By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post 

The Hays USD 489 school district voted to keep the Hays High School technology fee the same despite a recommendation from the administration to drop the fee by $25 for the coming school year.

The HHS technology fee is $50, but the administration recommended decreasing the fee to $25 to match the Hays Middle School fee.

Superintendent John Thissen said the administration was following the direction the board had given several years ago to decrease student fees.

Board member Greg Schwartz balked at the move.

“I think we are going to find out that we don’t have an endless supply of money this year even though we are getting a bunch more,” Schwartz said. “With everything else we have been presented thus far, I don’t know that it will be a good time to start cutting those fees.”

He said he would like the district to look at the possibly cutting fees in other areas.

Schwartz said the fee at HHS was initially set at $50 at the high school because that was the deductible on the insurance for the original devices that were used for HHS one-to-one computer program. The district later decided to self-insure its devices.

He said the district has many facility issues that need to be addressed through the capital outlay fund.

“No one ever addressed the big elephant in the room, which was technology, which accounted for about 20 percent of the capital outlay budget. This is one way to offset that,” he said.

Schwartz said he would be in favor of making HMS’s fee the same as the high school’s.

“If they have to be taken home because they are a necessity, that is a small price to pay for the use of a laptop or an iPad for a complete year,” he said.

Board member Lance Bickle said he also supported keeping the fee the same He noted the Thomas More Prep-Marian technology fee was $140. He said he supported looking at cutting in other areas.

The district decreased its workbook/material fee from $135 to $90 in 2018.

The district already decreased the driver’s education fee by $25 this year. Driver’s education fees in-district students for this summer were $225 and cost for out-of district students were $275. The program had a balance of about $80,000, and the administration recommended the fee change to reduce the surplus over time.

Here is a list of other fees for 2019-20.

• Workbook/material fee at $90
• HHS Activity Fee $66
• HMS Technology fee $25
• HMS Activity Fee $62

Food fees

• Elementary Breakfast $1.70
• Elementary Lunch $2.70
• Middle School Breakfast $1.70
• Middle School Lunch $2.85
• High School Breakfast $1.70
• High School Lunch $2.95
• Reduced Breakfast $0.30
• Reduced Lunch $0.40
• Adult Breakfast $2.20
• Adult Lunch $3.65
• Extra Milk $0.40

In other business, the board:

• Reauthorized its FY2019 budget. The district received more special education funds than expected because of a higher student count. The district needed the authority to spend the money it received. The change will not affect local taxes.

• Approved the district’s worker’s compensation and cyber liability insurance renewal and renewal of the district’s participation in the Kansas Educational Risk Management Pool.

• Approved a 5 percent cost increase for all districts participating in the West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative. This includes Hays, Ellis, Victoria and La Crosse. This will amount to $110,000 per year for Hays.

• Approved the renewal of the district’s membership in the Kansas Association of School Boards and the KASB Legal Assistance Fund. Total renewal cost was $15,144.

• Thanked Superintendent John Thissen for his service. This was Thissen’s last school board meeting. He will be replaced by new Superintendent Ron Wilson on July 1.

Two people were injured in an accident just after 7 a.m. Tuesday in Ellis County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Honda Civic driven by Austin M. Chart, 20, Salina, was pulling off of Campus Drive turning left onto U.S. 183.

The KHP said the vehicle pulled out in front of a 2005 Nissan Xterra driven by Nicholas A. Silva, 20, Phenix City, Ala.

Chart and Silva were transported to Hays Medical Center. Silva was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board directed staff during its meeting Monday night to develop a new pay schedule for classified staff.

The school board received a classified wage study from the Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University Monday night.

The study found several classes of USD 489 employees are not making as much as their peers.

These included building secretaries, office assistants and clerical workers, and information technology assistants.

RELATED STORY: Office workers at Hays USD 489 paid less than peers, according to study

Board member Lance Bickle asked if the study took into account benefit packages.

Board member Mike Walker is the director of the Docking Institute. He said he did not do the study himself, but said he knew the study did not include benefits.

Superintendent John Thissen also pointed out the study focused on starting wages only.

The USD 489 does not have a wage schedule for classified staff at this time. Thissen said the district could address the issue of wages by only addressing starting wages for those staff who are below the peer average.

However, he said creating a new pay schedule would address the issue longer term, but would require more time and money.

“You don’t have the bus driver who has been here 18 years and is being paid $10 and the other bus driver who is just hired getting paid $14 an hour,” Thissen said. “Even with the bus driver [pay increase] that was done two years ago, that does not answer the issue over time. You are still going to have the same issue 10, 20 years from now where you are going to have bus drivers making $14 and it is not putting into the thought of worth of experience in their position.”

Bringing wages up in a new pay schedule would probably take the district several years based on the expense required to do so, Thissen said.

