Experts from Wichita State University will be in Hays next week to discuss the region’s economic future.
The Hays Regional Economic Outlook Conference will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. Eighth, Hays, KS 67601.
Included in the price of the regional event is a one-year subscription to the CEDBR forecast booklets ($100 Value), which are in-depth publications and reference guides on regional and statewide economic conditions in Kansas:
The Kansas Economic Trends, published in October, includes the statewide economic conditions survey results, Kansas industry news and developments, and indicators for seven regions of the state along with the largest 25 counties.
Do you have a student currently attending USD 489 schools? No
Qualifications? I have three children, I have worked in the mental health field for over twenty years, and I want to make a difference for students.
Do you support USD 489 trying for another bond issue? What do you think that bond should include? If you don’t support a bond issue, how do you think the school district should address its infrastructure needs?
I do support the USD 489 bond issue. I believe in years to come we are going to have buildings that are in dire need of repairs and maintenance. I believe we must maintain our current buildings to assure that in the future the needs are not as significant and costly as what they would be if we wait. We have a middle school that is overloaded with students and will soon be in dire need of additional space.The community and USD 489 will be in a position of making decisions regarding what to do regarding additional space for the middle school. If a bond is voted in by the community, there will be additional money for specific needs allocated by the Board to prepare for the future.
What would you do to secure the financial health of the school district?
I have attended the school board meetings and have found the financial officer is very good at keeping the financial books up to date. It is essential to remain within a budget and if money is left over to place that money in a contingency fund for future unexpected expenses. The school board continues to take bids for work that needs to be done, whether it be maintenance or technical. They carefully spend money at locations that is cost effective but will also do a good job for the schools. I would continue to be cost effective in spending money and only do so when the need arises.
The Hays school board is at impasse with its teachers for the second year in a row. What would you do to improve relations with teachers?
I think it is very important to maintain a good relationship with teachers, as they should understand that the school board is in support of their efforts. I believe the school board can demonstrate their support not only through awards but by going into the schools and showing support through our actions. I think it would be great to attend site councils, teacher in-services, teacher work- days, and other events where we can show our support and appreciation to the teachers. I would like to be present when teachers receive various certificates or awards, keeping the number of school board members to a limit so as not to have so many members that according to the rules it is considered a board meeting.
Do you support the district’s current one-to-one technology policy? If not, what would you propose?
With the information we have on brain development, I was skeptical about this policy. When I did further research, I began to understand and become supportive of the program. I learned the schools not only utilize technology in all levels of grades, but students are also using writing materials to utilize thinking skills on paper and books to utilize reading skills. I discovered that the balance is present in the classroom, in that students are not only technology knowledgeable, but they also utilize other skills as well. The other part is that technology is so rampant in our society, if they are not kept to date, they will fall behind.
How would you support the district in its work to improve student performance?
I would be happy to sit on a committee for the purpose of improving student performance. I would do research or do other work needed to help this cause. This is an important issue and I would treat it as such.
Is there anything else you would like to add about you or your campaign?
Working in the mental health field for numerous years, I am aware of the significant changes to our mental health population. More children/youth are experiencing mental health issues or witnessing the same within their homes. It is difficult to teach this large population of students. Without intervention, the problem will only get worse. I would like to encourage the schools to utilize outside resources to intervene within classrooms or as a student body, to allow teachers to effectively work with these students and at the same time utilize their academic skills.
On Tuesday, the Center for Life Experience announced the establishment of the John C. Thorns Jr. Annual Memorial Lecture Series: “Finding Healing and Hope in Western Kansas.”
The event will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus. A reception will follow in the lobby. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome.
The featured presenter will be David Schramm, a Hays native and well-known mental health advocate. Schramm speaks on issues related to overcoming depression and living life fully. He also was a lifelong friend of the late John C. Thorns, a prolific local artist and longtime professor at FHSU, and wanted to honor Thorns’ memory.
Thorns was a founding member of Healing After Loss of Suicide, one of several support groups headed by CFLE, a philanthropic organization based in Hays. Thorns spoke openly about losing his spouse to suicide and the importance of mental health in rural Kansas. He was a Charter Board member for CFLE when it began in 2001 as an Outreach Ministry of the First Presbyterian Church until his death in 2014.
“I am so thankful for the group,” Margaret Schmidt, Thorns’ sister said of the Healing After Loss of Suicide group, “and this group for wanting to do something to keep John’s memory alive.”
Carmen Gerber, a member of Healing After Loss of Suicide, said John Thorns was the “rock” of the group.
“He had really valuable lessons that he taught to all of us,” she said. “He was a really amazing person.”
Thorns’ good friend Mark Hantla said he thought John would be proud the group and the lecture series will be a part of his legacy.
“He loved people, and he wanted to help, and he was a fine example for all of us,” he said.
Schram
Blending his own experience, with research on trends at a local and national level, Schramm will bring a message of hope and healing to our community from the unique perspective of one who knows the distinct benefits and real challenges of life in Western Kansas.
