Kansas Municipal News
Destination Kansas: Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum
She was a pioneer of the sky, but her roots are firmly planted in Kansas. Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. Amelia’s family lived in her grandfather’s home. Alfred Otis was a well-known judge and spent 12 years building the magnificent white house that still stands in Atchison. It is now the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, 223 N. Terrace. Even at a young age, Amelia was a thrill-seeker, doing whatever she could for a rush of adrenaline, even building a roller coaster in the backyard with her sister. “She just flew through the air and was telling her sister, ‘It felt like I was flying,’” said Heather Roesch, Manager of the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. From then on, Amelia was hooked and she went on to become one of the best-known pilots in the world.
Source: KSN-TV
Attorney General says pandemic is highlighting legal issues with emergency powers law
Attorney General Derek Schmidt said there are many legal problems with how Kansas is operating during a state of emergency. So, he wants to prevent problems in future emergencies. Schmidt and Governor Laura Kelly have clashed multiple times during the coronavirus outbreak. He said that local officials can opt-out of the governor’s executive order on wearing masks and keeping distance in schools. In another instance, he differed with the governor on the ways executive orders could be enforced. He wants lawmakers to fix the wording in the law or the state could be hit with lawsuits.
Source: KSN-TV
‘This garden takes us to another level’: $6.6 million Kay’s Japanese Garden now open at Topeka Zoo
It was always a dream of former Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Kay McFarland to have a Japanese garden in Topeka. After Thursday’s opening ceremony at the Topeka Zoo, that’s now how her legacy lives on in the capital city. “Chief McFarland was truly a pioneer. She trail blazed for so many people and that story is told in this garden,” Brendan Wiley, Director of The Topeka Zoo, said. The $6.6 million Japanese garden is an oasis for peace and tranquility, which is one of a kind in the United States according to the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, Consul General Okada. “In such a huge country like the United States, we only have a handful of Japanese gardens like this,” Consul General Okada said.
Source: KSNT News
Backyard of Kansas: Chalk formations of Logan and Gove counties
FOX 43 Explorer, Tianna Witmer, and FOX 43 anchor, Erin La Row, recently hit the road on separate trips to southwest Kansas to explore amazing chalk formations. They shared their adventures in this beautiful part of our state in this segment of Backyard of Kansas. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is a relatively new state park opening in 2019. Located in a valley between Scott City and Oakley, it offers breathtaking views of ancient Niobrara Chalk Formations. Just a short drive from there, in Gove County, is Monument Rocks — another Niobrara Chalk natural landmark.
Source: KSNT News
‘Troubling times for all of us’ — Student mental health concerns weigh on Johnson County schools heading into semester altered by COVID-19
Mental health professionals at Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley and Olathe school districts have been putting together a wide and varied range of resources to address the mental health of students, their families, teachers and employees, as they begin their new year under a cloud of uncertainty. But district staff members emphasized Thursday night at the monthly meeting of the Overland Park Mental Health Task Force that parents especially have an important role to play by trying to stay positive amid unprecedented upheaval in their children’s lives. “Our parents and our community really set the tone for this school year,” said Angie Salava, with the Olathe school district counseling staff. “It’s not going to look like what we had prior to mid-March, but it’s still going to be good.” Salava and other representatives of the three districts met with task force members to talk about how schools plan to address the mental health issues that have come up as officials cope with delayed starts and remote learning made necessary by the cordonavirus pandemic.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Municipal Bond Trends for August 27, 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.
Coalition hopes to restore missing piece of Lawrence’s historic neighborhoods — brick streets
Though preservation efforts in Lawrence’s historic neighborhoods have conserved the turreted homes, craftsman bungalows and stone cottages built in the city’s early years, neighborhood representatives of a new coalition say there is an important piece missing — the streets. The coalition, which consists of representatives from five historic neighborhoods, is working with the city to develop a policy regarding the restoration and maintenance of the red brick streets, limestone curbs and sidewalks in the East Lawrence, Old West Lawrence, Oread, Pinckney and Barker neighborhoods.
Source: LJWorld.com.
