Piper Press News

Piper board to meet Jan. 25

   The Piper School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at the district office to discuss fund-raising and outsourcing custodial work.

Piper discusses stricter residency changes

by Mary Rupert
   The Piper School Board again tackled the question of stricter residency requirements for students moving into the district.
   According to Piper officials, the district has implemented a residency violation hotline since its December meeting, at 913-721-9005, or e-mail violations@piperschools.com.
   The board also looked at a new residency form for guardians and parents being prepared by Superintendent Steve Adams. The purpose of the form is to be stricter on meeting residency requirements in the district, according to officials.
   The new form is not approved yet, but it is an affidavit form stating that it will be turned over to the district attorney’s office if a student is found not to be living in the district.
   Board President Ron Kaminski said it was discovered that one of the students whose parents or guardians had said he was living in the district later was found to be living in Overland Park with his grandmother.
   “It has to be done every year,” Kaminski said about the residency form.

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Piper school board to meet

   The Piper Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m.  Monday, Jan. 4, at the Piper school district office, 12036 Leavenworth Road.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the governance structure of the Piper Educational Foundation.

Fund-raiser planned Jan. 9

   A fund-raiser for the Piper High School baseball team and program will take place from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, 7844 Leavenworth Road.
   The event will feature a taco dinner provided by Rancho Grande Cantina, a raffle and a silent auction. Dinner will be served from 4 to 8 p.m.
   A disc jockey will play music from 8 p.m. to midnight.
  Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. For ticket information, call 913-299-9718.

Candlelighting planned for families who have lost children

    A candlelighting to support families who have lost a loved child will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Piper Community Village Community Church, 3130 N. 122nd.
    The event will include the opportunity to read poems or letters for loved ones, and the opportunity to share pictures, memories and stories.
    It is part of a worldwide candlelighting program for all children who have died, sponsored by the Compassionate Friends.
    Coffee and cookies are planned after the event.

Piper Christmas Craft Show to be Dec. 5

   The annual Piper Christmas Craft Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at Piper High School, 4400 N. 107th.
   As many as 90 booths will feature handcrafted items. Also, an outdoor cookout and homemade desserts are planned.
   The event is sponsored by the Piper Community Education Association.
   Admission to the craft show is free.
   In conjunction with the craft show, Breakfast with Santa and Santa's workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Piper High School. This event is sponsored by the PTA and Optimist Club.

Custodian outsourcing considered by schools

by Mary Rupert
   As area school districts are squeezed by decreasing state aid and property tax revenues, they have begun to consider outsourcing some of their traditional employees, including custodians.
   But what the districts may gain in savings, their former employees may suffer in the loss of health benefits, retirement benefits, salaries and sometimes, employment.
   Custodian outsourcing was discussed at a recent Piper School Board meeting. Brenda Wood, owner of PCI Building Services, told the Piper School Board it could save thousands of dollars by outsourcing custodians.
   The Piper board took no action on the proposal. Superintendent Steve Adams called it “a learning session for the board.”
   Wood used figures from the nearby Lansing Public Schools, saying her firm had saved the district about $97,000 a year by outsourcing. She stated the Piper district could probably save $251,590 per year with her firm. The firm has also made contracts for cleaning other area public school districts, including Bonner Springs.  The Turner district has outsourced custodial work to another firm.
   According to Wood, the firm’s employees do not have as extensive health benefits, vacation and retirement plans as the public schools have offered custodians. She also indicated that her employees cover more physical space in the same time than do many of the districts’ custodians. But she said her firm’s employees have more hours than some of the other private custodial firms.
   Although custodians at the schools may apply for jobs with the company and be retrained, in answer to a board question, Wood described one area school district where only two of 19 former district custodians have made the transition to PCI.
   One Kansas education association official expressed concern about the trend toward outsourcing of employees, stating that custodians are part of the “school community.”

Piper Pumpkin Patch continues tradition
of students helping children

by Bettse Folsom
   More than 100 children of all ages stormed the Piper High School gymnasium on Oct. 30 for the annual Piper Pumpkin Patch event held by members of the senior and junior classes. All proceeds for this fund-raiser are donated to Harvesters.
   “We came last year and the kids really loved it,” said Cathy Ward, mother of four. “They love the games and coming to the high school, they get to feel [older].”
   Some of the creative games that were offered for entertainment were throwing Velcro darts at a ghost, pushing large spiders through traps, and reaching inside a treasure chest. Other activities offered were face painting, crafts, and sack races. Each stop, the children received prizes as they went through the stages.
   The main highlight for the event was the costume contest where seniors had to choose the best costumes between all of the smaller children.
   “We base it on originality, creativity, and how the costume has been put together,” said Morgan Buckner, 17. “The hardest part is choosing only one from all of them.”
   The children were categorized into three different age groups with a first, second and third prize winner in each one. The final grand prize was presented to Natalie Nusz, 6, who dressed as the “Boy from Up” as the best creative costume overall. All children received candy consolation prizes.
    “This has been a long-standing tradition at Piper,” said Tiffany Scheffler, student council adviser. “It is a great way for the high school student to interact with the younger children.”
   To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

Piper Pumpkin Patch to help needy

   The annual Piper Pumpkin Patch will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, in the Piper High School gymnasium and commons area. It is a benefit for a food bank.
   Mainly for elementary schoolchildren, the program will include games, activities and a costume contest, according to Tiffany Scheffler, a teacher and student council adviser at Piper High School.
   The event is a fall mini-carnival with a Halloween theme, she said. Children should use the north entrance.
   Admission is $1 per person and there is a 25-cent to $1 charge for tickets to play the games. Children receive candy and trinkets at the booths. All proceeds will be donated to Harvesters food bank, she said.
   High school clubs and athletics teams, such as the Key Club and the Business Professionals of America, as well as cheerleaders and the dance team, are sponsoring booths, Scheffler said. High school students are volunteering at the event.
   The games are simple, such as a spider ring toss and ghost-shaped bowling pins, she said.

Piper district waiting on $1.5 million from new development

by Mary Rupert

   As the community awaits the opening of new stores at the Plaza at the Speedway development near 110th and Parallel Parkway, the Piper school district is waiting on $1.5 million the developers promised them.
   When Plaza at the Speedway development was approved, developers pledged to give the Piper school district $1.5 million in lieu of taxes, according to Piper Superintendent Steve Adams.
   So far, those funds haven’t been forthcoming, he said.
   “We are still awaiting this donation,” Adams said.
   The funds are a key to the future development of the district. With enrollment growing by about 100 students this year, and growth expected in the future, the board may want to continue its expansion plans, according to the superintendent.
   “The $1.5 million can be used however the board sees fit,” he said. The board will receive a lot of options about building plans and will make a choice.
   Piper has made some budget cuts in the past year, as state funding to all school districts has been cut.
   He’s asked the Unified Government when the district will receive the funds, and was told that the donation should be paid before the revenue bond funds are accessed. He said he expects that to be soon.
   One of the center’s anchors, Super Walmart, is scheduled to open Oct. 28.
   The Piper district was forced to ask permission from the state to file no-fund warrants, although it didn’t use them, last summer while some other large retail stores were disputing their taxes.
   After the property tax case with Nebraska Furniture Mart was settled at the state level, changes to the property tax rolls of more than a million dollars in the store’s favor in a four-year period, 2003 through 2006, went through the UG Commission last week.
   One proposed change to a state law would help local governments and school districts, according to Mike Taylor, UG lobbyist, who described the proposed legislation to the UG last week.
   According to the UG’s draft legislative program, under this proposed bill, counties, cities and school districts could “minimize the negative impact of delinquent property taxes through the sale of delinquent tax lien receivables and through the ability to add the cost of collection to the debt owed by a delinquent taxpayer.”

To reach Mary Rupert, managing editor, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

Volleyball instruction ...

Every Saturday until Nov. 14, the Piper Optimist Club will be sponsoring volleyball instruction for children in grade school. Kara Evans prepared to serve last week during the instruction session at Piper Elementary School, 3131 N. 122nd. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Heroes ...

Despite the cooler temperatures on Oct. 1, many people attended the third annual Parade of Heroes along Village West Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas. Several school bands and many antique vehicles were the highlights of the parade. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Piper looks at expansion plans

by Mary Rupert
    Less than two months after opening a new elementary school, the Piper School Board is looking for more space for students.
    While the space is not needed this school year, the district may want to consider its needs for the future, according to Superintendent Steve Adams. The board was meeting in the new Piper Elementary building Oct. 12.
    “If Cerner happens I think the growth of Piper will explode,” said board president Ron Kaminski. Cerner Corp. has proposed an office complex with 4,500 new employees in the nearby Village West area.
    Growth will probably continue for well over a decade and at some point the district may have to acquire land, according to Adams.
    The district would not necessarily have to raise taxes in order to build a new school, according to officials. The district expects to receive a $1.5 million payment in lieu of taxes from the Plaza at the Speedway developer, but that payment has not arrived yet, according to Adams. The decision on how to use the funds would be up to the board, he said.
    The district’s enrollment has increased more than expected this year, he said. It is now at 2,425 full-time equivalency. A little more than 50 full-time equivalency students more than the district had budgeted for have enrolled, according to Adams. That will result in about $210,000 more for the district from the state than had been expected.
    Also the free lunch count in Piper went from 86 to 182, he said.
    While that provides more dollars for the district, it also indicates that more families are struggling, he said.
    Adams said an additional state budget shortfall is expected, perhaps in November. The state is receiving less from tax revenues, and at-risk students are increasing.
    He told the board to expect a cut of $85 to $95 per student in funding from the state. With tax revenues down in the district and the state, and district funding increasing from additional revenues from enrollment and free lunches, the Piper district could be one of the lucky ones – it could probably break even, he said.
    The board discussed remodeling the old Piper elementary school. Adams said more than 9 or 10 classrooms might be added there, to carry the district through the 2015-2016 school year. That would house at least 180 students, or more than 300 children if conventional classrooms were built, according to Adams.
    The cost of remodeling was estimated at $680,000 to $700,000 about three years ago, he said.
    The board also may consider other options for expanding classroom space. Another option would be to add an elementary or high school building, move the middle school to the high school and convert the middle school into upper and lower elementary classes.
    Adams said he would gather more information for the board to consider at a later meeting.
    “While you may not have all the options you want, you do have some options,” he said.
    To reach Mary Rupert, managing editor, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

Piper Pumpkin Patch to be Oct. 30

   The Piper Pumpkin Patch will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at Piper High School gym and commons area.
   The fall mini-carnival celebrating Halloween is a fund-raiser sponsored by the Piper High School Student Council. Proceeds go to Harvesters.
   Games, candy, and a costume contest are included.  All ages are welcome. Admission is $1 per person. There is a charge for games.

Increased number of students taking ACT tests results in flat scores

by Mary Rupert

   An increase in the numbers of students taking the ACT test, a college entrance exam, resulted in flat scores in the Piper school district and also in Kansas, according to Piper district officials.
   Traditionally, the ACT has been taken by those students headed to college, but recently, students not going to college also have taken it.
   “We encourage all students to take it, whether they’re going to college or not,” said Steve Adams, Piper superintendent.
   While the district has a composite score of 20.9 among all students who took the test, it has broken down the number further, to show that among students who enrolled in a four-year college, the composite score was 22.6, Adams said.
   “Two-thirds of our kids go on to college,” he said. Those students score well above 22, he said.
   While the college-bound scores were better than last year, the composite scores were a couple of tenths of a point lower.
Also, the scores were higher for students who took advanced courses at Piper, with a 22.7 composite.
   “So we feel good about what that data tells us,” Adams said.
The figures also showed that students who attended Piper for four years scored higher than those who transferred in and attended less than four years, he said.
   About 134 students went on to college, while only a few entered the military or the work force, he said.
   Because of economics, not many entry-level jobs are there now for students who are not planning to go to college, he said.
   “More and more, we’re trying to guide kids to post-secondary training so they’ve got some skills to be marketable,” Adams said.
   While test scores are just a snapshot of a single day, they have importance when they are used to monitor students’ progress, and used to inform instruction, he said. On the state assessment tests, Piper uses formative items during the year that are released by the state to correlate with the state assessment, he said.

School dedication ...

