April 2019 – Page 57 – Hays Post Archive

Police: Anonymous tip leads to arrest of Kan. teen with gun at school

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement and school district officials are investigating a student on a weapons charge.

Just after 10:30a.m. Thursday, USD 259 Security staff received an anonymous tip that a student had a handgun on the Wichita North High campus, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Wichita police and a school resource officer followed up on the tip and arrested a 16-year-old student on requested charges of juvenile in possession of a firearm.

Police also recovered a handgun, according to Davidson.

There were no threats made to any students, no threat of violence or disruption to the school and no injuries. Investigators will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

Hays High’s Career Technical Education enrollment up 42%

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Hays High School saw a 42 percent increase in students taking Career Technical Education courses between the 2017-18 school year and this spring.

The student/seat time at the HHS went from 702 in 2017-18 to 998 this spring. CTE contact minutes also jumped from 30,186 in 2017-18 to 42,914 this spring.

John Linn, HHS assistant principal, presented the information to the school board at its meeting Monday night.

“It has made a dramatic increase, and I think that is going to continue to go up,” Linn said.

He said the increase is consistent with state- and nationwide trends as more emphasis is placed on connecting K-12 education with post-secondary education and careers.

State statistic indicate CTE students are more academically successful than their peers.

Ninety-nine percent of Kansas CTE high school students graduated compared to the state-wide average of 86 percent. Ninety-three percent of high school CTE graduates in Kansas enrolled in college, enlisted in the military or were working within six months.

HHS has nine Career Clusters with nine Career Pathways.

The Career Clusters include:

Arts, A/V tech, communications
Information technology
Marketing
Finance
Agriculture, food and natural resources
Hospitality and tourism
Human services
Architecture and construction
Manufacturing

Both female and male students are utilizing the CTE Pathways, according to state and national statistics.

Linn said an emphasis by counselors and the use of Career Cruising program, which helps students explore and plan for careers, have both led to more students enrolling in Career Pathway courses. Students take an interest inventory beginning in the eighth grade as part of Career Cruising.

The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) was signed into law by President Trump on July 31. This measure reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which provides $1.3 billion annually in federal funding, administered by the U.S. Department of Education, for CTE.

The district received two Perkins grants this year including a $1,550 grant to purchase a drone for the ag program and $29,431 grant to purchase a plasma cutting system for the manufacturing program.

Just last Friday, HHS learned it received grants to purchase a multi-process welder and a large format printer for AutoCAD.

Linn said HHS’ goals include increasing student enrollment in CTE courses. However, most of HHS’ classes are full.

“We have turned kids away at younger ages,” he said. “Obviously they have opportunities as they get older, but we have to turn younger kids away, because we are full in a lot of our CTE classes.”

HHS is also seeking to add pathways in high-need areas, including teacher training, and health and bio science.

“That is one goal of mine as we progress through next school year is to find the resources that we need to add a couple more Pathways to our program,” Linn said. “That again will increase our numbers in Pathways.”

Linn said the CTE program needs more instructors. The manufacturing program is down to two instructors from three. Classroom space is available if a half- or full-time instructor could be added.

Linn also said he is working with NCK Tech and FHSU on articulation agreements to add Pathways.

🎥 After 3-year battle, Blue Sky Acres developer can move ahead with project

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

Blue Sky Acres plat 2.5 miles south of Hays on the west side of Highway 183

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It was more than three years ago when the Hays City Commission took the first step towards creating a new residential subdivision south of Hays.

On January 14, 2016, the commission approved rezoning of the property from agricultural to residential suburban. On April 18, 2016, the final plat was reviewed and approved 6-1 by the Hays Area Planning Commission.

Following a battle among Ellis county commissioners, a lawsuit filed in December 2016 by developer Mary Alice Unrein against the county and Commissioner Marcy McClelland, and the November 2018 election of two new county commissioners, the 20-acre Blue Sky Acres final plat was unanimously approved by the Ellis County Commission last month on March 18. Hays city commissioners unanimously approved the plat Thursday night.

“It’s been a long haul,” said James Meier, city commissioner. “I think this has been a holdup for people wanting to develop in the county for a long time and I think it’s a fine example of elections mattering, especially in this particular instance at the county level.”

“I’m glad it’s finally happening,” Ron Mellick said. “I think this a good deal.”

Sandy Jacobs nodded her agreement.

Mellick was at the county commission meeting in which the final plat was approved. He said residents from the adjacent Vonfeldt Subdivision, comprised of seven residential properties platted in 1977, asked questions.

