September 2013 – Page 56 – Hays Post Archive

Should a Kansas School board change abuse-reporting policy?

Posted on September 8, 2013September 8, 2013

(AP) — The Wichita school district is considering revising its policy for reporting suspected abuse.

The change the board will consider Monday comes more than a year after the controversial firing of a kindergarten teacher. The long-time teacher acknowledged that she delayed reporting allegations of sexual abuse for two weeks.

The proposed policy would direct employees to call 911 immediately if they witness a situation “that may constitute criminal activity.” The addition was prompted by concerns that the policy did not expressly direct teachers to call police, but instead required them to call district security.

Kansas law requires teachers, doctors, counselors and other mandatory reporters to inform either local law enforcement or the Kansas Protection Reporting Center if they suspect a child has been abused.

6 former Ag Secretaries scheduled to speak

Posted on September 8, 2013

(AP) — A panel of six former agriculture secretaries will give the next installment of the Landon Lecture series at Kansas State University.

The Oct. 21 event at McCain Auditorium will take the form of a question-and-answer session. The panelists will be Mike Johanns, Ann Veneman, Dan Glickman, Mike Espy, Clayton Yeutter and John Block.

University chief of staff Jackie Hartman says that having six agriculture leaders share the same stage is “nothing short of monumental.” The speakers were picked as the school celebrates its 100th anniversary and birth as a land-grant institution.

The Landon Lecture is named for Gov. Alf Landon, a Republican who was Kansas governor from 1933 to 1937. Landon lost to Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1936 presidential election.

More parents opting kids out of standardized tests

Posted on September 8, 2013September 8, 2013

(AP) — More and more parents are telling their kids to stay home the day of standardized tests.

They’re opposed to standardized tests for many reasons and don’t want kids taking them.

Some say they’re being used to measure teacher performance and fear testing narrows the curriculum.

This year, teachers, students and parents from a Seattle high school refused to administer or take a standardized test. In response, the Seattle schools superintendent now says schools can choose not to administer the tests.

Robert Schaeffer of the nonprofit National Center for Fair and Open Testing says the consequences of opting out of standardized tests vary from state to state. He says so far there have been very few consequences for children, but that might change.

USD 489 BOE Work Session – Salary Increases and more

Posted on September 8, 2013September 8, 2013

The USD 489 Board of Education will meet Monday September 9th for a work session. Some of the topics are listed below. A full agenda is below.

Among topics that will be presented:

-Discussion of Sports/Activities budget

Attached to the discussion topic is a power point presentation detailing the monetary benefits of charging students a fee to participate in extra-curricular activities.

-Approval of Bids for the HHS Roof Replacement

Two areas consistently leak and are in need of immediate replacement. $165,000 has been budgeted in the FY14 Capital Outlay budget to accommodate this replacement.

-Salary Increases for Classified and Administrative Employees (Not SEIU)

Negotiations between the Service Employees International Union and USD 489 are ongoing. SEIU Business Representative Harold Schlechtweg told Hays Post the talks are going very cordially. Neither USD 489 ner SEIU would discuss the content of those negotiations.

