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Phone scam reported in Norton County

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

NORTON — The Norton County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents of numerous reports of a phone scam in the area.

The calls were reported as a Social Security scam.

“They report that they are being told that there is fraudulent activity on their Social Security number or that their SS number has been suspended,” the announcement said.

The department urges anyone receiving similar calls to refrain from giving any information over the phone.

“Please remember that the U.S. Social Security Administration will not contact you by telephone.”

Phillips County Sheriff Charles Radabaugh also reported getting one of the calls.

Private arena in Walker will host ‘Saddle Battle’ rodeo event

Courtesy photo

WALKER — The Rocking S Arena will host a large rodeo event for riders of all ages July 20 and 21. The event, titled “Saddle Battle,” features nearly $10,000 in awards and prizes drawing contestants from as far away as Colorado, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

The Saddle Battle is a not-for-profit event funded entirely by donations from dozens of local businesses and individuals. The three largest sponsors are Farmers Insurance – The Ryan Schremmer Agency, 2705 Vine; The Dentist – Dr. Melinda Miner, 1010 Downing; and Clayton and Angela Leiker Custom Concrete LLC, 353 Hartman, Russell, each of whom contributed $1,000. Many other sponsors contributed at the $500 and $250 levels. A complete list of sponsors is posted on the Rocking S Arena and 2019 Saddle Battle Facebook pages.

Courtesy photo

“As a businessowner, you get asked to sponsor a lot of the same types of youth sports and activities. This was something different that both kids and adults can participate in and I believe strongly in the values of the western culture so I am happy to be able to support that” said Ryan Schremmer, owner of the Ryan Schremmer Agency of Farmers Insurance.

Courtesy photo

The Saddle Battle is an open event which means any rider of any age can enter. There are four youth age divisions and one adult division. Each age division features a custom Corriente Saddle Company trophy saddle for the division champion, a trophy buckle for the reserve champion, and trophy tack for placings down to seventh Place.

In conjunction with the Saddle Battle competition, there will be a KWHA horse show Friday night at 7 p.m., and an open barrel racing jackpot Saturday at 4 p.m. Additionally, there will be a full concession stand available all day both days and multiple vendors selling a variety of western and equestrian products.

🎥 DOUGHERTY: City’s balanced 2020 budget remains at 25 mills

Commissioner Eber Phelps looks at the 2020 draft budget for the cit of Hays Tuesday night.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“Relatively routine without a lot of shiny things” is how Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty described the draft 2020 budget to city commissioners Tuesday night.

Kicking off a 40 minute review with the commission, Dougherty noted “the budget is balanced, the mill levy is maintained at 25, and we are not adding any employees this year.”

This will be the 10th year the number of full-time Hays city employees has remained at 181.

“We have expanded the scope of what we do and our reach, but we’ve kept the employees the same,” said Dougherty.

The 2020 budget contains a programmed step and cost of living increase for all city employees.

Total assessed valuation for the city of Hays is up 1.6%.

Sales tax revenues, which make up most of the city’s general fund, are projected to be up 3% this year. A 1% increase is budgeted for 2020.

The proposed 2020 budget is $41,916,819 compared to the 2019 budget of $39,504,844.

The city commission met Tuesday instead of Thursday which is the July 4 holiday.

Further discussion of the 2020 budget will continue at the July 18 work session. The July 11 meeting has been canceled.

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Miniature horse legacy to continue despite sale of Blue Sky Ranch

Marion Schmidt with one of his miniature horses during a tour at Blue Sky Ranch. Photo courtesy of Stanley Schmidt

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

After almost three decades, Marion and Donna Schmidt’s Blue Sky Ranch will be sold at auction Saturday.

The Schmidts’ miniature horse farm was host to thousands of visitors from the Hays area and even internationally. Marion Schmidt, a former teacher and Thomas More Prep-Marian coach, in all his endeavors on the farm tried to emphasis the importance of the bond between animals and humans, two of his children said in recent interviews with Hays Post.

The family collectively decided to sell the ranch after Marion died in August. Although the ranch will be in new hands, the family said Marion’s and Donna’s legacy will carry on in the horses they bred and the joy they brought to so many people in the tours they gave at Blue Sky.

