<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678311262994.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on March 9, 2023, in the area of Vine St. to Indian Trail between 27th St. and 33rd St. and Hall St. to Vine St. between 16th St. and 27th St. also, Canterbury Dr. to Commerce Pkwy. between 22nd St. and 27th St. 

This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616106491764.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysHays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on March 9, 2023, in the area of Vine St. to Indian Trail between 27th St. and 33rd St. and Hall St. to Vine St. between 16th St. and 27th St. also, Canterbury Dr. to Commerce Pkwy. between 22nd St. and 27th St. This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.

More flushing, testing of fire hydrants today in Hays

MANHATTAN – The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys basketball team is headed back
to the state semifinals for a third straight season after they defeated Horton
in the opening round of the 2A state tournament Wednesday 52-27.

The Monarchs (22-2) and Chargers (15-9) traded a pair of 5-0 runs to open
the game for the first of two ties in the first quarter at 5-5. The second time
the two teams were tied was at 10-10 with one minute left in the first quarter.


But on the next TMP possession Joey Mindrup connected on his
second three of the first quarter putting TMP up 13-10 and sparking a 21-3 run
that covered the end of the first quarter, the entire second quarter and the
first four minutes of the third quarter. A total of 12 minutes and 50 second of
game time.

The Monarchs led 31-13 with four minutes left in the third quarter
as a result of the run and the Chargers offensive struggles.

Dylan Werth, who played just two minutes in the first
quarter because of foul trouble, scored all of his game-high 14 points in the
second half as the Monarchs closed out the 52-27 victory, their 21st
consecutive.

Kade Harris added 10 points for the Monarchs.

TMP will take on Moundridge in the 6 p.m. semifinal game Friday
in Manhattan. They defeated St. Marys 63-31.

The other semifinal game will feature the top-seed Wichita
Independent and the No. 5 seed Medicine Lodge. 

Independent beat St. Marys Colgan 55-46 and Medicine Lodge
knocked off the four-seed Bennington 56-45.

MANHATTAN – The TMP-Marian Monarchs boys basketball team is headed back
to the state semifinals for a third straight season after they defeated Horton
in the opening round of the 2A state tournament Wednesday 52-27.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1464569908&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-08-23-tmp-v-horton-coach-interview" title="03 - 08 - 23 TMP Coach Bill Meagher v Horton" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">03 - 08 - 23 TMP Coach Bill Meagher v Horton</a></div></div>The Monarchs (22-2) and Chargers (15-9) traded a pair of 5-0 runs to open
the game for the first of two ties in the first quarter at 5-5. The second time
the two teams were tied was at 10-10 with one minute left in the first quarter.
But on the next TMP possession Joey Mindrup connected on his
second three of the first quarter putting TMP up 13-10 and sparking a 21-3 run
that covered the end of the first quarter, the entire second quarter and the
first four minutes of the third quarter. A total of 12 minutes and 50 second of
game time.The Monarchs led 31-13 with four minutes left in the third quarter
as a result of the run and the Chargers offensive struggles.TMP led 35-17 through three quarters.Dylan Werth, who played just two minutes in the first
quarter because of foul trouble, scored all of his game-high 14 points in the
second half as the Monarchs closed out the 52-27 victory, their 21st
consecutive.Kade Harris added 10 points for the Monarchs.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1464569977&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-08-23-tmp-v-horton-boys-highlights" title="03 - 08 - 23 TMP v Horton Boys Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">03 - 08 - 23 TMP v Horton Boys Highlights</a></div></div>TMP will take on Moundridge in the 6 p.m. semifinal game Friday
in Manhattan. They defeated St. Marys 63-31.The other semifinal game will feature the top-seed Wichita
Independent and the No. 5 seed Medicine Lodge. Independent beat St. Marys Colgan 55-46 and Medicine Lodge
knocked off the four-seed Bennington 56-45.

🏀 TMP boys advance to state semifinals with win over Horton

After a chilly, gloomy Wednesday with expected rain Wednesday night, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is promising a sunny, pleasant March weekend.

