Sports: IHS track teams compete in Chanute See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Monday, May 9, 2016
Iola Bands celebrates past, present By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Matt Kleopfer and Mary Kay Heard both remember vividly their first meeting more than four years ago. Kleopfer, Iola High School’s incoming high school and middle school music instructor, was introducing himself to the community. One of the names he heard frequently was that of Heard’s, an IHS alumnus and long-time band supporter. “I told him, ‘the best thing you can do for these kids is stick around,’” Heard told a large audience Friday at the third annual Iola Bands Banquet. “He’s brought so much more than just consistency.” Kleopfer, likewise, learned how deep Heard’s roots were ingrained in the Iola music scene. She was a flutist, a majorette and eventually on of the “IOLA” girls who led the band through parades. “She was responsible for me learning about this program, and about so many great kids before me,” Kleopfer said. “I’m a huge, huge fan of Mary Kay Heard.” It was Heard’s lifelong dedication — she and husband David ran the old Western Auto store before retiring not long ago — that made her an
Allen teacher to perform Tuesday at ACC Library A l l e n Community College music instructor Ted Clous will perform a number of original songs at 1:30 Ted Clous p.m. Tuesday as the part of the ACC Library’s Cultural Series. He will joined by special guests Matt Kleopfer, USD 257 msuic director, Keith Mallory, music instructor from Ottawa University, and ACC student Josh Hawley. The public is invited.
Iola Middle School’s Averie Sharon is joined by Dr. Craig Treinen, jazz music insturctor at Washburn University, during an IMS jazz band number Friday at the third annual Iola Bands Banquet. REGISTER/ RICHARD LUKEN
easy selection, Kleopfer said, as the latest induction into the Iola Bands Hall of Fame. She’s the fourth hall-of-famer to be inducted, joining the late Dale P. Creitz, Julie Tidd and Judy Zirjacks. Heard touched on her time
as a band student under Creitz. “I did love Mr. Creitz,” she told the current band members, “as I can tell you love Mr. K. It’s a special relationship. Mr. Creitz was a great teacher, and like all great teachers, he
taught us so much more than just music. He taught us to take responsibility for our actions. A student is very lucky to have a teacher like that. Mr. K follows in that tradition.” “I’ve been out of high school a long time,” Heard said. “In
my heart, I’m still a kid with a baton. In my heart, I’ll always be a marching Mustang.” Under Kleopfer’s tutelage, “the music has returned,” Heard said, referring to the band program’s acclaimed halftime shows, parade See BAND | Page A4
Court considers school funding plan By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Critics of Kansas’ new public school funding law are illustrating what they see as its flaws with before-andafter towers of Legos: The blocks change color, but the stack doesn’t grow any larger. The state Supreme Court plans to hear arguments this week on whether legislators satisfied a mandate to improve funding for poor schools by, in effect, swapping green blocks for yellow ones — making technical changes in how state aid is distributed without affect-
lawsuit filed in 2010 by four of the state’s 286 school districts. The key issues at stake before Tuesday’s arguments: FUNDING SWAP
ing most districts’ share or boosting overall state spending. The state’s lawyers have submitted nearly 950 pages of material from the Legislature’s debate to back up its case that the changes satisfy the high court’s February mandate, which came in a
The Republican-dominated Legislature rewrote the state’s school finance law in 2014 in response to an earlier Supreme Court order to boost aid to poor districts, but after the price tag ballooned, a new law was enacted last year meant to make school funding more predictable. The districts in the 2010 lawsuit objected, and the See COURT | Page A2
Kansas Health Foundation eyes civic engagement
Commencement season arrives As the 2015-16 school year roars to the finish line, area high-schoolers and community college students are putting the finishing touches on their scholastic careers. Allen Community College begins the graduation processions at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with its sophomore class commencement. Iolan and ACC alumnus Teresa Clounch will deliver the keynote address. Southern Coffey County,
Humboldt and Marmaton Valley high schools also will have their respective senior commencement ceremonies Saturday, at 4, 5 and 7 p.m., respectively. Yates Center’s commencement is at 4 p.m. Siunday. Crest High School’s graduation is at 2 p.m. May 21. Finally, Iola High School wraps up the local ceremonies with its commencement at 2 p.m. May 22 in the high school gymnasium.
Quote of the day Vol. 118, No. 136
By ANDY MARSO Kansas Health Foundaion
The Kansas Health Foundation will be distributing grants to drive voter turnout in high-poverty areas of the state following a study that linked low civic engagement in those areas with poor health outcomes. The study report, issued this week by the foundation in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship, found that Kansans who are less involved in the political process are also more likely to be unhealthy.
KHI PHOTO
That correlation was particularly strong among Kansans who are African-American or Latino. The two organizations
“Character is much easier kept than recovered.” — Thomas Paine 75 Cents
used census data to compile a Kansas Civic Health Index that measured Kansans’ civic engagement versus that of residents of other states. Kansas ranked high in areas like volunteering and confidence in civic institutions but was among the bottom 10 states for individuals who say they regularly vote in local elections. Sally Prouty, interim CEO of the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), said the report starts a conversation about improving public See KHF | Page A4
Hi: 73 Lo: 62 Iola, KS