Marion Schmidt as a child with members of his family on the family’s farm north of Hays. Photo courtesy of the Schmidt family

Garret Schmidt, Marion and Donna’s son, said his father’s love of horses was sparked at an early age. Marion Schmidt grew up on a farm 5 miles north of Hays where his family also had horses. He said his father also enjoyed teaching and coaching and interacting with young people.

“He kind of felt like his calling was the combination of the animals and the youth,” Garret said. “So what he decided to do was raise and breed championship miniature horses and put on what he called, ‘tours.’ ”

Marion Schmidt giving a cart ride drawn by a miniature horse at Blue Sky. Photo courtesy of Stanley Schmidt

Busloads of youngsters visited the ranch, and Marion gave an hour or two presentation about the horses and what it is like to take care of an animal. He hoped to educate children who grew up in the city and did not have contact with animals.

“What he found was that children who were maybe hyperactive — the energy kids — when they got out there and they got out there around the horses and were grooming the horses and petting the horse and in their presence, many times they would calm down,” Garret said. “They would focus on the horse, and it would relax them. A well-trained horse is a very relaxed animal.”

The Schmidts found the elderly also benefited from contact with the horses, and Marion also took horses into elderly residential facilities in Hays.

Marion and Donna from the time the horses were born spent hours with the horses getting them acquainted with human contact.

A Blue Sky visitor with one of the horses. Photo courtesy of Stanley Schmidt

“You have to gain that horse’s trust, and that is what he did from day one after these foals were born,” Garret said. “He would hold them, touch them, brush them, get them to understand that he could be trusted. So when the children came out and the horses were very calm, it would have a calming effect on them.”

Garret said this was one of the reasons the family decided to re-home the horses and sell the ranch. Although the family had help to feed and water the horses after Marion died, they did not have the ability to give the horses the one-on-one human contact they were used to.

Garret said he thought the best tours his dad had was his first tour.

Dan Johnson, one of Marion’s and Donna’s neighbors, was an expert on local history. He joined Marion on the tour and talked about Custer and Historic Fort Hays. Custer was known to take his men on excursions north of the fort, and it was believed based on historical accounts, Custer camped at what is now Blue Sky.

His children say Marion Schmidt loved introducing his horses to children. He made special time during tours at Blue Sky for children to pet the horses. Photo courtesy of Stanley Schmidt

“It was a beautiful day and a good turn out, and the people just really enjoyed the horses,” Garret said. “That is probably one of my fondest memories.”

Although Marion was the one who liked to speak and give the tours, Garret said his mother was an integral part of the ranch. She kept up the horses’ registration paperwork and dedicated many long hours to grooming the horses.

Pam Schmidt, Marion’s and Donna’s daughter, said Blue Sky was always a part of the larger family. Garret, a vet, handled the medical needs of the horses. Pam and her other two siblings helped with events, and all of the grandkids spent showed the miniatures at some point.

At its height, Blue Sky had about two dozen horses. To be classified as a miniature horse, the animal has to be 34 inches or less measured from the withers. The Schmidts’ horses were Class A, which is the smallest class of miniature horses. Garret said his dad dreamed of breeding a record small horse. Despite some very small foals, he never quite reached that record.

All of the horses were double registered with the two major miniature horses associations in the United States. In more recent years, the Schmidts had about eight to 10 horses in their stable.

Donna Schmidt, Marion’s wife, was also very involved with the horse and spent much time grooming the miniatures. Photo courtesy of Stanley Schmidt

“They were all kind of members of the family,” Pam said of the horses. “They were all very, very gentle. … In his talks and tours, Dad tried to help young people and adults have empathy for animals and understand how to care for animals and see what richness animals can bring into our lives by caring for an animal and training an animal.

“It was something that was very important to him,” she said. “We really did call him the ‘Horse Whisperer,’ because he really did have a bond with the animals and he really understood them.”

The Schmidts showed the horses in several categories, including halter, pleasure driving, and obstacle course and had several horses that achieved national champion status. Her father was able to train some of the horses so they responded to voice commands, Pam said.

She said she remembered being very touched during one particular tour.

Marion Schmidt in the ring with one of his miniature horses. Photo courtesy of Schmidt family

“One of the young horses who was still getting trained did everything perfectly in front of a tour. When my dad called him in, the horse came in and instead of reaching for grain or a reward, the horse put his head on my dad’s lap, just nuzzled up to him,” Pam said.