Board member Greg Schwartz said he wanted to see options for pay schedules with costs to increase pay on those schedules. He said he would like those numbers as soon as possible considering the district is in negotiations with teachers at this time.

“If you do a schedule and plug them in for a three-year plan or one-year plan, what’s that look like?” he said. “Because if it’s $40,000, that is a lot easier to stomach than if it’s $400,000.”

Keith Hall, interim director of finance, said he will begin work on the schedules, but noted a lot of work would need to go into them and he is still working on the budget for FY20.

He suggested forming a committee to make recommendations on the schedule.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce is awarding a special series of Community Development Block Grants to 11 communities across Kansas.

The eligible activities in this category included a single pool of water. This can be the construction or reconstruction of a city Neighborhood Center (i.e. pool) and can include a maximum of two diving boards.

Only items necessary for a viable safe facility will be allowed (i.e. bath house, life guard chairs, a few benches/tables, fencing, necessary accessibility items and items needed for cleaning and disinfecting).

The city should consider an appropriate size based on population and ability to maintain.  Facilities may be designed to allow for extra features in the future but cannot be part of the application (for example: If a slide is wanted that the application does not allow, the Neighborhood Center can be designed to allow the installation after the project is closed).

Grants are being awarded to the following communities:

• The City of Baxter Springs will receive $960,000 in CDBG funds to rebuild the city swimming pool and provide ADA improvements to the bathhouse. Matching funds will be provided in the amount of $640,000 in city funds.
• The City of Blue Rapids in Marshall County is awarded $763,411 in CDBG funds. The City will use $508,942 in bonds for their matching funds. The funds will be used to demolish and rebuild a zero-entry swimming pool.
• The City of Caldwell is being granted $961,000 in CDBG funds to construct a fundamental pool. The City will supply $672,143 in matching funds secured with bonds.
• The City of Caney will receive $1,000,000 in funds from the CDBG program. Bonds will be used by the city to provide $1,208,000 in matching funds. The city has chosen to construct their almost 4,000 square foot neighborhood center to include a bathhouse.
• The City of Clyde is granted $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to assure the bathhouse complies with ADA, as well as, the construction of a zero-entry pool. The City employees will demolish the existing structure with force account labor estimated at $16,620 and $682,980 in bonds will be used to complete the project.
• The City of Conway Springs will create their 19,250 cubic feet neighborhood center through a CDBG grant for $892,121. Also, matching funds in the amount of $594,748 will be made available. This improvement includes a diving board, lifeguard chairs and ladders.
• The City of Ellis in Ellis County will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a new basic swimming pool with one diving board and fencing. The City is also contributing $850,500 of their local funds.
• The City of Moundridge will use $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to establish their 4,000 square feet neighborhood center. The City will provide $1,375,768 in bonds to match the grant funds.
• The City of Osborne is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a pool with benches and shade canopies. The City will provide matching funds in cash for $22,000. The total of $1,108,109 was collected from fundraisers, donations and other grants. In addition, the city employees will supply force account labor estimated at $23,977.
• The City of Smith Center will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds and provide $700,206 in matching funds from the city. The monies will be used to demolish and reconstruct a 125,000 gallon zero-entry pool.
• The City of Yates Center in Woodson County is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to complete a new swimming pool and bathhouse. This facility will meet all accessibility requirements and is located at 310 West Chellis. The City will provide matching funds in the amount of $729,155.

— Kansas Department of Commerce

Eight from northwest Kansas take part in 82nd annual leadership academy

June 17, 2019 — Approximately 405 young men from across the State of Kansas, all of whom will enter their senior year of high school this fall, participated in the 2019 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy. The event, which concluded its 82nd year, was held June 3-8 at Kansas State University in Manhattan for the 28th consecutive year.

The ALBSKLA provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.

Among the highlights from the week, Dalton White, a resident of Leavenworth, Kan., and a senior-to-be at Leavenworth High School, was elected Boys State of Kansas governor. In addition, Ian Gould, Roeland Park, a senior-to-be at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, and Zachary Wash, McPherson, a senior-to-be at McPherson High School, were elected by their peers to represent Boys State of Kansas at Boys Nation this summer,  July 19 to 27 at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.

Brad Biles, Prairie Village, was named Adviser of the Year as selected by fellow Kansas Boys State advisers. Biles, who was a 1983 KBS delegate from Bonner Springs High School, serves as the Kansas Boys State public relations director.

Dustin Curiel, Hutchinson, who served as the head media counselor this year, was named Counselor of the Year (counselors with four or more years’ experience). He was a 2014 KBS delegate from Hutchinson High School. Jacob Casey, Gardner, who served as an internet technology counselor this year, was named New Counselor of the Year (counselors with three or fewer years’ experience). He was a 2016 KBS delegate from Gardner-Edgerton High School.

