This gray and black 1929 Ford pickup with a 49 Ford flathead engine is shown by J W Barry of Amarillo, Tx. Volume 127, Number 35
Thursday, August 28, 2014
14 Pages, 70 Cents Plus Tax Per Copy
School Board pursues college/career readiness The Hugoton USD #210 Board of Education met Monday, August 21, for a budget hearing at 6:25 p.m. and the regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m.. Present at the meeting were board members Stephanie Heger, Martin Daharsh, Todd Gayer, Barry Hittle, Paula Rowden and Don Beesley. Also present were Mark Crawford, Elise Heger, John Girodat, CJ Korf, Traci Shields, Kay McDaniels, Tom Frederick, David Snyder and Davonna Daharsh. Matt Mills arrived later in the meeting. At 6:25 the budget hearing was called to order. No patrons were present to ask questions or comment. Finance Manager Davonna Daharsh was in attendance to present a brief overview of the budget. The board discussed the proposed Budget. At 6:30 the budget hearing was closed and
Veterans Service representative to visit September 11 Tommy Drewel, Veterans Service Representative of the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs, Fort Dodge, will be in Hugoton at the Stevens County Library Thursday, September 11, 2014, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. The Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs assists veterans, their dependents and relatives with information, advice, and assistance in filing claims for veteran benefits. He will be able to furnish information in the fields of education, health, burial and memorials, VA pensions, and many other programs furnished by the Veterans Administration.
the regular meeting was called to order. The board approved the agenda. Resignations accepted by the board were Robyn Medina, effective September 19, 2014; and Doug Waters, effective April 11, 2014. New hires accepted by the board were Terry Miller, HES head custodian; Janeth Calzadillas, HHS Spanish Instructional Para (Chelle Leininger is Janeth’s mentor and the teacher of record); Tina Anderson, Driver; and Kimberly Williams, Driver. Change of Status/transfers accepted were Ginny Pearson, Transfer from HHS secretary/bookkeeper to Central Office Payroll Clerk. Ginny’s transition to the Central Office will not be until later in September when her replacement is in place. Rogelio Hernandez’s contract expires at the end of August. He will continue as a Transportation mechanic and will move to hourly pay. The Hugoton Recreation Commission updates were presented by Tom Frederick and David Snyder, HRC Board members. Tom gave the annual HRC report. He talked about HRC maintaining a high level of service, despite falling district valuations, which have dropped the HRC budget significantly. Elise Heger talked to the board about Student Achievement Goals for 2014-2015 and curriculum updates. She talked about the CCR Advocacy goals, CCR 2014-15 Objectives, and non-negotiable goals for student achievement which began in 2012; this tracks the achievement on district assessments using Aimsweb, MAP and ACT Aspire. Mark Crawford discussed the district valuation and the budget. It has dropped 50 percent in the last five years. Also discussed were the LOB (local option budget) and Bond and Interest mill rates. Mark talked about percentages of kids dropping
out of college and those who finished college from 2007 to now. The Board spent considerable time talking about this posthigh school data and the college success of the district’s former students. The district is trying to better understand and prepare students for college and career success. Paula Rowden gave the High Plains Educational Cooperative (HPEC) report. Mark talked about the Innovative Council input from the August 19 meeting. A total of 21 people attended this meeting and gave input into topics ranging from College and Career Readiness (CCR) Advocates to rigor in the classroom. Of the 21 participants at this first meeting, six were parents, seven were teachers/staff, four were HHS students and four were administrators. The Kansas College and Career Ready Standards (KCCRS), the CCR Advocate initiative and the development of an Individual Plan of Study (IPoS) in sixth-eighth grade all had support from this group. The Innovative Council wants USD 210 to move forward with the revised application to the Innovative Coalition. Innovative District revised application was next on the agenda. The board discussed the process involved in revising this document, and how the application has changed. Proposed eligibility policy in the Activities Handbook was among the discussion items. The main discussion point was the change in the eligibility system at HHS. There was much discussion about the KDOT traffic study. Mark attended a City Council meeting Monday, August 11 where the Council discussed the topic. The study identified a number of recommended speed zone changes, as well as updated signage. The Board gave Mark some Continued to page 3
also reported about the lack of rain in recent years. Ground cover must be in place to keep the soil from blowing.