Schramm currently serves on the faculty of Stanford University, where he also directs the leadership programming for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars. He holds his doctorate of education from the University of Pennsylvania, his MBA from New York University, and his BFA from Emporia State.
A 1982 graduate and former faculty member at TMP-Marian, he regularly addresses high school and college audiences on a wide range of topics from effective communication to entrepreneurship to making our classrooms and churches more welcoming and inclusive to all.
He openly shares his own story of surviving a near-fatal suicide attempt and moving forward in recovery into a vibrant and full life. Since 2011 David’s TED talk has been viewed more than 1.8 million times.His mission is to elevate and connect individuals and teams to communicate effectively, relate authentically, and embrace life fully.
The November event is sponsored by the FHSU National Alliance on Mental Illness on Campus; National Alliance on Mental Illness Hays Affiliate; High Plains Mental Health Center; and FHSU Kelly Center.
Center for Life Experience is a philanthropic opportunity of urgent need for the support of those in grief across Northwest Kansas. Core services include three local support groups: Healing Hearts, supporting those who have experienced the loss of a child; Healing After Loss, supporting adults who have lost someone important to them; and Healing After Loss of Suicide.
Annual events include Avenue of Pinwheels, Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat, and the Longest Night Candlelight Service. To learn more about CFLE or to make a donation, visit www.cflehope.org.
Join the Professor of Herbology, Pomona Sprout, and learn the magic behind herbs in the wizarding world of Harry Potter from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 29 in Schmidt Gallery at the Hays Public Library.
There will be magical demonstrations, and treats will be provided. All ages are welcome.
A sheriff’s sale of Hays downtown properties ended Friday morning with smiles and hugs as several business owners gained ownership of the buildings in which their businesses are located.
Bank of Hays, Sunflower Bank and Golden Belt Bank were granted foreclosures on multiple properties owned by Chuck Comeau and his holding companies last year.
Heather and Shaun Musil won the bid at $211,001 for 1100 Main, which houses their business, The Paisley Pear.
“We’re thrilled,” said Heather Musil. “We are thrilled that the owners all get to keep their buildings and the businesses will continue as normal.”
Shaun added,” We can concentrate on what we do best.”
Sarah Cearley won the bids for two storefronts in which her businesses, Simply Charmed and Bella Luna, are located. She was the high bidder at $75,001 for 1011 Main and $70,001 for 106 W. 11th.
“I am just excited and fortunate that we were able to purchase with no competition,” she said. “We look forward to continuing to be a part of downtown for many more years to come.”
1011 and 1013 Main St.
Norman Keller and his wife purchased 1013 Main for a bid of $140,001. The building is home to Regeena’s Flowers & Events. Keller said they were ecstatic and relieved.
The historic George Philip Hardware building, 719 Main, was purchased by Wes Rathbun for $207,001.
Sara Bloom, Downtown Hays Development Corp. director, said, “This is a great day for downtown. The building sales bring opportunities, but it also ensured that our business owners who are so successful already will get to stay in their building and continue their success and help grow and bring our downtown into the future.”
Other properties that sold included:
803 Fort St. — $37,100 to Leroy Riedl
811 Fort St. — $14,000 to Dan and Bob Meckenstock
1008 Main St.— $100,000 to Bank of Hays
1102 Main St. $120,00 to Bank of Hays
1108 Main St. — $5,001 to Leroy Riedl
121 E. 11th St. — $91,000 to Robert E. Schmidt Foundation
1012 Main St. — $70,000 to Bank of Hays
The 2018 taxes on the properties were paid, but the new owners will need to pay the 2019 taxes.
Seven Comeau properties already sold at sheriff’s sale in August.
Education: B.A. Philosophy 2007 University of Kansas; J.D. 2009 University of Kansas
Do you have a student currently attending USD 489 schools? No
Qualifications? I am a life long resident of Hays who wants to help any way I can make this community a better place to live.
Do you support USD 489 trying for another bond issue? What do you think that bond should include? If you don’t support a bond issue, how do you think the school district should address its infrastructure needs?
Passing a bond has to be the number one issue for all the school board members. Our buildings get worse every year, and each year we put off passing a bond, it becomes more expensive to do what needs to be done. The school board members need to be leaders in the community to get a school bond passed that meets the needs of our community while also being fiscally responsible.
What would you do to secure the financial health of the school district?
Securing the financial health of a public entity is an ongoing responsibility of all elected officials. The previous school boards have done an overall good job of stretching dollars to make sure the taxpayers are getting the most bang for their buck. We need to work to continue that strategy, while making sure we are providing a quality education to all our students.
The Hays school board is at impasse with its teachers for the second year in a row. What would you do to improve relations with teachers?
If on the school board, I would listen to every idea KNEA presents for resolution of the problem. Often times, they have several ideas that fall on deaf ears because of individuals that are more interested in fighting with the union than in solving the problem. We need board members that have the best interest of community at heart instead of a personal agenda to fight with those they don’t like.