“It showed how much of a bond he had with them, how much trust all of the animals had in him. They knew they were safe. They knew they were cared for.”

Several of the horses have been re-homed to Allen and Brett Schmidt. Marion was Allen’s uncle, and Brett is Allen’s son. Allen and Brett are partners in Resurrection Vineyard, and they hope to include the horses and cart rides in wine tastings at the vineyard. Resurrection is located on the original Schmidt farm, where Marion grew up.

Brett also runs the intergenerational preschool at Via Christi and hopes to bring the children to the vineyard for visits with the horses. Brett and Allen are trying to get the horses settled in to their new home, but they also hope to breed the miniatures and continue the bloodline.

Allen Schmidt’s grandchildren: Travis, 6, and Tucker Schmidt, 4, and Lexi, 8, Makaely, 6 and Layla, 4, Clay with two of the miniature horses. Horses Cocoa Belle and Snow Princess will now make their home at Resurrection Vineyard. Photo by Cristina Janney

Several other horses were sold to area residents. The remaining two horses went to the ROARR program in Calgary, Canada. This program is similar to the Schmidts’ in that youth from metro areas as well as seniors are able to come to the ranch and spend therapeutic time with horses.

“We were very happy to place the final two at the facility, because that is exactly what dad would have wanted,” Garret said.

Garret said he hopes whoever buys the ranch will continue its legacy of promoting animal and human companionship.

Travis Schmidt, Allen Schmidt’s grandson, brushes Cocoa Belle at Resurrection Vineyard. Photo by Cristina Janney

“It doesn’t have to be somebody who wants to carry on the program, just somebody who enjoys the property and uses it for a purpose that promotes animal/human bond,” Garret said.

“I think that is one of the strongest things that dad wanted to promote — about how integral animals are in our lives. With more people being in the city and less in the country, fewer people are having the opportunity to be exposed to that bond. Anything along that would be wonderful. We don’t expect anyone to do it as well as dad. If they can enjoy the property as much as he did, then that’s enough.”

You can learn more about the Blue Sky Ranch auction at Farmland Auction & Realty.

New Hays USD 489 superintendent reports on first day on job

New USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson at the school board meeting Monday night.

By CRISTINA JANNEY 
Hays Post

New Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson’s first day in his new job was Monday, and he told the school board Monday night he will seek to be visible in the district and build relationships.

Wilson was selected as the new superintendent in February to replace John Thissen, who resigned citing personal reasons. Wilson comes to Hays after serving as the superintendent at Herrington.

“I think what I will be doing this month and going past this month is doing a lot of listening, a lot of learning and then I will be able to do some leading,” Wilson said.

He said he will be sending invitations to meet with each board member one-on-one.

Wilson said he had four things he will strive to do.

“The first one is that I am going to be visible. I am going to be around the district. I am going to ask at times to visit with you, ” he said referring to the board. “I also want to build relationships with all our stakeholders in our district.

“I am also interested in maintaining the culture and building a positive culture in this district. I think the last thing that is required, but is probably the most important, is that I have to manage people and manage this district.”

He said he hoped to add to the great work the board is doing with his work on the ground.

Board reorganization

Mike Walker, left, was elected Hays USD 489 board president and Lance Bickle, right, was elected board vice president at the school board meeting Monday night.

The board also conducted its annual reorganization. Mike Walker was elected board president. Lance Bickle was elected board vice president, and Jess Reling was appointed board clerk. Reling is taking over for Sarah Wasinger, who is leaving the district to become the new president/CEO of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.

In other business, the board:

• Approved student handbook changes.

• Approved a new contract will Bill Jeter to serve as the board attorney.

• Approved DFAC board policy updates. These are necessary for Early Childhood Connections to apply for grants.

• Discussed a contract with USD 407 Russell for gifted services. Under the agreement, USD 489 would receive a portion of the Russell students’ state funding to provide the services. The addition of the new students would not require the special education co-op to add any more staff, but would bring in more revenue for the co-op, co-op director Chris Hipp told the school board.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Surviving together

By GLENN BRUNKOW
Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher

I am here, in the house, writing this column because we had another round of rain, and I cannot be out mowing hay. I said last summer I was not going to complain about rain, but here we are a year later, and it is hard not to. It appears the whole universe is against those of us in agriculture, and we can’t catch a break.

