Kansas Municipal News
Wichita school district’s latest COVID-19 report shows hundreds of staff in quarantine
Wichita school district staff with COVID-19 accounted for 799 of the 1,182 cases the district has reported since Aug. 8, according to Wichita Public Schools COVID-19 numbers, which were updated Friday for the first time since mid-November. School district spokesperson Susan Arensman said staff workloads affected how long it took to have the document updated. Friday’s numbers show that cases from Nov. 15 until Thursday increased from 633 to 1,182. Staff cases went from 389 to 799 in the latest report, which is roughly a 105% increase in about 3.5 weeks. It took more than two months to reach 389. The 799 staff cases are nearly 68% of the total.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Butler County museum hosting Smithsonian’s ‘Crossroads: Change in Rural America’
Smithsonian Partner Site Hosting Virtual Exhibit Crossroads: Change in Rural America is a statewide initiative featuring the exclusive Kansas tour of a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition made possible by Humanities Kansas. “The exhibit itself really has two parts,” said Ken Spurgeon, history consultant for the Kansas Oil Museum. “One is a physical part where you can come into the museum as the months progress and we hope we get more and more open after COVID. You be able to come into the museum and see elements from across butler county. There will be a digital element as well.”
Source: El Dorado Times
Edgerton’s Intermodal enjoys seasonal gains
This is an extremely busy time of year for Edgerton’s LPKC as most companies are dealing with “peak” season. “As you can imagine most of the online e-commerce fulfillment center we have at here see a surge in activities around the holidays,” said James Oltman, president ElevateEdgerton! “Amazon, Walmart.com and UPS are three examples of companies that hire a large amount of seasonal help to assist them with the increase in business they see through the holidays. Of course that also means there is usually increased container movement through the BNSF intermodal facility as well.” “Not only would this time of year cause increased demand from these retailers it’s even more pronounced with the effects of the COVID pandemic and more and more people doing their shopping online to avoid going out in public,” said Oltman.
Source: Gardner News
State-of-the-art, solar greenhouses feed rural America with both food and internet service
Two native Kansans are manufacturing a state-of-the-art farm facility on very little land. By building solar-powered greenhouses, the pair hope to revolutionize farming – and technology – in Kansas. In addition to growing all types of fruits and vegetables for local consumption, these solar-powered greenhouses will build up energy to power a 5G data center, bringing fast-speed internet to rural Kansas. “It’s the first of its kind,” said David Hinson, an electrical engineer and president of TSO Greenhouses. TSO is working with Kansas Freedom Farms to build these properties.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Does Kansas owe businesses for mandating they close? A new lawsuit says yes.
The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic overturned society as we know it, shutting down the state’s economy in a virtually unprecedented way. Business owners have had to grapple with keeping the lights on, scrounging up government aid and taking precautions to keep customers and employees safe. But can those enterprises demand compensation from a state or local government for having to shut their doors? Increasingly, businesses across the country are saying yes to that question and filing legal challenges accordingly. That trend has now reached Kansas.
Source: State Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal
New traditions start in St. John
Christmas is being celebrated in St. John with new traditions to thwart the COVID-related disappointments of established Christmas celebrations, including a newly installed mail drop at the southwest corner of First and Main streets that has a direct link to Santa’s workshop. No postage is required and when a self-addressed (and hopefully stamped) envelope is included in the letter, a reply comes directly from Santa and Mrs. Claus. St. John USD 350 Junior-Senior High School principal Blake White, who is rumored to have close ties to Santa, reports Christmas is alive and well in St. John, a sentiment he said he shares with his wife, Becky.
Source: State News – Morning Sun
Rural hospitals in Kansas facing surge in coronavirus cases
Rural areas were spared the worst in the beginning of the pandemic, but that is no longer the case. Many rural hospitals in Kansas are starting to see a spike, and its putting a major strain on their health systems. It took Wilson County about seven months to reach 60 cases, now they’re seeing 60 new cases every week. Dr. Jen McKenney is one of only five doctors at the Fredonia Regional Hospital. Staff is scarce, and the right resources are too. Rural hospitals typically do not have ICU beds, which have been necessary for COVID-19 patients.
