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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
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Tuesday, October 13, 2015
USD 257
BOE eyes vocational programs By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
A cooperative effort among area school districts to develop a center for vocational education is getting closer to fruition, USD 257 board members were told Monday evening. Board President Tony Leavitt said he, board member Dan Willis and Superintendent of Schools Jack Koehn visited a center in Crawford County where students from six high schools are enrolled in such things as masonry, carpentry and welding. “It’s impressive ...” and with the prospect of what might unfold and involve local students “it’s as exciting as anything since I’ve been on the board,” Leavitt said. Willis was equally impressed, “with what’s available there and how they work together.” “We would be ahead of the game if we get this together,” Koehn added. The idea took seed locally about a year ago when Ray Maloney, who has a large salvage operation at the north edge of LaHarpe and owns the old Klein Tool Co. plant north of Moran, championed career education in conversations with Leavitt and others. While anything concrete is still down the road, Koehn said additional meetings would be planned, with Allen Com-
Iola Middle School art students Maria Lansdown, left, and Zavi Evans work on their chalk art pieces Monday evening along Jefferson Avenue in downtown Iola, as part of the upcoming Farm-City Days. The chalk art entries are being accepted through Friday. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
Downtown sidewalks a work of art By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Tracy Keagle hopes to see downtown Iola transformed this week with loads of chalk, a spritz of hair spray and a healthy dose of imagination. Keagle is one of the organizers of the inaugural Farm-City Days Chalk Art Contest, which takes place in the run-up to Saturday’s activities. The contest is open to artists of all ages, young or old. “We even have a pre-K section,” Keagle noted. The only requirements are that participants register at the Farm-City Days offices
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Thursday through Sunday set up in the old Classy Attic building at 15 E. Madison Ave.; and that they finish their artwork by Friday evening. (The original deadline
of Thursday afternoon was pushed back to give more kids time to finish their artwork.) Iola artist Steve Greenwall
State health plan costs employees By ANDY MARSO Kansas Health Institute
Over the past year, Kansas has changed its state employee health plan so employees shoulder more of the cost burden while the cashstrapped state pays less. State officials say the changes correct imbalances within the plan and shore up a reserve fund for the future. But Rebecca Proctor, executive director of the Kansas Organization of State Employees labor union, said the cost shift will be hard to bear for employees who haven’t had an across-the-board pay raise since 2009. “It used to be that a job working for the state was a good job,” Proctor said. “Maybe you didn’t earn as much as the private sector, but you had really good benefits and good working conditions. It’s not that way anymore.” The state employee health plan is administered separately from the state general fund, but the state’s portion of the annual premiums come from the general fund. State contribution decreased in 2014
Rebecca Proctor, executive director of the Kansas Organization of State Employees labor union, says an increase in health insurance premiums will be difficult for employees who haven’t had an across-the-board pay raise since 2009. KHI NEWS SERVICE PHOTO The state employee health plan, which includes thousands of workers at public colleges and universities as well as state agencies, is administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. But all changes must be approved by the five-person Health Care Commission, which is made up of the secretary of the Depart-
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 238
ment of Administration, the Kansas insurance commissioner and three appointees who represent current state employees, retired state employees and the general public. In August 2014, the commission unanimously approved an 8.5 percent decrease in what the state pays into the plan. Contributions from employees stayed the same. “The reserve fund was significantly higher than the target reserves set by the actuary, so employee premiums were kept in check despite cost increases and the employer contributions were decreased,” KDHE spokeswoman Sara Belfry said via email. Sandy Praeger, a Republican who was insurance commissioner at the time, said she voted for the reduction as a member of the Health Care Commission because it looked like the state was on track to continue building its health plan reserves. “It was certainly never intended to shift more responsibility onto the employees,” Praeger said. But that’s what happened this See INSURANCE | Page A3
“Humility is attentive patience.”
See CHALK ART | Page A6
Blood drive on tap Area residents are invited to give the gift of life Wednesday afternoon with the return of the Iola Community Blood Drive. The Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City will set up from noon to 6 p.m. at the Bass Community Hall, 505 N. Buckeye St. The Community Blood Center services several medical centers across Kansas and Missouri, including Allen County Regional Hospital’s blood supply. Blood donors must provide identification, be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Those donating blood should get a good night’s rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat well before donating.
Dems debate tonight Candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for the 2016 presidential race will meet tonight for their first televised debate of the election season. Presumptive front-runner Hillary Clinton will be joined on stage in Las Vegas with Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, former Sen. Jim Webb and former Sen. Lincoln Chafee. The debate begins at 8 o’clock on CNN (Channel 25 for Cox Communications viewers in Iola.)
— Simone Weil, French philosopher 75 Cents
will judge the drawings, and will look at degree of difficulty, composition, design and aesthetics. Prizes will be given in four age divisions, elementary school, middle school, high school and adult. Keagle expects to see the sidewalks on all four sides of the square replete with color. The committee has 250 marked squares, with all but 50 accounted for already. Among the participants are local art students, and youngsters enrolled in SAFE BASE, USD 257’s after-school program. Even more spaces are
Hi: 82 Lo: 50 Iola, KS