Best friends, Aubree Knetter, 9, and Mary Rose Rogers, 9, planted
daffodil bulbs on Sept. 12 in commemoration of the Piper
Elementary School's dedication ceremony. Lowe's donated 400 bulbs
for the event. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Piper schools dedicate buildings

by Bettse Folsom

   Many family, friends, students and dignitaries attended the ceremony on Sept. 12 at the Piper Elementary School, 3131 N. 122nd, to officially dedicate the new school building and the Piper High School, 4400 N. 107th, which was recently remodeled.
   The elementary school is now able to provide for more than 600 students at one time for the kindergarten through fourth-grade students. Organizing 600 students is quite different than the former 300 they had in past years. according to Allan Amos, principal, and Kate Schmidt, associate principal. 
   Steve Adams, superintendent, introduced the guest speakers, including U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-3rd Dist., Mayor Joe Reardon, Ron Kaminski, Piper board vice president, State Sen. Kelly Kultala, D-5th Dist., and Janet Waugh, chairwoman of the Kansas State Board of Education.
   “I have wonderful memories of the times spent in Piper and will always cherish the friends I made here,” Waugh said. “This dedication is a result of your passion, boldness and dreams, and a culmination of a lot of hard work in this community.”
   The state knows the Piper community is doing its best for the children by the results of the state assessment tests, according to Waugh.
   During his speech, Kaminski recognized the other board members, past and present, who assisted with the effort to pass the bond issue that enabled the construction for the schools to take place. Nicole Papageorgiou, senior high school student, spoke briefly to thank those involved in updating the school’s facilities and technology.
   “Not only did you get what you asked for, you got much more,” Piper Superintendent Steve Adams said.
   In addition to the new and improved buildings, Adams said, the schools obtained state-of-the-art technology including wireless, Voice Over, distant learning labs and biotechnology as well as more classroom and parking space. High school students are now able to study Chinese as a second language.
   “The icing on the cake is the gymnasium,” Adams said. “Before it would seat 600 and now it will seat 1,428 seats because I counted every one.”
   Moore presented Amos and Tim Conrad, principal of the high school, with American flags that have flown over the White House in Washington, D.C.
   According to Moore, the Piper community represents the best quality of life in Kansas with great property values, low crime rate and good schools.
   The ceremony concluded with members of the fourth-grade class singing under the direction of Amy Crouse, choir director, “Welcome to Our School,” and serving as tour guides for the visitors throughout the new building.
   As an additional commemoration, students planted daffodil bulbs immediately outside the front door. The bulbs were donated by Lowe’s Lumber.

To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

Piper school board addresses H1N1 flu season

by Bettse Folsom

   Discussion at the Piper School Board meeting Sept. 14 at the Piper Elementary School, 122nd and Leavenworth Road, focused on the upcoming possible infectious H1N1 pandemic flu, how to recognize the difference from the regular strain of flu, and a plan to control future outbreaks.
   Steve Adams, superintendent, reported to the board several counteractive measures that the schools will take to keep the situation under control. He and Renee Saunders, school nurse, asked parents of children who have been contagious not to return until the student has been over the symptoms at least 24-hours without any medication to alleviate.
   Other preventive measures include an isolation room within the school for an infected child until a parent arrives, disinfectants, anti-sanitizers, and signs in all classrooms, and continued sanitization of surfaces such as stool handles, desktops, and locker rooms. According to Larry Franken, public health department staff member, who attended the board meeting, a virus can live on a surface for 48 to 72 hours.
   Danielle Thornton, childhood immunization, personal health services, said that although they, like other Unified Government employees, have been furloughed and are short-staffed, they want to work with Piper Schools and assist in preventive measures. According to Adams, the state department has advised to not close schools because of infection because students will amass elsewhere, therefore, continuing the spread.
   “Things are changing everyday about the spread and immunization,” Saunders said.
   Saunders said to the board that Piper was the only location that hasn’t registered to be an immunization site and that it is something to consider. To be registered does not commit the school to become an immunization site. Members of the board requested further details regarding legalities and liabilities before authorizing their location as a site.
   Larry Beashore, president of the Piper Optimists, addressed the board about a residency concern. He stated that a number of families have approached him regarding students who do not reside in the district and who are attending the schools in all levels. He requested the board look into the situation and policy.
   Beashore also spoke about the care and safety of the new high school football and track stadium. He suggested security measures be taken to control access and usage. He and faculty members have found food containers and other items on the track and turf.

To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

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Piper schools to be dedicated Sept. 12

by Mary Rupert

   Community members who helped make the new Piper Elementary School and remodeled Piper High School a reality will be recognized during a public dedication program at 9 a.m. Sept. 12.
   Superintendent Steve Adams said the dedication ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. at the Piper Elementary building, 3131 N. 122nd, and conclude at Piper High School, 4400 N. 107th. Tours of the buildings will be offered. Refreshments will be served at the high school, where the Piper High School band will perform.
   The total cost of the school building projects was in the $30 million range. Classes at the new buildings started in August, Adams said.
   “We’re settled in, and things seem to be working very well,” he said.
   Patrons who were involved in providing some leadership to the school building project will be recognized Sept. 12 for their efforts, Adams said.
   U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-3rd Dist., and State Sen. Kelly Kultala, D-5th Dist., will dedicate the buildings.
   Also scheduled to participate in the ceremonies are Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Joe Reardon; Janet Waugh, chair of the State Board of Education; Ron Kaminski, Piper Board of Education president; and Adams.
Adams said three other Unified Government commissioners also are planning to attend the ceremonies.
   Nicole Papageorgiou, a senior at Piper High School, will speak, as well as Tim Conrad, Piper High School principal; and Allan Amos, Piper Elementary School principal.
   The Piper PTA is sponsoring the dedication event.

Donahoo Road improvement project moves forward despite some residents’ concerns

by Mary Rupert

   Some residents on the south side of Donahoo Road in the Piper area are not happy about losing trees that they have been told must go in a road widening project.
   The trees are one of his concerns, and the proposed Donahoo Road widening project will mean that traffic is a lot closer to his home, said Al Janes Jr., 12407 Donahoo. He’s wondering if a raised roadway will mean more water running onto his land. He’s wondering how long the project will take, and if his home will be inaccessible.
   But he’s also very concerned that in another 10 or 15 years, a four-lane widening project will come along and take his home, he said. Homes on the south side would probably have to be removed to make way for an extra two lanes in future plans. The last he heard, a lot of people on his block had not signed the right-of-way papers yet, he added.
   “There’s a lot of questions that people have around here,” Janes said.
   Will eminent domain be used in the project? The Donahoo Road improvement project from 115th to 131st last week received approval to acquire right-of-way through court. Now a narrow road surrounded by homes and fields, Donahoo is poised to become the next big connector road from I-435 to K-7.
   Passed Sept. 3 by the Unified Government Commission, a resolution authorizes the UG legal department to use legal proceedings to acquire the property, if needed. Earlier, a resolution had authorized a survey to identify and describe the property to be acquired.
   The north and south sides of Donahoo are affected very differently, according to Bob Gebhart, 12810 Donahoo. On the north side of Donahoo, he said his property would not be as much affected.
   “We have no problem with it,” Gebhart said about the road widening project. “They’ve been out to visit with us several times. We haven’t signed it, but they haven’t brought us a proposal to sign. I’ve heard both pros and cons, and I can’t tell you which outweighs (the other). Most of the people I’ve talked to are in favor of it.”
   People on the street have worked very hard on their yards, and perhaps are feeling that they aren’t adequately compensated, he added.
   “As far as I’m concerned, it’s progress,” Gebhart said. “Progress is not always the best for everyone.”
   Mike Tobin, UG deputy director for public works, said he hopes the project will be in construction next year, “but that depends on a lot of things.”
   Most of the feedback from the public has been good, he said, although as in any project, no one wants to be inconvenienced and no one wants change.
   “Everyone knows the project is needed,” he said.
   Fred Backus, UG engineer, said the proposed project, about $5.5 million, is a wider two-lane road. Eventually, perhaps 20 to 30 years from now, the road may become a four-lane parkway with a wide median, as called for by the master plan, he said. A federal grant of $3.8 million should provide most of the funding of this project, Backus said.
   He said the project is supposed to bid early next year. Currently, property acquisition is scheduled, along with giving utilities the opportunity to relocate, he said. He expects many utilities to relocate under the roadway.
   The UG Commission also approved a resolution to survey and acquire property needed for a Georgia Avenue bridge replacement, near 91st. The small bridge is south of the Wyandotte County Lake area, and two properties may be affected.
   Although the UG has authorized the use of eminent domain if necessary for this project, UG officials do not think that will be necessary, Tobin said.

CommunityAmerica Credit Union to open branch at new Walmart

   The CommunityAmerica Credit Union will open a new branch location at the new Walmart under construction at 10824 Parallel Parkway.
   The new credit union branch is part of an expansion including three new sites, according to a spokesman. At the same time, the credit union’s White Oak branch on the Missouri side of the metropolitan area will close Aug. 28.
   Although it will be the first CommunityAmerica Credit Union branch in Wyandotte County, the financial institution already has wide recognition here as the sponsor of the ballpark where the T-Bones play baseball games in Village West.
   The new credit union branch here is expected to open Oct. 28. About 10 jobs are expected to be created by the expansion, according to credit union officials.
   “We’re pleased to be expanding our network to 31 branches to reach new members and provide additional convenience to our existing members,” said Dennis Pierce, CommunityAmerica CEO. “Like other great retail partners we work with, Walmart places particular emphasis on providing customers with the best value, which mirrors our commitment to make member benefit our first priority.”
   The new in-store branches at Walmart will be full-service, offering loans, ATM services, checking, savings, CDS, as well as investment advice by appointment.
   The branches will be open seven days a week for convenience to members, according to a spokesman. Hours on Sundays will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
   “We’re proud to be offering job growth in this economy,” Pierce said. “We continue to seek opportunities that allow us to serve more members, and attract more consumers to experience the credit union difference, where we put people before profits, and in fact, routinely give money back to our members at the end of the year.”
   CommunityAmerica has 29 branches in Missouri and Kansas.

Remodeled school …

With the beginning of the school year in a couple of weeks, completion of the Piper High School draws close. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Because of a printing error, the continuations of the stories from the front to the inside page of the Piper Press were not correct in the Aug. 13 edition. We regret any inconvenience. The correct stories follow:

Piper district ready to start new school year with new elementary, remodeled high school, new preschool

by Mary Rupert

   A false rumor is floating around the Piper district that school won’t start until after Labor Day, Superintendent Steve Adams said.
   But Piper High School, undergoing remodeling, is only about a week away from occupancy, he said Aug. 10. The first day of school is Aug. 24 in the Piper district. The first half-day, for some students, is Aug. 21.
   “We’re going to have school,” Adams said.
   Left to complete on the high school remodeling project are some asphalt work, striping on the gym floor, vinyl composition tile in the band room, and painting, ceiling and vinyl composition tile in the library, he said. The library may not be completed in time for the opening of school, but it will not affect opening day, according to Adams.
   The Piper district used about $500,000 in funds earmarked for construction, but left over from the project, to add some extras to the high school project, he said. These include new windows, a gym floor replacement, painting the gym ceiling, an extra 100 parking spaces, an access road, new lockers, a foundation for the weight room, and an industrial arts lab.
   The library, band room and vocal room were not originally scheduled for remodeling but were added to the project, Adams said.
   The new elementary school is completed and nearly everything is moved in, according to Adams. The few items that remain are connecting wireless and surveillance, and the playground. A dedication ceremony for the new Piper elementary school and an open house will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The ceremony is sponsored by the PTA. The ceremony will be at the Piper elementary gym and refreshments will be served at the high school.
   One feature added this year will be electronic boards, or Eno boards, in the district classrooms.
   Another first for the Piper district this school year will be a district preschool, offered half-days, five days a week.
   About 40 preschool students have signed up for classes in the new elementary building, and it’s almost full, Adams said. Two sections will be held.
   “We’ll be teaching language acquisition, the basics for math and reading, so kids will enter kindergarten ready to learn,” he said.
   “Research indicates kids involved in a quality program advance 2.5 grade levels beyond students who do not have one,” he said.
   The preschool is tuition-based. At-risk students may receive state assistance. For more information, call the district offices at 913-721-2089.

To reach Mary Rupert, managing editor, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

Mill levy increase could raise about same amount of funds, Piper officials say

by Mary Rupert

   While the Piper School Board approved a 7.5-mill increase in the mill levy Aug. 10, the amount of taxes homeowners pay could be about the same as last year, according to Superintendent Steve Adams.
   “Mine will be about even,” Adams said about property taxes paid to the school district. Based on valuations issued last March, he said there should be little change in the amount of taxes he pays to the district on his home.
   As the district increases its mill levy by 14.7 percent, the valuations are falling in the district. Adams said the district valuation for this year is about $190 million, and for next year, an estimated $145 million.
   Home values are falling throughout the county from 4 to 6 percent, and Piper also faces a decline in valuations from a couple of taxpayers who make up 25 percent of the district’s budget, Nebraska Furniture Mart and The Legends.
   As a result of the Unified Government settlement of the property tax dispute with The Legends and NFM, the Piper district will receive about $1.8 million, according to Adams. It had expected to receive about $2.5 million based on the valuations at the beginning of the year.
   Even though it is receiving the $1.8 million in delinquent funds, the district did not lower its published mill levy.
   The loss of valuation in the 2009-2010 school year, an estimated $45 million drop, will have an effect on the local option budget, capital outlay, and bond and interest funds, Adams said.
   Adams said he is estimating there will be 12 percent less revenue next year. Although some new facility weighting funds from the state will help offset the difference, district officials believe the higher mill levy was necessary to offset the lower valuation.
   Board president Ron Kaminski said the mill levy is going up because the valuation went down substantially, and delinquent taxes were much higher this year than they have been historically, going from 7 percent to more than 20 percent.
   “We had no choice,” he said.
   He added that another major taxpayer whose valuation declined was The Woodlands, which closed.
   The Piper district was forced to make budget cuts during the last school year as state aid was reduced. Unlike other school districts, because of the dispute over unpaid taxes, it was faced with a larger amount of delinquent taxes.
   After a dispute over the appraised value of the two properties, NFM and The Legends settled with the Unified Government on the amount of taxes owed. Originally asked to pay $143 million, the Legends now is paying $105 million for 2008, and NFM is paying $30 million instead of the original $80 million, according to Adams.
   In 2009, the property tax is expected to be $78 million from the Legends and $30 million from NFM, while in 2010, the Legends is expected to pay $70 million and NFM, $30 million.
   The Legends at Village West is not owned by RED Development, but was sold to Morgan Stanley, according to Piper officials.
   No members of the public spoke at the budget hearing held before the adoption of the budget.

