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THE IOLA REGISTER Monday, March 31, 2014
Solutions prove elusive to KS school funding By JOHN MILBURN Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — It would seem a simple task. Write a check for $129 million and satisfy a Kansas Supreme Court ruling regarding the constitutionality of school funding. But the process is proving difficult as legislators dive into the 20-year-old school finance formula, scanning about to look at various aspects of how $3 billion in state aid is distributed and whether
open to those items.” Brownback added he was concerned how any formula changes would be viewed by the court and generate more legal uncertainty. House Minority Leader Paul Davis, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, has proposed just writing a check, using the state’s revenue surpluses to cover the cost. The Lawrence attorney said the governor can and should take more of a leadership role and stop Republicans from tinkering with
Now is not the time to be messing around with this. This is the time for the governor to show some leadership and tell them to knock off the games. — Paul Davis, House Minority Leader
the money is producing the desired results. Gov. Sam Brownback hasn’t put forth a specific funding plan, but has issued a set of principles he wants legislators to follow in drafting their solution. He also wants them to get it done by Friday, the day legislators leave for a three-week recess. “That’s what I’m pushing to get done,” he said. “Let’s see what component parts need to happen to get that past the Legislature. I think there are some parts in here that people are saying will be helpful to get the overall bill passed. I’m
the formula. “Now is not the time to be messing around with this. This is the time for the governor to show some leadership and tell them to knock off the games,” Davis said. “This is not difficult.” The March 7 ruling found flaws with two funds that equalize aid to poorer school districts and gave legislators until July to make the changes. But as Attorney General Derek Schmidt has opined, the state has options and that has sent legislators diving See FUNDING | Page A4
Out of the closet Chanute students have access to clothing By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
A little brain-storming while on a road trip led Greg and Jami Woodyard to propose a program for Chanute’s Rotary Club that has had far-reaching effects. Rotary Closet is a place set aside in Chanute’s Elementary School crammed The Rotary Closet at Chanute Elementary is a source of clothing with all sorts of clothing — from undergarments to and shoes for students, Jami and Greg Woodyard told Iola Rotarshirts and pants, as well as ians. REGISTER/BOB JOHNSON shoes — that have helped many students. school district has a high per- tennis shoes, and that a lot The Woodyards, who own centage of low-income chil- of kids weren’t adequately Benchwarmers bar and grill dren, but things in the Rotary clothed,” he said. in Chanute, told Iola RotarOther Chanute Rotarians Closet are not earmarked for ians of the clothes campaign kids in any particular cir- embraced the idea. Next was at their meeting on Thursday. to find funding. cumstance. The idea is simple: Raise Greg Woodyard said an Say a kid gets a blood nose money to purchase clothing during gym. That clean T- appeal to members probfor students. shirt from the Rotary Closet ably would have generated “It’s something we may will come in handy, said Jami enough money for the first want to pursue in Iola,” Iola year (2012), but they thought Woodyard. President Karen Gilpin said. a fundraiser would work Lori Maxwell, principal WHEN THEY first began best. at McKinley Elementary, althinking about a project “We settled on a gala,” lowed, “It would be benefifor their Rotary Club, Greg Woodyard said, with a band cial. We have lots of toilet acWoodward said they dis- and each member responcidents, and lots of kids have missed providing jackets, sible for either filling a table clothes that don’t fit.” school supplies and glasses, with guests or making someJacki Chase, school nurse, because other organizations thing substantial available said she recently purchased already were meeting those for a silent auction. several packages of underThe gala raised about needs. wear for boys and girls in “We contacted the school $6,000, or “enough for three various sizes to have availnurse, who told us the big- or four years of clothing,” able at Iola Middle School. gest need was underwear and See CLOSET | Page A4 Like Iola, the Chanute
Ambler shares story at See, Hear Iola By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Fire testing Michael Wilson, left, carries a fire hose during his strength and agility test Friday morning as Deputy Chief Ryan Sell supervises. Three candidates completed the test — part of the interviewing process for the Iola Fire Department — which included multiple stages. REGISTER/STEVEN SCHWARTZ
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 108
The history of storytelling was presented by Helen Ambler at See, Hear Iola on Friday morning. Ambler said storytelling promises the audience a dramatic journey. “Storytelling is as old as man,” she said. “Telling stories is least costly but most effective.” Stories have been told in families and to friends for many years. Different versions of the same story are passed on from person to person. “Each person tells a story in a different way,” she said. “Stories are still changing today.” Ambler told a story of a rag man. He would push his cart around the streets telling people he would take their old rags in exchange for new rags. The narrator followed the man and would watch him take on other people’s problems and make the person
“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” — Martin Luther King, Jr., activist 75 Cents
Helen Ambler
better. After taking on everyone’s sickness and problems the rag man went to a landfill and died. The narrator was sad that the man had died but he rose again. This was a different version of the story of Jesus. The commercial speaker for the event was Cindy Adams for the Allen Community College Endowment. On April 12 there will be a casino night at the American Legion. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets See STORIES | Page A4
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