USD 489 BOARD OF EDUCATION

Work Session Monday, September 9, 2013
AGENDA
i. Maintenance – Pickup Bed
ii. HMS – Piano
iii. HHS – Wrestling Mats
iv. HHS –Chairs
2. Discussion Topics:
a. Victory Road Updates
The Board has asked Terry Ault to continue to work on estimates on the repair and/or reconfiguration of Victory Road. Terry is also working on the option to build a new road that connects 12th Street to 13th street on the south side of our O’Loughlin property.
b. Discussion of Sports/Activity Budgets
As per the Board’s request, Clint Albers will present information about the sports and activity budgets for Hays High, in comparison to other 5A /6A districts in Kansas (Josh Waddell)
c. TeacherSupplyLines
As per the Board’s request, Dean Katt will lead a discussion of teacher supply lines and budget trends for teacher supplies (Lance Bickle)
d. Discussion of Currently Posted Nurse / Counseling Vacancies
e. Discussion of Currently Posted Business Manager Position
The current position notice is scheduled to close on September 10th, as per the Board’s motion of leaving the notice posted for three weeks.f. Discussion of Technology Coordinator Position
g. ESP / Trane Presentations
Discussion on whether or not to pursue the programs and if so, which company.
3. AgendaTopics:
a. Approval and Authorization for BOE President to Sign the 2013-14
Agreement Between USD 489 and North Central Kansas Technical College
The Board must approve the contract and authorize the Board President to sign an agreement with NCK Technical College for 20 Auto Mechanics slots and 20 Allied Health slots at a cost of $34,020.00.
b. Approval of Bids for the HHS Roof Replacement
Terry Ault will be there to present information about the current roofing bids for the music room area and locker room area. Results will be available for the September 16th meeting.
c. KPERS Additional Signer
Authorize Victoria North, payroll employee, as KPERS additional signer.
d. Appointment of Alternative Nutrition Services Hearing Officer
The current Nutrition Services Hearing Officer was Richard Cain. Additionally, Richard Cain was designated to approve Free and Reduced Lunch applications for the Learning Center and KVC. The Board will need to designate someone else to fulfill this role.
e. Approval of the Ratified Hays NEA Contract
The Board must approve the terms of the 2013-14 Contract with the Hays NEA and authorize the Board President to sign the agreement. The results of the ratification vote will be posted upon receipt.
f. Salary Increases for Classified and Administrative Employees (Not SEIU)
The Administration recommends that the Board approve 1.85% Salary increase for all Classified and Administrative employees, not SEIU.
g. Authorization for the Board President to Sign State of Kansas Health Insurance 3-year Agreement for Health Insurance
Upon the completion of negotiations with the SEIU, the Board must authorize the President to sign the 3-year agreement with the State of Kansas Health Insurance. This must be done prior to Oct. 1 or our insurance lapses on Jan. 1, 2014. This is a change from their previous procedure – notified by Jeanne Kelly of KDHEKS on 8-21-13 of this change.
h. KASB Policy Updates – 1st Reading
Sections F, G, I, J, K (including Emergency Safety Restraint (ESI) Restraint Board Policy Adoption required by KSDE (Mark Hauptman)
i. Review of Superintendent Search Firm Proposals
i. PROACT
ii. HYA Executive Search
iii. KASB
iv. McPherson and Jacobson
v. Ray and Associates
j. Authorization for Board President to sign the Curriculum Director Contract
The Board has appointed Shanna Dinkel as Curriculum Director for the 2013-14 school year. The Board needs to authorize the Board President to sign the contract.
4. Other topics for discussion 5. ExecutiveSession
a. For matters relating to non-elected personnel
6. Adjournment

Kansas deputies find body in burned vehicle

Posted on September 8, 2013September 8, 2013

(AP) — Authorities are investigating after finding a body in a burning vehicle in rural Johnson County.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says deputies made the discovery around 5:30 a.m. Sunday while responding to a fire call in an unincorporated part of the county near Gardner. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze. The identity of the victim couldn’t immediately be determined.

2 people from Kansas die in Missouri crash

Posted on September 8, 2013

(AP) — A man and woman from Kansas City, Kan., have died after their vehicle went off the side of Interstate 29 and landed in a Missouri creek.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the victims as 35-year-old Crystal Harris and 51-year-old Robert Richardson. The accident happened Saturday afternoon near the Platte County town of Dearborn.

The patrol says the driver lost control of the vehicle before swerving through a guardrail and bridge abutment. The vehicle then traveled down a steep embankment and came to rest in a creek.

Motorist shot on I-35

Posted on September 8, 2013

(AP) — Authorities are investigating after a motorist was shot while heading south on Interstate 35 in northeast Kansas.