To reach Mary Rupert, managing editor, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

Kaminski returns from Reno Pro-Am

   Ron Kaminski, Piper School Board president, recently returned from Reno, Nev., where he participated Aug. 3-9 in the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open.
   Kaminski, a security guard at The Legends in Kansas City, Kansas, said the tournament was held in conjunction with the grand opening of The Legends at Sparks Marina near Reno, Nevada. John Rollins was the champion of the 2009 tournament.
   Many employees of The Legends in Kansas City, Kansas, attended the tournament, Kaminski said.
   “It actually snowed at 5:05 p.m. Thursday,” he said.

Wyandotte County Fair …

Jaden Buehler, 8, won several ribbons for his swine entries at the 2009 Wyandotte County 4-H Fair, Leavenworth County Fairgrounds in Tonganoxie. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Buehler family continues 54-year participation in county fair

by Bettse Folsom

   Dorothy Buehler said she feels that the city did a great injustice to the 4-H children by moving the 2009 Wyandotte County 4-H Fair to the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds in Tonganoxie this year.
   “Our fair grounds should be centrally located [in Wyandotte County] so that both ends of the town can attend,” Buehler said.
   The 4-H Fair concluded on July 31 after nearly a week of exhibits including goats, pigs, horses, cattle, vegetables, and other entries. Buehler’s six grandchildren competed and won some of the most cherished ribbons in the fair.
   “I have been in 4-H for 54 years,” Buehler said. “It all started with my daughter.”
   Buehler’s daughter wanted her to go to a 4-H meeting for the Wolcott Wanderers. The group originally met in Wolcott but several of the members were from other sections of Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. Since then, Buehler, three of her children and 12 grandchildren have participated in 4-H. Many have won championships and ribbons.
   Her granddaughter, CheyAnn Taylor, 17, was crowned rodeo queen at the Junction City rodeo this year. Alex Buehler, 17, won grand champion for senior showmanship for goats on July 28. Buehler’s other grandchildren, Blaze Taylor, 10, Lucy Buehler, 13, and Jaden Buehler, 8, all won various ribbons for livestock, clothes, modeling and cooking.
   “It is lots of work but it is also a lot of fun,” said Justin Buehler, 17. “However, I don’t like jumping around to go the fair grounds.”
   Justin has been in 4-H for at least 11 years. He has learned how best to select the swine he wants to enter the fair based on their length, width and how they walk. Among his responsibilities in preparing for the fair is to daily take his pigs for walks.
   “This is the only way to get them used to you and not to run away,” Justin said.
   He and other members of the family travel all across Kansas to locate the perfect specimens for the swine and goats to present during the fair. 
   “We need the fair to stay in Wyandotte County for everyone,” said Steve Mortell, swine superintendent. “This was a long way out for the event.”
   The final event for the Wyandotte County 4-H Fair was the round robin. This collection of animals from all species determines a showman for the entire fair. Tayler Miles, Lucky Clovers 4-H Club, won first place, Adam Pack, Nearman 4-H Club, won second, and Alex Buehler, Wolcott Wonderers, won third.
   “Our hope is to be on our property next year at 7 Highway and Polfer Road,” said Jennifer Hauk, director of Wyandotte County Fair Association. “We are very grateful to the Leavenworth County Fair for letting us come out here.”
   To learn more about the Wyandotte County Fair, go to http://www.wycofair.com/.
 
To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

A new look …

Returning students at Piper High School, 4400 N. 107th, will see a new front to their school building this year as well as changes to classrooms, lunchroom and gymnasium. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Changes await Piper students this fall

by Mary Rupert

   When school starts this fall in the Piper Public Schools, there will be significant changes for students and teachers.
   A new $15 million elementary school and a renovated $14.9 high school project will be the most notable changes. Residents may tour the new facilities Sept. 12.
   “These projects provide spaces for kids to learn in that are very, very nice and technologically up-to-date,” said Superintendent Steve Adams.
   The buildings have good quality climate control, and patrons will be pleasantly surprised at the value and appearance of the buildings, he said.
   “They’re getting more value for their money,” he said.
   Adams said construction of the elementary building is almost completed, and the high school renovation is getting closer to completion.
   Piper district voters approved the building projects to alleviate overcrowding. Residents will notice that the new classrooms have a lot of natural light and a spacious look, Adams said.
   Plus, the new classrooms are more technologically up-to-date, with electronic interactive Eno boards, which are interactive boards that also allow dry-erase markers, he said.
   The Piper PTA is sponsoring an open house at the new facilities at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. A dedication ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. in the Piper elementary gym and commons area. Tours and an open house will be held for the remainder of the morning. Refreshments will be served at the high school.
   Adams said the district is inviting the public and dignitaries, including the mayor and commissioners, U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore and State Board of Education Chairwoman Janet Waugh.
   Another change planned this year in the Piper district is a reorganization of the grade levels. The new elementary facility will hold pre-kindergarten through fourth grade students; fifth and sixth grades, part of the middle school, will be in the former Piper East Elementary School building; seventh and eighth grades will be in the existing Piper Middle School building; and ninth through 12th grades will attend classes in the newly renovated high school building.
   Also new this year is a pre-kindergarten program, as well as expanded technology programs for the high school.

Tax payment good news for Piper district

by Mary Rupert

   The tax payment by Nebraska Furniture Mart and The Legends announced this week is good news for the Piper School District, according to Superintendent Steve Adams.
   The district will not have to issue no-fund warrants now, he said. District officials earlier made a trip to Topeka to get permission from the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals to issue more than $470,000 in no-fund warrants, which are a type of borrowing for the district. The district faced a $2.75 million shortfall because of delinquent taxes, lower valuations and a cut in state funding.
   Taxes from NFM and the Legends make up about 25 percent of the district’s revenues, according to Adams.
   Adams said it also was good that the UG and the Legends agreed on valuation amounts, which will make it easier to plan for the future.
   The negotiated amounts were less than what was originally set by the county appraiser and budgeted by local governments.
   The Piper district budget itself may change, but probably not a lot, he said.
   “The budget figures may be modified slightly, but they were built on an assumption that the UG and these two entities would end up settling,” he said.
   “I don’t foresee that we will change the mill levy dramatically,” Adams said.
   He said he was encouraged that progress had been made in resolving the tax situation. More cuts to the budget would have been required if the payments had not been made.
   “Had these payments not been made, there would have been considerably less money to work with,” he said.
   While it will help reduce the need for future budget cuts, the payment of the delinquent taxes may not eliminate the need for future budget cuts, he said. The need for future cuts will depend on funding from the state Legislature, he said.
   Piper’s published proposed mill levy for 2009-2010 is about 58.8 mills, as compared to the actual mill levy of about 51.2  in 2008-2009.
   The district’s budget hearing will be at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 10 at the district office, 12036 Leavenworth Road.

To contact Mary Rupert, managing editor, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com. 

Dance team awards …

The Piper High School Dance Team returned June 12 from the National Dance Association camp, Emporia, Kan., with many awards and ribbons. (Submitted photo)

Piper High School Dance Team wins awards at camp

   When the 12 girls of the Piper High School Dance Team and their head coach, Katherine Halsey, started for dance camp on June 9 at the National Dance Association, Emporia, Kan., it was with some trepidation. When they came back on June 12, they had received many awards and honors.
   “We learned a lot last year but we really didn't do well in competition,” Halsey said. “However, this year we did much better.”
   The camp this year had more than 450 girls on different size squads, Halsey said. It was the largest camp in the nation for NDA as far as competition. The mission of the camp is to encourage and aid imaginative, artistic and healthy everyday life by providing superior opportunities in dance and dance education. Each team attending the camp was divided into classifications for their number in the group.
   One of the requirements of each team was to bring a rehearsed routine for the squad to the camp. The Piper High School troop practiced for three weeks and performed a jazz dance choreographed by Riana Cole, captain, and Gaby Carlisle and Iman Lane, co-captains of the group, Halsey said. With this performance, they won an outstanding ribbon for superior presentation, which is one of the highest awards.
   “We also had to learn a team routine at the camp to compete with other groups in our classification,” Halsey said. “It had a combination of hip hop, jazz and pom elements, and we won the gold!”
   However, the real surprise came for the entire team when six of the 12 girls on the Piper High School Dance Team were nominated for the All-America award, Halsey said. The leaders and instructors at the camp evaluate the girls for performance, technique, team support and attitude when not performing. Other teams with larger squads had one or two girls that were nominated.
   “We were so excited that half our team was called as finalists for this award,” Halsey said. “They pick the girls they feel will go even farther in dance, and Andie Stitt and Keiana Moyer were presented this honor.”
   Halsey said that this demonstrated that the Piper High School Dance Team is a good, strong squad that respects and works well together. Other members of the team are Emily Nusz, Angela Foster, Ashley Murray, Ellisha Turner, Morgan Warren, Raven Torez and Jordan Galey.
   Each girl learned several dances each day at camp, based on ability and level of experience, Halsey said. Their daily schedule started at 7 a.m. with breakfast and sometimes didn’t end until 9 p.m. at night. By the end of camp, every girl learned four or five dances within two-and-a-half days. 
   “By the time it was over, we had sore feet, ankles and bodies,” Halsey said. “They did a great job and I am really proud of them. They are my girls and I love them.”
   To raise money for the Piper High School Dance Team, a car wash will be held Aug. 29 at Danny's Bar and Grill, 13350 College Boulevard, and a little girls dance clinic for kindergarten to eighth-graders in October with a final performance during a football halftime the same month.
   To learn more about the Piper High School Dance Team, e-mail Katherine Halsey at katiejohalsey@yahoo.com.
 
To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

Piper school district asks state for no-fund warrants

by Mary Rupert

   It has been a challenging year financially for the Piper School District. Just when district officials thought they had the budget solved, they didn’t.
   Superintendents and school districts are constantly adjusting to a changing flow of income. Because of shortfalls in revenues from the state and also from local taxpayers, the budget had to be repaired several times. Now, as the district is supposed to start working on next year’s budget, it’s still solving a few problems from the last fiscal year.
   This week, Piper School District officials have asked the state Court of Tax Appeals for permission to issue no-fund warrants.
   Superintendent Steve Adams said July 6 that the tax appeals board had taken the matter under consideration. If approved at the state level, the Piper Board of Education then will decide whether it wants to borrow money to make up for a shortfall in property tax revenues from RED Development, he said.
   The district proceeded with its no-fund warrant plans because RED Development has not paid property taxes yet on The Legends, according to Adams. He said district officials have spoken with some tenants at The Legends who have said they have paid property taxes already to RED to be paid to the Unified Government.
   If the board decides to issue no-fund warrants, the district may seek a loan to raise the taxes not collected, and the loan has to be paid back within 12 months, he said. The no-fund warrants also include authority to assess a special mill levy of up to 4 mills to pay off the loans. The board would make these decisions on whether to use the no-fund warrants with the August budget, he said.
   If RED pays the taxes before then, the district wouldn’t need to use the no-fund warrants, he added.
   “The ironic thing is that if we issue no-fund warrants and RED doesn’t pay their taxes, next year’s taxes are going to go up anyway,” he said. “They’re shooting themselves in the foot.”
   Adams reported a $2.75 million shortfall in the district’s budget June 8 from delinquent taxes. Delinquent taxes were more than 35 percent of the budget. At that time, officials of RED Development said they were in negotiations with the Unified Government to settle a difference of opinion about the property valuations.
   Since then, the Unified Government has worked out an arrangement to advance about $682,000 in delinquent taxes on the supplemental general fund, Adams said.
   “That allowed us to maintain our supplemental or LOB (local option budget) authority for this year,” he said. “If we did not collect the money by June 30, we would lose the authority to take it. We still are facing the delinquency on the general fund, bond and interest and capital outlay.”
   While the state will cover the shortfall in the general fund for now, the district has to figure out a way to cover bond and interest and capital outlay funds, he said. Piper asked for no-fund warrants on the bond and interest fund only. The district has estimated bond payments due Sept. 1, he added.
   “In addition, we learned that the governor has just cut education again another $62 per student, which will amount to $130,000 in additional cuts for next year,” he said.
   Those cuts in the 2009-2010 school year will be made in addition to the cuts already made of more than $350,000, he said.
   “This next round of cuts will bring it to about half a million,” he said.
   Adams said the district’s budget had been built on a 7.5 percent delinquency rate and a collection rate of 82 percent, and under normal circumstances, that should have been enough. But RED Development is such a large portion of the tax base, if they choose not to pay their taxes, that it has done a lot of damage, he said.
   He has pointed out that under the law, businesses and individuals are required to pay taxes, and if they disagree with the amount owed, they are required to pay them under protest and appeal. To not pay them is to hurt the community, he said.
   When asked about property taxes increasing next year, Adams said, “Well, when you don’t collect the taxes that are due in the previous year, and the valuation of the property within your district goes down, then it creates a great big hole, and the only way I know to fill the hole is to reduce expenses or raise taxes. And we’ve reduced our expenses quite a little bit, so certainly the proposition of increased taxes is something that our Board of Education is going to have to consider and deal with.”
   Funding variances have kept the district on its toes. The district has been holding on to the July checks to teachers until it gets the last distribution of state aid, which was scheduled for June, but was late, he said.
   “They’re making it late and had to borrow the money from other funds to pay the balance to the school district,” he said.
   “We should be receiving it tomorrow,” he said on July 6.

