The American Legion smoked chops buffet to benefit the Monarch football program will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Legion, 13th and Canterbury.
The menu will include smoked pork chops, scalloped potatoes, corn on the cob, kuchen, coffee, tea, German raw burger and bull fries.
Tickets are $13 for adults, $6 for children 5-11 years, children younger than 5 are free.
Contact coach Cauley at [email protected] for tickets or click here.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
HUTCHINSON — The Hutchinson Community College newspaper will be allowed to print the last edition of its paper for the semester after the suspension of the journalism program Friday.
Alan Montgomery, who has taught at HCC for 17 years, said he was suspended with pay Friday afternoon, and journalism classes were canceled after a story was published in the student newspaper Friday that was critical of the administration’s disciplinary policies.
The paper also contained a letter from Montgomery to the U.S. Attorney’s office detailing alleged violations of student journalists’ First Amendment and due process rights.
Montgomery said he will fight his suspension.
HCC President Carter File told Hays Post Tuesday afternoon the students will be allowed to publish the last edition of the newspaper, although journalism classes and finals had been canceled.
“The students made such a great and compelling argument,” he said, “that we were happy to do this.”
The college will have a staff member in the lab while the students are working, but File said the students will have complete editorial control of the paper’s content.
The last edition of this school year’s paper is scheduled to hit the racks on Friday.
Copies of the latest issue of the Collegian were partially distributed Friday and Monday morning. However, as student journalists were trying to distribute the rest of the papers, bundles were seized by college security.
“They broke federal law,” Montgomery said. “They violated the First Amendment. This is like North Korea or the Old Soviet Union. It violates a sacred part of the our society, the First Amendment.”
Hays Post contacted the college about the seizure of the papers and the suspension of the program Monday morning.
The papers were given to members of the Student Governing Association to be delivered Monday afternoon.
File contended there was no intent to quash the paper.
The issues between the administration and journalism department started in December when the student newspaper, the Collegian, printed a story about issues between a teacher and her supervisor.
Montgomery was a co-president of the teacher’s Union and had been involved with the investigation of what he called “bullying” of the teacher. He said he shared details of the investigation with his students as a part of a case study for a journalism class.
The students asked to write a stories about the issue, but the administration and alleged perpetrator being investigated would not speak to the students.
However, Montgomery, who was interviewed for the students’ story, shared copies of emails with the alleged victim and other public documents that had been released in Union and Faculty Senate meetings.
Montgomery said he was reluctant to be a source for the story but believed it was the only way the truth would get out. He has since resigned from the leadership of the Union.
After the stories appeared, the student journalists were brought up on disciplinary charges. Montgomery provided his own money to hire attorney Max Kautsch, who also represents the Kansas Press Association, to defend the students in their disciplinary hearings.
“I was really, really afraid that the two students were going to be expelled,” he said.
At one point, the students were asked to sign immunity agreements with gag orders. Montgomery said the administration was trying to find damning information on him.
However, both students refused to sign the agreements.
The students were bought in for questioning a second time on charges of academic dishonesty.
“I think this is a really shameful violation of the students’ due process rights,” Montgomery said. “There has been a lot of secrecy. Who made the complaint? What are they charged with? It is almost the end of the semester and, to this day, they don’t know if they are going to be expelled.”
In addition to the letter to the U.S. Attorney, Montgomery also sent a letter to the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, saying the students had been swindled out of their tuition.
“When they enrolled here, they had a realistic expectation that they would be treated like journalists,” he said.
Instead the students were “attacked” by the administration, Montgomery added.
Montgomery said he has been barred from HCC property and is waiting to hear from the college’s board as to his fate.
“I want the students to get back to classes and labs,” he said, “and I want to get back to teaching them.”
By HAYLEY BIEKER
FHSU Foundation
When Richard Fischli purchased a hog at the age of 14, he likely couldn’t imagine what his first investment would lead to over time. Fischli and, later, his wife, Dolores Wills-Fischli, worked hard to build upon that initial investment.
Both earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fort Hays State University in the 1950s, then moved to southern California. Upon retiring from their careers in education with the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Fischlis moved back home to Logan.
The couple continues to make sure students have what they need to be successful. Long-time supporters of their alma mater and the benefactors of several scholarship funds at FHSU, the couple recently committed $5 million to build a center for student success on the university campus. Their gift was announced at a news conference today.