The Miami County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that it’s hunting for the shooter. The shooting occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday. Emergency crews transported one patient to Overland Park Regional Medical Center with a lower-leg wound.

Because authorities feared a shooter was taking potshots and targeting motorists from a nearby cornfield, the highway was shut down for several miles. Authorities also conducted a manhunt.

FHSU Women’s Soccer Notches First Win of Season

Posted on September 8, 2013September 9, 2013

Fort Hays State women’s soccer team picked up its first win of the 2013 season on Sunday afternoon at the FHSU Soccer Stadium by a count of 3-0 over the University of Sioux Falls. Fort Hays State built a 2-0 lead by halftime and tacked on one more goal for insurance in the second half to move to 1-1 overall on the season.

Sabrina Van Horn picked up the first goal of the season for FHSU by flicking the ball over the USF keeper’s head in the 21st minute of the game. Jamie Babyak got the ball to Van Horn over the top of the defense on a free kick from near midfield.

Jordan Hester, Fort Hays State’s top goal scorer in 2012, picked up her first of the season in the 40th minute when she beat a defender off a touch pass from Hannah Jurgens.

Abby Cinotto , like Van Horn, picked up her first collegiate goal in the second half on a nice crossing pass in the box from Amanda Talbott. Cinotto just had to tap the ball into the net once Talbott’s pass got by the USF goalkeeper.

Kelsey Grey picked up the win in goal for FHSU with one save. She moved to 1-0 on the season. Corrin Cook took the loss for USF, dropping to 0-2 on the season. Cook had six saves in goal as nine of the 12 shots by FHSU were put on goal. Fort Hays State outshot Sioux Falls 12-4 in the match.

The Tigers head on the road for five consecutive matches, starting Tuesday at Northwestern Oklahoma State in Alva, Okla.

— FHSU Sports Information —

Celebration of Chestnut Street District Gateway Marker

Posted on September 8, 2013September 9, 2013

The Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC) invites the commuinty to join them to honor the third Chestnut Street District Gateway Marker completion. The marker is located at the corner of 17th and Main Street. The markers signify to pedestrians/drivers/visitors, that they are entering the historic Chestnut Street District.

The marker, along with the previous two, was constructed by local artist Pete Felten. Pete designed the gateway marker to resemble the stone structures that are present along Main Street and visible in and around Frontier Park so that they truly do tie into the heritage of the Hays community. “We are honored that Pete was able to design and construct these markers.” state DHDC Executive Director Traci Stanford “He is an icon of the Hays community and it has been a true blessing to get to know him throughout this process.”

The DHDC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster awareness and promote Downtown Hays as a vibrant center of commerce, recreation, arts, government and history that serves the people of Hays, the surrounding region and visitors from around the world. The DHDC will work to prevent the deterioration and enhance the viability of the community’s cultural centers, historical landmarks and public infrastructure important to the community’s economic and cultural well-being.
The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting will take place on Monday, September 9th at 4:30pm (Hays Car Care Parking Lot).

FHSU Volleyball Still Winless in Hawaii

Posted on September 8, 2013September 9, 2013

The early season woes continued for Fort Hays State University on Saturday, as the Tigers dropped their final two matches of the Hawaii Invitational.

FHSU (0-4) fell to Lewis (1-2) in four sets, 3-1 (25-16, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19), and dropped a 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-19) contest against Hawaii Pacific (4-0).

FHSU spread out its offensive attack for the Lewis match, as five different players had at least six kills, led by Madison Scwartz’s nine. Jenna Ulrich and Taylor Mares were close behind with eight kills.

Kelsey Broadwell’s 20 assists were an early-season game high, and Makenzie Weinman had 13 digs (Schwartz and Sara Hewson each had eight).

FHSU would never lead in game one, tying it twice before the score sat at 8-8, but fell behind for good after that as Lewis went on runs of five, three and six unanswered points to close out the game, 25-16.