There is a slight chance of drizzle in the Hays area beginning after 5 p.m., increasing to 80 percent in the early morning hours of Thursday. Less than a tenth of an inch of moisture is expected, although totals could be higher in the event of a thunderstorm.

The winds Thursday afternoon will be sustained at 17 to 22 mph, gusting to 33 mph.

By noon Thursday, a strong northwest wind will blow in, bringing with it warmer air. The high Thursday through Monday is expected to be in the low-50s to low-60s with mostly sunny skies and calmer winds.

The next chance of rain in the extended forecast is a slight chance on Tuesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678315309045.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After a chilly, gloomy Wednesday with expected rain Wednesday night, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is promising a sunny, pleasant March weekend.There is a slight chance of drizzle in the Hays area beginning after 5 p.m., increasing to 80 percent in the early morning hours of Thursday. Less than a tenth of an inch of moisture is expected, although totals could be higher in the event of a thunderstorm.The winds Thursday afternoon will be sustained at 17 to 22 mph, gusting to 33 mph.By noon Thursday, a strong northwest wind will blow in, bringing with it warmer air. The high Thursday through Monday is expected to be in the low-50s to low-60s with mostly sunny skies and calmer winds.The next chance of rain in the extended forecast is a slight chance on Tuesday night.

NWS: Pleasant weekend will follow gloomy Wednesday

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Many school districts around Kansas, including Great Bend USD 428, will celebrate Spring Break the week of March 13-17. But that does not mean the learning has to pause. Director Curtis Wolf said activities planned for each afternoon during the break at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.

"It makes sense to provide these opportunities when people are available," he said. "Spring Break, obviously, is a time when kids are out of school. A lot of times, families are looking for things to do. Hopefully the weather's good, so people are wanting to get out and about. We offer Spring Break activities. These are just drop-in, come-and-go, free activities that happen during the afternoons during Spring Break."

Pam Martin and Mandy Kern do most of the educational programming at KWEC, but Wolf said Spring Break will be a good time to let part-time staffers and graduate students in on the fun. "This is a great opportunity for them to get the experience of coming up with a program, putting together promotional materials for it, then actually doing the program," he said.

The activities run from 1 to 4 p.m. daily, but will be available anytime during that period. Various activities will be available for grades K-12 daily.

"Each day will be a different program," Wolf said. "In past years, we've had families come out every single afternoon to catch the new program. It's very come-and-go, very informal. Come out and spend just a little time at the center, do the activity, come and check out the other exhibits."

The topic for Monday, March 13, will be frogs with a craft activity planned. Tuesday is bird adaptations and a bird bingo game. "Where Birds Lie" is the theme for Wednesday, with the opportunity to craft a nest. Thursday will tie in various birds to the popular Pokemon game, and nature journaling is the subject of Friday's activity. Martin will also host the Turtle Tots program for ages 3-5 on Friday from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m, with the topic of animal eyes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668179001105.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostMany school districts around Kansas, including Great Bend USD 428, will celebrate Spring Break the week of March 13-17. But that does not mean the learning has to pause. Director Curtis Wolf said activities planned for each afternoon during the break at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center."It makes sense to provide these opportunities when people are available," he said. "Spring Break, obviously, is a time when kids are out of school. A lot of times, families are looking for things to do. Hopefully the weather's good, so people are wanting to get out and about. We offer Spring Break activities. These are just drop-in, come-and-go, free activities that happen during the afternoons during Spring Break."Pam Martin and Mandy Kern do most of the educational programming at KWEC, but Wolf said Spring Break will be a good time to let part-time staffers and graduate students in on the fun. "This is a great opportunity for them to get the experience of coming up with a program, putting together promotional materials for it, then actually doing the program," he said.The activities run from 1 to 4 p.m. daily, but will be available anytime during that period. Various activities will be available for grades K-12 daily."Each day will be a different program," Wolf said. "In past years, we've had families come out every single afternoon to catch the new program. It's very come-and-go, very informal. Come out and spend just a little time at the center, do the activity, come and check out the other exhibits."The topic for Monday, March 13, will be frogs with a craft activity planned. Tuesday is bird adaptations and a bird bingo game. "Where Birds Lie" is the theme for Wednesday, with the opportunity to craft a nest. Thursday will tie in various birds to the popular Pokemon game, and nature journaling is the subject of Friday's activity. Martin will also host the Turtle Tots program for ages 3-5 on Friday from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m, with the topic of animal eyes.