In essence, the Fischlis are passing their hog onto their alma mater.
“We are recognizing this couple for literally changing the landscape of our campus with the naming of the future Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success,” said Tim Chapman, president and CEO emeritus of the FHSU Foundation.
With an estimated completion date of December 2020, the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success will be a convenient one-stop-shop for students to access academic, medical and mental health support. The center’s primary goal is to help students be successful, complete their degree programs on time and avoid falling through the cracks in any way.
“As lifelong K-12 educators, Richard and Dolores have been difference-makers to literally hundreds of students over the years utilizing their FHSU degrees to their fullest potential,” said Joey Linn, vice president for student affairs.
“With the addition of this building to our beautiful campus, the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success will forever touch the lives of thousands of students with their quest to walk across the stage as FHSU graduates,” he said.
The center will combine key services into a three-story building conveniently attached to the Memorial Union. All students will have day and evening access to much-needed services such as academic advising, career exploration, free tutoring, the Kelly Center and student health. Additionally, the offices of Student Government Association, the Center for Student Involvement and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will relocate to the Fischli-Wills Center.
“The ultimate goal of this innovative center is to increase retention and graduation rates and to make all students successful in their academic journey,” said Linn.
“These students are our family,” Dolores Fischli said after the news conference.
“We always knew that our estate would go to Fort Hays State University, but I often wondered what they were going to do with it,” she said. “It’s nice to know how they’re going to utilize the money and to see it all come to fruition. We’re just so thankful for the opportunity.”
One student on hand to attest to the benefit of the center was Emily Brandt, Beloit senior and president of the Student Government Association.
“As a first-generation student with one more year left, I feel like I am just now starting to understand how to navigate my undergraduate career,” she said. “With extended hours for services such as career exploration and academic advising, our students are getting the help they need to be successful not just here, but after their graduation date.”
Brandt described the center as a collaborative effort of private donors, the university administration, academic affairs and students, who voted in April to add a $4 per credit hour fee, effective beginning the fall semester of 2019, to support building the center. The fee will raise an estimated $5.6 million. The new facility is expected to cost $16.5 million.
The Fischlis’ journey with Fort Hays State University started with two rural Kansas kids pursuing college educations. They transitioned into a couple modestly giving back to FHSU with their earliest contribution on file showing a $5 gift in 1981. The Fischlis are now philanthropists designating a portion of their estate to support the needs of students.
The Fischlis are part of the Wooster Society, an elite group of planned-gift benefactors to Fort Hays State.
“Wooster Society members like Richard and Dolores have an everlasting effect on Fort Hays State as their generosity will be remembered and appreciated,” said Jason Williby, president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation. “This is an incredible gift in support of FHSU’s Journey campaign, and one that will go down in the history of Fort Hays State University.”
“This gift helps us join a select few universities across the country to provide a comprehensive approach to student recruitment, support, retention and completion that will enable Fort Hays State to continue to thrive in service to our students,” said Dr. Andy Tompkins, interim president of FHSU.
To learn more about the FHSU Foundation and their Journey campaign, visit https://foundation.fhsu.edu/, call 785-628-5620 or email [email protected].
The Thomas More Prep-Marian Superhero 5K and Kids Fun Run will be May 13 at the TMP track.
Runners are invited to wear their favorite superhero costume. Run with Wonder Woman, Superman or Jesus. Medals will be awarded to the top three places in each age division. Special prizes will be awarded to the students participating in the fun run.
Registration for the 5K starts at 7 a.m., and the run starts at 8 a.m. Registration is $15. The price has been reduced because no T-shirts will be given.
Registration for the fun run starts at 8:30 a.m., and the run starts at 9:30 a.m. The fun run is for children 12 and younger. Cost for the fun run is $10.
Registration will be taken in front of the Al Billinger Fieldhouse or can be made in advance by clicking here.
If you have questions, email Jay Harris at [email protected].
Proceeds benefit the TMP track team.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
HUTCHINSON — The president of Hutchinson Community College said Monday afternoon newspapers taken from a student reporter at the school had, in fact, been distributed.
Jeff Leddy, student reporter, said he was informed that his adviser had been suspended and his classes for the last week of school had been canceled.
