Sports: Area rivals square off on field See B1
The Weekender Saturday, September 13, 2014
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USD 257
Renovations costly for school district By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
A fresh coat of paint and laying some new tile can make an older building look new again. But with major renovations come major costs — particularly for USD 257. In the last three years the
Mustang Homecoming Above, the Iola High School freshman class rides on a float during the Fall 2014 Homecoming Parade Friday afternoon. At left, Tyler Holloway was crowned homecoming king and Trilby Bannister the queen during pregame ceremonies. While the Mustangs began Friday’s football game with a bang, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, the rest was all Prairie View. The Buffalos scored 41 straight points in a 41-7 win. PHOTOS BY KAYLA BANZET (ABOVE) AND SPENCER MICHELSON
The report illustrates why the district is pursuing new schools instead of renovations. The estimated cost for a full renovation of all elementary schools is about $30.5 million; renovating Iola High School would cost $23.1 million, according to architects from Hollis and Miller, the
Renovating the existing buildings will not provide comparable learning environments like a new building specifically designed for the needs of today’s students and educators. —Kevin Nelson, architect, Hollis and Miller
district has spent close to $2 million on repairing and replacing items at each of its school buildings. At a February school board meeting, Scott Stanley, maintenance and transportation director, presented the board with a five-year plan of needed construction projects. The price tag was $5 million.
Overland Park-based firm hired by the district to oversee the construction work. For comparison, a new building that would include all elementary students comes in at $25.2 million and a new high school is $23.8 million. Local voters will go to the See RENOVATION | Page A4
Ordination another milestone
Faith journey leads to ministry By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
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Emily Boyd, a Marmaton Valley High School senior, was named as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist this week. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
MV senior named Merit Scholar semifinalist By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
MORAN — Emily Boyd’s academic prowess has led to some lofty recognition. The Marmaton Valley High School senior was named this week as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, one of three from southeast Kansas to receive the honor. If she becomes a finalist,
she estimates her scholarship earnings for next year and beyond will essentially double. Boyd, the daughter of Mark and Patti Boyd, plans on attending the University of Kansas next fall. She has yet to decide a major. The National Merit Scholarship program is open to any high school junior enrolled to take the PrelimiSee BOYD | Page A4
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 224
hen Maureen Olson became a minister, she found her voice. “In my mind I was always making these connections between people and God, but I was never saying them out loud,” she said. “When I was graduated from seminary, I told my teachers, ‘You gave me voice.’” Sunday afternoon Olson, 57, will be ordained as a minister at First Presbyterian Church in Yates Center. She also pastors at First Presbyterian in Neodesha. Her journey has been long and full. To begin, she is wife to Eric Olson and mother of sons Nic, Ben and Whitney. As a young family they moved to Iola in 1995 where Eric took on with Sonic Equipment and eventually Kneisley Manufacturing and Maureen managed B&B Theatres. As members of Iola’s First Presbyterian, Maureen was heavily involved with its Sunday School program. In 1999, that talent was recognized and Maureen was asked to become the church’s full-time Christian Education director. For Maureen, the transition from managing movie
Maureen Olson will be ordained as a Presybterian minister Sunday at services at Yates Center First Presbyterian Church. theaters for 15 years to working at the church tracked her growth as a Christian. “I loved it,” she said of the career change and how it helped her spiritual growth. In 2005, Maureen enrolled at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. As a student in her mid-40s, Maureen said she “fit right in.” “Most seminary students are like me, who did something else for 10-15 years and have experienced something to help develop that call from God,” she said. “Going back to school after 25 years takes a little more
“The only way to predict the future is to have power to shape the future.” —Eric Hoffer, philosopher 75 Cents
concentration,” she said. Greek and Hebrew, especially, posed challenges. “Learning to read from right to left was a challenge for this old brain,” she said. “It’s something to do before you’re 50.” Understanding the ancient languages helps Maureen better understand the original intent of the authors, she said. “The Bible has been interpreted so many times. An interpretation from the 21st Century can be very different from the 1st Century.” The desire to go to such See OLSON | Page A4
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