Do you support the district’s current one-to-one technology policy? If not, what would you propose?
Technology in education is a never ending arms race. Fall behind, and your students are left behind. I understand others’ reluctance to pay for such an enormous endeavor, but if we don’t pay for it now, the whole community suffers with a generation of students unprepared for tomorrow’s challenges facing the world, our country, and especially our community.
How would you support the district in its work to improve student performance?
Passing a bond is a very important step in this area. Students learn better in an environment that cultivates an enthusiasm for learning. Taking care of our teachers makes sure we keep quality educators in our community and don’t lose them to other districts.
Is there anything else you would like to add about you or your campaign?
The foundation of any great community is a great education system. For too long, we have not done what we need to do to maintain the long-term stability of our local education system, and that has both short-term and long-term negative impact on our city. I am running to provide help wherever I can to take the next step Hays needs to take to insure the long term stability of the community. That starts with developing a bond measure that addresses our needs, but is also fiscally responsible. I will do everything I can as a board member to make sure a plan is developed that meets the needs and expectations of the community.
Candidates for the Hays USD 489 school board discussed how the school district spends its money, specifically on health insurance and transportation, during a debate at FHSU Tuesday.
Nine candidates are running for school board for four open positions. This includes incumbents Paul Adams and Luke Oborny and newcomers Lori Hertel, Cole Engel, Tammy Wellbrock, Alex Herman, Allen Park, Jessica Moffitt and Craig Pallister.
The forum panelists were asked about the district’s health insurance policy and if they thought a $3,500 deductible is too much.
The teachers and the school board are at impasse for the second year in a row. Both sides have said teacher pay and health insurance are the stumbling blocks to reaching an agreement. The two groups are scheduled to meet with a federal mediator Thursday night. Teachers have said they are unhappy about the district’s leaving state’s Blue Cross Blue Shield program for Aetna.
The board has also proposed putting a dollar cap on how much it will pay toward family plans. At present, the district pays a percentage.
Engel said he does not know much about the current program.
“I know a compensation package, not only salary but health insurance, is a big deal for the employees in the district. I think that certainly needs to be analyzed and a decision needs to be made as to whether moving away from the state plan or the plan we currently have if that was a good decision or not,” he said.
Herman said he has spoken to teachers who said they were upset about the switch to Aetna insurance.
“The school board has a duty to make sure the money for the school board is properly spent,” he said. “At the same time, the school board also has a duty to make sure that our students are properly educated. They’re going to be properly educated when we keep the best teachers—when the teachers are properly compensated and when we have a health insurance plan for the teachers that makes them want to stay in the district.”
Hertel said she would like to improve the overall compensation package that is offered to teachers, which includes insurance.
“I think they would be happier,” she said. “I think they would respond better to the school board if that was the case.”
Oborny said.,”The state plan was not good for us at that point. We were going to take a $1.5 million increase, and at that point we really needed to find another option because the budget just wouldn’t support it at all.”
He said Aetna looked comparable. He said he supports a committee to look at other health insurance options.
“As long as the cost doesn’t dramatically increase, I don’t care who we go with,” he said.
Pallister said he is hearing from teachers that Aetna is not a better plan.
“It allowed the district to spend money it was spending on insurance in different ways,” he said.
He continued, “More and more our district needs to look into getting insurance for all our employees. Right now we have a lot of paraeducators, a lot of secretaries that don’t qualify for a fiscal reason. Health insurance is a need of families so we can get the best personnel working for this district.”
Park said “I think the cap is a concern. In one year, there could be a 13 percent increase, and that is just another stress for teachers not to know where that money is going to come from.”
Wellbrock said she would like to see the resurrection of the insurance committee.
“I think [health insurance] is certainly something the next board will need to look further into,” she said. “I believe the board thought it was doing what it thought was best at the time. Many of the people expressed to me, there are generating issues. It isn’t always just about the out-of-pocket expenses, but the quality of service issues that are becoming realized. That is certainly a concern.”
Adams said considering the increase the district was facing with Blue Cross Blue Shield, the board made the best decision fiscally at the time. There were some savings initially that were returned to the teachers.
He said the district is now finding some flaws with that system. Now the the district can shop around and bring the insurance committee in on that process. The cap sets a amount the district would pay and help the district with budgeting.
Moffitt, a health educator, said “With health insurance, price is a key determinant of what you are getting. I believe there may have been some excitement in the programs that Aetna offered for the ability for discounts to be [capitalized] on for certain individuals by participating in certain health incentives that made the plan look like it was really awesome, but the reality of the situation is that it is a huge financial impact on the teachers and thus on our community members.”
Current board members were asked why the school district needs 13 Suburbans.
Adams said having the Suburbans has to do with the quality of education the school district offers its students.
“It’s the Quiz Bowl or sending kids out to Colby to participate in the science lab night or it’s the football team going somewhere or the soccer team,” Adams said. “There are co-curriculars that we all just said we all value in our students. To achieve that, it does mean that we have to get kids there.