Chamber members updated about events Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce enjoyed their monthly luncheon meeting Tuesday, August 19, 2014, at the Stevens County Library meeting room. The members dined on a delicious buffet furnished by China of Hugoton. Curtis Crawford began the meeting with a Marketing Update. He informed the members of the importance of creating an account with Google so customers can find their business without going to the Yellow Pages. Director Ruth Van Horn reported the Teachers’ Appreciation Breakfast at Pig’s R Us was a great success. She stressed their appreciation to the Lion’s Club and the Rotary for their contribution. The Lions Club helped the Chamber board with serving the breakfast. About 55 teachers attended. The teachers were very appreciative of the great meal. Ruth commented about the great High Plains Music Fest performed Saturday evening. The weather really cooperated by turning cool for the concert. She reminded the members of the upcoming twenty-third annual Gas Capital Car Club show in the city park Saturday, August 23. The Chamber board will open a booth at the park. Ruth also reminded the
Chamber of the Heritage Christian Academy 5K Color Fun run/walk Saturday morning if anyone wanted to participate. September 12-14 will be the Quilt and Art Show at the Senior Center, if anyone wants to enter their creations. Stevens County Library Director Eunice Schroeder stated the library was having a book sale this week for anyone who wants to buy a sack of books. Stevens County Extention Agent Josh Morris was the guest speaker. He talked of how the ‘Dust Bowl’ was formed. Josh demonstrated how the wind picks up the dirt, making it airborne and
eventually making it suspended in the atmosphere. According to the K-State Weather Station in Hugoton’s part of the county, Josh reported 23 inches of total rainfall in the year 2010, 11 inches of total rainfall in 2011, seven inches of rainfall in 2013 and two inches of rainfall by June 1 in 2014. Stevens County is definitely in a drought! The rain has been welcome this summer. Director Van Horn reminded the Chamber members the next Chamber luncheon will be Tuesday, September 16 at the Stevens County Library meeting room.
Miniature Golf is another of the fun activities provided by the Olympians and Gopher Buddies of the First Christian Church during their free carnival. Free meals will be provided every Wednesday at 5:30 to the participants of Olympians and Gopher Buddies.
Board pushes to keep patients in town
Jeri Davey
Help Jeri Davey celebrate her centennial! Jeri Davey will be celebrating her hundredth birthday Friday, September 12. Her grandchildren are having a birthday reception at the Moscow Senior Center Saturday, September 13, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please stop by to wish her “Happy Birthday!” If you cannot attend and would like to send a card, Jeri’s address is Box 187, Moscow, Ks. 67952.
Stevens County Extension Officer Josh Morris demonstrates to Chamber members the formation of the “Dust Bowl” back in the 1930s. He
J.W. Barry is presented with the Best of Show trophy by Jim Miller for his entry of a ‘29 Ford pickup at the Twenty-Third annual Gas Capital Car Club show.
A special meeting of the hospital/nursing home board was called to order Friday, August 22, 2014, at 7:00 a.m. in the hospital community room. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the well woman service and the contracts proposed by the board and by Paula Rowden, Health Department Administrator and County Health Officer, to collaborate efforts between county health and the medical clinic. Present were board members Warren Willis, Milton Gillespie, Kirk Heger, Patty Lahey and
Keith Rome. Joyce Baughman and Dean Van Horn were absent. Others present were Hospital Administrator Linda Stalcup, County Commissioners Dave Bozone and Pat Hall, Republican candidate for Commissioner Joe D. Thompson and Hermes reporter Wilma Bartel. Currently referrals from county health are being sent to Garden City. Several board members and the commissioners voiced the desire to see those referrals handled by the Stevens County Medical Clinic to keep the revenue both from medical exams
and subsidiary activities such as shopping within the county. As Paula Rowden was not present at the meeting, Commissioner Bozone proposed two or three hospital board members attend the next commissioners’ meeting September 2 to discuss the contract with Rowden. The meeting adjourned. The next regular meeting of the hospital/nursing home board is scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital community room.