Levi Hickert, Hays (attends Hays High School), was named the Kansas Boys State winner of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. Hickert receives a guaranteed $1,250 scholarship and advances to be considered as a National Scholar for the chance to earn up to a $10,000 scholarship. Hickert was a senator representing Patton County during the week.

Davis Miller, Mission Hills (attends Pembroke Hill School, Kansas City, Mo.) received the William “Bill” F. Stahl Outstanding Justice Award, given to the outstanding member of the Boys State of Kansas Supreme Court as voted on by his Supreme Court peers. The award is presented in recognition of outstanding commitment to justice under the law and dedicated service to Boys State of Kansas. Stahl, of Junction City, Kan., passed away in September 2015 and was a longtime supporter of the ALBSKLA.

Weston Curnow, Olathe (attends Olathe West High School), was named the Outstanding Senator (representing Pershing County), and Davis Griffey, Leawood (attends Blue Valley High School, Overland Park, Kan.), was named the Outstanding State Representative (representing Pershing County).

The 2020 American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy is scheduled to be held the week beginning Sunday, May 31, again at Kansas State University. For information on becoming a delegate, visit https://kansasboysstate.com/ or https://ksbstate.org/.

The following is a list of this year’s ALBSKLA delegates from northwest Kansas. Those delegates denoted with a star (*) were elected by their Kansas Boys State city as its outstanding citizen:

 (Name, High School, Boys State Elected/Appointed Position – all cities/high schools in Kansas unless noted)

Smith Center

• Tanner Henrichs, Smith Center High School, Eisenhower County Commissioner
• Shelton Rothchild, Smith Center High School, Kennedy County Commissioner

Hays

• Levi Hickert, Hays High School, Patton County Senator

o   Hickert was the Kansas Boys State winner of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship

Hill City

• Michael Blanks, Hill City High School, Eisenhower County Representative

Phillipsburg

• Cole Wenzl, Phillipsburg High School, Stater Radio

WaKeeney

• Benjamin Anderson, Trego Community High School, Powell County Senator

Colby

• Cade Lanning, Colby High School, City of Finley Councilman

Rexford

• Joseph Yanez-Perez, Golden Plains High School, City of Werring Councilman

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 25 traffic stops Mon., June 10, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Water Use Violation–1000 block W 27th St, Hays; 1:19 AM
Criminal Threat–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9:28 AM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–700 block Fort St, Hays; 10:10 AM
Animal At Large–3700 block Vine St, Hays; 10:39 AM
Domestic Disturbance–100 block Main St, Hays; 1:11 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–3300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:30 AM; 3:37 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 6:36 PM
Theft (general)–500 block W 24th St, Hays; 6:48 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block W 19th St, Hays; 6:51 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–1300 block Elm St, Hays; 6/3 12 PM; 6/10 7:24 PM
Animal At Large–200 block W 5th St, Hays; 8:39 PM
Dead Animal Call–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 8:40 PM
Suspicious Activity–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 10:47 PM
Suspicious Activity–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10:56 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Tue., June 11, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Sex Offense–500 block E 20th St, Hays; 9:45 AM; 10:15 AM
Wildlife Incident–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 11:14 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–300 block Ash St, Hays; 11:15 AM; 11:21 AM
Fraud–1100 block Vine St, Hays; 11:54 AM
MV Accident-Co Road/St Hwy–13th and Fort, Hays; 12:29 PM
Abandoned Vehicle–1300 block Felten Dr, Hays; 12:46 PM
Found/Lost Property–400 block Elm St, Hays; 1:19 PM
Worthless Check–1500 block W 27th St, Hays; 6/7 1 PM; 3 PM
Found/Lost Property–700 block Fort St, Hays; 1:58 PM
Sex Offense–1300 block 40 Hwy, Ellis County; 2:12 PM
Suspicious Activity–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 12 PM; 2:38 PM
Animal At Large–4100 block Fillmore Dr, Hays; 3:22 PM
Civil Dispute–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 4 PM
Animal At Large–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 4:41 PM
Animal Injured–100 block W 20th St, Hays; 5:47 PM
Civil Dispute–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 6:19 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:30 PM; 6:36 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2100 block Milner St, Hays; 8:17 PM
Suicidal Subject–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 10:45 PM
Disturbance – Noise–200 block E 32nd St, Hays; 11:14 PM
Civil Dispute–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:44 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 9 traffic stops Wed., June 12, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Activity–200 block W 34th St, Hays; 3:22 AM
Animal Bite Investigation–300 block E 24th St, Hays; 8:16 AM
Burglary/vehicle–1100 block E 13th St, Hays; 12:18 AM; 1:58 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–100 block E 10th St, Hays; 6/10 9 AM; 6/12 9 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–800 block E 8th St, Hays; 6/11 5 PM; 6/12 8 AM
Animal At Large–100 block Lewis Dr, Hays; 9:52 AM
Animal At Large–3100 block Hall St, Hays; 11:34 AM
Civil Dispute–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 12:52 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block W 5th St, Hays; 1:13 PM
Animal At Large–41st St and Smoky Hill Dr, Hays; 2:09 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–2800 block Plaza Ave, Hays; 7:42 AM
Water Use Violation–500 block W 33rd St, Hays; 3:46 PM
Animal At Large–7th and Milner St, Hays; 3:45 PM
Mental Health Call–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 3:49 PM
Animal At Large–300 block E 14th St, Hays; 4:03 PM
Custody Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 4:29 PM
Theft (general)–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 3:50 AM; 5 PM
Welfare Check–2700 block Colonial St, Hays; 8:28 PM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–200 block Ash, Hays; 9:22 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–500 block E 20th St, Hays; 9:38 PM
Drug Offenses/DUI–200 block E 11th St, Hays; 10:03 PM; 10:08 PM
Disturbance – General–200 block E 18th St, Hays; 10:57 PM
Disorderly Conduct–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 11:22 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 10 traffic stops Thu., June 13, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Civil Dispute–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 1:49 AM
Mental Health Call–200 block 7th, Hays; 7:57 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–2200 block Main St, Hays; 9:02 AM
Suspicious Activity–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 9:39 AM
Theft (general)–400 block E 7th St, Hays; 6/6 12 AM; 11:59 PM
Harassment (All Other)–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 10:22 AM
Animal At Large–400 block W 21st St, Hays; 12:03 PM
Found/Lost Property–400 block W 17th St, Hays; 3:46 PM
Civil Dispute–1500 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 6:04 PM
Animal Call–1800 block E 27th St, Hays; 6:26 PM
Sex Offense–Hays; 6:40 PM
Welfare Check–100 block E 18th St, Hays; 7:57 PM
Disturbance – General–400 block W 8th St, Hays; 8:50 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Fri., June 14, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 6/12 5:30 AM
Animal At Large–500 block W 24th St, Hays; 7:38 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2700 block Barclay Dr, Hays; 8:23 AM
Animal At Large–800 block Commerce Pkwy, Hays; 8:31 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1700 block General Custer Rd, Hays; 11:35 AM; 11:40 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–800 block E 11th St, Hays; 12:15 PM
Burglary/residence–100 block E 18th St, Hays; 5/7; 6/10
Animal At Large–22nd and Allen, Hays; 2:28 PM
Found/Lost Property–500 block W 33rd St, Hays; 2:32 PM
Theft (general)–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 6/12 4 PM; 6/14 4:38 PM
Found/Lost Property–300 block W 7th St, Hays; 4:54 PM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block E 5th St, Hays; 5:26 PM
Animal At Large–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 6:11 PM
Civil Dispute–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 7:09 PM
Suspicious Activity–200  block Main St, Hays; 8:17 PM
Juvenile Complaint–1900 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 8:52 PM
Juvenile Complaint–1600 block E 27th St Terr, Hays; 9:20 PM
Harassment (All Other)–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9:31 PM
Dead Animal Call–13th and Canterbury, Hays; 9:41 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–3200 block Hall St, Hays; 10:08 PM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block W 37th St, Hays; 10:49 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 33 traffic stops Sat., June 15, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Theft (general)–400 block W 6th St, Hays; 6/14 11:30 PM; 6/15 12:15 AM
Suspicious Person–1500 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 1:45 AM
Disturbance – General–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 02:15:04 AM
Disturbance – Noise–200 block E 14th St, Hays; 3:10 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:27 AM
Water Use Violation–1900 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 5:01 AM
Animal At Large–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 9:50 AM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 10 AM; 10:11 AM
Animal At Large–300 block W 17th St, Hays; 11:38 AM
Shoplifting–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 11:43 AM
Water Use Violation–2700 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 1:04 PM
Water Use Violation–2700 block Thunderbird Dr, Hays; 1:25 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:45 PM
Mental Health Call–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 4:21 PM
Water Use Violation–1400 block E 17th St, Hays; 5:47 PM
Animal At Large–2100 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 8:43 PM
Unwanted Person–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8:55 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 10:02 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 11 traffic stops Sun., June 16, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:59 AM; 5 AM
Intoxicated Subject–100 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:29 AM
Criminal Trespass–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 6:15 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 11:11 AM
Battery – Domestic–400 block Riley St, Hays; 12:30 PM
Suspicious Activity–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 3:32 PM
Found/Lost Property–4500 block Larned Cir, Hays; 12 AM
Animal At Large–600 block W 13th St, Hays; 5:30 PM
Criminal Trespass–300 block W 17th St, Hays; 7:02 PM
Disturbance – General–400 block W 14th St, Hays; 8:32 PM
Animal At Large–400 block W 19th St, Hays; 10:34 PM