City of Lawrence’s solid waste employees vote to unionize
The City of Lawrence’s solid waste employees have voted overwhelmingly to unionize, and union leaders say that efforts to improve wages and working conditions are forthcoming. In a news release Thursday morning, the city clerk’s office reported that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union No. 696 has been elected to be the recognized employee organization for the solid waste employee group. Sixty-six of the city’s 71 solid waste workers voted, with all but one of those workers voting to be represented by the Teamsters, according to information city spokesman Porter Arneill subsequently provided the Journal-World.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Platte County, Missouri, prevails in fight with trustee over bond repayment
Platte County, Missouri, bears no legal obligation to repay tax revenue shortfalls on a $32 million appropriation-backed industrial bond issue, a Missouri appellate court panel concluded in an opinion upholding a lower court decision. Platte County leaders decided in 2018 to not cover a $765,000 shortage in tax monies generated by the Zona Rosa shopping center in Kansas City. Revenues had been pledged to repay a 2007 Platte County Industrial Development Authority issue. The decision cost the county its investment-grade rating. The county said bond trustee UMB Bank NA’s demand that the shortfall be covered and its threat of litigation prompted its decision in November 2018 to file a lawsuit seeking a legal determination that it was not required to make up the difference. While appropriation pledges are subject to an annual decision by the sponsoring government, the trustee argued the financing agreement supporting the bond issue represented a legally enforceable promise to pay. Platte County Circuit Court Judge James Van Amburg in a May 2019 agreed with Platte County that it’s not on the hook to cover gaps in project revenues to repay the remaining $29 million of transportation refunding and improvement bonds sold through the authority.
Source: Bond Buyer.
Topeka leaders highlight development projects, diversity and inclusion efforts at State of the Community
At this year’s annual State of the Community event, local leaders lauded upcoming development projects, asked Topeka and Shawnee County residents to show compassion and love for their neighbors, and spoke of efforts to increase the community’s focus on inclusion. The State of the Community, held Thursday afternoon at Stormont Vail Events Center’s Landon Arena, featured keynote speakers Mayor Michelle De La Isla and Shawnee County Commissioner Bill Riphahn. They were followed by the Greater Topeka Partnership’s Glenda Washington, who led a conversation about the capital city’s efforts to create a diverse and inclusive community where all of the city’s residents have a seat at the table. All of the speakers — as well as an inspirational video that kicked off the event — had a central message: we must move forward together. “When this pandemic hit our community, and when tensions started elevating, people actually started coming together,” De La Isla said. “I don’t think ever in our history have the city and county worked so closely.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2020-9: Determining the number of write-in votes required
Synopsis: The basis for determining the number of write-in votes required for a person’s name to appear on the general election ballot is the total of the current voter registration designated in the state, county or district in which the office is sought.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
Fed Approves Shift on Inflation Goal, Ushering in Longer Era of Low Rates
The Federal Reserve approved a major shift in how it sets interest rates by dropping its longstanding practice of pre-emptively lifting them to head off higher inflation, a move likely to leave U.S. borrowing costs very low for a long time. The move Thursday won’t lead to a significant change in how the Fed is currently conducting policy because it had already incorporated the changes it formally codified Thursday. But the shift marked a milestone. Had the strategy been adopted five years ago, the Fed would have likely delayed rate increases that began in late 2015, following seven years of short-term rates pinned near zero. By signaling Thursday it wanted inflation to rise modestly above its 2% target, the Fed revealed how the global central bank principle of inflation targeting, widely adopted over the last quarter century, may have outlived its usefulness.
Source: Wall Street Journal.