Leddy said he asked to be let into the journalism offices to collect personal effects. There, he saw copies of the student newspaper, the Collegian, locked in the office. He said he took copies of the paper to distribute them on campus.
He distributed about 100 of the newspapers Friday before the head of HCC security approached him and took possession of the papers.
Leddy said Monday morning he was never told why the papers were being taken and did not know what happened to the remaining papers.
Carter File, college president, said Monday afternoon the papers were given to the Student Governing Association to distribute since the journalism classes had been canceled.
File would not confirm that Alan Montgomery, the newspaper’s adviser, had been suspended, but did say the college was dealing with a personnel issue.
The incidents Friday follow tensions that have been building since December when the Collegian ran an unflattering story about school’s administration.
After the December story appeared, student journalists were charged with disciplinary actions.
Leddy said he thought the latest action was due to a story in the Friday’s edition of the paper about a work study student who was removed from a journalism lab.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
HUTCHINSON — About 400 copies of the Hutchinson Community College’s student newspaper, the Collegian, reportedly were seized by school administration Friday, one of the paper’s reporters said Monday.
Jeff Leddy, student reporter, said he had taken the newspapers to the college’s student union to distribute them when the head of college security approached him and said he had been directed by the vice president of academic affairs to take the papers.
About 100 of the 500 papers in the press run had already been put in racks, but Leddy said he did not know where the rest of the papers were taken.
RELATED: College president says papers were taken so they could be delivered.
Although Leddy was not informed why the papers were taken, he said he thought it might be because of a story about a work-study student assigned to the journalism department being removed from a lab.
Friday’s incident comes after a semester of contention between college administration and student journalists and the paper’s adviser.
The adviser and student reporters first came under scrutiny in December after the paper printed a story about disciplinary actions taken against a member of the nursing department.
Leddy and other students were brought up on disciplinary charges, including academic dishonesty. The college asked Leddy and other students to sign immunity letters that would bar them from talking about the proceeding in the future. He and other students refused to sign the agreements.
Leddy said he and other student journalists had further investigated the college’s disciplinary policies, but opted to not publish the stories for fear of reprisal.
He said he believed the work-study student who was removed from her lab was targeted because of her association with the student newspaper.
Leddy said the paper’s adviser, Alan Montgomery, had been suspended, as well, and the students’ remaining week of journalism courses would be canceled.
Carter File, the college’s president, told Hays Post Monday morning that copies of the Collegian were out in racks and he would look into allegations that papers were seized.
He said the college was in the middle of a personnel issue, but would not confirm Montgomery was suspended.
Monday afternoon, File told Hays Post that the newspapers were, in fact, taken from Leddy, but that because the journalism classes had been canceled, the newspapers were given to the student council for distribution to students.
Montgomery was not available for immediate comment.
Max Kautsch, Kansas Press Association attorney, said the seizure of the papers was a clear violation of constitutional rights.
“The real story here is the college locking up newspapers,” he said. “It is a clear violation of the students’ First Amendment rights.”
The student newspaper is partially supported by student fees. Kautsch said the role of the administration needs to be better defined.
“The college obviously believes it can do whatever it wants,” he said, “and the students think they are independent. That is where ligation comes in.”
Although Kautsch suggested the students had grounds for a lawsuit, Leddy, 24, said he would not likely file one, saying a federal lawsuit would be too costly to pursue.
Leddy said he still does not know if he remains under investigation by the college.
Leddy, in his second year at the college, said he will not return to HCC in the fall, but transfer to Wichita State University where he plans to study journalism. Leddy is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and said he preferred to take his GI bill dollars elsewhere.
“I do not feel welcome here, especially when I don’t know what is happening,” he said. “There is an air of hostility and suspicion and the constant targeting of us at the student publication.”
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Kris Dewell wants you to get a mammogram. One saved her life.
Dewell is the honorary chairwoman of this year’s Hays’ Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
The race raises money to support mammography, a local navigator who helps answer questions for breast cancer patients and national breast cancer research. Seventy-five percent of funds raised during the race will be used for local programs.
Dewell has a family history of breast cancer. Her grandmother died of breast cancer before she was born, and her mother fought off breast cancer twice.
Dewell was tested for a gene that has been linked to breast cancer, but the test was negative.
