but you have only heard the things you want to hear so you can twist and manipulate t  hose words, and then ignored the rest of the rest.   You can go ahead and tear apart my post, I could care less.  Just want you to know that the majority of Elk Countians, including those from Moline, think you are a joke! 

Upon looking at your pay information I could not come up with W.E. having 52 paras.  There were about half of that for W.E. and the rest were for Elk Valley and Chautauqua County schools.  Are you aware that USD 282 runs the special education cooperative for W.E., Elk Valley, and Chautauqua County schools? And Mr. Moore is in charge of the coop, and his salary is divided among the three districts.  Each district pays their portion to the coop and paychecks are issued through West Elk to all special Ed employees for all three districts.  Thought that info might be helpful to you.

The  Elk Valley Jr.. High (7 th and 8 th grade) played.  I remember that.  A very rainy, cold game with West Elk jr. High.  West Elk Jr. High (7th and 8th grade) had more than enough players, and Elk Valley Jr. High had just enough for a team.  However, the Elk Valley high school (9 th through 12 th grades) did not have a football season due to not enough players.  West Elk high school did have a full season with enough players for jr, varsity and varsity teams.

I know for a fact that there were more than enough boys to play football at West Elk, both on the Jr. high and high school teams.  It was Elk Valley that did not have enough boys and had to cancel all of their games.  And not one single boy was pressured to play for West  Elk.  I know you will ask where do I get my information.  I have family members that are on both teams.

The elementary is NOT moving into the main building.  There are two classes (2nd and 4th) that have been split due to large class size.  The district has hired teachers for both of these new classes, and they will be housed in the main building.  The grade school library will be moved to the high school library with only ONE librarian.  The elementary library will be divided into two rooms, one for a classroom and the other half for the elementary computer lab that will be monitored by the former elementary librarian.  The Spanish class is being moved to a small office that housed the counselor,  and the counselor will be moved to the former sick room.  This opens the former Spanish room for another classroom.  All of the modular are still being used for the elementary.  Where did I get my information? ..... My children go to school there, I ask questions, I listen to what those people that are involved with the situation have to say.

Noticed in the paper that the West Elk Jr. High Math team are once again SCBL Champs!  Their first place victory was accomplished with 177 points, the team that came in second has a total of 87 points.  Wow!!!

The prior week, the high school math team also came home with first place.  Congratulations to the students and all of their teachers!!

I also noticed that the FACS teacher at West Elk was named Kansas FACS teacher of the year.  Congratulations Mrs. Qualls.