Powell announces new Fed approach to inflation that could keep rates lower for longer
The Federal Reserve announced a major policy shift Thursday, saying that it is willing to allow inflation to run hotter than normal in order to support the labor market and broader economy. In a move that Chairman Jerome Powell called a “robust updating” of Fed policy, the central bank formally agreed to a policy of “average inflation targeting.” That means it will allow inflation to run “moderately” above the Fed’s 2% goal “for some time” following periods when it has run below that objective. The changes were codified in a policy blueprint called the “Statement on Longer-Run Goals and Monetary Policy Strategy,” first adopted in 2012, that has informed the Fed’s approach to interest rates and general economic growth. As a practical matter, the move means the Fed will be less inclined to hike interest rates when the unemployment rate falls, so long as inflation does not creep up as well. Central bank officials traditionally have believed that low unemployment leads to dangerously higher levels of inflation, and they’ve moved preemptively to head it off.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Peabody-Burns teachers finding home – old or new
After a year living in Marion County, new Peabody-Burns third-grade teacher Cindy Ziesemer feels like she has found her hometown, 2,000 miles from where she grew up. A native of Dallas, Oregon, Ziesemer enjoys the feeling of a small school district, and a county with Mennonite heritage. “Dozens of the family names are the same, and people have relatives here and there,” she said. “It’s fascinating. I felt like I was coming home.”
Source: Marion County RECORD
Amtrak’s Southwest Chief to see reduction in routes
Decreased demand due to the pandemic is forcing Amtrak to make cuts to its passenger rail trains, including the Southwest Chief which serves several Kansas communities. Southwest Chief operates between Chicago and Los Angeles seven days a week currently, which includes six Kansas communities: Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City and Garden City. Starting October 12, the Southwest Chief will operate three days a week. “We regret the impact of these planned changes on our customers, employees, and communities across the nation and we hope to restore some or all of this service back to daily in 2021,” Stephen J. Gardner, Amtrak Senior Executive Vice President and Chief of Operating and Commercial Officer said.
Source: KSN-TV
Downtown Wichita continues to flourish with development and art despite pandemic
Even though the pandemic slows down many efforts in 2020, the City of Wichita continues to make downtown the place to be. Many driving on Douglas in the area in the last few years may have noticed its continued growth and development both visually and economically. Older and mostly unoccupied office buildings along the downtown strip are starting to see new life as apartments, hotels, parking lots, and new commercial and retail spaces. The City of Wichita says it will continue to develop and re-purpose areas near downtown, Oldtown, and Delano to encourage economic growth by promoting foot traffic, adding aesthetic value, and finding space for those who want to enjoy downtown working and living.
Source: KSN-TV
Fed Seen Holding Rates at Zero for Five Years in New Policy
The Federal Reserve looks likely to keep short-term interest rates near zero for five years or possibly more after it adopts a new strategy for carrying out monetary policy. The new approach, which could be unveiled as soon as next month, is likely to result in policy makers taking a more relaxed view toward inflation, even to the point of welcoming a modest, temporary rise above their 2% target to make up for past shortfalls. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is slated to provide an update on the Fed’s 1-1/2-year-old framework review of its policies and practices when he speaks on Thursday to the central bank’s Jackson Hole conference, being held virtually this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: Bloomberg.
Municipal Bond Trends for August 26, 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.
Mammoth statue goes up near Haviland
Motorists driving recently along US-54 highway near Haviland may have noticed a new 14-foot-tall statue in the shape of a mammoth. The metal statue was created by Paul Miller with the assistance of his son, Andre, and Haviland resident Ed Lofgren to advertise the Heart of America Science Resource Center located there. “There were a lot of technical details along the way that no one could have anticipated,” said Paul Miller. “This was a mammoth of a task, you might say, and it can now attract people to our resource center.”
Source: News – The Hutchinson News
A tale of two learning platforms – parents decide between traditional schooling and remote live learning
With the school year starting back up, numerous schools are offering a variety of learning platforms. Traditional learning versus remote live learning. While some parents prefer sending their kids back to school, others are bringing the classroom home. Laura Tawater has a daughter in eighth grade, learning in a traditional classroom setting. She says her daughter learns better from in-person instruction and the social contact she gets from being at school can’t be replicated from behind a screen. “She’s been at home for five months so she’s been really excited to get back to school, see her friends, engage in sports,” said Tawater.