“It seemed to me the county had addressed a lot of them and were continuing to address other ones,” he said.

Blue Sky Acres, 2.5 miles south of Hays on the west side of Highway 183, is comprised of six lots ranging in size from 2.5 to 3 acres slated for residential development. Access is from the highway using existing entrances. The plat includes dedication of road and alley right of way. The two roads will remain private and will be built and maintained by the developer and adjacent lot owners.

“There is no plan for the property to be annexed at this time or in the near future,” Public Works Director Jesse Rohr told the city commission.

The property is within 3 miles of the Hays city limits — the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction — in which the city has authority over the zoning and must approve all plats, according to Jacob Wood, assistant Hays city manager.

The plat was also reviewed by the Hays Utility Advisory Committee with no issues found.

Mary Alice Unrein, developer of Blue Sky Acres south of Hays.

Unrein was in the audience alongside local real estate agent Errol Wuertz. She smiled and said “thank you” to the commission following the vote.

Commissioner Shaun Musil was absent from the meeting.

Western Kansas Community Foundation provides grant to SHPTV

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

SHPTV

BUNKER HILL – The Western Kansas Community Foundation has awarded Smoky Hills Public Television with a grant for $2,300.

This grant will provide books for preschoolers and head start students in several western Kansas communities. The counties served through this funding include Finney, Grant, Gray, Haskell, Kearny, Scott, Seward, Stanton, Stevens, Wichita, Greeley, Hamilton, Lane, Meade and Morton.

“We are grateful for the continued support of the Western Kansas Community Foundation,” said Larry Calvery, Smoky Hills Public Television General Manager. “With these funds, the Foundation helps support the educational mission of Smoky Hills Public Television, and most importantly, providing educational books to many children throughout western Kansas.”

WKCF began in 1996 when a group of community leaders saw the potential of a local community foundation to enrich western Kansas life. Since that time, WKCF has expanded to cover 15 counties in southwest Kansas and experienced significant growth to now include assets of over $26 million and more than 200 funds.

Smoky Hills Public Television serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas and has been named the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Non-Metro Station of the Year.

All invited to Brookdale Hays Easter Egg Hunt Saturday

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

Brookdale Hays Senior Living’s annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 13 at 9:30 a.m. open to ages 18 months to 8 years old at 1801 E 27th St.

After the hunt stay and frost a sugar cookie before you go to the next Easter Egg Hunt!.

For more information contact:

Beverly Hartsook
Brookdale Hays – 11150
Resident Program Coordinator
1801 E. 27th Street
Hays, Ks. 67601
785-628-1111

Longtime Salina Journal reporter, Colby native joins Hansen Foundation

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

Erin Mathews has been named to the newly created position of public relations coordinator for the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

She will work in a variety of ways to share stories about the Foundation’s initiatives and opportunities as well as stories about the people and communities in northwest Kansas — their projects, goals and accomplishments.

Mathews, Salina, was a member of the Salina Journal reporting staff for 10 years. Originally from Colby, Mathews earned a bachelor’s in journalism from Kansas State University and began her reporting career at the Parsons Sun. She and her husband, Randy, have three sons, Brady, Graham and Reece.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established in 1965 with an estate gift from Dane G. Hansen. Based in Logan, the Foundation has been providing grants, scholarships and targeted initiatives to support growth and prosperity for the residents of northwest Kansas for 53 years. The Foundation has a primary service area that includes the 26 most northwest counties in the state.

— Submitted

🎥 Commissioner Meier moving from Hays; replacement to be appointed

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

City Commissioner James Meier will be moving to Wichita. His final meeting is May 2. The commission will appoint a replacement to fill Meier’s unexpired term. The seat is open for the Nov. 2 election.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Hays City Commission seat of James Meier is open for election this year, but Meier will not run for re-election. He and his family will soon be moving to Wichita.

Meier made the announcement publicly during last night’s city commission meeting.

“I’ve taken a position with Via Christi in the in-patient pharmacy at St. Francis (Wichita) as a manager,” Meier said, “and we’ll be moving down somewhere in the Wichita area whenever we get the house sold (in Hays.)”

Meier and his wife are both from the Wichita area. Following the commission meeting, he said the move will bring them closer to family.

The job offer was the third such one for Meier.