Plaza at Speedway construction …

Construction continues at Plaza at the Speedway in the Piper area. (Staff photo)

Plaza at Speedway agreement restructured

by Mary Rupert

   According to developers, it’s being said that the Plaza at the Speedway project in Piper is one of the few big developments still alive in the Kansas City area.
   The Unified Government gave that $171 million project a boost June 25 by restructuring the redevelopment agreement. The northwest part of the center near 108th and Parallel Parkway is already going up and will have 700,000 square feet of building space. The original cost of the project was $146.8 million, according to developers.
   Pete Heaven, an attorney with the developers, told the UG that the Wal-Mart Supercenter is slated to open this October. Other tenants are expected to include Kohl’s, Michaels, Shoe Carnival, Olive Garden, Chick-Fil-A and a home improvement store, he said. Best Buy has already opened at the center.
   A large anchor toward the northwest side of the project will open in 2009, while other areas fronting on Parallel Parkway are scheduled for completion in 2009-2010. Completion date for the northeast area of the project is 2010-2011.
   Kevin Nunnink, chief executive officer of Integra Realty Resources, said the UG had been advised by its underwriters that the bonds would be more marketable if they were restructured.
   Peter Dellaportas, a Chicago retail developer, said developers had been waiting for the bonds to be sold, and that without the restructuring, the project might have been delayed indefinitely.
   Under questioning from Commissioner Bill Miller, Unified Government officials described a restructuring that seemed to be more financially advantageous for the developer, at least at first.
   No additional bonds or public financing were requested by this agreement, according to UG officials.
   According to Lew Levin of the Unified Government, it was a mutual decision by the UG and the developers to restructure the agreement.  The project now will be more feasible, he said. In the short term, the developers will benefit from the changes, but in the long term, the UG benefits, he said.
   In the early years, because more money is being paid toward the bonds, the amount the UG gets back is less than under the previous agreement, he said. But if bonds are paid off sooner, the UG will realize more money, he said.
   Because of declines in the financial markets last fall, it became more difficult to market these types of bonds, Levin said. He described them as revenue bonds that are not backed by the UG. They are similar to bonds at Village West in that they’re paid with sales tax revenue, although there is also a pledge of property tax revenue in a tax increment district, he said. All property taxes for a maximum of 10 years go to pay off the bonds, and 94.5 percent of the sales taxes will finance the TIF bonds.
   “What changed is a higher percentage of the money is being allocated for the purpose of paying off bonds,” Levin said. “That allows the bonds to be marketable, and the excess money from that is being split by both us and them.”
   The UG’s share of the project is about $43 million, Levin said. The UG will issue tax-increment financing bonds and is establishing a transportation development district.
   “Two years ago the financial situation was different,” Levin said. “You didn’t have that upheaval in the bond market, and developers were progressing.”
   He said other communities around the metropolitan area have encountered difficulties with developments.
   The agreement also includes a $1.5 million donation to the Piper School District.
   Plaza at the Speedway developers told the UG that local business contractors participation in the project was more than 35 percent. Under questioning by Commissioner Nathan Barnes, developers said the percentage of minority contractors was low and not meeting goals, but they expected that to change once another phase of the project was begun. Barnes said he would like to see stronger enforcement of the minority contractors provisions.

To reach Mary Rupert, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

Wyandotte winery …

Sal Coco, the Wine Barn, 2850 N. 119th, has been making wine for more than 25 years. His father taught him several techniques, which he uses to perfection, to bottle his own wine and sell at his new business. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Wine Barn opens for business

by Bettse Folsom

   Scott and Denise Hiatt and Sal and Maria Coco opened The Wine Barn, 2850 N. 119th, for business on May 9. This grand opening welcomed the public to attend their free wine tastings and try their bottled beverages for the first time since they began bottling several years before.
   The Cocos purchased their property in 1989 and planted their own vineyard. Sal was always interested in wine making and learned the best processes from his father. In 1995, they sold the back portion of the land to the Hiatts, who quickly found a common interest with them in developing fine wine.
   “Sal and Maria invited us to their bottle-making parties,” Denise Hiatt said. “We got more and more interested until we were working together to bottle the wine in Sal’s basement.”
   Soon they outgrew the basement and jointly built the Wine Barn next to the pond in front of the Hiatt’s house. The barn originally was established as a convenient location to bottle and label the various wines they made, however, friends and family encouraged them to open the winery for business.
   “They kept bugging us to sell the wine so Sal obtained information from the government on regulations and licensing,” Denise Hiatt said. “We also partitioned the Wine Barn for wine-tasting appointments.”
   Visitors driving to the Wine Barn will turn off 119th onto a narrow pathway through the woods. This was originally built as a railroad track from Kansas City to Atchison in the 1800s. The trail soon opens up into a meadow with a small pond on the left and the Wine Barn sitting on the other side. Rows and rows of rolling acres and grape vines can be seen including a thousand new plantings this year.
   “We grow most of our own grapes and fruit for the wines and some are imported from California,” Sal Coco said. “We get the juice and make the wine ourselves, though.”
   All of the wines they offer except the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Old Vine Zinfandel, Golden Sunset and Riesling are grown in their vineyards. These grapes require a specific climate found in California. In addition to the wine they make from grapes, they also offer other fruit selections including Blackberry and Chocolate Raspberry. All the bottles are sealed with a new type of cap called the Zork. This prevents tainting the wine and allows storage right-side-up.
   “This takes a lot of work from the planting, watering, pruning, picking, making the wines, pruning in winter and starting all over again,” Denise Hiatt said. “This is a lot of hard work but a lot of fun, too. It also makes you feel good when people find your wine enjoyable.”
   During their wine tasting, the Wine Barn offers two types of assortments: Sunrise and Sunset. The Sunrise has specific textures and is lighter, whereas, the Sunset is of a darker personality.
   “We are excited about our Wine Barn,” Scott Hiatt said. “We just encourage people to come, sit, and drink a bottle of wine while they relax.”
   For more information on scheduling a wine-tasting party, go to http://www.winedottebarn.com/.

To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

Volunteers create garden …

“It has just been a wonderful experience to see all the wonderful volunteers of this magnitude,” said Eileen Manza, program director, Savior Pastoral Center. “The Master Gardeners program is to give back to the community. They have certainly showed it in a wonderful way here.” (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Master gardener leads volunteer effort at pastoral center

by Bettse Folsom

   When the Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Parkway, obtained a new chancellor, Gary Pennings, one of the first things he recommended was to enhance the already beautiful main courtyard located in the center of the facility.
   “He said it was a beautiful courtyard and many people who have stayed with us have enjoyed the surroundings,” said Eileen Manza, program director. “However, it did need some improvements.”
   Unfortunately, the center was undergoing a freeze on hiring and was unable to obtain the services of a specialized gardener. Nevertheless, Manza contacted some other individuals who introduced her to Kathy Marincel, a Johnson County Master Gardener with nine years experience in volunteer, service and education to the community.
   Marincel looked over the garden and immediately noticed that the garden was well planned but basically had gone to ruin through neglect. She knew that they didn't have the volunteers or staff to maintain what needed to be done.
   “Once I saw the garden, I realized it was in a very nice, location, had good structure, and excellent bones [configuration],” Marincel said. “It was enclosed with walls on either side that enabled them to grow plants easier and make for an excellent eco-climate.”
   She sketched the garden and returned back home to consider the situation. She realized that the courtyard was aesthetically pleasant; however, they didn’t have a budget or volunteers at the time.
   The first item she addressed was contacting a local Wyandotte County Master Gardener, Elizabeth Duke, who lived closer to Savior Pastoral Center and who could be the “eyes” of the project. Duke volunteered to help with maintaining the work.
   “The garden made me think of a friend of ours, Jerry Mayne,” Marincel said. “He had just lost his wife, Julie, and we wanted to do something for her.”
   Another factor was that Mayne worked for Savior Pastoral Center and would be able to regularly view the garden whose makeover was in her honor. With that in mind, Marincel asked for contribution to Julie’s Garden and obtained more than $1,000 and over 200 sweat-equity volunteer hours.
   Some of Julie’s friends donated four large concrete planters weighing approximately 200-pounds each. They placed two of them on either side of the garden and on either side of the main staircase leading further up to the grass area and softly flowing fountain and welcoming guests into the tranquil area. The existing fountain had an unattractive hose seen on the bottom level, and Kathy’s husband and friend dismantled the large stone structure and repositioned the hose underground.
   Large barberry bushes surrounded the entire north column choking the area. Volunteers discarded half of the bushes and planted oak leaf hydrangeas.
   “Although the garden looked very well during the spring season, it needed some aesthetic value during the other seasons,” Marincel said. “We added some flowers and items that would look good during the summer, winter and autumn seasons.”
   For color, her husband added bright-colored rose bushes in front of the fountain in memory of his father who recently died and loved them. Neighbors and friends donated water plants and other items of interest.
   “It has been so much fun when everyone gets together and works together volunteering,” Marincel said. “It makes it all that much better since the main thing is to be a community volunteer project.”
   She said they are currently looking for rock or stone and mulch to finish off other areas of the garden. They also would welcome other community groups to work with them on the garden for a volunteer service hours.
   The Savior Pastoral Center is available for events, workshops and retreats with 44 remodeled bedrooms with private bathroom/shower, 22 guest rooms for youth groups, 350-seat capacity conference center and stage and meeting rooms accommodating 10 to 80 people and amenities.
   To learn more about the Savior Pastoral Center or to donate or volunteer to Julie’s Garden, call Eileen Manza at 913-721-1097 or go to http://www.archkck.org.
 