KWEC planning full slate of activities for Spring Break

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Police Department Lt. Brandon Wright shares severe weather safety tips.

<div><iframe title="Spring weather brings severe weather threats; now is the time to prepare" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=9mczv-13afb10-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Police Department Lt. Brandon Wright shares severe weather safety tips.

🎙 Post Podcast: Spring weather brings severe weather threats; now is the time to prepare

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Kansas Board of Regents is expected to move forward with next steps later this month after a consulting firm studied duplicated programs within the system.

Consulting firm rpk presented an oral report to the Regents in December and a final written report was issued in January.

The Regents have accepted feedback from the state's universities since that report was issued,&nbsp;Fort Hays State Univesity Provost Jill Arensdorf said

&nbsp;Arensdorf said she expects the Regents' next step will be to consider changing how it reviews programs.

Although teacher workload was a part of the rpk study, Arensdorf said she did not expect the Regents to take any further steps to address that part of the report at this time.

The current system requires programs at all state universities to be reviewed every eight years. Rpk recommended the process be done more frequently, especially with the duplicated programs that it found to be underperforming.

"We at Fort Hays don't wait to look at programs every eight years," Arensdorf said. "We know we have to do that for the Regents every eight years, but we are always looking at data on enrollments and market demand and data that informs us about programs.

"I'm hoping we will have more direction, and then we will start doing more of our own work in terms of interpreting the rpk data specific to Fort Hays."

She added, "I don't think it's in Fort Hays' best interest to get in front of the Regents on what they are going to do with the report."

The report found 55 percent of all majors across all state universities were concentrated in five disciplines—business, education, engineering, health and psychology.

Based on the 2017-2021 data,
there are 13 bachelor’s programs and nine master’s degree programs that are duplicated across the system and were listed as needing to either be optimized or reviewed, according to rpk report.

Fort Hays State University has all of the bachelor's degrees on this review list with the exception of linguistics and theater. Although FHSU has a bachelor's degree in math, its emphasis is on teaching.

FHSU has the following master's programs on the rpk review list —biology, communication studies, English, art, history and nursing.

Hays Post made a public records request to find out the number&nbsp; of students in majors that were suggested for review in the rpk report. FHSU released the average number of students in the majors between the academic years of 2017 and 2021, the time frame that was reviewed for the rpk report.

FHSU said that only two programs fell below the Regents review minimum: music and physics. A master's degree in communications has already been recommended to be phased out as a major at FHSU. That recommendation was part of an already established review cycle and was not related to the rpk report. 

However, the university noted that the review process will likely be changed as a result of the rpk recommendations.

A full list of the average students at FHSU in each of the majors noted in the rpk report is listed below.

Bachelor's degree (average number of junior and seniors in the majors between 2017 and 2021) Chemistry-28 English-42 Art-120 Geology-72 History-43 General studies-777 Math-25 Music-12 Philosophy-28 Physics-22 Sociology-173 Master's degrees Biology-35 English-25 Art-23 History-50 Nursing-119 Communication studies-15

Arensdorf said no programs have been recommended for elimination at this time at FHSU as a result of the rpk report.

She said she hopes the Regents will consider Fort Hays' geographic location in program reviews. FHSU is the only state university in the western half of the state.

"Fort Hays is geographically positioned where I think we do need to serve a wide variety of programs because we want our population to be able to access those programs in their region," she said.

Aresndorf said she hopes the rpk report will not affect the recruitment and retention of faculty and students in programs discussed in the report.

"I think we absolutely have to wait on KBOR to see how they define duplication ..." she said.&nbsp;

The university plans to continue to recruit students into all its current programs, she said.

Part of the impetus behind the rpk report was to better meet Kansas workforce needs and address nationwide declines in college enrollments.

