Baseball: Luck o’ the Irish not with ACC
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THE I School funding — wait and see
LA REGISTER Monday, March 17, 2014
GREEN SEASON
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A leading credit rating firm says a recent Kansas Supreme Court ruling on school funding was a “negative” event that puts even more pressure on the state’s ability to pay its debts. Moody’s Investor Service, one of the leading credit rating firms in the country, raised the concerns in its weekly public finance outlook issued late Thursday. Analysts
Community garden opens today
Any increased aid following the court decision will likely be used to reinstate recently cut programs or undertake deferred capital projects rather than bolster district fund balances or cash positions.
By STEVEN SCHWARTZ The Iola Register
Long before the warm weather began to creep across the area, the folks at Elm Creek Community Garden have been hard at work to make this the best gardening season yet. Lori Stottlemire, garden coordinator, has been working throughout the winter to add garden beds, raise them, make repairs and add numerous decorations to brighten the spirit of the gardening space. “She is such a hard worker,” Carolyn McLean said of Stottlemire. McLean and her husband, Val, were the originators of the community garden, including donating the land on South First
— Moody’s Investor Service analysis
new signs and decorations throughout the area, and they are working to order new types of seeds as well. The garden beds have been raised to prevent flooding. Stottlemire said plots are still available for $25 — not a bad deal, considering the
noted that complying with the court’s order to increase funding for two special funds aimed at equalizing spending in poor districts constituted a “credit negative” for Kansas. The state is rated by Moody’s as an Aa1 negative outlook. Analysts said complying with the ruling “will further pressure state finances which are already stressed by revenue losses from income taxes.” They noted that additional spending could be required
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At top, Carolyn McLean, left, and Lori Stottlemire have been hard at work during the winter months to prepare the Elm Creek Community Garden, which opens today. Above is one of the many new decorations Stottlemire added to the garden. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ
Street. Stottlemire began working at the garden early last summer, and is back and ready to go for another season. “It’s interesting to watch the garden grow and change as the seasons advance,” Stottlemire said. Gardeners will notice
A family bond
Community involvement pays off for Iola bands By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Relationship aids MOMs project By STEVEN SCHWARTZ The Iola Register
As the MOMs and Kiwanis groups are drawing closer to their goal, it’s fitting that a donation with a personal touch will get them there. Mitch Sigg, owner of Sigg Motors, made a $25,000 donation in memory of his late wife, Peggy Sigg, who died in 2012. “She really loved kids,” Sigg said, while sitting in his office Saturday morning. His family has had the chance to get to know LeAnn Church, her son Theo, Lesley Skahan,
Credit rating lowered By JOHN MILBURN Associated Press
By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
How the Legislature ultimately deals with the Supreme Court decision to adequately fund public education may boil down to more an urbanrural debate than one between Republicans and Democrats in the statehouse. That was the take of two legislators, one of each political stripe, at Moran Saturday morning. Adam Lusker, a Frontenac Democrat whose 2nd District includes a slice of eastern Allen County, and Kent Thompson, rural LaHarpe Republican whose 9th District takes in most of the county, had a conversation with a handful of constituents. Thompson and Lusker both said it would be difficult at this juncture to predict what the courts might order to better equalize spending on education. Other, that is, than restoring state aid for local option budgets and capital outlay funds. Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, and Speaker of the House, has instructed his colleagues to find a way to fund those two components by April 5. The district court, where the Supreme Court case originated, will determine overall funding for education. Thompson and Lusker said that decision wouldn’t likely be available until after the session, perhaps even later in the year. Lusker noted how impor-
STATE
From left are Jadyn Sigg, John Sigg, LeAnn and Theo Church, Lesley and Mason Skahan, Jerrik Sigg, Jenna Sigg, Brandon Hesse and Mitch Sigg. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ her son Mason and their families. When Sigg heard that the MOMs were nearing their goal for the special needs-access playground, he knew that his wife would have wanted the donation to go to them. “They were getting pretty
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 98
close,” he said. “And I thought, ‘we can take care of that.’” “He said, ‘Let’s finish this thing,’” Skahan said. She elaborated on what the donation meant to her personally, as See BOND | Page A2
Making a connection with the community has been a goal for Iola High School band instructor Matt Kleopfer. His wish is coming true by evidence of gifts from the community. Josh Oberley from Modern Woodmen donated $3,683 to the Iola band program Thursday. The gift was a match to an earlier donation from L.C. Lacy after the band students performed at the Allen County Country Club. “I want to give a huge thanks for the community’s support,” Kleopfer said. “It seems like we get donations or a card or a compliment every day.” To continue the band’s outreach to the community, the IHS band will host a banquet on May 2. The banquet will
“The great man is he who does not lose his child’s-heart.” — Mencius, Chinese philosopher 75 Cents
begin at 6 p.m. and be in the Iola High School commons area. Tickets will go on sale starting April 1 and can be purchased by contacting the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. Kleopfer said the banquet is meant to bring band alumni and current students together. There will be a dinner and a performance during the event. Students will also talk about the future of the program. Attendees don’t even have to be a band member from Iola. “They didn’t have to play here,” he said. “It’s whoever wants to be a part of the family.” He said he is very thankful for the community support the band has already received. The proceeds from the banquet will help the band’s future. See BAND | Page A4
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