To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

Piper student receives Starlight scholarship

New restaurants, bars …

Jeremy Matlock, owner, Kelley Schuberger, general manager, and Chris Dressel, executive chef, opened Cleatz on May 21, part of the Solz Complex restaurants located at the northwest section of the Legends Shopping Center. “We are excited to bring something new and be part of the Legends,” Matlock said. “Clients think they know sports bar food until they have tried ours.” (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

New shoe-themed sports restaurants counting on ‘z’ factor

by Bettse Folsom

   Jeremy Matlock decided that the Legends Shopping Center lacked a locally owned sports bar that would provide good food and entertainment. He knew he could supply it by starting his Solz Complex restaurants that offered multiple combinations.
   “Kelley came up with the idea of the shoe names. Each ends with the letter ‘z,’ tying them all together,” Matlock said. “Solz is the umbrella and a play on the Dr. Scholl’s shoes.”
   With this in mind, Matlock officially opened Cleatz on May 21. This is the first of his four restaurants located at the northwest corner of the shopping center. Later this summer, Matlock said that Spurz, FlipFlopz, and Stilettoz, all part of the Solz franchise, will be open for business. Although Cleatz will be open during the day and early evening for family dining, the others will open as dance clubs with live music.
   Matlock said that they have created a silk purse out of a sow’s ear from the former décor of the establishments by the out-of-town owners. Aaron Devores helped them renovate the restaurants, and as part of their pleasurable ambiance, allowed him to select his own “personal” booth in Cleatz.
   Matlock has been in the food service since he was 15 years old working as a car hop for Sonic. He started from the bottom up and experienced every area within the restaurant business. When the restaurant that he, Kelley Schuberger, general manager and Chris Dressel, executive chef, worked in closed down, he knew that among the three of them, they had the knowledge to create a successful dining and entertainment experience.
   “We all started working from the bottom,” Schuberger said. “What one of us doesn’t have experience in, the others do.”
   Matlock said FlipFlopz will provide a disc jockey for top 40 and live entertainment, and Spurz will supply a country-rock DJ, also with live performances. These two clubs will celebrate their grand opening on July 2. Their menu will consist of good upscale food.
   “With Cleatz, we have a type of ‘gourmet ballpark diner fusion,’” Dressel said. “The dance clubs will give a concession-style dining with funnel cakes, hot dogs and nachos.”
   According to Dressel, a few of the house specialties for Cleatz include Whisky Sirloin served with tavern white cheddar mashed potatoes, Smoked Bacon Mac N Cheese with cavatappi pasta, and “Beery-Yaki” Ahi Tuna, marinated in beer-infused teriyaki sauce over cilantro rice. Dressel will also have Cleatz feature a “Kid’z Menu” with Barbecue Ribz and Chicken Tenderz.
   “Kelley has been our friend so we decided to try Cleatz,” Debbi Ward said. “Their food was fantastic and they actually had fresh homemade potato chips.”
   “With Spurz and FlipFlopz, it is an entirely different atmosphere,” Matlock said. “They will cater to the 21-and-over crowd with lots of fun and live shows.”
   In addition to the lively atmosphere and good food, Matlock wants patrons to feel completely safe when attending the dance clubs and will be hiring off-duty Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department officers for security. He said that this will also help the community by using local employees and security. Another added precaution is to provide food at the end of the night to the dance club clientele.
   “It is good to see local people running these restaurants,” Joe Ward said.
“We are excited to bring something new and be part of the Legends,” Matlock said. “Clients think they know sports bar food until they have tried ours.”
   Matlock’s restaurants will have private dining rooms available for parties and corporate functions. To learn more about the Solz Complex, go to http://www.myspace.com/solzcomplex.

To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

PIPER HIGH SCHOOL 
HONOR ROLL
Second Semester Honor Roll 2008-2009

Principal’s

Seniors: Courtney Albracht, Tyler Coffey, Kyle Greenlee, Makayla Horn, Ashley Kaminski, Lindsey Klapper, Kaitlyn Knipp, Kristen Korona, Kaitlynn Long, Kayla Mather, Jamie Ohler, LeeAnn Parkison, Elizabeth Saunders, Kevin Schnirch, John Stimach, Dennis Sudac, Kelli Treff, Erin Trotter, Emily Wolfe.
Juniors:  Tyler Blevins, Christopher Burch, Jenna Frick, Jacob Hoit, Rachel Link, Katherine Linman,   Ashley Murray, Nicole Papageorgious, Jordan C. Powell, Jordan Strange, Nicholas Strub, Caitlin Teters, Jordan Vogel.
Sophomores: Lindsey Albracht, Ryan Albracht, Rebecca Ferguson, Courtney Gunnels, Cadi King, Brianna Leiker, Chloe Lockman, Nicole Lutsenhizer, Alysis Maxwell, Samantha Novak, Bryan Rezin, Megan Slater, Tamara Swan, Amanda Tice, Jackson Wagner, Sarah Watson, Chayce Wynn, Tyler Yoder.
Freshmen:  Morganne Appl, Caitlin Armstrong, Melanie Daniels, Joseph Davis, Brittney Drew, Alexandra English, John Klapper, Addison Morgan, Jacob Morris, Whitney Morrow, Brian Mosier, Kevin Mosier, Zachary Smith, Matthew Strub, Brandon Twidwell, Jared Vogel.

1st Honors

Seniors:  Michael Alexander, Aaron Batliner, Zachary Blair, Matthew Blevins, Jasmine Bryant, Nicholas Coffman, Morgan Conrad, Chase Cook, Xavier Garcia, Michael Garrison, Kevin Greenwald, Andrew Gribble IV, Scott Griffin, Samantha Hodge, Sarah Johnson, Brandy King, Jonathan Matson, Jennifer Ohler, Alyssa Papageorgiou, Sara Parry, Julie Phillips, Kent Reynolds, Sarah Sanders, Michelle Selbe, Michael Smith, Colby Spiess, Sean Verbanic, Jacob Wille, Candace Wright, Joel Wright, Zackary Young.
Juniors:  Suzanne Appl, Jordan Biel, Taylore Blevins, Morgan Buckner, Gabriela Carlisle, Madison Carlson,    Erika Carpenter, Emily Cavlovic, Amber Cirrito, Paige Coffman, Danyelle Cole, Robriana Cole, Rebecca Colson, Dylan Hays, Jena Hotujac, Brittney Hullaby, Jamal Jarrett, Patrice Lasley, David Lee, Cassandra McCollum,Isaac Morerod, Aaron Morris, Emily Mosier, Emily Nusz, Cody Oldham, Beth Orndorff, Kevin Palmer, Aubree Reitemeier, Kevin Sambol, Jasper Sanders, Jared Shriver, Jacob Smith, Haylei Stamps, Craig Swan,
Esther Thacker, Whitney Williams-Bey, Desiree Winchell, Olivia Wood, Peter Yadrich.
Sophomores:  Lindsay Annis, Kayla Bennett, Janesha Burgin, James Calvert, Taran Carlisle, Yvonne Castaneda, Leanna Coffey, Krystal Collier, Katelyn Cromer, Samantha Francis, Marissa Galindo, LeNia Goff, Signey Hagge, Amelia Hernandez, Kimberly Holloway, Erika Jackson, Miles Kitchen, Esther Onwunaka, Thomas Ortiz, Alexander Reberry, Raquel Roethler, Chassiday Schuler, Joseph Thorington, Joseph Valenti, Aisha Walls, Samantha Watson, Matthew Woolley, John Zwart.
Freshmen:  Ryan Banes, Darrian Burgess, Justin Bye, Matthew Cavlovic, Collin Cook, Jeremy Farmer, John Greenwald, Kassandra Guenther, Rebecca Harris, Luke Miller, Sierra Miskec, McKenzie Moore, Emily Orel, Caleb Paterson, Kelsey Schriver, Beau Soucie, Sally Studyvin, Lydia Thacker, Austin Thompson, Matthew Trzok, Austin Wendel.

2nd Honors

Seniors:  Joseph Boatwright, Jonathan Briles, Erin Carr, Andrew Eve, Sheldon Green, Morgan Holt, Justin Jimerson, LaTeisha Lee, Kathryn Long, Del Lutsenhizer, Cheng Ly, Irene Mansfield, Robert Mason, Frederick Owens, Joseph Pyne, Melissa Slater, Michael Smit, Gregory Weibling, Kyle Whitney, Kayla Williams.
Juniors:  Cole Fergus, Amber Jimerson, Cody Lindberg, Steven Wohlforth.
Sophomores:  Daris Anthony, Shelby Brunk, Samantha Dobogai, Gerell Douglas, Deaira Dunbar, Casey Falk, Heather Gattshall, Steven Gomez, Joseph Green, Dorian Hooks, Amanda Ingraham, Ashley Kuklenski, Anastasia Liston, Airen Maxwell, Markisha McCoy, Alex McGinnis, Nathaniel Morerod, Anjelica Rodriguez, Timothy Skinner, Brittaney Sweeney, Quincey Thomas, Morgan Warren.
Freshmen:  Kimberly Boyd, Mayra Castaneda, Tyler Dinsmore, Alexis Gill, Katelyn Jones, Brett Koberlein, Anthony Magee, Nicholas Manan, Bernie May, Jill Moore, Julian Moore, Evan Patsis, Austin Phelps, Myrissa Ranch, Dakoda White, Kristina Winchell, Chelsea Woolsey. 

Remembering Terrell …

Family and friends of Terrell Jermayne Stewart, 11, held a vigil on June 4 in his neighborhood to remember and honor him. More than a hundred people, including classmates of Terrell, attended the service, grasping purple-and-white balloons as they strode down the street to the Stewarts’ home. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Tragedy strikes 11-year-old Piper resident

by Bettse Folsom

   Family and friends of drowning victim Terrell Jermayne Stewart, 11, held a vigil on June 4 in his neighborhood to remember and honor him. More than a hundred people including classmates of Terrell attended the service, grasping purple and white balloons as they strode down the street to the Stewarts’ home.
   Terrell and friends were swimming in an end-of-the-school-year pool party at a friend’s house on Friday, May 29, near the 4000 block of North 112th when something went amiss. A firefighter, who is also a resident in the area, administered CPR until further assistance arrived. Terrell was rushed to Children's Mercy Hospital where he died on Sunday, May 31. 
   “We wanted to let these kids express their feeling in an age-appropriate way,” said Tracy Hijaz. She initiated the idea for the neighborhood gathering.
   “We also want to let the family know we understand and are here for them,” Hijaz said.
   Once there, they held a small ceremony with prayer before releasing the balloons into the sky.
   “Tragedy brings everyone closer together,” said basketball coach Morris Letcher. “We will always remember him.”
   Terrell’s parents, Darryl and Latrece Stewart, were unavailable for comment.
   Visitation for Terrell Stewart will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Mrs. J.W. Jones Memorial Chapel, 703 N. 10th. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at Landmark International Deliverance Worship Center, 8701 Sni A Bar Road, Kansas City, Mo. Interment will be at Highland Park Cemetery.
   A memorial fund has been set up. Donations can be sent to: Terrell Stewart Memorial Fund, care of Midwest Regional Credit Union, 7420 State, Kansas City, Kansas 66112.

To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

Piper students excel on tests 

by Mary Rupert

   Students in the Piper School District turned in an excellent performance on state tests this year.
   In almost all categories, Piper students scored better than the state average on the Kansas assessment tests, according to information supplied by the district.
   According to preliminary results, the district and its schools made adequate yearly progress this year.
   According to Dixie Harrison, assistant superintendent, the district had 100 percent participation in the tests this year.
   As a whole, 92.3 percent of Piper students met the reading standards, while 91.9 percent met the math standards.
   Fourth-grade students turned in very high scores in science, math and reading, in the 98th, 99th and 100th percentiles.
   Harrison also discussed summer school, and the district’s new policy regarding social promotion. Students who do not reach stated goals are asked to attend summer school or start another sort of educational program to bring their skills up. Some students are choosing a private tutor. Social promotions are no longer given, according to district officials.
   This summer, 76 students are enrolled in summer school, with reports going home every Friday to their parents, according to Harrison.
   An amended budget was adopted. The general fund budget was amended because federal dollars will exceed the amount that Wyandotte County special education co-op has estimated for the budget, according to Superintendent Steve Adams. He said it did not affect the tax rate.
   The board also briefly discussed two areas that might be cut in the future – transportation, and custodial and maintenance services.
   Superintendent Steve Adams said some nearby school districts are outsourcing their custodial services, and have saved thousands of dollars. He said the district may want to do some studies to see if dollars can be saved without sacrificing quality. He said another option might be a combination of staff and outsourcing for custodial and maintenance.
   Lori Lanter, director of the 21st Century program, said that there had been an oral understanding that there would be three rooms available for the 21st Century program, but now there are only two.
   “We’re just out of rooms,” Adams said. He said he would work with them on a schedule.
   Lanter said a letter would be sent from the community education president stating that a new policy would go into effect. Whenever an oral agreement is made during  a meeting, it would be followed up by a written document stating the facts, she said.
   The board ratified an agreement with the district’s teachers association that will provide for a .27 percent increase on each cell, which works out to about $100 more per year for the low end of the schedule.
   The board also approved a classified and administrative salary agreement. Administrators  received a 2 percent increase. Because a few of the administrators were retiring and coming back part-time under a special state retirement program, the total expenditures were down. Hourly employees received an increase of 25 cents per hour.

To reach Mary Rupert, managing editor, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

PIPER MIDDLE SCHOOL
2008-2009
SECOND SEMESTER HONOR ROLL

PRIDE HONOR ROLL – 4.00

8TH GRADE: 
Samantha Anzek, Ethan Bach, Christina Braun, Keaton Cofield, Viola Folsom, Jordan Galey, Jessica Guilbeaux, Kaitlin Hankinson, Alayna Hernandez, Angel Hiatt, Joshua Hoit, Raymond Horvat, Kayla Jones, Brooke Koberlein, Ashley Kreig, Dylan Long, Blake Martin, Kayla Onstott, Carmen Ortiz, Lauren Papageorgiou, Sarah Pestock, Charles Rinehart, Danielle Roethler, Andrew Talkin, Brianna Webb.

7TH GRADE: 
Mikaylee Anaya, Hannah Baughman, Brittany Baumli, Brittany Biel, Chloe Bridge, Elizabeth Brown, Jacob Brown, Jared Brown, Michaela Cavlovic, Jared Davis, Hannah Dejmal, Kenneth Delaquila, Denae Douglas, Jacob English, Sara Ferguson, Martin Galindo, Hope Grable, Carly Gunnels, Taylor Hughey, Sydney C. Johnson, Jena Klaas, Alyson Klint, Lauren Kuebelbeck, Ashlyn Lipnicky, Lukas Long, Madeline May, Perrin McTye, Rachael Morris, Zakk Roy, Hannah Sharp, Bryce Slaughter, Sarah Stella, Alyssa Sullivan, Kyndal Washington, Jeremy Wilson, Megan Woolley, Alec Wuellner, Audrey Yadrich, Carley Zwart.
 
