5 takeaways from USD 418 school board meeting

Board Halts Roundhouse Repairs Amid Flood Mitigation Concerns

Temporary Floor Floated as Roundhouse Option

Health Concerns From Tar Under Floor Discussed

Roundhouse Woes Spark Broader Debate on High School's Future

Architects Advance on District-Wide Facility Assessment

1. Board Halts Roundhouse Repairs Amid Flood Mitigation Concerns

MCPHERSON - The McPherson USD 418 Board of Education unanimously voted to halt all repair work on the historic Roundhouse floor, which was destroyed in a June flood. The 6-0 decision came after a lengthy and complex debate about the best path forward for the flood-prone facility. Board members expressed a desire to see comprehensive flood mitigation plans in place before installing a new floor, whether temporary or permanent. The administration was directed to pause the concrete leveling that was scheduled to begin next week and gather more information on the costs and timelines for mitigating future water damage. The discussion highlighted the complexity of the problem, with historic rainfall leading to two separate flooding incidents this year. Initial findings from engineers suggest the detention pond north of the high school is undersized and the pump systems may be inadequate for such rain events. Proposed solutions include deepening the detention pond, assessing the pumps, and potentially raising the basement-level doors on the northeast side of the building by 14 inches to enhance flood protection. The board will hold a special meeting to review these options once cost estimates and engineering reports are available.

2. Temporary Floor Floated as Roundhouse Option

MCPHERSON - A new potential solution for the Roundhouse emerged during the meeting: renting or purchasing a temporary, movable gymnasium floor. This option was presented as a variable that could provide a usable surface for students relatively quickly while the board makes long-term decisions. The administration learned of a group that sells used high-level courts, such as those from Division I colleges or the NBA, that often have 20 years of life left in them. An initial estimate suggested a purchased temporary court could cost between $40,000 and $70,000, while renting could be $5,000 to $10,000 per month. A significant advantage of this option is that the investment would not be lost if a new facility is built, as the floor could be disassembled and relocated to a new space. The administration will gather more concrete numbers on this option, though any installation would still be contingent on the board’s directive to address flood mitigation first.

3. Health Concerns From Tar Under Floor Discussed

MCPHERSON - A unique and complicating factor in the Roundhouse demolition has been the discovery of tar under the old gym floor. Officials believe the tar was originally used to address “dead spots” in the floor. While the majority of the tar has been removed, residual fumes remain a concern. It was noted that pouring and leveling the new concrete slab would serve to seal the remaining residue, helping to mitigate any ongoing health and safety issues. Administrators are constantly evaluating air quality and have taken steps to redirect foot traffic and seal off the area to prevent fumes from circulating to other parts of the high school.

4. Roundhouse Woes Spark Broader Debate on High School's Future

MCPHERSON - The crisis at the Roundhouse has prompted a larger, more urgent conversation among board members about the long-term future of McPherson High School. During the debate, board members openly questioned the financial wisdom of continuing to invest significant funds into the current facility without a clear long-range plan. One member voiced the concern directly, asking, “at what point do we stop and say saving this is not financially responsible”, urging the board to remove emotion from the decision and consider if there are other options besides saving the Roundhouse. This sentiment was echoed by others, who suggested it was time for an “honest conversation about continuing to throw good money after bad”. The discussion touched on whether the district is “married to the roundhouse where it is” and if architects should be given the freedom to design solutions for the high school site without the constraint of keeping the current gym. These conversations are expected to be a central part of the district’s facility planning process over the next several months.

5. Architects Advance on District-Wide Facility Assessment

MCPHERSON - The board received an update on the district-wide facility assessment being conducted by Incite Design Studio. The architects and their engineers have now physically assessed every building in the district, from the schools to the warehouse. The team has also completed interviews with staff at all buildings except for Eisenhower to understand operational challenges and educational needs. The next phase involves sending a survey to all staff to gather further input. The firm will then compile all the data into a “building report card” for every facility, which will be presented to the board at an upcoming meeting and will serve as the foundation for long-range planning discussions this fall.

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