Study examines teacher retention in Kansas

7 Wednesday, February 7

Study examines teacher retention in Kansas

info2024-02-07T11:10:40-06:00February 7th, 2024|

As the K-12 teacher shortage increases across the U.S., including in Kansas, school districts are looking for answers on how to recruit and keep teachers. In Kansas, organizations including the Educator Perceptions and Insights Center are educating school districts one by one. EPIC is trying to combat the 31% increase in teachers leaving the profession from 2020 to 2022, which resulted in a projected economic impact of $49 million due to teacher turnover, the organization said. As of 2022, there were 55,000 teacher vacancies nationwide, as reported by Teacher Shortages in the U.S. In Kansas, the number of shortages from 2022 [...]

7 Wednesday, February 7

Municipal Bond Trends for February 6, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-02-07T09:54:01-06:00February 7th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

7 Wednesday, February 7

Leaders to consider new hearing process for some violations of Douglas County’s animal code

info2024-02-07T07:28:38-06:00February 7th, 2024|

Douglas County leaders will soon consider a new process for enforcing the county’s animal code — specifically, for handling cases where people with animals that are dangerous or a nuisance have repeatedly failed to comply with the rules. At their meeting on Wednesday, county commissioners will consider implementing an administrative hearing process for animal code violations to either enforce citations or provide other avenues to resolve complaints. Currently, there are no formal sanctions or fines for violating the animal code, and cases are exclusively resolved through a process facilitated by the Lawrence Humane Society, which the county has contracted with since [...]

7 Wednesday, February 7

Grow Hays’ “Secret Sauce”

info2024-02-07T07:14:50-06:00February 7th, 2024|

Throughout the state, Grow Hays is recognized as unique and Executive Director credit’s this to a “secret sauce,” the organization’s strong relationships with municipalities, governing agencies, the business community and with individuals and organizations within the Community who do not provide funding, such as USD489. Source: Hays Daily News

7 Wednesday, February 7

Lawmakers eye school finance policy change: Law would help growing districts, hurt shrinking ones

info2024-02-07T07:11:48-06:00February 7th, 2024|

A controversial proposed change to school finance law would benefit district with growing enrollment while hurting ones with declining enrollment. Legislators are considering House Bill 2485 and Senate Bill 386, which would require school funding to be based on the current school year or the preceding school year. The Senate version could be passed out of a committee this week. Source: CJonline

6 Tuesday, February 6

Municipal Bond Trends for February 5, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-02-06T09:59:39-06:00February 6th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

5 Monday, February 5

El Dorado launches transportation study

info2024-02-05T13:29:03-06:00February 5th, 2024|

In an effort to understand current transportation issues that affect citizens and businesses, the City of El Dorado has hired JEO Consulting Group of Wichita to gather information for them, costing $194,420. JEO created a survey that covers all areas of the city and asks questions relating to all modes of transportation, safety issues, maintenance, and the future of city roads. At the end of the study, the City will be able to create a transportation master plan that creates a vision for all modes of transportation over the next 25 years, provide framework to implement a sustainable transportation system, and identify [...]

5 Monday, February 5

Museum opens exhibit on GCHS history book

info2024-02-05T13:26:03-06:00February 5th, 2024|

The Finney County Historical Museum has a new short-term exhibit in its Front Door Gallery. The exhibit features more than 30 images from the coffee table book “Life and Times of the Buffaloes” by local author Brett Marshall about the history of Garden City High School, as well as a small collection of artifacts from the museum’s own collection, USD 456/Garden City Public Schools and from Mike Wade of Traditions Soda and Sandwich Shop. The exhibit will be on display through the end of April. Marshall wrote the book in partnership with USD 457 over a two-and-a-half-year period, it was released in September 2023. [...]

5 Monday, February 5

Earthquake in Oklahoma felt across Kansas

info2024-02-05T13:18:26-06:00February 5th, 2024|

The U.S. Geological Survey says a 5.1 magnitude earthquake Friday was recorded around 11:24 p.m. with the epicenter of the earthquake in Prague, Oklahoma. Residents in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, along with Oklahoma all reporting furniture shaking and cabinet doors opening. Most humans can feel a magnitude 2.5 or higher according to geological experts. If you felt Friday’s earthquake, you can report it to the USGS online. Source: KSN-TV

5 Monday, February 5

Why firefighters are setting fires in Reno County

info2024-02-05T13:10:19-06:00February 5th, 2024|

People in Reno County may have seen or smelled smoke Friday. The Hutchinson Fire Department had some firefighters start fires as part of its mitigation efforts ahead of wildfire season. They were burning a ditch on Buhler/Haven Road on Friday afternoon. "Every year we go around our territory and pick out four to five places we feel are concerns," Jeremy Unruh, HFD division chief of operations, said. "We're looking for the fuel type in the fields, how thick it is, and we compare that against recent incidents we've had." He said burning a ditch gives some protection since many fires start [...]