Weinman provided a spark on the defensive end during the first set, digging out five balls.

In game two, the Tigers would lead 1-0, but fall behind until late in the match, when a kill by Hewson (from Schwartz) knotted the score at 17-all. Schwartz would then re-tie the game at 21-21 with an ace, though FHSU couldn’t pull off the rally – as the Flyers’ outscored the Tigers, 4-1, to close out a 25-22 set victory.

Hewson had five kills in the second frame, while Schwartz and Rebekah Spainhour each had a solo block.

Down two games to zero, FHSU would fall behind in the third set 3-0, but storm back out to an 11-3 lead, holding strong until a Flyer rally at 20-14 closed the deficit to two (21-19). Lewis tied the match at 24-24, but a Spainhour kill and a Lewis error would give FHSU the set.

FHSU hit just .107 as a team in the third set, though the team limited Lewis to a .058 hitting percentage.

During the fourth frame, the Tigers hung tough until the score was 13-13, when Lewis would start pulling away gradually, using a 4-0 run to pull ahead for good, as the match ended on a kill at 25-19.

In the second game of the day, FHSU hit .264 as a team in the first frame, as Ulrich (four kills) and Spainhour (one kill) each hit .500. Defensively, Hewson had four kills and Ary notched seven assists.

FHSU fell behind early in the match, but would continually tie it up until taking a 12-10 lead on Schwartz’s kill. HPU would catch FHSU at 14, though, and close out the set on a 10-5 run to take the set, 25-19.

HPU took control in the second set with the score 10-5, going on a 9-1 run (including a span of six unanswered points) to take a 19-6 lead. The Sea Warriors would win the second game, 25-13.

The final game of the night saw FHSU lead (or hold a tie) 12-11 before a seven-point run would propel HPU to 18-12 lead. The Tigers would answer the run with a quick three-point rally of their own – eventually closing the deficit to four (22-18) – but couldn’t extend the match, losing 25-19.

In the HPU match, Ulrich led the team with 11 kills, followed by Schwartz’s eight. The setter, Ary, had 19 assists while five different Tigers had five digs (Schwartz, Hewson, Hoekman, Hubert and Weinman) in the contest.

FHSU has the day off tomorrow before traveling to Hilo, Hawaii on Monday for a matchup with Hawaii-Hilo. The game is slated for 7 p.m. HT / Midnight CT.

— FHSU Sports Information —

Suspect in Kansas homicide caught in Michigan

Posted on September 8, 2013September 8, 2013

(AP) — A man charged with killing his ex-girlfriend has been arrested in Detroit.

The 24-year Lee Edward Williams is expected to appear before a Michigan judge Monday to determine if he will fight extradition. He is charged in Wyandotte County District Court with first-degree murder in the Sept. 4 shooting death of 20-year-old Ty’Shai Carvin. He is also charged with illegally possessing a firearm.

Authorities also have filed a motion seeking to revoke his probation in a drug distribution case.

Family members said that Williams and Carvin had dated, but she was trying to break off the relationship. Carvin was the mother of a 2-year-old boy.

A $500,000 bond was set in the murder case. It’s not immediately known if Williams has an attorney.

What Kansas laws and regulations should be repealed?

Posted on September 8, 2013September 8, 2013

Kansans taking in the 2013 State Fair in Hutchinson will not only have a chance to shake hands with elected officials, view prize winning livestock and enjoy the rides on the midway; this year they can offer ideas on what Kansas laws and regulations should be repealed. The Office of the Repealer will be accepting suggestions at Governor Sam Brownback’s booth in the Meadowlark building.

The Office of the Repealer was established in 2011 by Brownback in an effort to reduce barriers to economic growth and job creation by repealing onerous laws and regulations. Over the past three legislative sessions, numerous antiquated statutes have been eliminated, but the Repealer is looking to the public for ideas that will have a significant impact on further improving the business climate in Kansas. In addition to the website at https://repealer.ks.gov, the Department of Administration, in which the Office of the Repealer resides, decided to reach out to Kansans at the state’s annual gathering.

