(KNZA)--A preschool program will not be added at the Wetmore Elementary School for the 2017-18 school year.

Prairie Hills USD 113 Superintendent Todd Evans says a motion to add the program failed on a 3-3 tie vote at last week's Board of Education meeting.

Voting in favor of adding the program were Board members Jeff Demint, Ed Reznicek and Kent Kuckelman.  Voting no were Kathy Lippert, Jim Scoby and Leslie Scoby.

In addition to other issues, Evans said Board members voting against it expressed concerns about the demands on existing personnel.

The board was told no additional staff would be needed as the half-day pre-school would be in a combined classroom with kindergarten each morning.

Currently the other district schools at Sabetha and Axtell have a pre-school program.  

In other action, the Board approved the reduction of an elementary position at the Wetmore school.  Evans says the position was reduced by scheduling existing staff in a more efficient manner, which he says will benefit the viability of the facility.

Evans says the Board also voted to move forward with a handrail project at the Sabetha Middle School gym, with a district patron providing the nearly $,7,000 for the project.

Additionally, discussion was held regarding a donation of just over $47,000 from Saylor Insurance for a new digital display sign at Sabetha High School and whether the board would allow advertising on the sign. Currently, board policy prohibits commercial advertising on school grounds without prior board approval.

Following discussion, the Board voted to approve the digital display sign with business advertising from Saylor Insurance and USD 113 Foundation.