Sports: Red Devil softball sweeps weekend See B1
THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Monday, March 16, 2015
HOPEFULS SOUND OFF
Candidates in Iola and Humboldt speak at forums City’s USD 257 school budget issues addressed needs discussed By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
With some of the prime players missing from Saturday’s Iola City Council candidate forum, Saturday’s event turned into more of a “get to know your candidate” session. Iola voters will have two contested races to decide in the April 7 general election. In both races, one of the hopefuls could not attend the forum, sponsored by Allen County Farm Bureau. Council member Steve French, who is being opposed by challenger Aaron Franklin in Ward 4, was out town on a medical mission, event moderator Darrel Monfort said. Meanwhile, challenger Austin Sigg, who is vying for Eugene Myrick’s seat, was in Salina for drills See CITY | Page A2
By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
A candidate forum Saturday morning at Iola High School focused the spotlight on how the local school district must manage budget cuts coming from the state. Those who spoke agreed the Bowlus Fine Arts Center must be preserved as an educational facility for students. The district pays $143,000 a year to use the Bowlus for classes. “I love the Bowlus, I attended it myself and my kids are very involved there,” said Jen Taylor, District 1 candidate. “I would hope we could maybe negotiate with them and maybe lower the cost we are spending right now but still use it.” At-large candidate Dan Willis agreed, saying he would like to see them work toward a compromise. At-large candidate Virginia Macha said the Bowlus is a community gem. “Not using the Bowlus to its full capacity is a misstep for our district,” Macha said. “We need to sit down and find a solution whether it’s seeking an innovative school district and create something out of the
Iolan Dan Willis, right, speaks at a forum for USD 257 Board of Education candidates. Others are, from left, Jen Taylor, Doug Dunlap, Mary Apt and Virginia Macha. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN box for the Bowlus. We need to bring things to life that not everyone is thinking about.” CONVERTING the elementary schools into attendance centers is another potential money saver for the district. USD 257 administration has
estimated it would save the district about $200,000. Attendance centers would place the same grades in the same buildings. Current board member Doug Dunlap, who is running unopposed for reelection, said he likes the idea of attendance
centers but doesn’t want to rush into it. “I personally don’t want to do it before the election,” Dunlap said. “Even if we do it after the election we will still need to make the call before
Spencer Ambler
Mary Kay Heard
Delbert Nelson
Ken McGuffin
See USD 257 | Page A4
Several USD 258 contenders speak By RICK DANLEY The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — Four of the eight at-large candidates for USD 258’s school board appeared before about 30, mostly teachers and staff, Saturday morning. The results of the April 7 election will propel the ballot’s top four vote-getters into that office. Absent were Craig Mintz; Donald Hauser, who was called away to attend a family funeral; and incumbent candidates Sandra Whitaker and Joe Works. Candidates had five minutes for introductions. BRIANA WILKERSON is a school psychologist currently working in Garnett. She and her family live in Humboldt, where her two daughters attend the elementary and middle schools. Prior to working in Garnett, Wilkerson was for five years a special education teacher in Humboldt, working for the ANW Co-op. Wilkerson describes herself as a databased decision-maker, whose ability to work with students, parents and the community is not simply an untested promise — but a function she performs on a daily basis in her current role as school psychologist. Wilkerson is the only candidate to have attended every school board meeting since August. “This is not about the
platfor m,” Wi l ke r s o n said. “The students, the kids in this community, are my constituents, as well as the pa- Briana trons of USD Wilkerson 258. We have an amazing district here, and in order to keep progressing in the right direction it will sometimes involve change…. I think there needs to be a group of individuals on [the board] who are listening to the people in the community and looking at what is best for our kids and what will positively affect them in the long run. “Because your school,” Wilkerson said, “really is the heart of your community.” JOYCE ALLEN is a past graduate of HHS, who recently moved back to her “old stomping grounds” after 35 years working as a director of medical imaging in Coffeyville. Married, with four grown children and seven grandchildren — two of whom are enrolled at Humboldt — Allen drew the audience’s attention to the eight years she spent on the school board at Labette County-USD 506 and the “strong and valuable experience” that follows therefrom. “I feel I have a vested interest and would like to help play an important role in providing a happy, caring
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 93
and stimulating environment where children will recognize and achieve to their fullest potential, so that they can Joyce Allen make the best contribution to their society upon leaving HHS.” CLAYTON Schoendaller grew up in Chapman, but has lived and raised a family in Humboldt for the last 15 years. After high school, Schoendaller attended North Central Kansas Technical College to become a welder. Upon entering the workforce in Wichita, Schoendaller met Matt Aikins — production manager at B&W Trailer Hitches — who lured the welder to Humboldt, where, Schoendaller said, “I found B&W and where, in turn, I found my wife of 15 years, Hailey” — a USD 258 high school teacher. Schoendaller credits his work as a production supervisor at B&W with fostering the sort of leadership skills required of a school board member. The Schoendallers have four children. “We’re vested in this community. We’re going to have kids coming through this district for the next twenty-some years. I’d like to see that their education is moving forward, and I’d like to be a part of that
Online opportunities on topic By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Allen Community College trustee candidates kicked off Farm Bureau’s candidate forum Saturday morning by fielding questions on the college’s online learning program and technical college op-
See USD 258 | Page A4
“Giving opens the way for receiving.” — Florence Shinn, American artist 75 Cents
portunities. Spencer Ambler and Ken McGuffin are running for reelection on the board. Mary Kay Heard is running for an open seat on the board and Delbert Nelson, a former trustee, is also running. See ACC | Page A4
Hi: 80 Lo: 41 Iola, KS