Arensdorf said FHSU is already tackling that in several ways.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/066e12c6-fa90-4b83-90a0-135810573ce0">The Robbins Banking Institute provides classroom training based on real-world observation from banking professionals.</a> Its internship program enhances relationships with bank professionals, leading to job opportunities.

With an aging population of bankers and an increasing number of job openings, the institute expedites the training of students to fill banking positions, Arensdorf said.

Thanks to funding from the Kansas Legislature, the&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a3736bdf-8ec8-459f-b046-066abe5b8d87">Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator</a>&nbsp;launched last fall. The FHSU Department of Informatics is leading this effort and working with the Small Business Development Centers, the new program's staff, and local businesses to identify micro-internship opportunities for FHSU students this spring and summer.

Student interns will work on special cybersecurity projects that develop essential technical and entrepreneurial interpersonal skills. Regional small businesses will benefit from the infusion of new talent and state-of-the-practice cybersecurity expertise, Arensdorf said.

FHSU’s social work cohort programs in southwest Kansas were designed for students already established and engaged in their local communities. The cohort model enables students to complete a bachelor of social work degree without frequent travel or relocation to Hays.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/418a3927-3998-4ba1-bafa-ef77d5ddc9c9">Afrensdorf also touted the recently announced affiliation with North Central Kansas Technical College and Northwest Kansas Technical College. </a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/418a3927-3998-4ba1-bafa-ef77d5ddc9c9">I</a>f approved by the Kansas Legislature, it will unify the three institutions and focus on workforce development. Initial academic pilot projects in agriculture, construction and nursing were selected to address pressing workforce development needs in rural Kansas.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6490bbfa-d4d8-4d7b-b490-2ffad4c755ce">Fort Hays last year began a reorganization of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, which administrators said was a proactive step to address changing enrollments within the college.</a> That reorganization was implemented before the rpk report was released.

The plan consolidated the college's departments from 11 to five.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4d1305d2-d547-4286-b892-d233575130d9">Fort Hays State University overall reported an enrollment decline of 8 percent year over year in the fall.&nbsp;</a>

FHSU has seen a drop in headcount of 18.6 percent from a five-year high of 15,908 in 2019 to 12,951 on Sept. 20, 2022.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2d790f37-173d-4569-8fe5-48137bb35063">Emporia State University, which has experienced smaller declines in enrollment compared to FHSU, took steps in the fall to reorganize the university and cut costs. This included suspending tenure and firing some faculty.</a>

Arensdorf contributed some of the declines in enrollment to the pandemic, and she said university officials expect FHSU to recoup some of those losses. She said FHSU already saw some rebound in online enrollment for the spring semester.

The university budgeted for the anticipated pandemic-driven decline in enrollment, she said.

FHSU reduced operating budgets and carefully reviewed new and open faculty and staff positions over the last several years with a focus on finding efficiencies to reduce personnel costs, Arensdorf said.

"At the same time, the university dedicated specific funding to the creation of a dedicated student recruitment marketing team," she said. "We also established a $1 million annual budget for student recruitment marketing that has placed significantly more potential students than ever before in our admissions pipeline."

Arensdorf admitted there are also regional factors that may be influencing FHSU enrollment numbers. These included population decline in western Kansas as well as low unemployment rates, which may allow students to enter the workforce right out of high school and gain skills on the job.

FHSU is also facing more competition for online students, she said.

Enrollment has also been down in the university's China programs, Arensdorf said. Those numbers are determined by the Chinese ministry of education.&nbsp;

"I have no indication right now that China is going to cut our programs," Arensdorf said.&nbsp;

She said she thinks the number of students in that program is going to stay level. FHSU is working to expand its international programs in other countries, including <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c3bac99-3e73-419c-aafe-59c01e0584b8">Cambodia</a> and Senegal.

"The bottom line is I hope some good can come out of this work with rpk," Arensdorf said. "I really think that Fort Hays State is positioned to have a voice in that work. 