Source: KSN-TV
Shawnee County now accepting applications for community-based programs seeking monetary relief
Shawnee County is now accepting applications for coronavirus-relief funding meant to support community-based programs. According to a news release from the Shawnee County SPARK Committee — which was tasked with allocating the roughly $36.7 million the county received from the state for COVID-19 response efforts — $5.5 million has been dedicated to community-based programs that are helping to address needs of community residents during the ongoing pandemic. “The results of regional employment loss, restrictions on social interactions, and disruptions to supportive services focused on mental health, job training, food distribution and sheltering has impacted the county,” the committee said in the release. “The community based program is to help support providers and businesses within the community with addressing this critical need during the public health emergency.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
With unique needs, Topeka private schools make own plans for return to classes
Grabbing onto a rope to keep social distancing while moving around school, the children in Cecilia Junghans’s second grade class followed her cheerfully Wednesday morning as she led them out to the Christ the King Elementary School’s playground area for their daily recess. Junghans showed her students how to take of their masks, and warned them to make sure they were maintaining social distancing while on the playground. Once she gave the all clear, red, white and blue polos ran, jumped and skipped around the blacktop area, since Wednesday was not their turn to use the jungle gym equipment. After a few minutes, Junghans gave the whistle signal she’d taught them to follow, and the children obediently came together, grabbed the rope and returned to their classroom.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
‘This isn’t just a Lenexa issue’ — City grapples with shelter regulations as homelessness concerns grow across Johnson County
The Lenexa City Council on Tuesday began discussions to draft zoning regulations for homeless shelters within the city. Although the meeting agenda was set up to focus on the intricacies of land use — defining where the city could allow homeless shelters — much of the night’s discussion centered around broader philosophical questions about the city’s and county’s need to address homelessness. The meeting also marked the first time the city council met in person with members of Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church as well as Project 1020, a cold-weather homeless shelter for single adults in Johnson County
Source: Prairie Village Post
Urban Outfitters seeks $403M in bonds for KCK distribution center
The $403 million cost for the distribution center — which will become Urban Outfitters’ largest nationwide — breaks down into $14.5 million to acquire the land from Kansas Speedway, $112.5 million for facility construction and $276 million for machinery and equipment. With the industrial revenue bonds issued, Urban Outfitters would enjoy a 10-year, 100% property tax exemption and a sales tax exemption on construction materials. During that time, the development agreement calls for the company to make payments of lieu of taxes at 25% of what it otherwise would owe to affected jurisdictions.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals
Kansas State to install devices in dorms to check COVID-19
Kansas State University plans to install in dorm rooms a device that emits dry hydrogen peroxide to lower the risk of students being infected with COVID-19. The university had installed units in some of its facilities including the student health center and recreation center, Dr. Kyle Goerl, medical director at Kansas State, said on Wednesday. The university plans to also place devices in residence halls next week, he said. The state Department of Health and Environment said Wednesday that Kansas saw another 1,536 confirmed and probable cases since Monday, an increase of 4%. The total since the pandemic began is 39,937.
Source: WIBW News Now
Derby artist leaving his legacy on school walls
John Thatcher, a local artist who has done work in numerous Derby schools, doesn’t just paint for his own personal enjoyment. He likes knowing that his work will be loved by multiple generations of staff and students. “[My art] is probably going to stay for years to come,” Thatcher said. “Some of the work I’ve done, my kids went to that school and have seen it, and I’d eventually think that their kids would go to those schools that I’ve worked in and see it too. I think that’s pretty awesome.” Thatcher owns CMDesigning, a business that offers a variety of creative services – murals, logo design, room accessories and more. The murals and artwork, though, are Thatcher’s true passion.
Source: Derby Informer | News
North Lyon County residents celebrate completion of veterans memorial
Saturday marked a day of celebration and reflection in parts of the county as residents gathered at Bushong City Park to mark the completion of the North Lyon County Veterans Memorial. While the reason for the celebration — a total of three additional stone plaques to be installed in order to honor hundreds more service members from the area — had, unfortunately, not yet arrived, the atmosphere was still jovial throughout. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., guests — many of whom had served in the arm forces in some capacity — were invited to partake in a complimentary fish fry which not only included a range of free food and live music, but also a chance to fellowship and share stories.