Because of her family history, she still felt it was important to receive mammograms. Her first test was at the age of 35.
Dewell was diagnosed when she was 50. Her tumor was found when it was small thanks to early detection and was removed with a lumpectomy.
She had friends who went through much more difficult treatment, but someone told her she was an example of how mammograms can work.
“Someone told me, ‘You are an example of how it is supposed to work,’” she said. “We are supposed to find it early so you don’t need all this stuff.”
She had a good friend who went through treatment at the same time and had to endure chemotherapy and radiation.
“I always felt guilty because I was not sicker,” she said. “but [my friend] said later that helped her seeing me and knowing that people do survive. I think that is just natural that you boost each other’s spirits.”
Dewell has two sons and a 1-year-old granddaughter. She remains concerned about the genetic history in her family. She also has talked to her daughter-in-laws about the importance of mammograms.
“I don’t know why people don’t get mammograms,” she said. “when I know it saves lives.”
Dewell has been cancer-free for 17 years, but the fear of a reoccurrence is always there. She receives a mammogram once a year. Waiting for the results can be tough.
“It never goes away,” she said. “It is not something that you quit worrying about.”
She hopes research being funded through Susan G. Komen will not only help improve treatment for patients like her but give hope for the next generation, including her granddaughter.
How to get involved:
The Susan G. Komen Race in Hays will be Saturday.
The survivor breakfast starts at 7 a.m. and a survivor parade and celebrations will be at 9:15 a.m. in Municipal Park. There is a 5K, which starts at 7:45 a.m. and a one-mile family walk that starts at 9:45 a.m.
Cost is $35 for adults and virtual runners and $20 for youth. Registrations will be taken up to and including the day of the event.
To register and for a complete schedule of events click here.
Major sponsors include Eagle Communications, HaysMed and Midwest Energy.
Hays Post
Hays firefighters were called to the 27th and Hall Laundromat at about 6 p.m. today for a report of a fire in a dryer.
The fire was quickly extinguished, and no one was injured, according to Corp. Phillip Gage of the Hays Police Department.
Roads remain open, and the Dillons, which is in the same strip mall, did not have to close.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Tickets are now on sale for Downtown Hays Market’s Farm to Fork Dinner.
The event has been expanded to two nights this year June 1 and 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, 1102 Main St. Cost is $60 per person.
All of the foods for the event, which is designed to showcase the Downtown Hays Markert, are sourced locally. This year the five-course meal will be prepared by Gella’s Diner’s executive chef Manuel Hernandez.
The menu for this year’s meal has yet to be set.
Last year’s meal included a butternut squash soup and hors d’oeuvres with locally made sausage. The entree included locally sourced chicken with mushroom succotash and potatoes.
The Fort Hays State University Jazz Ensemble will provide entertainment.
Items from the market vendors also will be given away during the event.
Only 60 tickets are available each night.
Sara Bloom, Downtown Hays Development Corp. executive director, said although the event has been popular, the goal is to keep the intimate feel of the event.
“People come from all over, Hoxie, Kansas City. They have conversations about their lives and tell stories. It is part of the charm of the event, so we have decided not to expand to a larger venue,” she said. “We wanted it to remain small and intimate.”
The event will coincide with the market kickoff and is a way for the vendors to promote their products. Many of the ingredients for the dinner are donated.
Proceeds from the event are used to defray the cost of booth space for vendors and to promote the market throughout the year.
Last year, local wine was served at the event. Bloom noted many people did not realize Hays had a local winery.
The market will open for the season May 27. It is open 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays through October in the 10th Street parking lot between Main and Fort streets.
Items that can be found at the market include fresh produce, cut flowers, live plants, baked goods, jams, and handcrafted items, including jewelry and soaps.
Eagle Communications is the primary sponsor for the event again this year.
To purchase tickets, call Downtown Hays at 785-621-4171 or go to its at website at https://www.downtownhays.com/
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The HaysMed Foundation launched a $3 million “Powerful Technology, A Look Inside” capital campaign Thursday.
The campaign, led by co-chairs Dr. Tom and Debra McDonald, will purchase a new state-of-the-art CT scanner and patient monitors, pay for renovation of two catheterization labs and establish new endowed funds for the foundation.