“It was pretty hard to decide that, because quite honestly, I like doing this,” Meier told the other commission members and city officials at Thursday’s meeting. “I really like serving with you guys. I really think we’ve done a lot of good things in the last four years. I really would like to run again but at a certain point you have to decide what is more important to you.

“In the past two years, I’ve gotten the offer of two different jobs that were along the same lines and I passed,” said Meier, “mostly so I could just keep sitting in this chair.

“After the last one, my wife and I decided that if it came up a third time, we wouldn’t say no.”

Meier is currently the pharmacy supervisor at Hays Medical Center and is a board-certified oncology pharmacist.

Meier’s last meeting as a city commissioner is the May 2 work session. The commission will appoint his replacement to fill the unexpired term. The general election is Nov. 2.

Meier thanked Hays residents for voting for him; the other commissioners thanked him for his service.

“It’s been a big learning opportunity. I think I’ve changed a lot in four years, maybe for the better,” Meiers added. “It’s been one of the best experiences of my life. I’m really sad that I have to be leaving.”

“As are we,” added Commissioner Sandy Jacobs.

“I hope the citizens really realize the gift that he gave us over four years,” she said. “He’s extremely knowledgeable, really convicted, does his homework and takes it very, very seriously. He truly works for the citizens of this community and for how we spend money.

“He’s made me a better commissioner in the three years I’ve been on the commission. I’m proud to work with him, but more than that, I’m proud to call him my friend.”

“You’re intelligent and motivated,” Mayor Henry Schwaller told Meier. “You look at both sides of an issue. You certainly did come with a certain perspective, and you’ve matured and you’ve changed. You brought a lot to this commission body. You will be missed.”

Jacobs said she hopes Meier will consider running for office in Sedgwick County.

“We’ll see what’s open down there,” Meier replied.

HPD Activity Log April 5-10

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 25 traffic stops Fri., April 5, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence–2700 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 12:52 AM; 1:02 PM
Drug Offenses/DUI–100 block W 9th St, Hays; 1:23 AM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block E 17th St, Hays; 2:13 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–4200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:23 AM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–17th and Walnut St, Hays; 7:56 AM
Animal At Large–400 block E 21st St, Hays; 8:41 AM
Welfare Check–2500 block E 21st St, Hays; 9:04 AM
Found/Lost Property–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 10:14 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–300 block E 25th St, Hays; 1:09 PM
Civil Dispute–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:17 PM
Animal At Large–33rd and Skyline, Hays; 1:25 PM
Juvenile Complaint–2500 block Henry Dr, Hays; 2:52 PM
Stolen/Recovered Property–1700 block General Custer Rd, Hays; 3:10 PM; 3:20 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 2:50 PM; 3:50 PM
Civil Dispute–2900 block Cottonwood Ln, Hays; 6:20 PM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7:55 PM
Domestic Disturbance–1500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 10:15 PM; 10:25 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and conducted 26 traffic stops Sat., April 6, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