6TH GRADE: 
Tyler Albracht, Brandon Apperson, Matthew Appl, Taylor Beashore, Colton Beebe, Kiara Boyd, Jessey Cohen, Kline Collins, Katherine Comer, Nicholas DeVore, Glenne Evans, Sullivan Ford, Megan Galey, Briana Garcia, Margaret Greenwald, Madison Hays, Nathan Hays, Steven Hodge, Zebulun Jackson, Carly Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Gabrielle Kempf, Lyndi Lloyd, Mustafa Mahmud, Natalie Moon, Sean Pahls, Lydia Paterson, Emily Pennington, Keeley Peterson, Halle Podolanko, Hannah Roper, Christopher Schneider, Tyler Simcoe, Lucas Smith, Nicole Stimetz, Ashton Strub, Mikala Sullivan, Sydney Thompson, Xavier Torrez, Kaitlyn Trzok, Kaitlyn Vicker, Courtney Wagner, Jordan Wagner, Allison Williams, Austin Yoder.

PURPLE HONOR ROLL – 3.50 – 3.99

8TH GRADE: 
Claire Bender, Bailey Buff, Krystin Castle, Kathleen Cosgrove, Megan Culp, Jacklyn File, Audrey Frick, Alden German, Kylie Gravatt, Alyssa Grissom, Janalyn Gunzenhauser, Joshua Hall, Miranda Hankinson, Kathryn Harman, Kayla Hedlund, Kati Hughes-Thorne, Savannah Jackson, Hannah Lehman, Sydney Mansaw, John Molle, Thomas Moore, Logan Powell, Elizabeth Puhl, Katlyn Randall, Rebecca Reberry, Aliyah Riley, Bryan Rodriguez, Dominic Sanchez, Nickolas Tate, Jordan Trowbridge, Aiden Webb, Alejandro Winkle.

7TH GRADE: 
Dallas Barnett, Chelsea Beasley, Jacqueline Blair, Connor Burns, Darius Drew, Tanner Eikenbary, Jordan Fuqua, Lowell Head, Taylen Hernandez-Tavener, Olivia Hunt, Cameron Leiker, Gerald Manan, Darius Mathis, Conner McBratney, Amanda Mikesic, Aleyah Murray, Dimitri Patsis, Allison Perry, Jeffrey Potts, Parker Richardson, Dion Saunders, Rachel Saunders, Gordon Sheldon, Jordyn Tucker, Tyler Vaughan, Colton Walker, Jasmine Wayne, Khalin Williams, Alyssa Wilson, Jared Winzer.

6TH GRADE: 
Jadyn Anderson (Masloski), Adam Bender, Carley Blevins, Noah Frick, Alicia Galindo, Jordan Guess, Morgan Hankinson, Jessica Ibarra, Jacob Jones, Christopher LeDesma, Deliah Lopez, Olivia McCoy, Tristen McEachron, Abigail Morris, Andrew Obiesie, Renee Poolman, Zachary Slaughter, Kori Smith, Logan Smith, Darryl Terrell, Yulissa Walton.

WHITE HONOR ROLL – 3.00 – 3.49

8TH GRADE: 
Corbin Anderson, Aaliyah Barnett, Rylee Basler, Benjamin Brown, Dalton DeVore, Sean Eskina, Montana Fasching, Kayla Folsom, Lukas Francis, Alejandra Gonzalez, Kalen Green, Logan Hagge, Kambri Hall, Dalton Hays, Maggie Hodge, Aliyah Jackson, Tyrone Jennings, Christopher Knetter, Robert Love, Clayton Lucas, Andrew Malcolm, Cheyenne McGinnis, Lindzy Monroe, Brannen Murphy, Latoyia Napier, Demetrious Neill, Rebecca Onstott, Bradley Rogers, Jack Rogers, Hillari Stamps, Kyl Stremming, Courtney Tucker, Jessica Tyler, Terry Wilson, Raveen Womack.

7TH GRADE: 
Samantha Basler, Justin Brantley, James Clark, Tristian Davis, J.D. Dodd, Jacob Dougherty, Savannah Dungan, Savannah Ferris, Carlos Garcia, Jenise Green, Cierra Hiatt, Dominique Jennings, Kelsea Lawson, Jared Lutsenhizer, Kortney Masters, Deion McQuarters, Brett Moore, Allison Murphy, Alexis Pate, Christian Porter, Ann-Druney Price, Mackenzie Schuley, Blaine Smith, Logan Stacer, Alexandra Triplett, Cameron Walker, Victoria Webb, Angel Williams.

6TH GRADE: 
Jacob Asherman, Tyler Banes, Christopher Brown, Tatjon Burgess, Logan Cross, Bailey Daschke, Vania Davis, Vincent Eskina, Kristin Gengler, Alexander Hobelmann, David Houston, Jaelon Johnson, Regan Johnson, Travon Jones, Ashley King, Cheyann Lake, Abraham Lugo, Blake Meseke, Gina Molle, Kaylea Monahan, Alecia Murray, Jonathan Ortiz, McKenzie Reynolds, Kilil Richard, Bethany Roberts, Shelby Robertson, Catherine Snell, Christian Spencer, Kendall Stauch, Herbert Treff, Marisa West, Haley White, Amanda Wood.

State champ …

Alec Reberry, bass fishing tournament state champion, spends a lot of his time fishing at the pond near his home in Piper. “There is no better training than T.O.W, time on the water,” said Brad Burns, coach for the KickBack Junior Bass Club. “Now that Alec has won the state championship, he will be competing in the divisional 15-18 age group.”  (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

16-year-old state bass champ
says he’s hooked on fishing

by Bettse Folsom

   Renee Reberry, Piper High School secretary, was surprised when she received an unexpected call from her husband, Pete, notifying her that their 16-year-old son, Alec, had just won the Junior Bass Fishing Tournament State Championship for his age group.
   “She was just about to finish our reservations for our vacation to the Grand Canyon when I called,” Pete said. “Now we had to change our plans for a trip to Greers Ferry, Ark., in June where Alec will be competing next.”
   “I guess I was just shocked yet excited for him,” Renee said. “It all started when we moved to our house a few years ago, and Alec could fish in the pond.”
   Alec has been interested in fishing for several years. His uncle, Dennis Reberry, was a big influence and taught him different fishing techniques and methods. He has also been a member of the KickBack Junior Bass Club, where he perfected his sport under the tutelage of his coach, Brad Burns. Burns, originally from Louisiana, has been involved in youth fishing since 1999.
   “Junior bass fishing tournaments are similar to the adult versions,” Burns said. “Now that Alec has won the state championship, he will be competing in the divisional 15-18 age group.”
   “The club taught me about different baits and knots and when to use them,” Alec said. “I also learned the best weather conditions and equipment to use.”
   The sport involves the capture, measurement by supervisors, and release of the bass fish from the contestants’ boats. There were around 40 children and teenagers who competed in the tournament this spring, and the top three in each age group were selected to qualify for the divisional competition. Burns announced the second and third-place winners before naming Alec to first place.
   “There is no better training than T.O.W, time on the water,” Burns said. “This helps to understand the water’s conditions since we compete in all kinds of weather.”
   Unlike other sports or hunting, bass fishing is a blind sport. Nevertheless, members of the club are able to learn methods and techniques.
   Alec wasn’t sure that he was going to win the state championship; however, he felt he had a fairly good chance.
   “I never won anything this big before,” Alec said. “I just kept smiling all day.”
   In addition to competing, Alec also assists the younger students in the club as a tournament director. If he wins the divisional, he will advance to the Junior World Championship competition.
   “I find it really fun using all the different baits and out-waiting the fish to bring them in,” Alec said. “I guess I’m just hooked.”
   While interviewing Alec, this photojournalist saw him quickly pluck a fish out of the pond within a few minutes time.
   To learn more about the KickBack Junior Bass Club, go to http://kickbackbassclub.com.
 
To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

Thomas Ortiz (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Practices make perfect

To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

Dancing …

Ashley Kaminski, Michael Smith and other members of the Piper Music-N-Motion team danced to "Hernando's Hideaway" from the Pajama Game play in the sixth annual M-N-M Dessert Night May 6 in the high school auditorium. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

Piper board cuts $220,000 to balance budget for 2009-2010 year

To contact Bob Evans, freelance writer, e-mail bobe@wyandottepublishing.com.

Piper district tries to reduce budget through early retirement offers, not layoffs

Piper academics improving, test scores show

‘Trial by fire’ for county’s new senator

To reach Mary Rupert, managing editor, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

Six-year-old Sara Lake stopped to smell the candles at one of the booths during annual Piper Spring Craft Show on May 2, Piper East Elementary School, where more than 50 vendors displayed their wares. (Photo by Bettse Folsom)

KCKCC job led to college degrees for retiring Piper resident

by Alan Hoskins

   Some jobs are made to order – a “win-win” relationship such as the one achieved by the uniting of Regina Smith and Kansas City Kansas Community College.
   For KCKCC, it got one of its most versatile employees for 19 years. For Smith, it was both an associate’s and bachelor’s degrees for herself and an associate’s for her husband.
   “Jean Walker pushed me to take classes,” said Smith, a Piper area resident. “She said if I took one class I would be hooked and I was. Thanks to Jean, I received my Associate in Arts degree in May 1994 and my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Friends University in August 1996.” In addition, she convinced her husband of 34 years, Gary, to earn an Associate’s degree.

   Hired as an administrative secretary in the Business-Professional Division in July of 1990, she spent just two months in that division before taking the position of executive secretary to Walker, who was the dean of continuing education.
   In March 1993, Smith became executive secretary to Jerry Reid, the vice president of administrative and student services, a position she held for more than 5.5 years.
“One thing I will always remember from Jerry is he used to tell me when I was frustrated, ‘Can you change it? If not, don’t worry about it.’ Jerry was a great guy to work for but I needed something more challenging,” he said.
   Taking a pay cut, she moved to the admissions-records office processing transcripts in November 1998, again working for Jean Walker, who had been made dean of admissions-records. By then, she was also in her second year of working part-time in the evenings in the Information Center.
   “I enjoyed working in the evenings because you meet a whole different group of students,” Smith said. “The students in the evening are hard-working adults who are trying to better their lives and move up in their careers and I met some very nice people.”
   For 11 years, Smith worked her full-time jobs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and then worked the information center from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. four days a week.
   “After 11 years of working from 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m., I decided it was time to spend more time with my 87-year-old mother, my three grandkids and my husband,” said Smith, who ended the part-time work last December.
   Meanwhile, her full-time work included nearly two years as secretary in the human resource office and the final seven years back in admissions-records as administrative assistant to Denise McDowell, the dean of enrollment management-registrar.
   “I’ve grown a lot working for Dr. McDowell including learning not to take things so personal,” she said. “I’ve also become a stronger person and finally come to understand that life isn’t fair for all but life goes on and not to worry about something you can’t change because it only makes your life more complicated.”   
   A 1965 graduate of Washington High School who worked for the Greater Kansas City Credit Bureau, the Fairbanks-Morris Pump Division and the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools before joining KCKCC, Smith retired May 1 to spend more time with her mother; her husband, who is employed by Pepsi-Cola; and her three grandchildren. Oldest daughter, Stacey Bell of Topeka, has a son, Ryan, 4, and a daughter Reese, 1; while Melinda Dusil of Basehor has a 2-year-old daughter, Kayleigh, with a second child due in May.
   “They (the grandchildren) are the joy of my life and I do want to spend more time with my mother, who is 87 and lives by herself,” Smith said. “But I won’t be able to just sit. I’ll continue to work part-time either at KCKCC or somewhere.”
Already trained in the college’s new Datatel WebAdvisor training and versed in so many areas of the college, she’s a treasure KCKCC probably won’t let get away.

Grillin’ …

Two new Legends restaurants to open in May

To contact Bettse Folsom, community correspondent, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

New elementary school comes in about $1 million under budget

To reach Bettse Folsom, staff writer, e-mail bettsef@wyandottepublishing.com.

District takes wait-and-see approach about more potential budget cuts

To contact Mary Rupert, managing editor, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

Craft show planned May 2

   Piper’s Spring Craft Show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 at Piper Elementary East School, 4410 N. 107th.
   The event will include handcrafted items, an outdoor cookout, home-based businesses’ booths and homemade desserts. More than 50 booths are planned.
   Live spring flowers also will be for sale.
   There is no admission charge to the event.
   The event is sponsored by Piper Community Education Association. Funds raised will go toward the community and school district.