“If you start looking at the number of activities and the number of things our students are going to, those are going out, and they’re in use, and they are in use effectively.”
Oborny said, “A lot of it is economics. It is cheaper, and I think Dr. Adams alluded to this, it is cheaper than to run a bus. Sometimes you have just a few students. It’s a lot cheaper to have a suburban and run them round than the cost of a bus.”
Suburbans can also be driven by teachers and volunteers who don’t have CDLs, he said.
“I believe what my district is telling me, and my director is telling me that there is a need for them,” he said.
Moffitt said she saw the opportunity the suburbans gave to students to participate in a career pathways event at HaysMed. She added maintenance is minimal compared to buses.
“The impact it has on helping our community prosper and grow and help business individuals develop their businesses and expand, personally I can say it was a wonderful experience. For that I am appreciative of the Suburbans,” she said.
Engel said he did not know how many Suburbans the district needs, because he has not looked into the travel budget. He said he believes students need the opportunity to travel. He added he thought the question was more a management question rather than a governance question.
Herman also said he did not know if the district needs 13 Suburbans. He said he agreed in some cases using suburbans made more sense compared to using buses. He said how many vehicles the district needs would need to continue to be looked at by the board.
Hertel said she believes the district needs to be fiscally responsible.
“I don’t know if we need 13 Suburbans or not, but we do need our students to be participating in activities,” she said. “I think if that allows them to, it is a good fiscal decision on the part of the school district.”
Pallister said, “From my past days with the middle school, yes, there were days that we didn’t need all 13 Suburbans throughout the district, but there were a lot of days that we did. It is hard to tell a group of first-graders they can’t attend something, when another group of high school students are attending something else. A lot of our students need the transportation daily to get form one school or one training area, so it is very important that we run the Suburbans.”
He said he was told that operating three suburbans was the equivalent of operating one bus. Suburbans are also used for staff and teacher training.
Park said the transportation department must work within its budget.
“As a parent it is very important to me that we have a fleet that is safe and reliable and they don’t get down to Dodge City and there are issues,” he said.
Wellbrock said, “The board’s role is obviously fiscal oversight of this budget that maintains USD 489. I think a question of this nature flirts a little bit with the aspect of micromanagement …”
Education:BBA, Computer Information Systems; BBA, Accounting; MBA, Accounting; PhD, Advanced Accounting; Certified Public Accountant, State of Kansas
Do you have a student currently attending USD 489 schools?No
Qualifications?I am a lifelong resident of Hays, a 2002 graduate of Hays High School, and currently an assistant professor of accounting at Fort Hays State University.
Do you support USD 489 trying for another bond issue? What do you think that bond should include? If you don’t support a bond issue, how do you think the school district should address its infrastructure needs?
With two failed bond questions, the hot issue in USD 489 is facilities. I agree there are facilities needs in the district.What remains unresolved is how to prioritize and pay for the necessary improvements.
I think I am the only candidate for the Board of Education who has publicly stated that I did not support either of the previous two bond issues. I believe the district has a responsibility to first clearly define the true needs and then clearly communicate them to the voters and taxpayers.Had the district clearly defined true needs and proposed a reasonable bond issue, the public would have supported it.Obviously the district failed in this regard, twice.
I also think K-12 education is a public good and the entire state benefits from an educated citizenry, not just the USD 489 tax base. I worry that if we step-up and pay for this ourselves, then the state legislature will be ‘off the hook’ and will not have to meet their constitutional requirement to adequately fund public education in Kansas.
The state has an obligation to fund education, and I think it is risky to assume those costs locally.State lawmakers must commit to fully-funding schools. I am not fundamentally opposed to a bond issue, but I am certainly opposed to one that is too big and includes too many ‘wants’ rather than clearly defined ‘needs’ of the students in the district.
What would you do to secure the financial health of the school district?
Without current involvement in the decision-making process at USD 489 and without a full analysis of the financial situation, it is inappropriate for me to render an opinion regarding specific steps to secure the financial health of the school district.Although some may view this response as an effort to dodge the question, as a Certified Public Accountant I am held to high professional standards.It would be professionally inappropriate for me to make public statements regarding the financial health of an organization without a full analysis of the underlying facts.
The Hays school board is at impasse with its teachers for the second year in a row. What would you do to improve relations with teachers?
In short, the two sides need to focus on the issues, not the people. In a perfect world, there would not be two sides.Rather, there would be an issue and proposed solutions to the issue.Together, those tasked with governance and oversight and those tasked with execution of the mission would work to agree on a reasonable compromise.I know we do not live in a perfect world, but that should not stop us from trying.
Do you support the district’s current one-to-one technology policy? If not, what would you propose?