MV Accident-City Street/Alley–400 block Allen St, Hays; 4/5 6:30 PM; 7 PM
Criminal Trespass–1800 block Walnut St, Hays; 4:32 AM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–400 block W 4th St, Hays; 12:27 PM
Found/Lost Property– 5th and Main St, Hays; 1:45 PM
Found/Lost Property–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 4:38 PM
Animal At Large–2200 block E 15th St, Hays; 4:55 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 5:40 PM
Battery – simple–2900 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 4 PM; 4:45 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 13 traffic stops Sun., April 7, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Activity–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:20 AM; 12:25 AM
Intoxicated Subject–500 block W 13th St, Hays; 12:55 AM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Fort St, Hays; 1 AM; 1:01 AM
Disturbance – Fight–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 3 AM; 3:03 AM
Counterfeit currency/documents–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8:18 AM
Animal At Large–300 block W 17th St, Hays; 9:51 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–500 block Walnut St, Hays; 9:50 AM
Burglary/business–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 4/3 8 AM; 4/7 10 AM
Mental Health Call–500 block W 30th St, Hays; 11:39 AM
Animal At Large–1100 block Downing Ave, Hays; 11:50 AM
Found/Lost Property–25th St, Hays; 11:55 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–4500 block Vista Dr, Hays; 12:11 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 12:36 PM
Juvenile Complaint–1600 block E 29th St, Hays; 1:19 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:53 PM
Disturbance – General–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 3:50 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–400 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:13 PM
Criminal Trespass–2700 block Indian Trl, Hays; 5:23 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–100 block Ash St, Hays; 5:30 PM
Mental Health Call–700 block Main St, Hays; 10:30 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 11 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Mon., April 8, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Driving Under the Influence–700 block Walnut Sq, Hays; 4/8 8:12 PM; 4/7 8:13 PM
Domestic Disturbance–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 12 AM; 12:20 AM
Mental Health Call–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 7:47 AM
MV Accident-Co Road/St Hwy–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4/7 8:31 AM; 4/8 8:31 AM
Drug Offenses–800 block Walnut St, Hays; 9:22 AM; 12:36 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2100 block Milner St, Hays; 9:21 AM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:23 AM
Dead Animal Call–200 block E 26th St, Hays; 1:18 PM
Drug Offenses–800 block Walnut St, Hays; 1:28 PM; 2:58 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–Vine St, Hays; 1:33 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–700 block E 11th St, Hays; 4/5 5 PM; 4/8 1:51 PM
Dead Animal Call–2700 block Fort St, Hays; 3:40 PM
Battery – simple–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 4:30 AM
Disturbance – Noise–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 5:01 PM
Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 7:37 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1700 block Haney Dr, Hays; 4/4 8 AM
Driving Under the Influence–700 block General Custer Rd, Hays; 9:02 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Tue., April 9, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – Noise–100 block W 36th St, Hays; 12:42 AM
Mental Health Call–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:33 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–200 block E 14th St, Hays; 7:02 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–1200 block Motz Ave, Hays; 11:07 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–100 block W 8th St, Hays; 8:15 AM; 12 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 12:18 PM
Welfare Check–1700 block Donald Dr, Hays; 12:22 PM
Juvenile Complaint–2800 block Indian Trl, Hays; 12:43 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:12 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:37 PM
Burglary/residence–2300 block Plum St, Hays; 3:45 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–300 block W 13th St, Hays; 4:09 PM
Welfare Check–2100 block E 21st St, Hays; 4:14 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–1700 block Hall St, Hays; 5:21 PM
Animal At Large–700 block College Dr, Hays; 5:31 PM
Animal Call–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 6:06 PM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 11:22 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 13 traffic stops Wed., April 10, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Assist – Other (not MV)–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 1:13 AM
Suspicious Activity–300 block E 24th St, Hays; 2:30 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–2700 block Barclay Dr, Hays; 3:10 AM
Intoxicated Subject–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 3:37 AM
Death by Natural Causes–1700 block Western Plains Dr, Hays; 4/9 10:30:00 PM; 4/10 5:24 AM
Suspicious Activity–400 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:38 AM
Welfare Check–1000 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:38 AM
Theft (general)–1300 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 10:08 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2500 block Felten Dr, Hays; 10:23 AM
Dead Animal Call–1800 block E 27th St, Hays; 11:33 AM
Civil Dispute–2200 block Henry Dr, Hays; 11:44 AM
Theft (general)–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 11:43 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:15 PM
Animal At Large–1900 block Longfellow Rd, Hays; 1:27 PM
Theft of Vehicle–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 4/2 8 AM; 4/5 5 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:30 PM; 1:44 PM
Burglary/business–2000 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 2:23 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block Elm St, Hays; 3:10 PM
Theft (general)–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 4:03 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2900 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 5:08 PM
Welfare Check–1000 block W 28th St, Hays; 5:38 PM
Animal Injured–500 block E 5th St, Hays; 6:19 PM
Suspicious Activity–2800 block Vine St, Hays; 7:10 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–11th and Walnut, Hays; 6:59 PM; 7:21 PM
Civil Dispute–500 block W 16th St, Hays; 7:26 PM
Suicidal Subject–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 9:44 PM

Heimerman: Fort Hays State’s Renaissance man

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

Fort Hays State University student-athlete Layke Heimerman with his painting of a comedian.

By LEXIE WASINGER
FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Most college students don’t paint a self-portrait of themselves getting punched in the face, but Layke Heimerman isn’t your ordinary college student.

Art is a hobby for the Fort Hays State University sophomore student-athlete. He is active on campus in a variety of ways, but his two main passions are art and football.

The portrait that he painted for an art class is gritty and a little hard-hitting, much like the sport he loves. For this Tiger linebacker, his affinity for football and creating artwork began at an early age.

“I grew up doing art work,” Heimerman said. “My mom is a graphic designer and always encouraged my brother and me to paint when we were younger.”

During his high school days at Halstead, he took art classes for four years while at the same time starring on the football field, where he earned all-state honors his junior and senior years.

