Will,
#1 In regards to traffic deaths, rural teens are at greater risk for traffic fatalities than are urban teens. Putting them on the road for even greater distances will only increase that risk. BTW, the group most likely to NOT use their seat belts are rural male teens.
#2 In regards to other at-risk factors. No doubt urban youth face many at-risk factors that rural youth do not. Sounds like another really good argument for smaller rural schools.
#3 Four day school week. Both summaries of which I posted the web addresses deal with the positives and negatives of the four day school week. It may be that a four day week is the best way to go but it is not a panacea.
#4. In regards to the posted mill levies; no evaluative statements were made by me. I simply listed the most recent mill levies available via a public website for the two counties that were being discussed in the thread--let me rephrase that;Rooks County was being discussed and I included the Johnson County USDs as that was where I assumed you lived. Turns out that was a correct assumption based on on one of the many locations where you pay taxes.
The cost per student will be, in most cases, less in urban settings than in rural settings. As you know there are economies of scale available to larger systems. However, 45 mills on $100,000 worth of property is still less out-of-pocket than is 65 mills on $100,000. Also, larger facilities, greater upkeep, larger student populations, etc. are all factors which infer a much larger tax base on which to draw; so, all things being equal the difference in mill rates are hard to discount vis-a-vis overall financial efficiency.
Odds and Ends:
*In regards to the two pound growth allowance, You MAY be right. BUT, before I agree with you 100% I want to look at data; I want to evaluate the weight information of a representative sample of schools at the end of this season to determine the mean and median weight loss, use of weight loss certificates, certification dates, etc.
*I believe that more than five matches should be allowed per day of competition (this is a NF rule, by the way). If six matches per day were allowed a 16 man bracket could be wrestled all the way out in one day.
*I agree that the 500 mile travel limit is arbitrary; at the least there should be a waiver process available for those schools who feel the need to travel extensively.
*I would like to see a dual tournament and a Grand State tournament. (The first ever Kansas Grand State Champion crowned was a Norton wrestler and he still lives here; there were two years in the mid-70's when Kansas had a Grand State; MANY hated to see it discontinued). However, there are other activities for which schools are responsible and finding the time to schedule these two additional activities will be difficult at best without giving up something, or shortening the current HS wrestling season.
*And finally, in regards to the point system currently being used in Kansas; how the points are "spent" is up to each coach/school. It is my humble OPINION, however, that a maximum of 50 matches (I think that was the number you cited as being possible under the current system) is sufficient for a high school season. Again, it is about perspective and balance. An argument you and I do not need to have again.
Richard, I do plan to be in Newton and hope to be able to visit with you.
Greg Mann
Norton
