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THE IOLA REGISTER Tuesday, April 22, 2014
USD 257
Special election put on hold By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
The special election for a school bond issue has been put on hold. For now. USD 257 board of education members met for a special board meeting Monday afternoon to discuss the pros and cons of taking time with a bond issue for new facilities. Monday afternoon Governor Sam Brownback signed a school funding bill that addresses the gaps in funding between poor and rich districts. The board was originally shooting for a June election because there was fear they would lose a bond
and interest payments match from the state. The state pays 49 percent of a bond that a district takes out as well as what it pays in interest on those funds. Board members unanimously decided to rescind the resolution they passed in March. This gives the board more time to explore their options. The initial bond was for $35 million. Funds would help build a new elementary facility and help maintain the existing Iola High School and middle school. Knowing that the bond aid is secure, board members discussed building a new high school
Full bloom This red tulip basks in the warm sunshine in a flowerbed Sunday morning. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
See BOND | Page A6
Brownback OKs school funding bill By JOHN MILBURN Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed a school funding bill Monday that increases aid for poor districts in order to satisfy a portion of a state Supreme Court ruling and also ends the state’s mandate for teacher tenure. The Republican governor said the bill was significant because it provided at least $129 million in aid to poor districts to satisfy the March 7 Kansas Supreme Court order to address unconstitutional gaps in funding between poor districts and wealthier ones. The net effect means some districts will receive $78 million in property tax relief, with the remainder being available for classroom instruction. “This is a good bill,”
Brownback said. “This is a win for Kansas students. It is a win for parents of students. It is a win for property tax payers.” Legislators approved the bill on April 6. It now goes back to a three-judge panel in Shawnee County District Court for review. If the spending increase is deemed enough to satisfy the court’s ruling, the money would be available to schools in the fall academic term. The district court must still decide whether overall state school spending, currently more than $3 billion, meets the constitutional requirements for an adequate education. It had ruled that overall state funding was inadequate, but the Supreme Court said it used the wrong standard to determine the degree to which more money was needed.
Dole on Kansas tour KANSAS CITY, Mo. (MCT) — Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole came home to Kansas Monday, launching what he hopes evolves into a 105-county tour of the state. Dole kicked things off early Monday afternoon with stops at the Johnson County Republican Party office in Overland Park and at Olathe City Hall. Campaign volunteers, party officials and elected leaders packed into the GOP’s headquarters at midday. The 90-year-old war veteran took questions and posed for selfies. “I love this state,” Dole said. At his first stop, Dole talked about the politics of the day. He speculated that Republicans might take control of the Senate this year, questioned President Barack Obama’s leadership acumen and criticized congressional gridlock.
Dole knocked Obama for not doing more to help Ukraine protect itself from Russian influence as it gets closer to war. “ T h e president keeps saying there are going Bob Dole to be consequences, but there are never any consequences,” Dole said. “There are a lot of things we could do. We could give the poor Ukrainians some weapons.” Dole said the United States should stop short of sending troops to Ukraine but should take steps to ensure it has more firepower to protect itself, such as putting missiles in Poland. Dole characterized Obama as a “nice man,” but added that that the presiSee DOLE | Page A6
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 124
Lasting impression
The panel is required to use academic criteria developed in a 1989 Kentucky school finance case that set minimum goals for student learning. Kansas has adopted those seven criteria into state law; they include such skills as college or career readiness, communications, knowledge of economic, social and political systems, and an understanding of governmental processes. The three judges will weigh current spending against those standards to determine if more spending, if any, is required. “This is just the opening act. It’s a prelude to the real show,” said John Robb, a Newton attorney representing school districts and parents who filed the lawsuit against the state in 2010. Robb said while the court
Veterans are remembered in Iola By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
The first of two major events in Iola to recognize veterans is right around the corner. Memorial Day will be observed at Iola’s Highland Cemetery on Monday, May 26. Memorial services start at 11 a.m. and traditionally draw a crowd, including many veterans. It is a time to recognize those deceased who served the country. Iola Municipal Band will play and representatives of veterans groups will place
See SCHOOLS | Page A6
colors at the memorial spire in the veteran section of the cemetery. A speaker will be announced later. A feature of recent years, and one that adds to the solemn event, Alfred Link is the avenue of flags along the road leading from the east entrance to the cemetery to veterans’ burial plots. Boy Scouts also have a role, placing flags at the graves of veterans. The second veterans recognition will come on Nov. 8 in downtown Iola with Veterans Day ceremonies and parade, a time to recognize veterans living and dead. Since its revival in 1989 after a 30-year hiatus, AlSee VETS | Page A6
Musical chairs in District 76 While Thompson could be a shoe-in
By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
The campaign to decide who will represent District 76 in the Kansas House next term is tinged with intrigue. As it stands today, incumbent Peggy Mast is out of the race, leaving Jeff Freeman, Le Roy, the lone GOP candidate. He will face Bill Otto, former District 9 representative, running as an independent, and Teresa Briggs, Reading, as a Democrat. “I feel like I need to stay the course,” Otto, Le Roy, said Monday, as to his change of registration and Mast’s recent announcement of withdrawal. This is the second time Mast has withdrawn from the race. The first time, Freeman,
a retired lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, announced his candidacy. Mast, however, filed for re-election on Oct. 8, prompting Freeman to step down. He returned to the race by filing on Feb. 28. Meanwhile, Otto, who finished second to Mast two years ago in the primary, announced two weeks ago he would go the independent route. Finishing third in the 2012 race was Willie Prescott, Osage City. Otto said he anticipated Prescott would file against Freeman. District 76 contains all of Coffey and portions of Lyon and Osage counties. As for his petition, Otto said his first forays carrying it door-to-door had been fruitful. He needs 577 signatures to file as an independent.
“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” — Arnold H. Glasow, businessman 75 Cents
MEANWHILE, the race to date for District 9 is ho-hum. No one has filed to run against Kent Thompson, LaHarpe Republican, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Ed Bideau, Chanute, who died last September. In a GOP caucus of Allen and Neosho counties, Thompson got the nod of 37 of 57 precinct representatives. Two years ago Bideau won the Republican primary and was unopposed in the general election. County Clerk Sherrie Riebel reminded that township clerks and precinct men and women for both major parties also will be elected at the Aug. 5 primary. The filing deadline for candidates is noon on June 2.
Hi: 72 Lo: 48 Iola, KS