Aug. 25, 2010

To Whom It May Concern:

I’m writing tonight as a concerned taxpayer and parent. I’m also writing in my capacity as former editor of the Holton High School newspaper. I can assure you it’s been a long time since I’ve used that title.

My high school journalism class saved my life. Ok, it’s not as though I was actually going to die. But when I moved to Holton in the tenth grade, I knew no one and felt as though I didn’t quite fit in. My journalism class was the one place I really felt like I clicked. I made some friends and found my way.

When it was time to go to college, I seriously considered following in my mother’s footsteps and studying computer science. My mom correctly pointed out that my ACT scores in math were so-so, while English and reading were sky high. The guidance counselor suggested I stick with computers because there wasn’t any money in journalism. He was pretty much right. But so was my mother. So, once again, my high school journalism class rescued me and set me on my path.

The lessons I learned in my journalism class stuck with me for life. I learned the importance of deadlines. I learned basic business skills when it was time to sell ads. I learned to interview adults without feeling intimidated. I learned the two most important questions are always “how” and “why.” I learned the importance of accuracy. I learned to check the spelling of every name. Twice.

I went to college at Drake University, where I majored in journalism and served as executive editor of the student newspaper. I worked as a newspaper reporter in Kansas most of my career, including stints as the statehouse bureau chief at the Topeka Capital-Journal and as a Topeka correspondent for Harris News Service. But after working as a reporter for nearly a decade, I decided to return to school at the University of Kansas School of Law. I graduated last May, took the bar exam in July and soon will start work as a lawyer at an international law firm based in Missouri.

But make no mistake: I succeeded in law school because of my experience as a journalist.  Bottom line, a career spent in journalism provided me the key to succeeding in law school: ask a lot of questions and write fast.

I’ve covered politics and public policy in Kansas. I know what you’re up against. I’m told the Kansas State Department of Education views journalism courses as an attractive target because they “do not meet new standards of preparing students for ‘high demand,’ ‘high skill,’ and ‘high wage’ careers.” (I learned that, by the way, in a terrific column—in a newspaper! You can read it online here: http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/something-done-right/2010/aug/23/ding-dong-the-yearbook-is/.)

I get that. I left journalism because the future of traditional print journalism is in an uncertain state of transition. Delivery methods will change. Newspapers will have to discover new business models that can sustain operating expenses.

But there will always be a need for gathering and disseminating the news.

High school journalism courses are already embracing new technologies and preparing students for the newsrooms of tomorrow. Sure, not every kid who participates will go on to a career in journalism. But many, in fact, will go on to jobs in which they will employ the lessons learned in high school journalism classrooms and laboratories. Beyond teaching the news gatherers and journalists of tomorrow, journalism provides a foundational core that serves students all of their lives. It would be shortsighted to cut a program that can play such an important role in shaping the futures of so many young Kansans.

In closing, I would simply add that my wife and I met in college, where we both studied journalism. She ended up at Drake because she was the editor of her high school paper, and her high school journalism teacher was a Drake grad. It would be a real shame if our son never had the opportunity to sit in a high school journalism course as well.

Sincerely,

Chris Grenz

Lenexa, KS

The state requires that school districts set their maximum budget authority for capital outlay funds every five years.  Our resolution expired this year and in order to levy any amount of capital outlay the board must pass new resolution.  The state also sets the maximum budget authority for school capital outlay funds.  The maximum in Kansas currently is 8 mills, which is up from 6 mills which was the amount when the last resolution was passed by the USD 336 Board.  Approving the 8 mill maximum budget authority does not mean that the board is raising its mill levy, it just gives the board the authority to levy up to that amount.  The reason the maximum was raised to 8 mills is due to the fact that the Kansas Legislature is placing more responsibility on the local school board to finance schools.  An example of that is that in years past when the school board levied one mill of capital outlay the state would provide 46% of that amount to the district.  This pass year the legislature eliminated that 46% for capital outlay, (they did not eliminate the 46% for bonds for construction, just capital outlay).  Since I have been here the board has never raised the capital outlay mill levy over 4 mills.  This past year the amount was 2.25 mills.  It was the consensus of the board and I agree that in these times of serious financial constraints it would be wise to have the authority in case of emergencies.