Source: KAKE – News
Presentation explores rich history of Mexican immigration to Kansas
The first of several special programs in connection with “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” at Kauffman Museum will be held Sunday, hosted virtually in line with COVID-19 protocols. Gene T. Chávez, of Shawnee, will present “Flour Power/El Poder de la Harina” via Zoom and Facebook Live at 3 p.m. Sunday. This free event is sponsored by Humanities Kansas. “Hispanic culture has influenced our way of life in so many ways,” Chávez said. “It is important to understand the contributions Hispanics have made to Kansas and to the nation.” Kauffman Museum is partnering with Humanities Kansas and the Smithsonian Institution to bring “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” to the museum through Jan. 17.
Source: Newton Kansan
With safety complaints up, Newton eyes sidewalk program
Due to COVID-19, people are staying home more — and they are going for more walks. At least that is the working theory at city hall as Newton city staff deal with an influx of sidewalk safety complaints. “We have had a plethora of sidewalk complaints come in that we did not have,” said Kelly McElroy, city manager. “They are home, they are out and walking in their neighborhood for the first time in (perhaps) many years. They are excising, and we love that piece of this.” The numbers are shocking. This year there have been 98 complaints, factoring in the 11 from Wednesday. In 2019, there were 22. In 2017 and 2018 combined, there were 25.
Source: Newton Kansan
Leavenworth celebrates completion of Thornton project
Leavenworth officials gathered Friday to celebrate the completion of a $4.89 million street project. “This project has been a long time coming to fruition,” Leavenworth Public Works Director Mike McDonald said. His remarks came during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a Thornton Street improvement project. The ceremony took place at the Municipal Service Center, which is located on Thornton Street. The project resulted in the reconstruction of Thornton Street between Fifth Street and 10th Avenue. McDonald said the length of that stretch of Thornton Street is about 1.5 blocks short of a mile.
Source: Leavenworth Times
BCC K-9 Haxo receives body armor
K-9 Officer Haxo of Butler Community College’s Department of Public Safety has received a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc. Haxo’s vest was embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Gabo, Jonesboro, AR EOW 1/16/20.” Haxo is Butler’s first K-9 officer. Lt. Tim Harder spent two months earlier this year training Haxo at American K-9 Interdiction in Virginia. He lived in a dorm and spent his days focused on turning Haxo into a narcotics detection officer, finishing the intensive program in June. Haxo is now trained on six types of drugs.
Source: News – The Hutchinson News
Shawnee homeowners can now plant trees between sidewalk and street next to property
Shawnee homeowners and landowners are now allowed to plant trees within public right-of-ways, the areas between the street or curb and their adjacent private property lines. The Shawnee City Council voted 5-2 to approve new city code and regulations that give city staff administrative discretion to allow, prohibit and/or relocate proposed street trees. The new codes apply to residential properties for both new and existing homes.
Source: Prairie Village Post
On Monday, KPTS will air a documentary featuring 10 historic buildings in Kansas
Delving into “Historic Buildings of Kansas” brought a treasure trove of information to Jim Grawe. “There were a lot more interesting stories out there than I even realized,” said Grawe, executive producer at KPTS and videojournalist of the 60-minute documentary, airing at 8 p.m. Monday on the Wichita-based PBS station. “I knew there were, but in every one of these buildings, I discovered interesting people connected with them and interesting stories that took place,” he added. “The older something is, the more people have been involved through the years and the more possibility there is for interesting things to transpire.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
New chief of police in Lenexa will oversee nearly 150 police employees
Dawn Layman is being promoted from deputy chief to the new chief of police in Lenexa. The 27-year department employee will assume the top job on Dec. 18, replacing Thomas Hongslo who announced his retirement earlier this fall. In her new role, Layman will oversee nearly 150 police employees and serve on the city’s executive leadership team. “Our residents have great confidence in our police department, and Dawn’s strong belief in community-based policing principles will help ensure we keep that trust,” said City Manager Beccy Yocham, who made the appointment.