I am not a proponent of technology for technology sake.I think technology in education is very important and necessary, but it should be treated as a supplement to, not a substitute for, high quality curriculum.Too often we get hung-up on the new flashy technology tool and fail to focus on the educational goals or purpose of that tool.We should not be using the tool because it is new and flashy.Rather, we should be using it only if it meets an educational objective.
How would you support the district in its work to improve student performance?
I see facilities, compensation, and technology as the three biggest challenges affecting student performance.Collectively, funding will be the ultimate challenge.I am not running for a seat on the Board of Education to bring sweeping changes or to shake anything up.I am running to provide levelheadedness to decision-making and to improve the culture and overall attitude of the board.A new governor with an increased funding commitment, a new superintendent with hopefully fresh ideas, and potentially several new board members with a commitment to working together to improve working conditions and ultimately the success of our students seems like a formula for much future success in USD 489.
Is there anything else you would like to add about you or your campaign?
There is nothing more important to a community than its public school system.Quality public schools provide the necessary foundation for everything else.I am not sure I am the best candidate for the Board of Education, but I believe I am a qualified candidate.I am a product of USD 489, graduating from Hays High School in 2002.I believe I was part of the system when it was at its prime.USD 489 provided me the educational foundation necessary for my personal and professional success.It is essential that individuals step up and ensure those same opportunities are afforded to those who follow us.
Education: BS, Heidelberg College; MS Washington State University; PhD Purdue University
Do you have a student currently attending USD 489 schools? No
Qualifications: I trained as a teacher, and work as an administrator. These experiences have prepared me to use reasonable approaches to make decisions to allocate resources.
Do you support USD 489 trying for another bond issue? What do you think that bond should include? If you don’t support a bond issue, how do you think the school district should address its infrastructure needs?
Simply put, we need to upgrade our facilities.Even if we go back to the drawing board for new ideas or to find the right formula, it is the responsibility of the board to address this in order to fulfill our mission of providing “a quality learning experience for every child in every classroom every day.”
I have visited other districts and seen what can be done with the infrastructure.It is amazing how a remodel or new construction does change the classroom environment and can promote learning and the development of workforce skills.Yes we need a new elementary school; personally I feel we also need a new high school. With these two items we could then eliminate buildings pass their prime and remodel to move students out of boxes into a classrooms that allow each student to maximize his/her potential.
What would you do to secure the financial health of the school district?
We do not have much in terms of contingency reserves should a problem occur or if the state has a shortfall. This needs to be balanced against teacher compensation – where compensation is not just salary but salary and benefits (insurance + retirement).I often feel that the focus on the total benefit package – and the cost of such – is lost in public discussions.The efforts to “right size” salaries and benefits for all employees, while continuing to bring cash reserves to the recommended level will require nuance, but will provide a stable financial platform.
The Hays school board is at impasse with its teachers for the second year in a row. What would you do to improve relations with teachers?
I believe our current negotiation process is ineffective.Collectively – both HNEA and the board – have become entrenched in their positions.This leads to impasse and unintended ill-will.It is time for a restart by moving to interest-based bargaining.I believe this is essential as our current process has lost the focus on the mission of the school district – quality learning for every student.
Do you support the district’s current one-to-one technology policy? If not, what would you propose?
I do.My voting record and comments as a board member speak to this issue.I am actively involved in teacher preparation. One of the measures that the programs I oversee are evaluated on at a national level is training teachers to effectively use technology in teaching.Technology can be transformative in student learning.We should never disadvantage our future by failing to provide adequate tools to our students and teachers.
How would you support the district in its work to improve student performance?
The current board made a sound choice with our current superintendent.The board has placed trust and expectations on the superintendent to set the pace on student performance.The board establishes expectations for performance with the input of school leadership.Our role is to provide the superintendent with the resources to fulfill the joint vision.The board holds the superintendent accountable – from finances to outcomes – to assure top performance by our students.The final and most significant person in student performance is the teacher.The board should actively seek to assure a good working environment and resources for teachers.
Is there anything else you would like to add about you or your campaign?
NA
Lt. Tim Greenwood stood outside Holy Family Elementary School on a recent drizzly, gray morning, opening car doors for kids and giving high-fives and fist bumps.
It only takes about 15 minutes out of his day, but he said he thinks it is important for kids to see a police officer as one of the good guys.
Greenwood was part of the Adopt-A-Cop program when it began in Hays in 1998. The program was temporarily discontinued, but was resurrected about five years ago. Every school, public and private, in the city has at least one officer assigned.
“It is great when I am there and the kids smile and wave,” he said.
In addition to the welcomes in the morning, Greenwood periodically gives presentations to school on safety topics. Greenwood is also a veteran and the school invites him to lunch once a year to celebrate Veterans Day.
“I’m somebody those kids can look up to as a role model and not be afraid to reach out and say. ‘Hey, Officer Greenwood, how are you this morning?’ and develop a conversation or rapport that has served us professionally later on.”
The relationships he builds with the children has been useful as he has been called to tragedies and been able to calm a child because that child knew him from school.
Greenwood said Adopt-A-Cop has been one of his best assignments as a police officer.
“A young lady came up to me and asked if I remembered her, and I didn’t. It was a third grader that 20 years later had grown up and she still remembered I was her Adopt-A-Cop,” he said.
Sgt. Jason Bonczynski is assigned to Wilson Elementary School.
“I think the program has some really tremendous benefits for the kids” he said. “When I first started going, no one wanted to talk to me. There was a cop over there. They didn’t know what was going on. ‘He looks a little bit spooky.’ Once the kids realize I am there for the kids, they’re having fun and I’m handing out stickers and visiting and playing, they almost run me over for a sticker in the morning.
“Some kids have had experiences with law enforcement that might not pose us in the most positive light because we took a law enforcement action. They might be fearful of us. We have the opportunity to turn around those perceptions and let them know we are here for community service and to keep people safe.”
In his 21 years as an officer, he said there is nothing that puts a smile on his face and is more positive than being an Adopt-A-Cop.
“Who doesn’t like hanging out with kids?” he said.
HPD Deputy Chief Brian Dawson said the response to the program from schools, officers and the community has been positive.
“It helps build a rapport between the young people at schools and the officers as well as school staff and parents,” he said.
The HPD at one point had school resource officer program in Hays schools, but that program was discontinued.
“Silly Selfie” of some Wilson Elementary students and their Adopt-A-Cop Sergeant Jason Bonczynski. Courtesy of HPD Facebook
The current program amounts to 40 officer hours per year across the entire program. However, officers and the school officials said they thought the program offers maximum benefit for the amount of resources dedicated to it.
Lincoln Elementary School has two officers assigned to its school.
Lincoln Principal Kerri Lacy said having the officers welcome students in the morning one to three times per week has helped the children and parents feel more at ease with the officers. They have also visited the school and had lunch with the children.
“I think another benefit is our parents knowing we have Adopt-A-Cops,” Lacy said. “They see them out front in the morning and know we are keeping our school safe. Having the presence here is a great benefit.”
Lacy said she thinks the program helps change the kids’ perceptions of police officers.
“Our kids just think officers are scary, because that is all they know, so it is a good way for them to know officers are here to hep them if they need it and they are nice people and they are familiar with the school,” she said. “That way if they see an officer walking in the school they are not thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s something wrong.’ They are here to be helpful.”
Tom Albers, Hays Middle School principal, said the idea behind Adopt-A-Cop is to have a police officer connected with the school.
The two officers assigned to the middle school open doors for students in the morning and greet them. They also walk the halls during the first part of the day, which is the school’s “Falcon time.”
Albers said he at times calls on the officers to give words of encouragement to students.
“They walk the building just talking to kids,” Albers said. “They are visible. They’re available for kids if they want to speak to them. They have very positive interactions with our students. It allows our kids to feel secure.”
Alex Ford, HHS metals teacher, discusses the school’s new computer numerical control (CNC) machine during a school board tour Monday night.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
The Hays school board and guests toured the Career and Technical Education wing of Hays High School on Monday night, learned about some of the needs of the programs and discussed hopes for a renovation of the program’s space.
As Hays High sees an increase in enrollment, the demand for CTE classes is also increasing. However, the school is limited in adding more course offerings by both staff and space.
For the fall semester of 2019-20, HHS has 888 students (seat-time) in its CTE programs.
From left, school board members Paul Adams and Mike Walker and HHS Principal Martin Straub look at a hydroponics experiment that one of the HHS ag students is preparing to plant. The HHS greenhouse was repaired this summer after being damaged in a hail storm.
Martin Straub, HHS principal, said he would like to double the size of its health care pathway. A room that used to be occupied by a preschool program is now being used used by a NCK Tech teacher to offer allied health classes.
The preschool program was moved to the former Oak Park Medical Complex with the Early Childhood Connections program.
Straub said he would like to be able to have a health pathways instructor on staff, but the shared instruction is working for now. HaysMed recently donated hospital beds for that program.
Although it is not related to CTE, there is a transitional living room in the CTE wing. The room is set up like an apartment. Students in functional special education learn life skills in that program, such as cooking meals, cleaning, budgeting and shopping.
The addition of this room means students don’t have to go off campus to learn these skills. The class averages about 20 students.
Metal shop
The metal shop recently added a new lathe and computer numerical control (CNC) machine. However, metals teacher Alex Ford said the program lacks the space and the equipment to teach all of the skills he said he thinks students need to be prepared for the work world.
Chris Dinkel, CTE instructor, said the department would like to knock down one of the walls and expand the shop into the adjacent room. The program would also like to put in an overhead door on the back of the shop so students could bring in larger projects like trailers, which now have to be worked on outside.
“His student-to-equipment ratio — you have 20 students in here and you have two lathes,” Dinkel said. “That’s a problem. You count the number of machine shops we have within a five-, six-county area, it’s well over a dozen. There is an employment issue too.”
Ford said, “I have one mill. It’s a great machine, but I have 20 students. I can’t teach anything on it. I can’t have 20 students on one machine. I actually need two or three of them. I need four lathes if I want to really teach my students. I have all the welders I can ask for, but I don’t have the machining capability.”
He continued, “CNC is the biggest push right now. I have one CNC machine. I would like to have two or three more. I would like to have classes just on that.”
Lathes cost $5,000 to $10,000. A mill can cost $15,000 to $20,000.
Dinkel said High Plains Machine Works has a large mill it would like to donate to the program, but the high school has no place to put it.
Radio/TV
HHS has an award-winning radio and broadcast program. However, Dan Balman, broadcast instructor, said the classroom space doesn’t fit the program. Balman also teaches American government. When his broadcast students need to shoot video, they have to move all of the desks out and set up the green screen and all of the audio and video equipment.
He would like to see a room that is adjacent to the program’s radio studio reconfigured into a broadcast studio. The room is currently being used for storage. The school board has already approved construction of a metal storage building for HHS, but that building has yet to be constructed.
What is now being used by Heath Meder for the graphics arts program could be converted into an editing classroom for the broadcast program. The CTE program would like to add a door between the two rooms that would be used for the broadcast program. Graphic arts could be moved to what is now being used by Allied Health.
Art
HHS art teacher Heath Meder explains more space is needed at HHS for the jewelry program to protect the safety of students.
Art teacher Heath Meder offers a jewelry making course. The space is shared with the ceramics program. Meder said the space is so tight it is unsafe for students.
The CTE program would like to knock out a wall to expand the jewelry program’s space into an adjoining classroom. They also are proposing adding a dividing wall between ceramics and jewelry.
Jewelry is a popular class. It has about 60 requests per enrollment period, but only 20 spots are available.
HHS art program’s new gas-fired kiln.
The student learn lost-wax casting. Students who may not take any other shop classes learn to use drill presses and buffers.
“It is a [class] we are talking about math, science, metallurgy. They are using things that I don’t think they will if they don’t have an opportunity in a class like this,” Meder said.
Meder found an aluminum foundry that has been at the school since it was built. Meder said he would like to use foundry in his art classes. A new shed was added outside of the ceramics studio for a new gas-fired kiln, and that area could be used for the foundry.
Jennifer Younger, art teacher, said other art classes, including art exploration, drawing and painting also are usually full, and the department has had to turn away students. The program does not have a dedicated room for painting, so the students can’t leave their art pieces out.
Younger said the art department would like to have a dedicated art exploration teacher, so she and Meder could concentrate on their specialities. Straub said HHS at one time had three full-time art teachers, but that position was cut.
“Right now, we are stretched pretty thin,” Younger said. “We are trying to teach everything. Students want to be in here. It kills us to have to turn away, but we are full, and there’s only two of us.”
Wood shop/drafting
Woods teacher Chris Dinkel discusses equipment needs in the wood shop during a school board tour Monday night.
A surface plainer and a table saw were recently replaced in the wood shop. However, Dinkel said the school needs a CNC machine for woods to prepare students for what they will experience in the work world.
“What does CNC do for us in here?” Dinkel said. “That is what many shops are doing. You go to Westlake in Salina or you go to Kansas City to these big cabinet manufacturers, once that piece of material runs through the process, especially when it comes to the finishing, a hand does not touch it. It is all on conveyor— sanding, the finishing, the staining process, the drying process.”
In order to make a place for a CNC, machine, the shop will need to be reconfigured. The CNC machine would need to be placed where the student projects are now being stored towards the center of the shop. Those projects would need to be moved to a storage room, but that space would need to be adjusted to allow enough room for both storage and a set of stairs that go to an upper wood storage space. That set of stairs right now butts up against a wall.
This would require a wall being removed and a support beam being added. The stairs could be extended out into the shop area.
Dinkel also teaches drafting. He said the monitors that the students are using are old and small for the large house plans they create.
Ag
HHS ag teacher Curt Vajnar displays a drone used in the ag program.
The glass for the greenhouse that is used by the ag program was recently replaced. The greenhouse was damaged in a hail storm and insurance covered the cost.
Curt Vajnar, ag teacher, said he now has his drone license and is teaching students drone applications in the ag industry.
He also has students involved in ag research. One student is studying water needs of various grasses with the help of Holly Dickman, City of Hays water conservation specialist. Another student is preparing for a hydroponic experiment and yet another student will be working on a hatching experiment.
The group did not tour the business and marketing or the culinary arts programs.
High school officials hope the renovations to the CTE wing could be done in phases with the total cost of about $150,000.
When the renovations to the CTE wing would be complete is uncertain at this time. The work is contingent on approval of the school board.
HHS Assistant Principal John Linn said work could begin on the renovations as soon as they are approved by the school board.
From left Marvin Rack Jennifer Rack, former Northwestern Printers owners, and Josh Zweifel, new owner, pose behind a printing press at the print shop in Hays.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
After 38 years in the printing business, Marvin Rack and his wife, Jennifer, have sold Northwestern Printers, to a longtime employee.
Josh Zweifel, 40, has been an employee at the company for 22 years. He took ownership of Northwestern Printers on Aug. 1.
Marvin, 61, said he and his wife have been considering selling the business for at least a couple of years. They had discussed a sale with Zweifel and were slowly allowing him to become more involved in the management of the business.
“It’s a good business,” Zweifel said. “A lot of people in town rely on this business. I think if it wasn’t here, it would put many people into a bind, trying to find somewhere to have their printing done because print shops are getting to be less and less.”
Zweifel said he had no immediate plans for major changes within the business. He said he hopes to continue the success the business achieved under the Racks and continue the business’ community involvement.
He said he would like to increase the business’ presence online. He envisions designs for some invitations or business cards could be done online.
Marvin said Zweifel has enthusiasm.
Printing was not Zweifel’s intended career. He received his degree in elementary education from FHSU. He worked at the print shop, starting when he was a freshmen in college. He completed his student teaching, went back to the print shop and never left.
The Racks and Zweifel said the transition thus far has been smooth. No employees nor customers have been lost in the transfer of ownership.
Marvin said although neither he nor his wife are quite to retirement age, now was the right time to transition the business.
“We have been in business since 1981, and we have a very good, needed business here in Hays. The last thing we would have ever wanted to do even in 10, 15, 20 years is close the business,” Marvin said.
The Racks have children in college and one still in high school, and they wanted to be able to spend more time with their family. The couple regularly worked seven days a week at the shop.
The Racks are slowly pulling away from the business. Although they are still coming in regularly, that should start to slow within about a month.
Zweifel said, “Marvin and Jennifer stopping in or being able to call them has been priceless.”
“All we needed to do was provide Josh the opportunity, and he took it,” Marvin said. “He had a lot of confidence and a lot of knowledge. It was easy and it was natural.
“Josh had a very good concept of the working parts of Northwestern Printers. He knew the jobs. He knew how to get them done.”
A history in downtown Hays
Marvin purchased the printing business from Northwestern Business Systems when he was only 23.
He had been working in sales. When the print shop was left without a staff, he found himself spending evenings printing his own jobs as well as those of other salesmen. He said he soon discovered he enjoyed the printing more than sales and, as a certified diesel mechanic, had an interest and knack with the machines used in the process.
“It was just like art class,” he said. “It was fun to build this stuff and make it.”
Rack spent many long hours in the print shop, doing the printing and running the business side of the company.
In 1981, the printing process still involved film.
“It was a long series and a very technical series,” Marvin said. “It took a lot of talent to make sure everything was straight and everything was correct and all the halftones were perfectly shot. We were probably one of the lucky print shops that saw that if we didn’t follow the technology, we’d get so far behind we couldn’t afford to keep up with it.”
Northwestern Printers hasn’t had a dark room in a couple of decades. Today, jobs are designed on a computer and printed to a plate setter that is similar to a copier. Those plates go directly to the press.
Jennifer came on board in 1994 and computerized the shop’s hand-written order process.
“At that time, we were still doing everything manually,” Marvin said. “We were still writing up job tickets by hand. We were still filing by hand. We had a card Rolodex that had every customer in it. Jennifer got us on the computer, and that made us the big jump.”
Jennifer, Marvin and Zweifel all said keeping up with technology in the printing industry has been what has kept the business competitive.
“With us having progressed with technology or advanced with technology, we probably kept our customer base strong,” Marvin said. “We kept our employees challenged because I think one of the biggest things in a job is to learn the technology and get good at it.
“When you buy a piece of equipment that is thousands and thousands of dollars and has an instruction book that is 2 inches thick, you sit there and say, ‘I had the old process down so well and felt so comfortable with it and now look at what I got.’ It kept them thinking, and I think that’s why we kept them as we did because it was always exciting.”
The Racks feel their 12 employees are family. They have monthly potluck lunches at the shop.
“Everybody brings food and everybody sits down over lunch and eats and visits,” Marvin said. “It is that type of camaraderie that I think we have always inspired or talked about and encouraged. I think that has helped us keep some of our employees as long as we have had them.”
Hays once had four or five print shops — today Northwestern Printers is the largest print shop in the region. They also complete jobs for customers as far away as Texas, Colorado and Nebraska, Jennifer said.
In addition to quality service, the Racks said giving to the community has also been important.
“We knew in order to be successful, we had to give back to the community,” Marvin said. “I think both of us have always been very kind hearted, and so we have always shared what we’ve made — not just downtown, but with Hays and northwestern Kansas as well.”
Jennifer said stepping away from the business after so many years has been difficult.
“It is definitely a change,” she said, “but it’s exciting, and we are looking forward to something different.”
“But we know it is in good hands,” Marvin added.
The couple is still planning what they will do in retirement, but they said they hope to continue to stay connected to the community.
