Carnival Could Come to D159

If the board approves it on April 12, a carnival could be coming to the district in late May.

On Monday, the board heard a presentation from area resident William Phelps on a possible carnival to benefit the district from May 17 to 20. The district's attorney is reviewing the contract, but if the board approves it at their next meeting, it could mean rides, games, concessions and other carnival activities coming to grounds next month.

The previous district administration heard plans for a carnival, but when the organizers shifted from the Knights of Columbus to the newly formed Citizens to Enhance Education the board found what board President John Troy called an "obscure" rule that any activities that could bring money to the district must come before the board.

Phelps, who has organized past , is not connected with any of the past carnival initiatives. Mayor Joe Werner said that, in a way, the Mayors Charitable Foundation would be handing the carnival off to the school district.

"If there was an opportunity to have it on the school property, that makes a great deal of sense," Werner said. "The idea is that if the schools would do it, the Mayors Charitable Foundation would pass off doing it."

Troy said this fits with the district's current goals.

"I think the idea of having a carnival concides with some of our goals here in terms of community engagement, etc." Troy said.

Phelps, speaking on behalf of potential carnival organizer Big H Amusements, said the carnival could include 20 to 22 rides and eight to 15 concession and game booths. If the district approves the carnival, it would recieve $50 per concession and game booth, plus 25 percent of ride sales and 25 percent of concession sales.

Phelps said they would sell $20 wristbands that give people unlimited rides for six hours at a time. Non-profits could buy the wristbands in bulk for $17 each, sell them for $20 and keep the $3.

The district would keep $5 for every $20 wristband or $4.25 for every $17 wristband.

The plan, if approved, will have the carnival organizers set up starting the evening of Tuesday, May 15, in time for state inspection Wednesday, May 16, and opening night Thursday, May 17.

Carnival workers would be on hand to keep students off the rides before the event, a fact that concerned board member Kathy Moore.

"So we'll have people on our property during the week? That's not a concern to anyone?" Moore asked.

At Moore's request, the board will receive a breakdown of possible revenue before making its decision April 12.

Updated at 8:58 a.m. with Werner's comments.

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