Board cuts $300,000 from school district budget

by Mary Rupert

   About $301,000 – with big chunks from assistant coaching positions and aides – was cut from the Piper school district’s budget April 13. Funding to Parents as Teachers has been suspended. Next year, students can say goodbye to field trips. And school lunch prices will increase 10 cents per meal next year.
   The district is facing $71,107 in estimated state budget cuts next school year, according to information from the Kansas Department of Education. It’s also adding some instructional positions to deal with a projected enrollment increase, according to Superintendent Steve Adams.
   Adams said about $60,000 would be cut from supplemental assignments such as assistant coaches and lunch room supervisors.
   Another $62,000 is cut from two library aide positions and Title I aide positions. A business manager position budgeted at $50,000, and not currently filled, has been eliminated. Building instructional material budgets will be reduced $20,000.
   Also, the district will stop printing its calendar, convert the district newsletter to an Internet publication, suspend out-of-district professional development workshops, eliminate the building trades program, suspend Leadership 2020 payments, and reduce the high school paid plan periods from nine to three.
   While the Legislature has passed a budget that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed April 13, there is still a chance legislators could come back in the veto session April 29 and try to cut more, Adams told the board. State revenues are predicted to decline, possibly causing more cuts. He noted that if the state legislators cut very much more, they might be risking the federal stimulus funds. And it would be difficult for the district to deal with, he added.
   Base state aid per pupil has been reduced from $4,400 to $4,367, and special education has been cut 1 percent. The $33 per student reduction next year is on top of a $33 reduction this school year. According to Adams, when the $59 increase the Legislature had earlier promised is figured in, the real reduction is about $125 per student, or $258,000 in Piper.
   Adams noted that Piper was in a better position than many other school districts in the state. Cuts were not being made in areas that would affect student achievement, according to Adams.
   When asked by board member Tom Beebe about cutting assistant coaches, Adams said assistants weren’t cut if there were only two coaches in a program. Football will go from six coaches to five, he said. The other coaching cuts were boys’ high school assistant basketball coach, girls’ high school assistant basketball coach, high school assistant volleyball coach, high school assistant dance, high school assistant debate, high school assistant drama, middle school assistant drama, high school assistant baseball coach, high school assistant softball coach. In addition, six lunch room supervisor positions were cut, as well as two Professional Development Council members and one middle school library supplemental position.
   Adams also discussed credits in the budget from reducing the local share with special education, reduction of extra days for special education, and negotiating a reduction in health insurance.
   While cuts and credits for next school year total $424,815, the district is also spending additional money next year. Staff additions next year for high school synergistics, middle school library, middle school art and technology positions, and third grade instructors would total $222,526. Taking away $96,252 more for state budget cuts leaves a balance of $106,037 for next school year’s salary increases and inflation, according to Adams.
   The Piper School Board unanimously approved the budget cuts.
Lunch costs increase
   Bridget McNabb, food service director, told the board that school lunch prices should increase by 10 cents a meal next school year because of inflation. While food costs have increased 30 percent in the past few years, this request is a 4 percent increase, according to McNabb.
   She told the board that if there were no increase, she might have to cut the size of portions, not have fresh fruits and salads, and not provide juice at meals. The lunch program is self-supporting, and there hasn’t been a price increase in three years, she said. Currently, student lunches cost $2.25 at the high school and middle school.
   Board member Kurt Cook, who was in favor of the cost increase, asked about cooperative buying agreements with small districts such as Tonganoxie and Basehor.
   According to McNabb, the Piper district participates in cooperative programs, but because of remodeling this school year, did not do as much as it has in the past. This year, the program used paper trays because of kitchen remodeling, and it will probably return to permanent trays next year. For the 2009-2010 school year, food service will probably have more space for frozen foods, if it wishes to buy large amounts in cooperative programs, according to district officials.
   To contact Mary Rupert, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

NEws Briefs

Piper district completes bond sale, discusses more capital expenditures

by Mary Rupert

   Bids on a $7 million Piper school district bond sale were opened April 13, with eight bids received.
   “I haven’t seen this many bids in over a year,” said David Arteberry, a senior vice president of underwriter George K. Baum Co.  “The results of the sale were excellent.”
   Arteberry recommended the bid by Commerce Bank at 3.84 percent, and the board approved his recommendation.
   This was the third and last part of the bond issue for school construction approved by Piper voters in November 2007. The first part of the bonds, $14.98 million, was sold in early 2008 at 4.17 percent; and the second portion was $7.982 million at 4.971 percent.  The average of the three bond sales was 4.3 percent, Arteberry said.
   Since the bonds were projected at a rate of 4.75 percent at the time of the election, the final results have come in under the projection, he said.
   “From that standpoint the mill levy projections look good,” Arteberry said.
   Another positive component is that the district’s assessed value has grown, he said.
   Superintendent Steve Adams said the district’s bond rating from Standard and Poor’s came in at AA-, a stable rating.

Capital improvement plan discussed

   Adams presented a $298,400 summer capital improvements plan to be financed with bond proceeds and capital outlay funds.
   One of the most expensive items on the list was an $84,841 concession and restroom at the football field. The proposed structure measures 24 by 84 feet. Board member Kurt Cook said he’d like to see the district build a nice concession and building, one where an opposing team could have a room.
   Other items on the list are relocating 135 extra high school lockers to East Elementary School; asphalt repair at East and Piper Middle School; asphalt at the new high school parking area; asphalt a temporary road at the high school; replacing the East library carpet; replacing carpet runways in the high school auditorium; moving the gate at the northeast driveway of the high school; erecting and wiring lights on the softball field; placing a fence around the new middle school practice field; finishing the weight room area in the high school basement; converting the existing weight room into a construction lab; converting the art and computer assisted drawing rooms into a wrestling area; and a new three-piece competition wrestling mat.
   Board member Ron Kaminski said he wondered if there would be proper ventilation in the proposed weight room area in the high school basement, as students were moved out of it because of mold.
   The board took no action on the proposals; it may discuss them at a later meeting.
  The board also approved change orders for construction.
  The board met in a closed session to discussed personnel and negotiations.
  The board’s May meeting is scheduled to be at the Piper High School library.
  To contact Mary Rupert, e-mail maryr@wyandottepublishing.com.

Math relay contest attracts students from nine schools to Piper

by Bettse Folsom

   It’s been many years since Piper High School played host to the Kaw Valley League Math Relay Contest. Last week, nine schools came to Piper to participate, according to Mike Briggs, math instructor.
   “There are five categories for the contest,” Briggs said. “Each school has three-student teams for each category that work 30 problems in 30 minutes.”
   Piper requested that Dr. Hasan Naima of the Kansas City Kansas Community College Engineering, Mathematics and Sciences Division supply the questions for the contestants and organize the contest to create an even playing field for all competitors. Naima and other representatives from the college attended the event and structured the grading. They also distributed gift bags to the students and faculty at the event.
   “This is the first time that we have been a part of the event on the high school level,” Naima said. “This is a great way to excite and encourage the students to work their best.”
   Naima created an advisory board for the competition, where each paper is graded at least three times by different instructors. He is working to build the event region-wide and bigger next year and encourage students to attend college classes while still in high school. His division has also recently developed an engineering degree program through the college.
   Seventeen-year-old Piper High School junior student, Chris Burch, said that the questions were very challenging; however, it was easier working in groups. Burch formerly attended Sumner Academy, where categories during the math relay contest were for individuals.
   “What I didn’t know, the other members of our team knew,” Burch said. “We were able to finish earlier than the other teams.”
   Burch and his teammates, Peter Yadrich and Caitlin Teters, won second place in the trigonometry-advanced algebra category.
   “This is the moment when we look at where you are engaged in real learning and be knowledge-ready for a better future,” Naima said. “America is strong by knowledge and that is the secret of our strength.”
   Other categories and winners include:
   Algebra 1: first, Lansing; second, Mill Valley, and third, Turner.
   Geometry: first, Lansing; second, Mill Valley; and third, Bishop Ward.
   Algebra 2: first, Lansing; second, Turner; and third, Mill Valley.
   Trigonometry-advanced algebra: first, Mill Valley; second, Piper, and third, Lansing.
   Calculus: first, Lansing; second, Piper; and third, Mill Valley.
   Other schools that competed were Bonner Springs, Basehor-Linwood, Santa Fe Trail and Tonganoxie high schools.

Piper students inducted into National Honor Society

by Bettse Folsom
          Piper High School students, teachers and families attended the school’s National Honor Society Induction Ceremony March 25. The ceremony honored those students who have given more than 40 hours of community service work, and achieved a high grade point average.
    The ceremony included an introduction of each of the students and their escorts by Mrs. Megan Carlton. Instructors Tiffany Scheffler, Leslie McAfee, Denise Duke and Bill Warne lit candles symbolizing character, scholarship, leadership, and service.
    Members recognized during the ceremony:
Courtney Albracht, Morgan Conrad, Chase Cook, Kevin Greenwald, Andrew Gribble, Makayla Horn, Lindsey Klapper, Kaitlynn Long, Jamie Ohler, Jennifer Ohler
Sarah Sanders, Kevin Schnirch, Kelli Treff, Sean Verbanic and Emily Wolfe.

    Members who were presented as inductees during the ceremony:

Suzanne Appl, Jordan Biel, Tyler Blevins, Morgan Buckner, Christopher Burch, Emily Cavlovic, Robriana Cole, Jenna Frick, Rachel Link, Katherine Linman, Cassandra McCollum, Nicole Papageorgiou, Kent Reynolds, Kevin Sambol, John Stimach, Nicholas Strub, Caitlin Teters, Candace Wright and Peter Yadrich.

    Students were presented with certificates by their escorts, and pronounced their pledge to the National Honor Society. Tim Conrad, high school principal, gave a speech, and the ceremony concluded with a reception and refreshments.

Book drive planned for library

by Mary Rupert
      With two Piper middle schools next year, Sarah Rast has set out to make sure there are enough books for the school libraries.
    From April 13 through May 14, an “Adopt a Book” Drive is being held for the middle school library, she said.
    Rast, a sixth-grade social studies teacher and Student Council sponsor, said a wish list will be posted on the Web site at piperschools.com, under middle school, by April 13, with names of books that are sought, and a drop-off site.
    Besides books, the school will seek videos and magazines, she said.
    A card will be placed in the back of the item to show the donor’s name, she added.
    The drive also will accept monetary donations for the library, she said. The Student Council plans to make a donation.

High school auction highly successful, organizers say

piper seniors pursue projects

Piper approves bond sale, buys high-tech items

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School budget may be reduced,
but not as much as expected,
district official says

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At-risk families on the increase

by Mary Rupert

   Piper Parents as Teachers is reporting a considerable increase in the number of families at risk this year.
   According to Bobbi McClellan of Piper Parents as Teachers, at-risk families are at 25 percent this year, as compared to 10 to 15 percent in previous years. Plus, there are five families on the waiting list, she said.
   The district has contracted with the program to serve 49 to 63 families each year, and 69 families have received services so far this year, she said.
   The program applied for a one-year block grant from the Kansas Early Learning Collaborative, she said, and was able to provide services for up to 10 additional at-risk families.
   McClellan said Parents as Teachers often is the first group to give developmental screenings to children. It also gives health, vision, hearing and dental screenings.
   McClellan and Donna Higbee of the Parents as Teachers program attended Early Learning Day last week at the capitol in Topeka, meeting with legislators and advocating for early childhood programs.

Piper candidates’ forum planned

CLJ Foundation finds jobs for developmentally disabled.

by Alan Hoskins

   One of Wyandotte County’s not-for-profit foundations is five years old.
   “We turned five as of March 1,” said Connie L. Johnson, the executive director and founder of the CLJ Foundation. An acronym for Community, Life Skills and Jobs, the CLJ Foundation is a 501(c) 3 community service provider for adults with developmental disabilities.
   “Our goal is to teach adults with developmental disabilities the vocational and life skills that they can use to integrate into the community and live productive lives,” Johnson said.
At the core of the program is job development, placement and ongoing support. Eleven adults are currently in the program and all have part-time jobs including 10 at The Legends in Village West.
   Cheeseburgers in Paradise and Famous Dave’s barbecue each employs three of the adults while others are employed at Pizza Hut, Granny’s Chicken Ranch, Cabella’s and Nick and Willies. The 11th participant works at The Dotte Barber Shop at 7821 Parallel Parkway.
   “They just love him there,” Johnson said.
   In addition to the job program, the foundation offers life skills such as cooking, ceramic and exercise classes, safety skills and recreational activities.
   “They go out into the community and take classes, go to museums and participate in other activities,” Johnson said.
   In observance of its fifth birthday, the foundation is throwing a fund-raising polka party March 14 at the George Meyn Hall in Wyandotte County Park, and most of the 300 tickets have already been sold.
   “We’re real happy about that,” Johnson said. “We’re blessed with a lot of good friends and family support within the community.”
   In addition to food and dancing to a live band, the $20 donation includes a silent auction and raffle.
   “We’ve got lots of donations from the community and restaurants are donating the food,” Johnson said. Festivities will start at 7 p.m. with dancing from 8-11 p.m.
   At the top of the foundation’s need list is space. Currently, it’s located in a small home at 2311 N. 102nd.
   “Our students make up wish lists and they would absolutely love to have classrooms for exercise, crafts and other activities,” said Johnson, who can be reached at 913-208-4406 or cljfoundation@yahoo.com.
   “Having jobs and being a part of community makes them feel like they do have a purpose in life,” Johnson said. “They love to learn and keep up on current events. Just being a part of society and the community makes a great change in the lives. They’re excited about coming to the center and going to work. I enjoy them so much and learn a lot from them. With everyone moving so fast today and wanting more and more, it’s good to take life a little bit slower and enjoy what we have.”