Between weather, trade wars and record-low farm income, it is easy to get down. We all get down at times, I know I did this winter. We had wave after wave of bad weather; it never let us catch a breath or fully recover from the havoc it wreaked on our livestock. I remember one night coming in and telling Jennifer, my wife, I could not take it anymore.

She listened to me and consoled and counseled me the best way she knew how. I was lucky, I had a support team around me who helped me with chores and things got better. That is not always the case. Every day I read stories about the mental health crisis in agriculture and the rising rates of suicide among our friends and neighbors. I understand, and I am worried.

Several times I have been asked what Kansas Farm Bureau can do about this crisis, and I must admit I don’t have any easy answers. We have talked about it. Kansas State Extension and Research has a wonderful program to connect farmers and ranchers with the help they need. Resources and mental health professionals are often just a call away. However, these resources are seldom used.

I get it — it’s tough to admit we need help. I don’t see my medical doctor as often as I should, and medical problems do not have the stigma mental health issues do. That is a downfall of our society, and one we had better get over in a hurry. We have also been raised with the idea that emotions should not be shown, things will get better, just suck it up and go on. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

I don’t know what the answer is. I know we need more resources funneled into mental health. I know it is going to be a bigger and bigger problem if this economy and weather don’t straighten out. While I may not have all the answers, I do know one thing we can all do.

Take care of each other. Watch your neighbors and friends, offer support and, most importantly, if you think someone is struggling talk about it. Let their family know, talk to them, don’t ever let anyone think they are going through this by themselves and don’t be afraid to intervene. Take the time to check on friends and neighbors you haven’t seen for a while. The best thing about farmers and ranchers is the community, and communities care for everyone. Together we will get through this.

“Insight” is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

NW Kan. students complete degrees at Wichita State University

WICHITA – More than 1,850 students completed degrees at Wichita State University in spring 2019.

Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude.

WSU enrolls more than 15,000 students, and offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in six undergraduate colleges.

The following northwest Kansas students earned degrees:

Hays
Tammy M Freeman, Master of Arts, Aging Studies
Ashlyn M Parrish, Bachelor of General Studies, General Studies Communication, Magna Cum Laude

Oakley
Hayley A Ribordy, Master of Education, Sport Management
Tana R Ruder, Master of Education, Educational Leadership
Audrey N Sperber, Master of Social Work

Quinter
Kayla M Zerr, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Russell
Audra D Henne, Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene, Cum Laude
Elisabeth L Miller, Bachelor of General Studies, General Studies Communication
Joseph A Oste, B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Magna Cum Laude

Hoxie native, FHSU grad leads Main Street Summer Theater Festival

By JESSICA HEFLIN
Main Street Arts Council

HOXIE – The Main Street Arts Council has announced the 2019 Main Street Summer Theater Festival. Area youth ages 5-18 from Northwest Kansas are rehearsing throughout June and early July as they prepare to perform shows based off musical movie classics. Shows, dates, and locations include:

July 6, 7, Goodland:

Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland JR”

July 6, 7, Quinter:

Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka KIDS”

July 12, 14, Hoxie:
DreamWorks’ “Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR”

July 13, 14, Colby:
Disney’s “Cinderella KIDS”

July 20, 21, Atwood:
Disney’s “The Lion King JR”

The 2019 shows are made possible in part thanks to the generosity of Dane G. Hansen Foundation Community Fund Grants received from: Sherman County Community Foundation ($4,000 for “Alice in Wonderland”); Thomas County Community Foundation ($8,862 for “Cinderella”); Gove County Community Foundation ($7,000 for “Willy Wonka”); Sheridan County Community Foundation ($4,902 for “Madagascar”); and Rawlins County Community Foundation ($12,905.20 for “The Lion King”).

Participants in “The Lion King” cast get the added bonus of working with native African artist Baba Wague Diakite and his wife and fellow artist, Ronna Neuenschwander, a Hoxie native, who together will conduct a special traditional “bogolanfini” (mudcloth) workshop where
they will experience the art, history, culture and music of the Bamana people of West Africa. Diakite and Neuenschwander will be traveling from their home in Seattle, Washington to conduct the workshop held in conjunction with the production for the second time in festival history.