To get to the point of what the protest means.  Since 10% of the registered voters of USD 336 signed the petition there now must be an election to determine if the board can levy capital outlay funds up to 8 mills.  This item is on the agenda for tonight’s school board meeting.  It is first on the agenda.

The board has one of three choices.  1) Call a special election for a vote on the question, 2) wait till the primary election, which is August 4 and put the question on that ballot, 3) wait till November and put it on the general election.

In number 1 the school district would have to pay the full amount for the cost of the special election; in number 2 the board would have to pay for the set up and printing of the ballots as they pertain to the question – the district would have to do that in all 3 options.  Number 3 is really a bad choice; if the board waited till November to put the question on the ballot we would not be able to levy any capital outlay for this coming school year.  The 2nd choice has its challenges also, we would be cutting it very close to have the election, get the election certified, then publishing the budget (must be published in the paper at least 10 days prior to the hearing) and then having the budget hearing.  The deadline date to have the budget finalized is August 25th.

Some have asked why we don’t just levy what we did last year.  This is not an option our resolution for capital outlay has expired so we are at “0″ until there is an election.  If it passes, the board can levy up to 8 mills;  if it fails, we are still at 0.
This does create challenges for the district if we have no capital outlay.  We currently have two loan payments that must be paid next year, one is for the roof repairs on the Middle School that was made 4 years ago, and the final payment on the computers for the 1 to 1 lap top at the high school.  These two loans total $235,000.  (The computer payment has been made from LOB in the past; it was my intent to make this payment out of capital outlay next year, which would leave more in general fund and LOB for operating and salaries)  We would then have to depend on the General Fund to make these loan payments if we had no capital.

UPDATE: The girls defeated Hesston and now will advance to play Cheney at 3:00 on Friday.

Dr. Darrel Stufflebeam
Superintendent of Schools
Rock Creek USD 323

Students may be eligible for up to $1000 in tuition savings!  To qualify, students must graduate from a high school that is a member of the Washburn Tech consortium during the year in which they request the tuition discount.  Eligible individuals may continue a program started while enrolled in high school, or enroll in a program at Washburn Tech within 18 months of high school graduation.  All students who meet the eligibility guidelines will receive this tuition discount; there is no limit to the number of individuals who will be approved.

For details, contact Student Services at Washburn Tech at 228-6325.

Connection to Washburn University to Earn the Associate Degree

Students who complete a Career Program approved by Kansas Board of Regents are eligible to receive a reduced tuition rate at Washburn University while working toward the associate degree.  Students who enroll at Washburn University after taking coursework in an approved program at Washburn Tech will pay $75 per credit hour rather than the typical undergraduate rate of $201 per credit hour.

For details, contact Student Services at Washburn Tech at 228-6325.

Technical training is in High Demand

Approximately 50% of jobs in the workforce require from 1-2 years of specialized training beyond high school.  The most recent follow up of Washburn Tech graduates was conducted in January 2010.

Do you know the average starting salary for Industrial Technology graduates?  ($23.42)

Do you know the average starting salary for Practical Nursing graduates?  ($17.49)

Both of these skill sets are in high demand, in Kansas and throughout the United States.

For admission details, contact Student Services at Washburn Tech at 228-6325.

Open House

The public is invited to Washburn Tech’s Open House on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from noon to 4 p.m.  Career training programs will be open throughout campus.  Visitors will be able to meet our staff, ask instructors about career opportunities, and see some of the activities students actually do in various career training programs.  A financial aid seminar will share information about applying for federal financial aid including grants and low-cost student loans.  Details of the enrollment process will be provided at another seminar.  In addition, Washburn University advisors will be available to talk about the connection between Washburn Tech certificate programs and the possibility to earn an associate degree at Washburn University.  For Open House details, contact Student Services at Washburn Tech at 228-6325.

Consortium Newsletter Topics, Apprd by Jonathan, January 2010