Source: Joco 913 News
Prairie Village, Leawood will allow JoCo to enforce COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, mass gatherings
Prairie Village and Leawood are joining Overland Park to be the first cities to enter agreements with Johnson County allowing the county to enforce its latest COVID-19 public health order regarding social distancing, mass gatherings and required closing times for businesses within the cities’ boundaries. The Prairie Village, Leawood and Overland Park city councils all approved the agreements at their meetings Monday night. Prairie Village passed the measure 8-3, Leawood 5-2 and Overland Park 9-3. The agreements stipulate that the county, not the cities, will enforce the order through its codes department. The cities’ police departments will help by responding to complaints, educating violators, reporting repeat violations to county code enforcers and testifying if asked by the county.
Source: Prairie Village Post
‘A dream come true’ — Lenexa names veteran staffer as new head of growing parks and rec department
Lenexa City Manager Beccy Yocham recently named long-time staff member Logan Wagler as the city’s next parks and recreation director. Wagler, who recently served as deputy director, replaces Gary Ristow, who is retiring after 12 years working with the city. The Lenexa City Council celebrated Ristow’s contributions to the city at a recent council meeting. Wagler’s first day was Nov. 30. “From a personal standpoint, this is like a dream come true,” Wagler said. “I had a lot of experience within parks and recreation as a kid, all the way through college and around sports. I almost felt like it was a calling.”
Source: Prairie Village Post
What’s behind the earthquakes in Wichita?
All seven of the earthquakes centered in Wichita in 2020 occurred during the past two weeks, with two of them coming hours apart on Thursday. All were relatively in the same area in east Wichita, according to the Kansas Geological Survey. Is it a sign of something ominous to come? KGS Senior Scientist Rick Miller doesn’t think so.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Kansas works to bridge digital divide
Kansas’ broadband czar says a new grant initiative will infuse tens of millions of dollars over the next decade into projects working to close the digital divide in underserved areas across Kansas. Stanley Adams, director of the office of broadband development at the Kansas Department of Commerce, said the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program will provide $85 million over the next decade to qualifying areas with low connectivity. Presenting Tuesday to the Special Committee on Economic Recovery, Adams told legislators the initiative is a major step toward adequate broadband services across Kansas.
Source: The Iola Register
Sedgwick county prepares for Pfizer Vaccine
The FDA has approved the Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine Thursday. The next step is final approval, which is expected in the next few days That is when shipments will start going out and starts will enact their distribution plans. In Sedgwick county, hospitals and long term care facilities could be receiving the vaccine as early as next week. The county said it’s a waiting game and for now, they won’t be involved with phase one of distribution. Once the distribution of phase one of the vaccine begins they won’t be going to the County. They will be shipped directly to the hospitals. From there the frontline workers taking care of COVID patients will be some of the first to receive the vaccine.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2020-11
Synopsis: The Kansas statutes imposing residency requirements on persons seeking a license to sell liquor as a retailer or to sell liquor by the drink, K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 41-311 and 41-2623, facially discriminate against nonresidents. It is unlikely that the State could advance a legitimate local purpose for the requirements. Thus, the residency requirements in K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 41-311 and K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 41-2623 would likely be found unconstitutional under the dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution and are therefore unenforceable.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
Municipal Bond Trends for December 10, 2020
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Great Bend’s RV parking ordinance under revision
The parking of recreational vehicles within the City of Great Bend would be better defined by ordinance revisions, but the City Council Monday night tabled the matter so administrative staff could better hone the guidelines. At the Nov. 2 council meeting, Josh Blankenship and Danyon Holden addressed the governing body about the ordinance pertaining to parking recreational vehicles on their property. Per the ordinance, one you legally park a recreational vehicle on your property as long as the recreational vehicle is aligned with the front of your house. If it does not comply, then you one be fined. Both individuals felt this was infringing on their rights as property owners, and wanted to see this changed.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
LaHarpe to add stop signs in town
Motorists traveling through LaHarpe will have a few more stops along their route. LaHarpe City Council members took their latest steps to control the speed of traffic along certain roads, particularly Harrison and Jefferson streets, which run parallel to Main Street on the east side of town. Six new stop signs will be added in all, along Harrison Street at Fourth and Eighth streets; along Jefferson Street and Eighth Street; and at opposite ends of the driveway that dissects the LaHarpe City Park between Sixth and Seventh streets.