"I am also committed to be responsible here as an institution and to work closely with our faculty, students and staff to make good decisions for our institution, region and beyond."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659382922756.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell / Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell / Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Kansas Board of Regents is expected to move forward with next steps later this month after a consulting firm studied duplicated programs within the system.Consulting firm rpk presented an oral report to the Regents in December and a final written report was issued in January.The Regents have accepted feedback from the state's universities since that report was issued,&nbsp;Fort Hays State Univesity Provost Jill Arensdorf said&nbsp;Arensdorf said she expects the Regents' next step will be to consider changing how it reviews programs.Although teacher workload was a part of the rpk study, Arensdorf said she did not expect the Regents to take any further steps to address that part of the report at this time.The current system requires programs at all state universities to be reviewed every eight years. Rpk recommended the process be done more frequently, especially with the duplicated programs that it found to be underperforming."We at Fort Hays don't wait to look at programs every eight years," Arensdorf said. "We know we have to do that for the Regents every eight years, but we are always looking at data on enrollments and market demand and data that informs us about programs."I'm hoping we will have more direction, and then we will start doing more of our own work in terms of interpreting the rpk data specific to Fort Hays."She added, "I don't think it's in Fort Hays' best interest to get in front of the Regents on what they are going to do with the report."The report found 55 percent of all majors across all state universities were concentrated in five disciplines—business, education, engineering, health and psychology.Based on the 2017-2021 data,
there are 13 bachelor’s programs and nine master’s degree programs that are duplicated across the system and were listed as needing to either be optimized or reviewed, according to rpk report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677605146255.png" alt="Chart courtesy of Kansas Board of Regents" />
 <figcaption>Chart courtesy of Kansas Board of Regents</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677605111123.png" alt="Chart courtesy of the Kansas Board of Regents" />
 <figcaption>Chart courtesy of the Kansas Board of Regents</figcaption>
 </figure>Fort Hays State University has all of the bachelor's degrees on this review list with the exception of linguistics and theater. Although FHSU has a bachelor's degree in math, its emphasis is on teaching.FHSU has the following master's programs on the rpk review list —biology, communication studies, English, art, history and nursing.Hays Post made a public records request to find out the number&nbsp; of students in majors that were suggested for review in the rpk report. FHSU released the average number of students in the majors between the academic years of 2017 and 2021, the time frame that was reviewed for the rpk report.FHSU said that only two programs fell below the Regents review minimum: music and physics. A master's degree in communications has already been recommended to be phased out as a major at FHSU. That recommendation was part of an already established review cycle and was not related to the rpk report. However, the university noted that the review process will likely be changed as a result of the rpk recommendations.A full list of the average students at FHSU in each of the majors noted in the rpk report is listed below.Bachelor's degree (average number of junior and seniors in the majors between 2017 and 2021) Chemistry-28 English-42 Art-120 Geology-72 History-43 General studies-777 Math-25 Music-12 Philosophy-28 Physics-22 Sociology-173 Master's degrees Biology-35 English-25 Art-23 History-50 Nursing-119 Communication studies-15 Arensdorf said no programs have been recommended for elimination at this time at FHSU as a result of the rpk report.She said she hopes the Regents will consider Fort Hays' geographic location in program reviews. FHSU is the only state university in the western half of the state."Fort Hays is geographically positioned where I think we do need to serve a wide variety of programs because we want our population to be able to access those programs in their region," she said.Aresndorf said she hopes the rpk report will not affect the recruitment and retention of faculty and students in programs discussed in the report."I think we absolutely have to wait on KBOR to see how they define duplication ..." she said.&nbsp;The university plans to continue to recruit students into all its current programs, she said.Part of the impetus behind the rpk report was to better meet Kansas workforce needs and address nationwide declines in college enrollments.Arensdorf said FHSU is already tackling that in several ways.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/066e12c6-fa90-4b83-90a0-135810573ce0">The Robbins Banking Institute provides classroom training based on real-world observation from banking professionals.