Source: Emporia Gazette
KC-area private schools open up, see enrollment grow as public options stay online
After some public school districts announced they would start the school year with most students at home, Maranatha Christian Academy started fielding calls. “Enrollment numbers shot up even this week, once the Shawnee Mission school district and others announced they were not going to open in a normal fashion,” Janet Fogh, head of school, said last week. “Three families are here right now touring. We accepted seven or eight different families yesterday. We’re doing tours as fast as we can. It’s really surprising.” The private school in Shawnee was among the first in the region to bring students back to class, on Aug. 10. Its roughly 320 students are having their temperatures regularly checked, playing sports with precautions, social distancing and wearing masks most of the day, except at gym and recess.
Source: Joco 913 News
Infamous Pittsburg Walmart parking lot pole removed
A yellow pole at the south side of the Walmart Supercenter parking lot in Pittsburg that became notorious after multiple collisions with it by vehicles driving through the lot was removed August 21, the day after it was hit yet again. It remains unclear whether the pole will be relocated or permanently removed from the lot. Before its removal the Pittsburg Walmart pole, bent out of shape after numerous collisions, developed a cult following. A Twitter account, @pole_walmart, and two Facebook groups — “Pole of shame / Pittsburg walmart,” with well over 1,000 members, and “Pittsburg Walmart Pole,” with more than 6,000 — were created in dedication to the pole.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Salina extends TPEC management agreement 10 years
The Tony’s Pizza Events Center will be managed by Spectra for at least 10 more years after an agreement was reached by the city of Salina.The agreement comes after a vote by the Salina City Commission at its Monday afternoon meeting. The vote saw the city end its current agreement with Spectra and replace it with one that will run through February 2030.The agreement will see Spectra make several upgrades to the facility, including upgraded food service …
Source: News – Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for August 25, 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.
KHP flies urgent coronavirus medicine to Kansas hospitals
Kansas Highway State Patrol Troopers are helping fight coronavirus from the air by flying medicine to local hospitals. Morris County Hospital began treating its first COVID-19 patient last week, and they needed medicine fast. “The remdesivir, which is the preferred medicine for this stage, is tightly-controlled at the state,” said Morris County Hospital Administrator, Kevin Leeper. “They issue it to hospitals that have the need.” That’s where the Kansas Highway Patrol stepped in Friday, Aug. 21.
Source: KAKE – News
Two new Arkansas City Police Department officers, but shortage remains
The Arkansas City Police Department has two new officers and is now at full-staff, but getting enough cops on the street is still an issue. Chief Dan Ward said he is still critically understaffed for full-fledged patrol officers. “Out of the four shifts that we run, two are at the minimum of three officers,” he said. Ward said he was given permission to fill the open slots after presenting the situation to the city manager and city commission in June.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
City of Wellington unveils official ‘Strategic plan’
The community-based Strategic Plan for the city of Wellington was presented to the City Council on August 18 by LaShnoa Garnes, Community Development Manager for the public policy and management center for Wichita State University. In developing the plan, the city worked with a steering committee members, city staff, focus group participants, and all members of the Wellington community who provided feedback for the Plan. The Plan identifies four goal areas with objectives and strategies for each. The four goals are Marketing and Communication, Economic Diversity and Growth, Restoration and Revitalization, and Quality of Life.
Source: Sumner NewsCow
Many small districts are back to “school as normal”
School is back in session for many districts across the state posing the question of what does that look like for students returning to the classroom? After nearly five months away, the Ashland school district welcomed their students back on the busses and into the hallways and classrooms without any issues. The district has nearly 200 students K-12 and has been back to ‘school as normal’ since Aug. 17. Every day upon walking through the doors, students and staff have their temperature checked and are required to wear masks when social distancing cannot take place. Students’ seats are spaced out, lunches are taken in shifts, and several rooms have plexiglass partitions installed.
Source: KSN-TV
Spring Hill offering Internet for students throughout school year
Mayor Steven Ellis and the City Council are happy to announce the City of Spring Hill is offering workspace and WiFi access for up to 15 students from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Civic Center, 401 N. Madison St. Social distancing will be provided between work spaces and masks will be required. The City encourages those that participate to bring fully-charged devices as outlet space is limited.