HaysMed President and CEO Dr. John Jeter said the new CT scanner will be faster, clearer and allow physicians to see better images of the heart and other vital organs as well expose patients to up to 82 percent less radiation. It also will have a larger bore.
Jeter said less radiation is of special concern when treating children.
“CAT Scanners came out in 1974 when I was just getting started in medicine,” Jeter said, “and they were extremely revolutionary at the time. The technology now 40 plus years later is just extraordinary. It is as close to Star Trek as you can get.”
The new CT scanner will replace a 14-year-old scanner. The older scanner will be kept for use when maintenance is being done on the new scanner.
The new patient monitors will integrate with the hospital’s electronic records system. They are also less likely to alarm unnecessarily, which will make the experience for the patients better, Jeter said.
The medical center’s two catheterization labs will also be renovated, and new equipment purchased. A cardiac catheterization is performed to find out if a patient has disease of the heart muscle, valves or coronary arteries.
HaysMed has the only full-service 24/7/365 cath labs in western Kansas clear to the Colorado mountains, so having state-of-the-art equipment is important. The lab’s equipment is 10 years old and at the end of its usable life. The radiation exposure for patients on the new cath lab equipment will also be less.
The fourth component of the campaign includes the endowment of the funds that will produce revenue to assist with future health care needs of patients at HaysMed.
Early fundraising has already generated $1.554 million in gifts and pledges, Matt Dreiling, president of the foundation board, said.
This includes a $500,000 gift from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation of Logan and a $500,000 pledge from the
Hadley Foundation of Hays.
Other major donors include Lillian Schumacher, Bank of Hays, Commerce Bank, Emprise Bank, Golden Belt Bank and Nex-Tech Wireless. Additional gifts have been received from both HaysMed and foundation board members, HaysMed associates and physicians, and area businesses and individuals.
Ruth Heffel, foundation executive director, also recognized a new donor wall in the hospital’s reception area. It honors donors who have given to HaysMed over time. The wall was designed and created by artist James Mages. It depicts stalks of brass wheat and incorporates the names of donors on clear plaques.
People interested in receiving more information about the Powerful Technology Campaign and how to support the effort, can visit www.haysmedfoundation.org or call the foundation office at 785-623-2350.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Mary Ann Shorman, head nurse for USD 489, was honored with the Best of the Best staff award at Monday night’s school board meeting.
Shorman has been a school nurse for the district for 29 years.
“We believe she goes way beyond what her job entails,” said school nurse Diane Muirhead. “She was a very good preceptor for me when I started working as a school nurse.”
Muirhead was one of two nurses who nominated Shorman for the award.
Shorman developed health services policies and procedure and training notebooks for new nurses.
“Mary Ann is very knowledgeable about school nursing,” Muirhead said. “She is an excellent school nurse, and always does the best she can for the students in our district.”
She is on the board of the Kansas School Nurses organization and the School Nurse Advisory Council.
Muirhead said Shorman’s leadership is valuable to the nurses in the district. She always is available to answer questions and can be relied on in any crisis.
“Mary Ann deserves the Best of the Best Award because her actions for the last 29 years have been exceptional,” Muirhead said. “We feel the nurses and USD 489 are better because of her experience and knowledge. We appreciate you Mary Ann, and you truly are the best of the best.”
Vashti Waldschmidt, junior, was honored with the Best of the Best student award.
Waldschmidt was instrumental in the design and implementation of the school’s mural last semester. She is scheduled to graduate ahead of the class.
“Vashti’s leadership is consistently appreciated by staff and peers alike. Anyone who knows her would certainly agree that she is the best of the best. We are so excited and proud for her to receive this award tonight,” Ginny Pricket, teacher at the Learning Center, said.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The 48th Annual Smoky Hill Art Exhibition will kick off the 2017 Spring Art Walk Friday.
The free event will be 6:30-9:30 p.m. with art, music and performances at 21 downtown locations. An additional six locations outside of the downtown district will have early or extended hours.
See the Art Walk schedule here: art-walk-schedule
The Smoky Hill Art Exhibit is the longest running jurored art exhibit in the state. This year’s juror was Stephen Gleissner. It will run from Friday to June 3. It includes paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculpture, fiber and ceramics.
The exhibit and the Spring Art Walk are dedicated to the memory of arts patron and children’s art advocate Patricia Schmidt.