Participation in the festival is free to all cast members thanks to the generosity of these grant funders, members of the MSAC and from ticket sales, which are available for purchase online at www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2019 and/or at the door of each performance.

Additional grant support from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in the amount of $8,800 will assist with staff fees for festival directors, choreographers and student director interns.

The arts council is led by Karl Pratt, executive director, and Bonnie Cameron, creative director/founder.

Pratt is a native of Hoxie who graduated from Fort Hays State University, Hays, in 2014 with a B.M. in vocal performance. He currently serves as choir director at the Colby United Methodist Church and is the board liaison to the Sheridan County Community Foundation while also maintaining a private voice and piano studio with approximately 30 students across northwest Kansas.

Cameron studied vocal performance at the University of Colorado, Boulder and finished her master’s degree at the Hanns-Eisler Conservatory in Berlin, Germany, before singing opera professionally across Europe for ten years. In 2011, Cameron and her husband, Carloff Wiltner, returned to the region to pursue her true passion for bringing culture and high-quality learning/performing opportunities to rural Kansas. She founded the arts council in 2015 but has been producing children’s theater in the area for the last eight years.

Board members of the council include Renee Spresser, president; Mackenzie Best, vice president; Ellen Weiner, secretary/treasurer; Sheyenne Dillehay; Aaron Heim; Lu Neuenschwander; and Shirley Popp.

Along with the summer theater festival, the arts council sponsors various programs for the community to participate in and learn about different aspects of culture and expressions of art and music. These include adult theater production(s), community choir, art classes, and the annual Main Street Art Walk to be held this year on Friday, Aug. 23.

All MSAC programming is made possible through the financial support of paid members, donations, and grants. To support MSAC in its endeavor to promote the arts, encourage creativity, serve the Arts community, and act as an advocate for the Arts, consider paid
membership. Varying levels are available for both individuals and businesses, each offering a multitude of benefits and advertising premiums in acknowledgment of support.

Visit www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/join-us for more information and to join today.

Fourth of July holiday alters trash collection in Hays

City of Hays

Due to the observance of Independence Day on Thursday, refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as follows:

  • Wednesday, July 3, and Thursday, July 4, routes will be collected on Wednesday, July 3. Although collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed.
  • There will be no change to Monday, Tuesday or Friday’s collection schedules.

City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 628-7350.

The city reminds residents to always have refuse and recycling out by 7 a.m.

It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclable will be encountered around the holidays. Please make sure your polycarts are out by 7 a.m. and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.

Ellis City Council hears four budget requests at Monday meeting

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

ELLIS — At the regular meeting of the Ellis City Council Monday night, the group heard four more budget requests as the council works to prepare its 2020 budget.

The first to present was the Daniel Pyle, superintendent of the Ellis Recreation Commission.

“Each year, I come before you to request city funds for the upkeep of the ballfields that we play our softball on,” Pyle said, noting the commission provides upkeep on three of the city’s ballfields.

They have also completed several projects over the year to improve the fields.

“Basically what I am asking for is $5,000 for the upcoming budget year to continue those types of improvements and upkeep of the three ballfields,” Pyle said.

Glen Keller, president of the Ellis Railroad Museum, asked for the same amount allocated for the past several years.

He said the museum continues to grow and has received private donations this year to aid in expansion efforts.

“We are doing a lot of expanding,” Keller said.

However, he told the council the museum would need the council’s financial support in order to remain open for the benefit of the city.

“Tourism in Ellis is very important, and it does attract a lot of people to Ellis,” Keller said.

As improvements continue, he added, they are always looking for grants and other sources of funding to support the growth.

Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams presented next.

“You’re my fourth stop. I have been to Ellis County, Victoria and Hays,” he said. “We have had a lot of change at Grow Hays in the last 18 months,” noting the name change, new location and an overhaul of the volunteer board.

“But over that time, our mission has not changed at all,” Williams said.

Business creation, retention and expansion, and recruitment is “what we do,” he said.

“We have over the last 18 months implemented a number of new programs,” Williams said. “Areas that are very important to our community if we are to retain young people and to grow.”

To that end, he shared his request for $4,000, the first since 2017.

“The reality is this organization will not survive long-term without a good level of public funding,” Williams said.

