Lawrence city leaders hear multiple perspectives about plan for city-run campsite for those experiencing homelessness

Lawrence city leaders heard various perspectives about a plan to create a temporary city-run campsite for those experiencing homelessness and to relocate people to that area. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received an update on the city’s strategic plan goal of “strong, welcoming neighborhoods,” which included updates on various efforts to address homelessness. Among them was the city’s plan to create a temporary campsite on a city-owned parcel of land in North Lawrence, located between the Johnny’s Tavern back parking lot and the levee trail, as well as future plans for a longer-term campsite.
Source: LJWorld

2022-09-07T07:47:44-05:00September 7, 2022|News|

Voters in Pretty Prairie say no to $10 million bond – new windows and roofs will have to wait

After months of debate and meetings, on Tuesday, the residents of Pretty Prairie decided against the $10.4 million bond, with 277 voting no and 212 voting yes. The bond was to fix the roofs and exterior brick in all three school buildings, the elementary, middle and high school. With the funds, tall three schools would get new, energy efficient windows. Pretty Prairie Middle School would have also had their gymnasium renovated and some ceilings fixed.
Source: Hutch News

2022-09-07T07:43:08-05:00September 7, 2022|News|

Topeka initiates contract talks with finalist for city manager; identity not revealed

Topeka’s mayor and city council have identified their top choice to be Topeka’s next city manager, but they’re not saying who it is. The mayor and council about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday voted 9-0, with Councilman Mike Lesser having just left the room, to direct Paul Bossert, of Kansas Personnel Services Inc., to begin contract negotiations with that finalist, whose name they didn’t reveal. Any vote to hire Topeka’s next city manager would need to take place during a public meeting. The mayor and council are scheduled to next meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in their chambers at 214 S.E. 8th, according to the city’s website.
Source: CJonline

2022-09-07T07:41:24-05:00September 7, 2022|News|

Valley Center Moves Forward with First 3D-Printed Community in Kansas

On Tuesday evening, the City of Valley Center gave final approval for a 3D-printed community of homes. This will be the first in the State of Kansas and one of only a handful in the United States. Also announced at the meeting was the name of the community development – Sunflower Valley. According to CC3D, the development company, the name was chosen to honor Kansas and the City of Valley Center for being the first in the state and leading the way in the nation. … “We are excited to be moving forward with the City of Valley Center to bring the first community of 3D-printed homes to Kansas. 3D-printed homes can revolutionize the housing/construction industry by providing high-quality, cost-effective and sustainable housing options in less time than traditional builds,” said Eric Ross, CEO, CC3D. “We are looking forward to starting the process this fall and anticipate we will have homes available next year.”
Source: Valley Center

2022-09-07T07:38:58-05:00September 7, 2022|News|

Pickleball or tennis? Wichita is asked to choose in dispute over public courts in park

The Wichita Park Board is calling for the city to convert two more tennis courts into pickleball courts in east Wichita, a year after turning down the proposal. The change of direction sets up a showdown at City Hall that leaves the Wichita City Council to choose between tennis, a popular sport that has been a staple of the city’s parks and recreation programming for decades, and pickleball, an upstart game that’s growing in popularity. At stake are two tennis courts at Edgemoor Park, one of two city-owned tennis facilities large enough to host tennis tournaments, high school and middle school practices, clinics and youth camps. The Wichita Park Board wants to replace them with six pickleball courts so picklers can have another place to play after dark.
Source: Wichita Eagle

2022-09-07T07:23:10-05:00September 7, 2022|News|

‘Locomotive that we’ve seen coming’: How did KC area teacher shortage get this bad?

In Kansas City’s most affluent suburbs, where districts pay the highest salaries and traditionally have had an easier time recruiting teachers, schools have been struggling to ensure every classroom is staffed this fall. The Blue Valley school district in Johnson County — with among the highest starting teacher salaries in the metro at $46,000 — reported a high of 250 resignations and retirements this spring. The district started the school year short 90 paraprofessionals, said Eric Punswick, chief human resources officer. “It doesn’t matter what job it is right now in our district, the pools of applicants are much smaller than they were even 10 years ago,” Punswick said. “So when we post a job, we know we’re in competition with all of our neighbors, but also regionally, and with some virtual schools and other jobs out there that teachers are qualified for.”
Source: KC Star Local News

2022-09-07T07:16:45-05:00September 7, 2022|News|

4-day weeks, virtual teachers: Staff shortage has KC schools taking desperate measures

With many positions still left empty weeks into the school year, several districts are scaling back operations and finding new ways to keep schools running, while trying to have a competitive edge to recruit and retain enough employees. Unable to fill enough teaching positions, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools partnered with a company to hire some virtual teachers from out of state, who are livestreaming lessons to classrooms of middle and high school students on their computers, while a staff member watches the kids in person.
Source: KC Star Local News

2022-09-07T07:16:21-05:00September 7, 2022|News|

Hesston bond issue passes by a hair

Every vote mattered for the Hesston Bond issue, which passed by 11 votes. The Harvey County Canvassing Board (Randy Hague, Chip Westfall, Don Schroeder) certified the bond election and results at a (September) 6 meeting. At the meeting, the board made a determination on which of the 19 provisional ballots were eligible to be counted in the election under state statute. After the County Clerk’s Office tallied the accepted provisional ballots, the final count stood at 800 votes in favor of the bond issue and 789 against. “A vote this close shows how important it is to go vote,” Hague said. “We still had 50 percent of people that could go vote and that didn’t,” Westfall added.
Source: Harvey County Now

2022-09-07T07:09:37-05:00September 7, 2022|News|

Overland Park new incentive program to recruit snow crews with cash

The city of Overland Park is launching a new incentive to recruit snow crews for the upcoming winter season. During the 2022-23 snow season, crews will receive some extra money for every winter weather event after which they help clear city streets. Overland Park will pay plow drivers on staff $150 per storm. Smaller truck drivers on staff will receive $100 per storm, and support staff will receive $50 per storm. This is in addition to regular pay, which starts at $18 per hour for maintenance workers, as well as any overtime. Plow drivers who work throughout the season will also receive a minimum $1,500 bonus as part of the city’s seasonal minimum incentive amount.
Source: Prairie Village Post

2022-09-07T07:10:03-05:00September 7, 2022|News|
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