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Piper forensics students qualify for state

 Five students on the Piper forensics team have qualified for state competition.
 The five students will compete in six categories at state, according to Katie Deneault, forensics adviser.
 Riana Cole placed second in information speaking at a regional competition at Lansing, and qualified for state.
 Chloe Clark came in second in serious solo acting at Lansing, and qualified. She also came in third in prose interpretation at Lansing, and later, first, at Aquinas, and qualified for the state championships.
 Also, Emily Mosier qualified for state by finishing fourth in serious solo acting at Lansing and was second at Aquinas.
 Michael Magee also made state by coming in second in prose interpretation at Shawnee Mission East.
 Kent Reynolds, placed second recently in the prose competition at Shawnee Mission South.
 Also placing in tournaments:

• Kent Reynolds, sixth in prose interpretation at Aquinas;
• Kayla Williams, sixth in serious solo acting at Shawnee Mission East; and
• Chloe Clark, fifth place, serious solo acting at Aquinas.

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Piper students win awards in journalism competition

 Several Piper journalism students are being honored for achievements in a regional journalism contest Feb. 20 at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.
 The students qualified to advance to state competition May 2 at KU. The students placed in 13 categories to advance to state, according to Cindy Horchem, journalism adviser. The event is sponsored by the Kansas Scholastic Press Association.
 Among the awards:

• Morgan Conrad, first, headline writing, and third, yearbook sports writing. 
• Emily Wolfe, second, yearbook layout. 
• Riana Cole, second, editing.
• Kate Linman, second, infographics, and honorable mention, newspaper design. 
• Jonathan Matson, second, feature photography. 
• Sarah Sanders, third, cutline writing. 
• Xavier Garcia and LeeAnn Parkison, third, yearbook them, and graphics. 
• Taylor Blevins, honorable mention, editing. 
• Joel Wright, honorable mention, editorial cartoons. 
• Xavier Garcia, honorable mention, yearbook copy writing. 
• Courtney Albracht, honorable mention, yearbook layout.

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road closures begin for 115th street project

restaurants close at village west; two plan to open across street

costume contest, vacation highlight piper auction items feb. 28

girl scouts raising funds for victims

school district looks at large budget cuts

piper considers budget reductions as state cuts school funding

morgan conrad makes cheerleading history

young cancer victim receives a trip to disney world

piper debate team goes to championships

district upgrades energy equipment

piper high school honor roll

budget plan would result in school district cuts

construction continues at piper high

Staggered starting times proposed

by Mary Rupert

    Staggered starting and ending times are being proposed next school year in the Piper Public Schools.
    The new schedule is being developed as a result of a new elementary school that will open next school year. Superintendent Steve Adams said at the Piper School Board meeting Jan. 12 he’s proposing the staggered schedule, as long as it has the support of the community.
    With grade configurations changing, it was necessary to adjust bus routes and starting times, according to Adams.
    Under this proposed option, high school would start at 7:35 a.m. and end at 2:50 p.m., fifth through eighth grades would start at 7:55 a.m. and end at 3:10 p.m., and pre-kindergarten through fourth grades would start at 8:35 a.m. and end at 3:50 p.m. Bus routes would be designated as high school, middle school or elementary.
    The other option would leave high school and middle school start times the same, and add fifth-graders to existing early routes that serve sixth through 12th grades, according to district information. Last year, several community residents said they opposed placing fifth-graders on buses with older students.
    Adams said the cost of either option would be the same to the district.
    District officials are visiting school site councils to get opinions on the plans, and are encouraging residents to contact the school district with their opinions.
    The board also:
    • Approved an audit report from Kramer and Associates CPAs, Leavenworth. Tony Kramer said that the district had a “clean bill of health.” He did recommend, however, that the district maintain more control over the preparation and review of financial reports. He also recommended better control over cash receipts and disbursements through timely bank reconciliations. In addition, he noted that activity fund purchase orders at the schools need improvement.
     • Discussed plans for furnishings and equipment for the new school projects. Among the items discussed were interactive distance learning equipment at the high school costing about $60,000, “soft play” playground equipment at the elementary school expected to cost more than $100,000, computers, printers and desks. The budget is $425,000 at the high school addition and $475,000 for the elementary school.
     • Decided to meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, for a 10-minute special board meeting to adopt a resolution to finance the second phase of the performance contract for the high school project.
     • Approved several change orders from contractors. The largest one was $253,850 for piping and electrical in connection with replacing the boiler at Piper High School. Another large change order was $51,244 for costs associated with the demolition of part of Piper High School.

restaurant worker receives scholarship from employer

by Bettse Folsom

   Bridgette Williams, student at the Kansas City Kansas Community College and employee of Culver’s Restaurant, 1925 Prairie Crossing, received a special call from her employer, Donna Nichols.
    “Donna called me and told me that I had won the Culver’s VIP Foundation Scholarship Fund in the amount of $1,000,” Williams said. “I was confident that I might win but was so happy to hear the news.”
    Nichols was notified by e-mail and posted the announcement on the billboard at work for all the employees to read. For the last 15 years, Culver’s restaurants had awarded eligible employees across the country scholarships. In 2008 Culver’s presented its one millionth scholarship dollar; in all, more than 1,000 employees have benefited.
    “We’re very proud of Bridgette for her hard work and dedication to expanding her knowledge through education,” said George Nichols, owner-operator of Culver’s of Kansas City, Kansas. “We’re thrilled to be able to support one of our hard-working members of the Culver’s team.”
    Williams has been working for Culver’s for more than a year while finishing her high school education and graduating from F.L. Schlagle High School last May. Her plans include using the scholarship for nurse’s training at KCKCC, then proceeding to the University of Kansas for a master’s degree in prenatal care.
    “The application for the scholarship asked questions like who inspired me and what about the scholarship inspires us the most,” Williams said. “I was very clear that my mother, Stephanie Measee, has made the most inspiration on my life.”
    In 2008, Culver’s granted $216,000 in scholarships to almost 200 student employees. Honorees traveled to Madison, Wis., for the reception and official presentation.  More than 100 Culver’s restaurants from 13 states were present at this year’s function.
    “Offering financial support to our talented young team members enables them to change their lives and their communities through education,” said Lea Culver, Culver’s co-founder and executive director of the VIP Foundation Scholarship Fund, in a news release. “Culver’s is often the first employer for many young people, and we view this scholarship program as an investment in our future leaders and the advancement of the local communities where Culver’s operates.”
    “The reception in Madison was like being given another graduation. They called us up to the stage to receive a certificate,” Williams said. “I have always liked working at Culver’s and hope to enter for a chance to win again next year.”

UG looks at revitalizing housing;
new permits down here

by Mary Rupert

     As new housing starts in Wyandotte County and the entire metropolitan area are significantly lower than last year, the Unified Government is taking a look at plans to revitalize housing in the eastern part of the county.
     Commissioners recently took a look at adding Turner and the midtown area of Kansas City, Kansas, to a program for an area east of I-635 that offers a tax break for purchasers.
     During a UG discussion on renewing the neighborhood revitalization program, Mayor Joe Reardon said that even though the housing market is currently one of the worst most of the officials have ever seen, if the UG has the tools in place, it will be in a position for greater success once the housing market starts to improve.
     Lew Levin, interim chief financial officer of the UG, told the commission that Wyandotte County’s decline in housing starts had followed the trend in the metropolitan area. The number of homes here that were resold in 2008 is close to the number that were resold in 2007, he added.
     The average home resale price here has dropped to about $74,654 in 2008, as compared to $83,602 in 2007 and $90,492 in 2006, he said.
     While about 80 percent of the homes in western Wyandotte County and Piper are owned by the people who live there, that figure drops in the eastern part of the county, he said. About 15 percent or more of the homes east of I-635 were vacant as of last March, according to U.S. Postal Service statistics, he noted.
     The UG has not had revitalization program discussions with the Piper school district, as it has with the Turner district, because although housing growth in Piper is down, it is not as significantly lower as the rest of the county, LaVert Murray, economic development director, told the commission.
     New housing starts in Wyandotte County were down about 56 percent for the first nine months of 2008, according to recently released statistics from the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City.
     During October, six new single-family unit building permits were issued in Wyandotte County, according to the association. All were in Kansas City, Kansas.
     Wyandotte County’s total of new housing unit residential starts, attached and detached, for the first nine months of 2008 is 164, a decrease of 205 compared with the previous year.
     Wyandotte County was in fifth place both in 2007 and 2008 among the top 10 cities in the metropolitan area for building new single-family building units, according to the association. Kansas City, Mo., leads the list with 753 new home starts in 2008, as compared to 1,130 in 2007.
     The association, in a news release, stated that an increase in townhome construction gave a boost to residential construction starts in October. The seasonally adjusted 2 percent increase in permits was recorded mostly for rental townhomes north of the river, according to the association.
     The association also noted that while a lot of attention was given to sluggish housing values nationwide, price inflation had remained unabated on new homes in the Kansas City area in October. The average new home price in the metropolitan area was up 2 percent this year, in the period covered by the association’s report. The average new home price in the metropolitan area was $295,349.
     Affordability of new housing is a prime concern for home builders, the association’s executive vice president said.

UG sets transportation priorities

by Mary Rupert

     The Unified Government has seven transportation projects on its wish list.

    Funding at the state level for new projects has been in question in recent weeks, although funding for transportation projects is a priority of next year’s federal administration.
     The Kansas Department of Transportation currently is compiling a list of priority projects for a new comprehensive transportation program, which might be considered by the Kansas Legislature.
     On the list of the UG’s priority transportation projects, according to a UG resolution:

• Increased funding for public transit based on riders;
• Interchange improvements to accommodate new development in the I-435 corridor from I-70 to Leavenworth Road;
• New, reconfigured interchange at K-7 and I-70 to handle current and future needs;
• New structures to replace deficient bridges on the Seventh Street bridges over the Missouri River on U.S. 69, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation;
• Interchange reconstruction at I-35 and Lamar;
• Complete reconfiguration to replace old interchange at I-70 and the Turner Diagonal, and open acres of land to development; and
• Right-of-way acquisition and interchange planning on the K-7 corridor from State to the Leavenworth County line.

Candidate runs for sheriff

     Bob Whisman, a retired law enforcement officer, is running for Wyandotte County sheriff on a platform of “unifying law enforcement.”
      Whisman, 60, retired from the FBI in 2005 after 23 years. Before that position, he served 10 years as a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer and detective.
      “There’s a lot of friction and hostility between the sheriff’s office and KCK, as well as the courts and UG administration,” Whisman said. “They’re just not working well together.”
      He said he would be able to work well together with each group and streamline operations.
      Whisman said Wyandotte County is spending a lot of money every year on “farming out” inmates to other institutions, and could save money by streamlining the “slow and cumbersome” booking process.
      “Also, I think the resources of the Sheriff’s Department can be put to use fighting the criminal element in Wyandotte County,” Whisman said. “Wyandotte County’s major problem is drugs. So much violent crime is related to drugs, drug sales, and thefts to finance drugs.”
     He said he would make sure that there are resources and staff from the Sheriff’s Department directed toward fighting the drug problem. He said sheriff’s deputies who now patrol in different parts of the county could be assigned to spend more of their time on making drug arrests. A hotline should be established for reporting drug houses, and then the Sheriff’s Department and Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department should work together to eliminate drug houses, he said.
     In his career as an FBI agent, Whisman was assigned to investigate narcotics trafficking cartels from the Denver division, and he also has investigated white-collar crime in Kansas City, organized crime in Chicago, and was a member of the FBI SWAT program out of Chicago and Kansas City.
     He is a former coordinator of the Metropolitan Kansas City Safe Streets Violent Crime-Fugitive Task Force.
      Whisman said he has not previously run for office. He and his wife live in the Piper area and have been Wyandotte County residents for more than 35 years. They have two sons and two grandsons.
      Whisman has been a member of the Piper Optimist Club for seven years. He has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, as well as the Kansas City Community Kitchen.
      He has an associate’s degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Rockhurst University, and a master’s degree in administration of justice from Wichita State University.
      Whisman currently works as director of safety and security for the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood.