Video courtesy USD 489 News
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

During Monday night’s work session, the Hays USD 489 Board of Education had a clear message concerning the search for the next district superintendent: It’s not public, but they are working on it.

After some recent criticism of the board’s apparent lack of action in the superintendent search, the board added the topic of the search onto Monday night’s work session agenda.

“We’ve done a very poor job in being transparent in this process,” said Lance Bickle, board president, suggesting talks have been held, but in executive session.

In recent meetings, the board has had executive sessions that have lasted hours, specifically dealing with personnel.

The board has so far treated the search as a personnel issue.

“That wasn’t really accessible to the pubic for confidentially,” as they discuss hiring internally or doing a search, board member Paul Adams said. “We’ve been doing something actively, but protecting the individual that may be looking at whatever decision that we decide to make.”

Even though the discussions so far have been confidential, board members said they have been working on how best to fill the position that will be vacated by Dean Katt at the end of the school year.

“We have been hard at work over the last three weeks,” said Sarah Rankin, board member. “When we have a firm decision, we will be sharing that with the public.”

During the meeting, the board continued discussing the current status of the proposed bond issue, discussing the work of the volunteer committees, hearing from Mike Morley, who serves on the speakers’ bureau.

He informed the board that another six town hall meetings have been scheduled. He also said the fundraising committee has been working actively to collect funding for the bond issue campaign, noting in-kind donations, such as radio advertising, have been donated by local businesses.

Even more importantly, he said the vitriol surrounding the bond issue seems to be subsiding.

“I think that’s encouraging,” Morley said.

“That’s from you guys,” Luke Oborny, board member said, commending the work of the volunteer committees.

The board also discussed doubling internet speeds across the district.

The district currently subscribes to a 200 megabyte per second connection through Eagle Communications, a connection that was increased from 125 mbps last July.

“There have been days we run 200 mbps a day,” said Scott Summers, director of technology.

That causes frustration in the classrooms, he said.

While answering questions from the board, Summers said usage statistics are provided by Eagle, with some internal metrics indicating during late mornings and prior to dismissal, the district often hits its 200 mbps limit at locations throughout the district.

“It’s all over the place,” Summers said where the data is being used.

If the board chooses to increase the speed, the cost per year would increase from $22,320 to $36,720, after rebates.

The board will discuss further the options at the next board meeting.

Disclosure: Eagle is the parent company of Hays Post.

 

 

 

 

                           Video from Joe Shortino’s youtube channel

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

That Bible quote adorns the business card of Joe Shortino, a man who recently traveled to Hays from Cheyenne Wyo., bringing with him something that has caught the eye of many locals as he winds through the streets of the city  – a 12-foot, 150-pound cross with attached American and POW flags and a ram’s horn.

While in Hays, he is working to fulfill his mission by walking the streets, talking to locals and, most importantly, praying with anyone who asks.

That mission, he says, was given to him by God himself.

Relying solely on the generosity of others while criss-crossing the United States, Shortino has been walking since Feb. 13, 2013, traveling through 14 states so far.

“I walk with no money. I’ve never slept a day on the street. I’ve never gone hungry,” he said.

But as strange as his mission may seem, he claims it came directly from a higher power.

“The Lord told me in an audible voice, he said, ‘I’m gonna build a cross and you’re gonna carry it,’ and I looked around and nobody was there. So I prayed to make sure I wasn’t kookoo for Cocoa Puffs,” he said.

After hearing the message, he said he immediately gave up a six-figure income working in the North Dakota oil fields and began his trek.

“I’m not out here to push my faith,” Shortino said. “When I walk, I look at the ground and, if people stop me, I’ll talk and pray with them.”

Originally, Shortino carried the cross without the flags, but after picking up the American flag in Texas during a Fourth of July event, it became permanent.

“The next day, the Lord said not to take it off,” he said.

A year later, he added the POW/MIA flag in support of veterans across the nation.

“We need God to bless this country again and, without our vets, we wouldn’t have the freedom we have,” Shortino said. “I just love the Lord and love my country.”

As for his time in Hays, just like the rest of his travels, he is waiting to hear what comes next – and when.

“I will not leave the town until God says I’m done,” Shortino said. “I go as God leads me.”

While he is in Hays, he said he hopes to help others with their struggles.

“There is a lot of hungry people out here that need a touch,”  Shortino said. “I pray with them and encourage them.”

In order to follow Shortino’s travels, he has set up a Facebook page as well as a YouTube channel.

 

 

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

In a brief meeting Monday morning, the Hays USD 489 Board of Education approved a resolution that allows a $94 million bond issue election to proceed on June 7.

Following the resolution, ballot language will be published and filed with the appropriate agencies in order to proceed with the election.

While the meeting was brief, the outcome could weigh heavily on voters in June.

During the meeting, the board split the bond into two propositions – one to fund the bulk of the bond and a second that would be used for gyms to be built at Hays High and Hays Middle Schools.

The proposition for the gyms is $8.9 million of the total $94 million bond. Voters can opt to vote for one, both or none of the propositions.

“I think my biggest concern that if we do a two-question (ballot), we are automatically cutting (the gyms) off,” said Luke Oborny, board member.

While the board wants to ensure voters have options in the bond issue, they recognize the need for the gyms and hope the public will support both propositions.

“I hate to keep calling them gyms as they are multi-purpose rooms, and we can use them for so many things,” Oborny said.

The board also argued the multi-purpose rooms would benefit more than USD 489, as they be used for regional activities that would bring revenue into Hays.

“Businesses and things like that, in my opinion, should really be on board with this, just due to the fact it’s going to help them,” said Lance Bickle, board president.

As the bond issue has progressed over recent months, many have questioned the need for the multi-purpose rooms, calling the bond issue too large in scope, but board members hopes, as information is presented to the community, voters will ultimately support both propositions.

“It all goes back to education,” Bickle said.

The likelihood of a successful bond was increased last week with the Hays City Commission approving, in a 2-1 vote, a sales tax question be put on the June ballot.

The board sought the sales tax question to help lower the impact on property owners who would otherwise pay for the entire project.

The board would likely set the bond term to 20 years if the sales tax is approved, shaving five years off the length of the bond — and saving millions in interest payments.

Now that the board passed the ballot resolution and the Hays City Commission scheduled the sales to question to coincide with the other propositions, educating the public about the bond will now be the biggest challenge the board faces — a task complicated by the three propositions on a single ballot.

With multiple questions, the election is required by law to be a walk-in election.

The board had hoped early on for a mail-in ballot, but the desire to give the public options was decided to be more important.

“Much like the sale tax, what I like offering with the two propositions is we’re giving people a choice,” said Sarah Rankin, board member.

The district will host two bond educational town hall meetings this week. The first is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hays High School, 2300 E. 13th. The second is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the 12th Street Auditorium, 334 W. 12th.

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

At around 1:15 p.m Monday, Hays Police and Fire Departments, along with Ellis County Emergency Medical Services, responded to a multi-vehicle injury accident on 800 block of Elm.

As traffic slowed on Elm approaching the Eighth Street intersection from the north, a late-model sport utility vehicle reportedly was struck from behind by a late-model Toyota coupe. That vehicle was also struck from behind by a late-model Ford Mustang.

The intersection is a major entry point for Fort Hays State University and traffic on Eighth was backed up for blocks to the east as students and employees were attempting to enter the campus around the blocked section of Elm.

Traffic was being directed off of Elm from Eighth to 10th streets as responders worked to clean up the scene and investigate.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Younger performs his NSAI song entry, PatiOasis, after the announcement of his entry into the top 10.

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

There were 2,400 entries, but only one that had the had the hearts and minds of northwest Kansas – “PatiOasis” by Victoria native Blaine Younger.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International, in conjunction with Country Music Television, informed Younger Thursday he won the top prize in their 16th annual contest.

“I’m just trying to soak it all in. It’s unbelievable,” Younger said.

Younger had been promoted to the top 10 in February for his entry and was extremely grateful for supporters voting for the song in the last stage of the contest.

“I wrote the song, but I could not have done this without the supporters we gained through the Blaine Younger Band days or my huge family or all the friends spreading the word,” he said. “I got to the top 10, but that’s really what did it in the end.”

Younger had attributed the song to his time performing around Hays.

“It’s all about Hays, Kansas, if you ask me,” he said in an earlier interview. “It’s about making a Patio Oasis in your backyard, with your family and friends.”

Younger first joined NSAI a few years ago, after taking a break from music while living in the Kansas City area.

Before the move, he was a well known fixture of the northwest Kansas music scene, heading the Blaine Younger Band for about five years.

With the win under his belt, Younger plans to continue songwriting as he takes advantage of the perks of being the contest winner.

Among the prizes are a NSAI residency package, a $5,000 cash prize, a single song contract with EMI Records and mentoring sessions with CMT and Eric Paslay.

For more music, or to follow Younger’s musical endeavorers visit his facebook page.

For the full announcement from NSAI click here.

By James Bell
Hays Post

It has been in the works for years and now the groundbreaking ceremony last Wednesday at the Hays Recreation Commission Wellness Center marks the beginning of a major facilities expansion.

“Back in 2012-2103 we started looking into a project,” said Roger Bixenman, Hays Recreation Commission superintendent.

Originally the project would have added a pair of multipurpose rooms to the existing structure, but a standalone building was decided as a better option.

“It’s an expansion of our current facility and our current programs,” Bixenman said.

The new building will expand the center from 3,600 square feet to 12,600 and will add a separate cardio and weight area, a new check-in area and add dedicated aerobics and yoga rooms.

“We looked at it as a quality of life issue,” Bixenman said, as the project will enhance wellness and leisure areas in the facility.

The new building will be constructed north of the existing building on land was bought by the Hays Recreation Center Foundation in 2001, and was gifted to the Commission in 2014.

 

“Because the school district levees our taxes, we had to get approval to enter into a lease agreement,” Bixenman said.

The Commission cannot mortgage property for a project like this, so they went to banks to finance the project, with the building acting as collateral during the 10 year lease.

Payments on the building will be made from operating and programing funds.

The lease total is $1.5 million, with the entire project carrying a price tag of $2.1 million.

Despite the cost, Bixenman said he hopes it will bring in more people to the facility.

“From zero to 99 we try to get people involved,” he said. “We want to get people in the gym, get them healthy, develop that healthy lifestyle, so this is one way to hopefully enhance that.”

“We’re glad it is finally here and look forward to the construction in the next 330 days.”

 

 

By James Bell
Hays Post

It’s decision time for the USD 489 Board of Education as the group is set to vote on a resolution calling for a bond issue election at tonight’s Board meeting set for 6:30 p.m. in the Rockwell Administration Center, 323 W. 12th St.

That resolution, if adopted, would set the $94 bond issue election for June 7.

The Board pushed back the original timeline of an election in April or May in order to collect signatures that would allow for a sales tax question to be put on the ballot at the same time as the bond question.

If passed by voters a half-cent sales tax in Hays, would significantly reduced the amount of property taxes needed to fund the bond issue.

Board members have frequently said that a bond issue election with a sales tax question included would likely be more successful.

The Hays City Commission was presented with the required number of verified signatures last week that requires the City to put the sales tax question on a ballot.

The Commission, however, has the authority to schedule that election and will decide on a timetable at their regular meeting Thursday.

The Board hopes the sales tax question be presented with the bond issue, but the City Commission could potentially push the tax question onto ballots next year.

During tonight’s meeting the Board will also vote to approve summer school fees for the Summer 2016 term.

Anita Scheve, director of The Learning Center, spoke with the Board at their work-session two weeks ago about the best pricing structure for summer school, recommending students that qualify for the free lunch program be able to attend summer school without cost and a reduced tuition cost for reduced cost lunch program students.

Sixty-three percent of summer school students qualify for free lunch and frequently struggle to pay to tuition for the courses according to Scheve.

Further, she said, grades for summer school are left off of students’ transcripts until payment is made, causing issues for students that transfer or graduate.

The full pay schedule would require students that qualify for the reduced lunch program to pay $50 per half credit, $100 per half credit for USD 489 students and $200 for out-of-district students.

The cost to the district for summer school dropped significantly when The Learning Center took over the summer school program, so Scheve argues that the district could easily absorb the small cost that would allow for a staggered pay schedule.

The Board will also vote on the ratification of the HNEA contract for the 2015-2016 school year.

The district and Hays National Education Association negotiators successfully completed mediation after the Board declared impasse during contract negotiations. The contract agreed upon by both groups during mediation has already been approved by Hays teachers.

 

Tonight’s meeting will be streamed live on Hays Post and on Eagle Channel 14 by the USD 489 News team.