Source: The Iola Register
Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2020-10
Synopsis: The county treasurer has no discretion under K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 12-5909. The county treasurer is statutorily required to remove from the tax rolls all taxes, assessments, charges, penalties and interest that are due and payable on property at the time the property is acquired by the board of trustees of the land bank. The county treasurer is similarly required to remove from the tax rolls any special assessments on such property that are abated. Any special assessments that are deferred or reamortized by a municipality must be corrected on the tax rolls by the county treasurer as of the effective date of the ordinance or resolution providing for such deferral or reamortization.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
Andover overturns breed-specific dog ordinance, welcomes pit bulls in city
The conspicuous “No Pit Bulls Allowed” sign that once hung at Dog Park at Central Park in Andover is no longer applicable. The Andover City Council voted 4-1 on Tuesday to repeal the decades-old ordinance that banned pit bulls in Andover. Repealing the ordinance had been an ongoing discussion that gained momentum after the city annexed an area just east of Andover last year, according to City Administrator Jennifer McCausland. Pit bulls in the annexed area were grandfathered in but deemed “potentially dangerous” under city ordinance, she said.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Sedgwick County cracks down on COVID-19 ‘protests,’ eases rules on youth sports, party venues
In its latest COVID-19 regulations, Sedgwick County is making it harder for bars and clubs to host large activities and claim that they’re political protests. But at the same time, county commissioners overturned their health officer’s attempt to curtail coronavirus spread at youth sports tournaments and party venues. At issue Wednesday was the latest county health order by the health office, Dr. Garold Minns, dean of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
“GoGetTested.com/Kansas” — Governor Kelly introduces website for free COVID-19 testing in Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference from the Topeka Statehouse Wednesday to provide updates regarding COVID-19 in Kansas. In her briefing, the governor promoted the “Stop the Spread. It’s Up to Us, Kansas” campaign — her administration’s public health initiative to handle the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Kelly mentioned the website gogettested.com/kansas as part of the campaign’s latest launching. This website will help Kansans get easier accessibility to getting COVID-19 tests done. Visitors to the website can use an interactive map to locate free testing locations across the state and book an appointment.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for December 9, 2020
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
JEDO approves replacement for Topeka’s SOTO, NETO ride-to-work programs
At this week’s virtual Joint Economic Development Organization meeting, board members approved a transportation initiative that is expected to replace a pilot program set to lapse at the end of the year. JEDO board members unanimously approved a transportation initiative Wednesday that calls on Shawnee County employers to take a larger role in providing rides for their employees who might not be able to make it to work otherwise. The new initiative is expected to go into effect next year, after the county’s SOTO and NETO ride-to-work programs expire Dec. 31.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Even before the pandemic, Lawrence’s economy was shrinking, new federal numbers show
It is easy to predict that the economic tally for Lawrence in 2020 won’t be pretty. It also is a good bet that the final analysis will show the 2020 downturn was fueled, in part, by tough times in the city’s rental market, as the pandemic caused hundreds — if not thousands — of students to decide they don’t need a local apartment to attend online classes. But a new set of federal numbers suggest both Lawrence and its rental market were suffering before the pandemic even began. New federal statistics that measure the economy of every county in the U.S. show Douglas County’s economy in 2019 shrank, and the real estate industry was a major reason why.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Kaw Nation asks for return of sacred prayer rock that was taken and converted into monument to settlers
The Kaw Nation has asked the city of Lawrence to return a sacred prayer rock that was removed from the tribe’s homelands and made into a monument honoring settlers. A letter from the Kaw Nation to the city states that Kaw citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of returning Iⁿ ‘zhúje ‘waxóbe, or the “Big Red Rock,” to the tribe at the Kaw Nation General Council meeting in October. The letter, signed by Kaw Nation Chairwoman Lynn Williams, says that the tribe’s stewardship of the rock and its significance as a spiritual item of prayer is well documented.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Lawrence to conduct survey about systemic racism using public kiosks throughout December
The City of Lawrence will be using public kiosks to survey residents about systemic racism throughout the month of December. As the Journal-World previously reported, the city is seeking residents’ input about systemic racism to help inform potentially fundamental changes in policing and other city functions. The city’s Human Relations Commission has partnered with the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research to gather input from residents about systemic racism and its effects on safety, health, education, economic development and housing, according to a news release from the city. The commission has worked with KU to write 10 statements, and residents will be asked whether they agree or disagree with the statements as part of the survey.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Manhattan debates need for diversity task force
The Manhattan City Commission debated Tuesday about whether to vote on establishing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force next week. Mayor Usha Reddi, who first proposed the idea in August, says the idea is to bring together diversity experts from local organizations to make resources more available to underrepresented and marginalized communities. “There are organizations already in some of these structures, such as the university, such as Fort Riley as well as USD 383, that we can kind of consolidate for our own city and make sure we are more welcoming and inclusive,” Reddi said.
Source: 1350 KMAN
With attendance down at some schools, Derby school district hires new support staff
Derby Public Schools hired a team of attendance clerks in an effort to help students stay engaged during the pandemic and the district’s shift online. Holly Putnam-Jackson, assistant superintendent of curriculum, said the district hired three attendance clerks and a coordinator. The staff positions are new due to the pandemic and are meant to support students during remote and quarantined instruction. At the Nov. 25 gating committee meeting, Putnam-Jackson gave a rundown of attendance rates across the district from Sept. 8 to Nov. 20. The numbers indicate that most Derby schools are seeing drops in attendance rates compared to 2019.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Sedgwick County Commissioners amend local health order
The Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners have amended the latest local health order to include provisions for event centers, youth organized sports and adult recreational sports. The county commissioners added the following amendments to youth organized sports: For indoor single-court or single-playing area rooms and outdoor facilities, there can be a maximum of two attendees per participant. All persons must exit the area once the event is over. For indoor multi-court or multi-playing area rooms, there can be a maximum of two attendees per participant. All persons must exit the area once the event is over.
Source: KAKE – News
Two parents can be allowed for Kansas high school winter sports starting Thursday
Up to two parents or guardians per participant family can be allowed to attend Kansas high school winter sports events starting on Thursday, following a vote by the Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors on Tuesday. The vote does not mean every school has to allow spectators into their events, but it does leave it up to each school district. That’s a reversal from what the KSHSAA Board of Directors decided in a Nov. 24 meeting when it voted to not allow any fans during the coronavirus pandemic through at least Jan. 28. “We had great success in the fall, but we weren’t perfect and certainly as a society we aren’t perfect,” said Bill Faflick, the KSHSAA executive director. “There’s significant evidence of continued community spread. Our numbers are worse now than they have been in a long time. It’s really important we never lose sight of that data.
Source: Wichita Breaking News, Sports & Crime |
COVID-19 vaccinations could start next week in Sedgwick County; you might need to wait
Vaccinations for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 could begin as early as next week in Sedgwick County, but it’s likely you’ll have to wait a while for your shots if you don’t fall into the highest-risk group, a county official reported Tuesday. Some early doses will go straight to Wichita’s two main hospital systems — Wesley and Ascension Via Christi — to vaccinate the nurses, doctors and other medical personnel who are providing direct treatment to COVID-19 patients, Deputy County Manager Tim Kaufman told the County Commission at a staff meeting Tuesday. Other doses will be sent directly to commercial pharmacies contracted to distribute to nursing homes and long-term care facilities, where the risk of COVID-19 clusters has been the highest, Kaufman said. The elderly are especially susceptible to dying of COVID-19 if they get it.
Source: Wichita Eagle.
Kansas broadband efforts receive $85 million boost to bridge digital divide
Kansas’ broadband czar says a new grant initiative will infuse tens of millions of dollars over the next decade into projects working to close the digital divide in underserved areas across Kansas. Stanley Adams, director of the office of broadband development at the Kansas Department of Commerce, said the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program will provide $85 million over the next decade to qualifying areas with low connectivity. “What we know for sure is increasingly, not decreasingly, we all need to have access to these services,” Adams said. “We knew that before the pandemic. Now, a lot more people know, and there is a glaring bright light on it, so it’s an opportunity for us to seize.”