“My art teacher in high school was a really cool dude,” Heimerman said. “He got me into the kind of paintings that I do now and inspired me on how to paint.”

Portraits are Heimerman’s favorite painting subjects, whether it be his own or a comedian with a distinct look that he liked.

However, when his high school art teacher introduced him to “thrift store paintings,” they became another favorite. To create a “thrift store painting,” Heimerman finds an old painting from a thrift shop and paints pop culture figures or local references into the scene.

In the past, he has painted the sinking Titanic and a UFO into a lake landscape. Currently, he is working on a European street scene, which features Colonel Sanders, an octopus and a sign from a local bar.
Just as his mom initially encouraged Heimerman’s artwork, family ties also influenced his decision to attend school at FHSU.

“Football and my family brought me to Fort Hays State,” Heimerman said. “Both my parents, one of my grandparents, and my brother, Gentry, all went to Fort Hays, so I always kind of had my eyes set on playing football there.”

Football is just one of Heimerman’s many activities in which he participates at FHSU.

He is a student success coach for a freshman seminar class. He has been chosen as one of the 2019-20 VIP Student Ambassadors, a prestigious group of student leaders chosen to represent FHSU at official campus events. And he even has ventured into cutting fellow students’ hair, including members of the football team, thanks to a high school best friend with a man bun.

“(His hair) didn’t look good, so I asked him if I could at least shave the sides and give him a top knot,” Heimerman said. “It looked alright, so I kept cutting his hair like that. From there, I started cutting a lot of my friends’ hair back home, and when I got to Fort Hays State, I started cutting a bunch of people’s hair here. It’s become a cool hobby.”

Whether he’s holding a paint brush or hair clippers, Heimerman continues to find ways to express his creativity.

But right now, his focus is on football as the Tigers prepare for Saturday’s spring game. For more information on activities surrounding the game, which begins at 1 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium, go to the football page at fhsuahtletics.com.

After two eventful seasons on the football team, Heimerman is excited to see what is in store for the Tigers this fall.

As a redshirt freshman last year, Heimerman appeared in all 12 games – mostly on special teams, during a special season.

The Tigers won their second consecutive MIAA title in 2018, qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs for a second straight year and finished 9-3 overall. That was the one of the best records in school history, second only to the 11-1 mark of the year before.

It all begins again Saturday for Heimerman and the Tigers.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into it,” he said, “and competing for another MIAA title.”

INSIGHT KANSAS: The school funding battle may continue

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

On April 6, more than 100 people watched Governor Laura Kelly sign a K-12 school finance bill that will increase school funding approximately $90 million dollars in each of the next four years. Some Republicans joined Democrats to vote for the bill and Governor Kelly called the support an example of legislative compromise and her signing as a victory for schools.

Dr. Sharon Hartin Iorio is Professor & Dean Emerita at Wichita State University College of Education.

The legislation responds to a previous Kansas Supreme Court order requiring the legislature to include costs for inflation in the 2018 five-year $525 million increase in state education appropriation. Before implementation, the court must review and rule on the adequacy of the negotiated plan.

If the amount of funding appears to be a generous handout, let’s not forget what got the state to this point. The aftermath of the 2008 economic crash led to reduction in states’ education spending across the nation. That reduction, coupled with the effect of cuts in Kansas income tax, resulted in 10 years of decline in public education funding, placing adequate resources for Kansas students in jeopardy.

The compromise legislation signed last week should go a long way to replacing the lost school funding.
Nevertheless, as clear as the path to fully-funded schools looked at the signing on April 6, public education in Kansas is still a long way from being out of the woods. There are two issues:

First, most lawmakers as well as most Kansans hope that the compromise plan will end the nine-year lawsuit over K-12 education. However, as yet there appear to be only a few shifts in the ongoing funding battle.
Conservative lawmakers have not changed their belief that school funding should be restrained to encourage efficient spending and that schools should be held more accountable for their spending and for student achievement ratings. Lawmakers advanced those beliefs in the April 6 bill through required yearly school reports.

Moreover, Schools for Fair Funding representing more than 50 districts, four of which Wichita, Hutchinson, Kansas City, KS and Dodge City sued the state for inadequate funding, recently said the $90 million expansion in state aid was insufficient. Attorneys for the four districts plan to file Kansas Supreme Court briefs to increase the funding. In addition, funding for new needs in early childhood education are on the horizon.