He noted 25 percent to 30 percent of funding comes from private donations, with the rest typically coming from public funds.

“We believe it is important that the public entities invest, and we can’t do it without you,” Williams said.

Council member Jolene Niernberger shared with Williams that, while she felt the programs the organization offers are “excellent,” she was troubled by specific wording in the request documentation.

“You speak of our community,” Niernberger said. “When I think of my community, I think of Ellis.

“Maybe I should be thinking on a broader term, but when I read throughout your letter, our community, our community and then the name of your organization is Grow Hays, I think you are doing it for Hays,” she said. “It’s hard to swallow for me.”

Despite her concerns, she followed up the comment saying she believes the organization is doing “excellent work.”

“I understand where you are coming from,” Williams said. “I really do. When I think of community, I think of western Kansas at this point in time, because we are all in this boat together.”

“Certainly I include Ellis and Victoria and Munjor and everybody else in what I view as our community,” he said.

“In my opinion, what is good for Ellis is good for Hays and what is good for Hays is good for Ellis,” Williams said. “I know it isn’t always that easy, but that is my perspective.”

Niernberger responded saying she appreciates that sentiment and does not disagree.

Ellis Mayor David McDaniel further questioned Williams as to the change this year in requesting public funds.

“When you did your transition and dropped funding from public entities, was there a plan to go back to the public entities, or was it a different type of plan that hasn’t worked?” McDaniel said.

“I wasn’t there when that decision was made,” Williams responded. “In my opinion and based on what I have heard from former board members, they felt that this was an organization that could be funded privately.”

“That’s what I was told,” McDaniel said.

“Bad thought,” Williams answered back. “There is not an (economic development organization) in the state of Kansas that is and it just does not lend itself very well to that. While I believe private investment is important, to fund it all is just not reasonable.”

The president of the Ellis Free Fair, DJ Fisher, also presented a funding request.

“While the community members gladly volunteer for these roles, the lack of extra income often means that fair board members have to complete maintenance and repairs themselves,” Fisher said.

He further noted several aspects of the fair facilities were in need of repair and are used by other community groups.

The amount of the organization’s request was $3,100 and was requested to offset the funding cut from the Ellis County Commission.

“I am here to ask if the city can help us out,” Fisher said, “to get some money back to keep this fair going.”

While Fisher said he was hopeful the council could fund the full request, he added “anything is greatly appreciated.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

USD 489 to reopen bidding for Washington school

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board voted Monday night to reopen the bidding for the Washington school building.

Washington school is being vacated by the Early Childhood Connections program, which is being relocated to the renovated Oak Park Complex.

The Overland Park Group has a contract to buy the school, but the contract was contingent on the developer receiving tax credits. The developer wanted to renovate the former school into low-income apartments. However, it did not receive the tax credits this year.

The Overland Park group proposed an addendum that would have extended the contract so the Overland Park Group could apply for tax credits in 2020.

The board opted not to sign the addendum, but send out requests for sealed bids for the property for a second time.

“Now we’re another year away,” board member Greg Schwartz said of the addendum. “Maybe they will get [the tax credits], but maybe they won’t. If they don’t, we sat on it. It seems a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.”

Board member Luke Oborny said, “I think we should see what is out there.”

Board members Mandy Fox and Paul Adams also spoke in favor of reopening the bidding process for the building, saying they thought the Overland Park Group timeline is too long to wait.

The Overland Park Group offered the district $500,000 for the building. The district received another bid for $200,000 for the building on the first round of bids.

The Washington school building will be under contract with Overland Park Group until Jan. 31, 2020. However, board attorney Bill Jeter said if the district receives a favorable bid on the building, it could set the closing date after Jan. 31. Overland Park Group could also choose to release the district from its contract.

Renaming of Oak Park still on hold

The school board voted to table the renaming of the Oak Park Complex.

Community members have submitted a list of suggested names for the building.

New Superintendent Ron Wilson said Early Childhood Connections has spent significant effort in branding its program with its current name.

Donna Hudson-Hamilton, ECC director, said she did not want to rename the program. Keeping the name is not only important for branding, but it important to keep consistency for the purpose of grants, she said.

She said the building could be named one name and the ECC program could retain its name.

The board is set to take up the issue at its next meeting on July 22.

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