Tuesday, February 11, 2020
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IOLA CITY COUNCIL
Iola ponders changes to past-due bills policy By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Iola City Council members will look at some, but not all, of the proposals proffered by Humanity House on how to change how the city charges customers for past-due utility bills. Council members were mixed in their reactions
HUMBOLDT CITY COUNCIL
Monday night to an appeal by Tracy Keagle and Georgia Masterson, founders of the non-profit, who asked the city consider allowing customers with past-due bills to make up their debt through either payment plans; changing the monthly due date for their bills; reducing late and utility reconnect fees; or eliminating fees associated with send-
ing out subsequent notices. Since its formation in 2017, Humanity House has helped roughly 1,000 families pay their utility bills, Keagle noted, to the tune of more than $40,000 annually. “When I say ‘we,’ I mean the community that gives generously to us through private donations or in support of our fundraising efforts.”
She pointed to Iola’s impoverished demographic, with 21 percent of the population at or below federal poverty levels, and another 30 percent within 200 percent of those income levels: those who have jobs, “but do not make enough to live on,” she said. “That’s over half the community.” “There’s a misconception that these people are lazy,
or they’re paying late out of habit,” Keagle said. “Most of these people are the poorest and most vulnerable residents in town.” The Council discussed each of the proposals separately. Flexible due dates
Keagle posed an example: If a resident gets paid the See IOLA | Page A3
USD 257
Humboldt considers helping new store By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — Humboldt Council members agreed Monday night to give in-kind labor to Our Hometown Market and will consider a financial gift as well. Cosmetic work and reconfiguring of the building is underway. Humboldt will install a sewer to drain waste water and effluent generated by a butcher shop attached to the store. Cost is estimated to be $2,000. That may be the tip of the financial iceberg. City Administrator Cole Herder also recommended the city provide $10,000 to $20,000 in cash — the higher number matching $20,000 in support approved Monday See HUMBOLDT | Page A3
Iola High School students can take a workplace training class that allows them to run a printing business. Participating students gave USD 257 board members an update on the program at Monday’s meeting. Becca Wood talks about her job, with instructor Laura Schinstock behind her. From left, are students Andi Reynolds, Kenna Orear and Grace Garner. Also participating in the class but unable to attend Monday’s meeting is Jon Poffenbarger. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS
Letting seniors skip, to keep them in school By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
Senioritis. It’s a problem that seems to afflict high school seniors, especially during their final semester, causing them to repeatedly miss days of school and lead to frustration for parents, faculty and administrators.
Iola High School Principal Scott Crenshaw thinks he knows a cure, or at least a plan to reduce the trouble caused by seniors who frequently skip school: Let them leave. But only if they can earn it. Many schools throughout the state — including five of the seven in the Pioneer League — allow second-se-
mester seniors to take only the courses they require for graduation, and then take the rest of the day off. Crenshaw wants USD 257 to offer a similar “senior release” policy next year. The hope is to reduce absences. During the first semester this year, the senior class of 82 students missed an aver-
age six days of school in the first semester. Come spring, when the sun peeks through winter clouds and warms their teenage hearts and blood, it will be even more difficult to keep them in class, Crenshaw said. Crenshaw ran the proposal See 257 | Page A6
USD 258
Ashmore on long road back to health
Works’s work draws praise By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
Humboldt USD 258 Board of Education member Joe Works receives recognition from Superintendent Kay Lewis for his 20 years of service on the school board. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG
Vol. 121, No. 329 Iola, KS 75 Cents
HUMBOLDT — An emotional Joe Works ended his 20-year tenure Monday on the Humboldt USD 258 Board of Education. “Education is very important and Humboldt does a lot of things very well,” said Works, owner of B&W Trailer Hitches, who was recognized for his service at Monday’s board meeting. “It is great for the city and the community to be known as a community with a great school. “I applaud all of you for grabbing the torch and carrying on,” Works added, and with a bit of emotion in his voice wished the current board good luck.
Superintendent of Schools Kay Lewis called Works a “mentor” to other board members and someone “[who] always made sure that he put kids first.” She also said that Works’ efforts and time were appreciated and that he would “be sorely missed.” BOARD members engaged in a brainstorming session led by Lewis wherein they came up with “big ideas” for the district’s five-year strategic plan. Topics included: — Retention and recruitment of new teachers — Career exploration — Financial responsibility See 258 | Page A3
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MV Scholars Bowl team state-bound
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Dance troupe wins big at St. Louis PAGE A6