By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

High on Lee Leiker‘s list of priorities for his stint as interim superintendent for Marion-Florence USD 408 is development of a vibrant community recreation program to benefit both children and adults.

Leiker, who retired five years ago after 13 years with the district, was hired as the 2022-’23 interim superintendent after the requested resignation of former superintendent Aaron Homburg.

After understanding that the city gave its recreation program to the school district, Leiker wants to get a recreation program functioning in a way that benefits both youth and adults.

That may include an election seeking formulation of a tax levying recreation commission.

That would operate through the board of education because it will be a school district program, he said.

“There needs to be a recreation commission that facilitates the program,” he said.

How soon it will happen, Leiker said he doesn’t yet know.

“I don’t have a timeline,” he said. “We are going to talk about it at next Monday’s school board meeting. Obviously, I can’t move really fast on this because I have to work with the board. We want to make things better.”

Leiker said many adult programs could be offered.

Speaking Monday to Kiwanis members, he asked what changes in the school district would be important to members.

Banker Roger Schroeder said the recreation program was “very important.”

Insurance agent Casey Case said the district should provide a pay raise for substitute teachers.

Kiwanis member Mike Perigo said the district should make fine arts a priority and add full-time jobs with good pay.

“We need a recreation director and youth and adult activities,” Leiker said. “All things are important. We will work to try and make them happen.”

He said he wants to build a district with quality education, sports, and fine arts, all of which were important 20 years ago and remain important now.