It’s great that a more substantial school resource foundation will be coming, but political consensus needs to solidify and move forward before our students can get the education they deserve. Here’s the second problem: The negotiated plan allows schools to spend money basically the same way as in the past.

Districts have used the increase that started in 2018 to pay teachers more, hire additional staff and reduce class sizes. These are practical, sorely needed, useful expenditures approved widely by Kansans. However, if all that happens with increased funding is to return schools to their 2008 pre-economic crash/tax cut status, students will not benefit fully.

Kansas schools can free-fall toward the past or they invest in curriculum and technology to prepare students for the challenges of citizenship in the 21st Century and future careers.
Adequate funding is necessary but not sufficient to give, in the words of Governor Kelly, “all Kansas children-no matter who they are or where they live-the opportunity to succeed.”

More funding may soon be on its way. Now the hard work of building a strong, future-focused education system will begin.

Sharon Hartin Iorio is a Professor and Dean Emerita of Wichita State University College of Education.

Dorothy L .Tobias

Posted on April 12, 2019

OSBORNE — Dorothy L. Tobias, 98, passed away April 10, 2019.

She was born May 6, 1920, in Downs, Kansas, the daughter of Edward and Rosa Anna (Estel)Fleig.

She was a retired cosmetologist.

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings.

Dorothy is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and special friends, Al and Anne Reif.

Graveside service will be Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 10 am at the Downs Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be given to Parkview Care Center in care of Domoney Funeral Home PO Box 127 Downs Kansas 67437.

Larry E. Rupp

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

Larry E. Rupp, age 77, of Ellis passed away Thursday, April 11 at his home in Ellis. He was born on February 12, 1942 in Hays, Kansas to Wendeline and Helen (Rupp) Rupp. He married Nancy York of Hoisington in 1966. They were later divorced.

He moved to New Orleans, LA in 1968 and joined the Teamsters Union as a painter. He also worked at restoring many historical sites. He returned to Kansas in l970 where he was known locally for restoring to its earlier state, the John Schlyer house, 601 Oak, in Hays.

He is survived by two children: Vaughn Rupp of Kansas City, KS and Deborah Pippin of Ft. Collins, CO; two brothers, Dean of Hays and Wayne of Weeping Water, NE; three grandchildren: Dustin, Dillon and Brooke Pippin and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Irvin, Darrel, Delmar, Harvey and sister, Florie Seitzinger.

A memorial service will be held 11 AM on Monday, April 15, 2019 at the Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th street in Ellis.

Memorial contributions are suggested to ?????

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Kan. school district superintendent placed on leave after DUI arrest

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

JEFFERSON COUNTY — A Kansas school district superintendent arrested for an alleged DUI has been placed on leave.

On Saturday, The Kansas Highway Patrol arrested 55-year-old Dr. Martin Stessman, the superintendent at USD 450 Tecumseh after a 911 call reporting a reckless driver on Interstate 70, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

On Sunday, the school district held a special board meeting that went into executive session to discuss personnel matters, according to a statement from USD 450. Dr. Stessman was not relieved of his duties as superintendent; however, he was asked to take some personal time off.

On Thursday, the board met again and placed Stessman on administrative leave until June 1, 2019. He will forfeit twenty days of pay with those funds going toward an alcohol awareness program determined and approved by this board at a later date. During this time Matt Hirsch will act as interim Superintendent.

The board also placed Stessman on one year probation period in which he can be terminated by the board. He must complete a professional alcohol assessment, fully comply with assessment recommendations and speak to students and make this a teaching moment.

In addition, the board said, “This statement serves as a formal reprimand from the Board of Education for engaging in conduct unbecoming to Dr. Stessman’s position as Superintendent of Schools. Although the incident occurred during non-school hours and off school grounds, Dr. Stessman is reminded that as Superintendent, his conduct, during both school and non-school periods, directly reflects on the District, the Board of Education, the community, our students and their families. We expect that in the future, no similar incidents will occur, or Dr. Stessman’s employment can be terminated immediately.”

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JEFFERSON COUNTY — A Kansas school district superintendent was arrested for alleged DUI over the weekend.

Just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday, The Kansas Highway Patrol arrested 55-year-old Dr. Martin Stessman, the superintendent at USD 450 Tecumseh after a 911 call reporting a reckless driver on Interstate 70, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

Just after 10:30p.m., Stessman was booked into jail, posted the $1000 bond and was released just before midnight.

USD 450 released no statement on the incident Sunday.