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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Public sounds off on new schools plan By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
The public got its first formal opportunity Tuesday night to respond to a proposal to build new elementary and high schools on the north edge of Iola. Administrators from USD 257 greeted a crowd of about 100 for the first of a series of public forums related to the proposed $50 million bond issue. The district is looking to build the new schools, while renovating Iola Middle School, and either selling or demolishing the old portions of the 98-year-old high school and the three elementaries. Voters in the district and Iola will vote in November on a pair of issues, a general obligation bond that would raise taxes about 9 mills from this year’s levy, and a quarter-cent sales tax within Iola’s city limits. Both must pass in order for the project to proceed. Superintendent of Schools Jack Koehn spent about an hour spelling out the current issues facing the district: — The lack of safety and security within each of the buildings, including an inabil-
Why do we need to completely bulldoze everything and start fresh? People like me don’t have enough money for this issue. — Kathy Ronay, Iola
Bob Coleman, executive director of the ANW Special Education Cooperative, speaks Tuesday at a community forum to discuss proposed construction of new elementary and high schools at the north edge of Iola. Free bus tours to view new schools in Garnett and Olathe are Thursday and Saturday, respectively. To sign up call 365-4700. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN ity to control access to each of the schools, and traffic concerns at the start and end of each school day; — Educational inefficiencies, stemming from having unequal class sizes at the three elementaries; disparities in technology among the three buildings; forcing en-
USD 257 Superintendent of Schools Jack Koehn
tire classrooms to relocate if a student has issues climbing stairs; and a host of issues related to providing special education services equitably throughout the district. — Operational inefficiencies, noting the district has spent over $3 million on maintenance over the past seven years, and expects to spend $5 million over the next five — at the cost of being able to provide better technology and raises for USD 257 staff. In addition, the district spends nearly $100,000 more on utilities than newer, more energyefficient schools. Koehn also spoke about the district’s plans for the Bowlus Fine Arts Center if the bond issue passes. The high school would utilize the Bowlus for career and technical programs, rather than fine arts classes. He also reiterated the opportunity the district has in terms of having 51 percent of the project (plus interest) funded by the state. “It’s buy one, get one free,” he surmised.
KOEHN AND CO. fielded several queries from the audience, including one skeptic. Iolan Kathy Ronay won-
Allen County commissioners came a step closer to increasing funding to the countywide ambulance service by $250,000, at their meeting Tuesday morning. That would put the county’s total
tab at $1 million. Commissioner Tom Williams proposed the increase, noting that if the county were to resume the countywide service “it would cost us $500,000” on top of the $1 million. Fellow commissioner Dick Works agreed. Commissioner Jim Talkington, however, was
lukewarm to the proposal. Alan Weber, county counselor, was directed to prepare a new five-year contract including the county’s increased funding and with Iola maintaining the service. Commissioners are expected to vote See COUNTY | Page A4
Humboldt senior shares school news By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
A sparkling personality has joined the Iola Register staff. Hailey Dixon, a Humboldt High School senior, is the new Humboldt correspondent. Dixon moved to Humboldt as a sophomore from Wichita. Her mother, Kathy Robertson, is assistant director of ANW Cooperative, based in Humboldt. Dixon’s stepfather, Kim Robertson, is a special education teacher for science at
Chanute High School. Previously he taught science at Iola High School and was also its assistant football coach as well as the assistant basketball coach for Humboldt. Dixon has three older stepsisters. Dixon said she likes the small town atmosphere of Humboldt and stays busy with school activities. Cheerleading is important to her. See DIXON | Page A4
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 217
See FORUM | Page A6
Iolan Joe Hess addresses the crowd. The next public forum addressing new schools is Sept. 23 at Jefferson Elementary.
County comes closer to upping EMS funds By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
dered why the district favored new construction over renovating existing schools. She recalled an earthquake in Bakersfield, Calif., in 1951 that damaged several schools and hospitals. “They didn’t say, ‘We have to plow these schools down,’” Ronay said. “They took down the part that fell down and built next to it. Those schools are still running today. They managed to keep them up. Why can’t we keep our schools up?
Hailey Dixon
Moran may put stray dogs up for adoption By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
MORAN — Moran council members will discuss further whether to offer for adoption dogs and other pets picked up and not claimed from the city pound. Members discussed the issue at their meeting Tuesday night. As is, dogs, primarily, are claimed soon after word gets out they have been picked up. In Moran, pets are about as familiar as residents, said Shane Smith, police chief. Those not claimed after three days are euthanized. “Probably nine of 10 we pick up are dumped here,” said Smith, leading to a sorry end for the animal. Councilman Jim Mueller proposed those not claimed
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
— Henry David Thoreau, American author
75 Cents
could be put up for adoption. Mueller also encouraged fellow council members to consider Iola’s new ordinance forbidding pets be chained when outdoors. “Let’s think about it for a while and talk again next month,” Mueller said. Without going into detail, council members said Moran no longer transports strays to the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility in LaHarpe because of associated costs. COUNCIL
MEMBERS
voted 4-0 — Chryll Ginn was absent — to purchase a swingset for the city park at a cost of $3,114. Installation will include protective groundcover. They put off for the time being discussion of a digiSee MORAN | Page A6
Hi: 92 Lo: 74 Iola, KS