Source: Kansas Reflector
Kansas education board adds academic planning time, rejects linkage of spring break calendars
The Kansas Board of Education approved a plan Tuesday to offer up to 20 hours of additional professional development time for public school educators working through the COVID-19 pandemic and voted to reject a proposal allowing local school boards to align K-12 spring break with university and colleges calendars. Randy Watson, state commissioner of education, said superintendents, teachers, paraprofessionals and instructional aides would welcome more time for instructional collaboration from Dec. 1 to April 30. He said the state Board of Education pressed districts to burn through allotted professional development hours last summer to prepare for the 2020-21 academic year. Most districts in Kansas complied with the suggestion, he said. Without a change in state policy, he said, the teachers wouldn’t have benefit of opportunities to work together this winter on refining instructional approaches.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Topeka City Council approves plan to invest in affordable housing citywide
Topeka City Council unanimously approved a housing study implementation plan that aims to combat housing inequity and the residual effects of redlining policies in Topeka. Establishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help fund housing projects, creating a landbank, and expanding weatherization and weather proofing of homes were listed as “tier A” priorities to address in 2021. A “Take 2 Tenancy” program to provide people better opportunities to rent housing even with past blemishes — like evictions — on their housing record, focusing on seniors and their housing needs, rehab assistance and downtown area housing were listed as “tier B” priorities that “need more planning in 2021 before they are activated.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Downtown Ramada to receive sales tax assistance to fund renovations
The Ramada in downtown Topeka will receive sales tax assistance after city council unanimously approved a Community Improvement District. A CID is a 2% sales tax on retail purchase, but the tax increase is not citywide. The sales tax increase in this CID is “generally described as the Downtown Ramada Hotel & Convention Center,” according to the CID ordinance. Jim Parrish, the president and CEO of Topeka-based Parrish Management Corp., applied for the CID district to help fund improvements to the Ramada, 420 S.E. 6th. Parrish, a managing member of Jefferson Street Partners, told the Topeka City Council last week he wanted to add more apartments to the Ramada to adapt to the changing market.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
‘Anything is welcome’: WPD collecting gifts for kids in domestic violence shelters
The Wichita Police Department is collecting new, unwrapped clothes, toys, blankets and gift cards to help give children living in the city’s domestic violence shelters a merrier Christmas. You can drop off items in person from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at 5803 W. Central, just west of the Patrol West substation. After Wednesday, email Officer Lori Kimrey at lkimrey@wichita.gov to arrange a pick-up time through Dec. 17. “If you can just pull in, officers will come out (and) collect whatever gifts you have to donate,” community policing Officer Roddy Winder said about Wednesday’s toy collection drive.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Kansas schools now allowed to petition state for flexibility from key mandate
Schools will have more flexibility in opting out of a key mandate requiring them teach a certain number of hours per year under a proposal approved by the State Board of Education Tuesday. Under state statute, districts must offer at least 1,116 of instruction per year for most students, a measure designed to ensure uniform levels of schooling across the state. But the state elected in March to give districts the option of waiving the attendance requirements for schools, with many forced to cancel classes or offer online instruction in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. State education commissioner Randy Watson said that most schools across the state are back offering in-person instruction, although some of the larger districts are still offering online or remote instruction.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for December 8, 2020
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Cox giving internet access to nearly 600 Kansas homes in broadband expansion project
Cox Communications is giving nearly six hundred homes across Kansas internet access. Representatives for Cox made the announcement in a meeting with the state’s Special Committee on Economic Recovery on Tuesday. “We know that this is a difficult time for all Kansans, and hopefully by connecting everyone together, and providing more connectivity, we can make things just a little easier,” said Megan Bottenberg, Cox Communications Manager of Kansas Government Affairs. During the meeting, Bottenberg spoke about the impact lack of broadband access has had on families across the state. The average population without broadband access is 15%. Rural areas are struggling with getting internet access the most, but low-income families in urban areas are also affected, 5% of the population in urban areas in Kansas are without options, versus 4% nationally.
Source: KSN-TV