“The State Fair draws a broad cross-section of Kansans, who will have a variety of experiences in dealing with government,” said Chuck Knapp, Director of Operations and Public Affairs for the Department of Administration. “We believe we can get some common sense suggestions from Kansans, who know first-hand how government policies inhibit their ability to create jobs, start businesses or raise their families.”

Knapp said Secretary of Administration Jim Clark is hopeful several ideas from the Fair will result in legislation for the 2014 legislative session in January.

“Secretary Clark would like to see Kansans who offer suggestions at the Fair show up in Topeka next year to see their ideas signed into law by Governor Brownback. That would be a tremendous testament to a process that encourages citizen participation in government,” Knapp said.

The Kansas State Fair runs through September 15 in Hutchinson.

K-State Bounces Back to Beat Louisiana 48-27

Posted on September 8, 2013

Kansas State quarterback Daniel Sams runs the ball for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college against Louisiana-Lafayette football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tramaine Thompson returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, Ty Zimmerman brought back an interception 32 yards for another score and Kansas State bounced back from a season-opening loss to beat Louisiana-Lafayette 48-27 on Saturday night.

Thompson also returned a punt 61 yards to the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 1-yard line in the third quarter to set up a touchdown run by Jake Waters. Zimmerman’s interception return moments later gave Kansas State touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in a span of minutes.

Waters threw for 278 yards while splitting time with backup Daniel Sams, who ran for 63 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Lockett had eight catches for 111 yards, and John Hubert ran for two touchdowns as the Wildcats avoided their first 0-2 start since 1989.

Terrance Broadway ran for a touchdown and threw for a touchdown for the Ragin’ Cajuns (0-2), and Darryl Surgent returned a kickoff a school-record 100 yards for another score.

Both teams began the season with lofty aspirations, and both trying to rebound from season-opening disappointments — the defending Big 12 champion Wildcats lost at home to North Dakota State last Friday night, and Louisiana-Lafayette fell 34-14 at Arkansas last Saturday.

Both got off to slow starts this week, too.

Kansas State finally got in gear after the teams traded field goals, and Hubert capped a 71-yard drive with a 7-yard scamper. The Ragin’ Cajuns failed to pull off a fake punt on their ensuing possession, and Sams finished another TD drive with a hip-swiveling 13-yard run to make it 17-3.

Jack Cantele’s second field goal of the half gave Kansas State a 20-3 lead at the break.

The real fireworks came early in the third quarter.

Thompson fielded the opening kickoff of the second half, made a couple of nimble moves up the Louisiana-Lafayette sideline and raced the rest of the way to the end zone. The return gave Kansas State at least one kickoff return touchdown in a nation-leading nine straight seasons.

Thompson’s big punt return and Waters’ TD plunge gave Kansas State a 34-3 lead.

The Ragin’ Cajuns answered with Surgent’s kickoff return and an interception by Dominick Jones later in the third quarter set up Broadway’s touchdown run and got them within 34-17.

Louisiana-Lafayette got the ball back quickly, but momentum swung back to Kansas State when Zimmerman caught a tipped pass over the middle and returned the pick for a touchdown. It was the senior’s 11th career interception, moving him into sixth place in the school record books.

Broadway tried to rally the Ragin’ Cajuns once more, hitting Robinson from 18 yards out for a touchdown late in the third quarter. After getting the ball back, their next drive stalled and they had to settle for Stephen Brauchle’s 26-yard field goal to get within 41-27 with 10:55 left.

Kansas State put the game away when Sams, taking over for Waters, hit tight end Zach Trujillo for a 27-yard gain. The speedy Sams then ripped off three long runs to set up Hubert, the 5-foot-7 wrecking ball, who powered into the end zone for his second touchdown.