Brenda Meder, Hays Arts Council executive director, said this year’s art walk exhibition has a diverse selection from children’s art to professionals.
The event will take place rain or shine, and Meder encouraged participants to come out early. Although the art center will not be open to the public until 6:30 p.m., the Sternberg Museum, Styles Dance Studio, My Masterpiece, Catholic Charities, Indigo by Jasmine and Moss Thorns Gallery will all open early.
The event is a come-and-go evening.
“There is no order,” she said. “It is an art buffet. You can go to whatever you want whenever you want and stay as long as you want.”
Music lovers can extend their evening by visiting Gella’s Dinner from 9 to 11 p.m. to listen to The Andy T. Band, which is making a special stop in Hays on their way to a concert in Denver.
Students who have been taking an iron sculpture class at the arts council also will do an iron pour downtown Friday night.
The students prepared clay sculptures and then sand molds, and they will use the sand molds to pour the final pieces this weekend.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 Community Vision Team worked Tuesday to refine a bond issue in the constraints of what community members say they are willing to pay in taxes
The team focused on elementary school improvements at its meeting Tuesday.
The group heard the results of a phone survey conducted Friday, which asked questions about bond options.
Forty-eight percent of those surveyed said elementary schools improvements should be the district’s priority. Sixty percent of respondents said they would prefer to have smaller, more frequent bond issues.
The survey also asked how much of a tax increase voters would support for school facilities. Eighty-three percent said they would support a tax increase of $10 or less on a $150,000 home.
The team had discussed two options previously. One was to build a new high school, renovate the high school into a middle school, renovate the middle school into an elementary, renovate Wilson and Roosevelt elementary schools, and close O’Loughlin and Lincoln elementary schools.
The second was to build a new elementary school, renovate Wilson and Roosevelt elementary schools, close O’Loughlin and Lincoln elementary schools, and renovate the middle school and high school.
The team Tuesday focused on variations of option two as the members expressed concerns the new high school option would cost more than voters would be willing to support. In June, USD 489 voters soundly rejected a proposed $94 million bond issue for improvements throughout the district.
Many different options were discussed at Tuesday’s meeting with varying price tags. No decisions were made as to scope of a possible bond project, and dollar amounts have not been set, said Troy Wade, bond consensus expert, DLR Group, the district’s architectural firm.
The team discussed both including the high school and middle school renovations in this bond and an option only including construction and renovation of the elementary schools.
Wade noted if the district would come back for a second bond for the middle school and high school in another 10 years, cost would likely increase.
One goal at the elementary schools includes building new gyms that could be used for storm shelters. This would free up the current gym/cafeterias to be used for dining and other activities.
Valerie Wente, a parent of a fifth- and seventh-grader, said gyms at both the elementaries and the middle school were inadequate.
Students at O’Laughlin have to use the 12th Street Auditorium, which is run down, because the gym is not large enough for concerts and programs.
Gyms are not just for sports, she said, they are used for classes and presentations. The middle school gym is booked solid between 5:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
“You can’t get all kids and activities in the gym,” she said. “Events have to be moved to the (Hays Recreation Commission) and other facilities. The school gym does not having seating for parents. It is an overused space.”
Other goals include increasing security, creating classrooms that are the best size for current and future needs, expanding the schools to handle four sections of each grade, and meeting accessibility requirements.
The middle school is the only building in the district that has a storm shelter up to current code.
Superintendent John Thissen expressed concerns at the school board meeting Monday night the layout of the elementary schools does not allow staff to monitor school visitors adequately.
Team members also suggested not building a new school, but renovating all the existing schools.
Chris Nichol, team member, balked at this idea, saying the cost of renovating Lincoln would be greater than building a new school.
Wade concurred, “Do you really think the voters would go for putting $10 million into a 100-year-old-building?”
Justin Dempsey, member of the public, expressed concern about the elimination of neighborhood schools.
Wade said an earlier analysis of student demographics indicated students were already crisscrossing the city to attend schools.
The Vision Team will discuss possible options for renovations at the high school and middle school at its next meeting, which will be May 16.
For more information on the bond planning process, follow the district on Facebook at Hays Unified School District 489, on Twitter @USD489 or go to the district’s website at www.usd489.com.