Source: City of Spring Hill news
Crowd gathers in downtown Topeka for ‘Back the Blue’ rally
People drove from Gardner, Lenexa, Leavenworth, Rossville and from as far away as Wichita to attend a “Back the Blue” rally Tuesday afternoon in downtown Topeka. A few hundred people, some from the capital city, gathered outside the Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 S.E. 8th Ave., in the hours leading up to a special session meeting of the Topeka City Council to voice their support for Topeka’s police officers. By 4 p.m. Tuesday, the street in front of the arts center, where the city council meeting was set to be held, had been blocked off.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Mission approves new logo as part of rebranding efforts, communications plan
The Mission City Council Wednesday evening approved a rebranding design that the city will use in its signage and website as part of an ongoing communications plan. The Mission City Council approved the above logo as part of the city’s rebranding efforts. The logo will begin to be used in the city’s communications including its website. Mission city staff worked with marketing agency Crux KC to narrow down the dozen or so options to two to present to the city council and the public.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Shawnee planning to purchase new police K-9 training materials
Shawnee is seeking federal grant funding to support the purchase of K-9 training materials for the city’s police department. The Shawnee City Council on Aug. 10 voted 7-0 to enter a cooperative agreement with Overland Park and Olathe to jointly apply for federal funds through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Councilmember Mike Kemmling was absent. Funding from the federal program supports state and local programs in law enforcement, courts, corrections and drug treatment.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Ottawa district divides students into groups
As students in Ottawa schools go back to class for the 2020-21 school year, starting Sept. 9 through May 28, 2021, they will be divided into two groups and attend school in three-hour blocks to allow for COVID-19 precautions. A groups will meet in the morning and B groups in the afternoon. Ottawa superintendent Ryan Cobbs said the main goal is to return the students back safely into a learning environment. “I appreciate parents’ patience and support as we continue to work through these difficult times,” Cobbs said. “We look forward to getting our students back into school and back to learning.”
Municipal Bond Trends for August 24, 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.
Southwest Chief, others to see frequency cut
There is only one passenger rail train that serves the state of Kansas, a train that has seen multiple threats to its operation over the past decade — most of them funding fights over rail improvements and positive train control. It appears that in 2020, COVID-19 has done what no other threat could do in the nearly 50 years of operation of the Southwest Chief — reduce the frequency of service. According to a memo to staff from Amtrak and posted to social media, all but one long-distance train in the Amtrak network will be cut to three times a week in October.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
One of the most relaxing road trips you’ll ever take is just 20 minutes from Wichita
Go through the small gate of a fence off North Line Street in Belle Plaine, Kansas, and you’ll find yourself in one of the oldest arboretums between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. The historic nonprofit Bartlett Arboretum, founded in 1910, has already survived one pandemic, notes a two-part short film about its history that can be found on its website — and it can be a welcome respite for those looking for a socially distanced activity during the current COVID-19 pandemic. “People walk in here and their blood pressure drops, they breathe easier and they breathe better,” said Arb steward Robin Macy about the effects of wandering around the arb. She encourages picnics and leisurely exploring of the tree museum’s grounds.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Shawnee Mission parents, teachers clash on district decision to start year online
Two conflicting groups appealed to the Shawnee Mission school board Monday afternoon — one celebrating the district’s decision to start the school year online, the other demanding in-person classes and fall sports. In addition, hundreds of parents and students protested outside the district administrative building before Monday evening’s board meeting, with signs that read “open schools” and “let them play.” Many parents in the group worry that students’ mental and physical health will suffer at home. The other group said the district’s decision will protect teachers and students from contracting coronavirus in the classroom and then bringing it back to their families — especially as community spread of the virus remains high. Many wore T-shirts that read “Support SMSD teachers” and held signs thanking the school board.
Source: Joco 913 News
Wichita schools to get devices to students despite global laptop shortage
Wichita Public Schools are still waiting for a huge shipment of laptops, as the first day of school approaches. Despite delayed shipments, the district says they plan to get every student access to virtual learning by the first day of the semester. The district sent out a survey asking parents and students if they already have internet access and a device to access virtual learning. If the student does not have a device, the district plans to re-purpose laptops, iPads and Chromebooks it already has. USD 259 Chief Information Officer, Rob Dickson, said students who need to access virtual learning will be able to.
Source: KAKE – News