</a> Its internship program enhances relationships with bank professionals, leading to job opportunities.With an aging population of bankers and an increasing number of job openings, the institute expedites the training of students to fill banking positions, Arensdorf said.Thanks to funding from the Kansas Legislature, the&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a3736bdf-8ec8-459f-b046-066abe5b8d87">Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator</a>&nbsp;launched last fall. The FHSU Department of Informatics is leading this effort and working with the Small Business Development Centers, the new program's staff, and local businesses to identify micro-internship opportunities for FHSU students this spring and summer.Student interns will work on special cybersecurity projects that develop essential technical and entrepreneurial interpersonal skills. Regional small businesses will benefit from the infusion of new talent and state-of-the-practice cybersecurity expertise, Arensdorf said.FHSU’s social work cohort programs in southwest Kansas were designed for students already established and engaged in their local communities. The cohort model enables students to complete a bachelor of social work degree without frequent travel or relocation to Hays.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/418a3927-3998-4ba1-bafa-ef77d5ddc9c9">Afrensdorf also touted the recently announced affiliation with North Central Kansas Technical College and Northwest Kansas Technical College. </a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/418a3927-3998-4ba1-bafa-ef77d5ddc9c9">I</a>f approved by the Kansas Legislature, it will unify the three institutions and focus on workforce development. Initial academic pilot projects in agriculture, construction and nursing were selected to address pressing workforce development needs in rural Kansas.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6490bbfa-d4d8-4d7b-b490-2ffad4c755ce">Fort Hays last year began a reorganization of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, which administrators said was a proactive step to address changing enrollments within the college.</a> That reorganization was implemented before the rpk report was released.The plan consolidated the college's departments from 11 to five.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4d1305d2-d547-4286-b892-d233575130d9">Fort Hays State University overall reported an enrollment decline of 8 percent year over year in the fall.&nbsp;</a>FHSU has seen a drop in headcount of 18.6 percent from a five-year high of 15,908 in 2019 to 12,951 on Sept. 20, 2022.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2d790f37-173d-4569-8fe5-48137bb35063">Emporia State University, which has experienced smaller declines in enrollment compared to FHSU, took steps in the fall to reorganize the university and cut costs. This included suspending tenure and firing some faculty.</a>Arensdorf contributed some of the declines in enrollment to the pandemic, and she said university officials expect FHSU to recoup some of those losses. She said FHSU already saw some rebound in online enrollment for the spring semester.The university budgeted for the anticipated pandemic-driven decline in enrollment, she said.FHSU reduced operating budgets and carefully reviewed new and open faculty and staff positions over the last several years with a focus on finding efficiencies to reduce personnel costs, Arensdorf said."At the same time, the university dedicated specific funding to the creation of a dedicated student recruitment marketing team," she said. "We also established a $1 million annual budget for student recruitment marketing that has placed significantly more potential students than ever before in our admissions pipeline."Arensdorf admitted there are also regional factors that may be influencing FHSU enrollment numbers. These included population decline in western Kansas as well as low unemployment rates, which may allow students to enter the workforce right out of high school and gain skills on the job.FHSU is also facing more competition for online students, she said.Enrollment has also been down in the university's China programs, Arensdorf said. Those numbers are determined by the Chinese ministry of education.&nbsp;"I have no indication right now that China is going to cut our programs," Arensdorf said.&nbsp;She said she thinks the number of students in that program is going to stay level. FHSU is working to expand its international programs in other countries, including <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7c3bac99-3e73-419c-aafe-59c01e0584b8">Cambodia</a> and Senegal."The bottom line is I hope some good can come out of this work with rpk," Arensdorf said. "I really think that Fort Hays State is positioned to have a voice in that work. "I am also committed to be responsible here as an institution and to work closely with our faculty, students and staff to make good decisions for our institution, region and beyond."

Duplicated Regents programs likely to be reviewed; FHSU awaiting direction

The Hays High School Student Council has joined forces with the Wonder Women League to provide female hygiene products for free to high school students.

HHS does not have sanitary napkin or tampon vending machines in its bathrooms. This means that female students have to borrow these items from friends or request them from the nurse's office if they are needed during the school day.

The student council requested $3,125 to buy the vending machines and initially stock them in the high school student bathrooms.

Members of the Wonder Women League met with student council members on Friday to present a check for the project.

The vending machines should be ordered next week and installed before the end of March.

The hygiene products will be available through the vending machines for free.&nbsp;

The Wonder Women League also donated $500 to Hays Area Children's Center on Feb. 2.&nbsp;

These funds will be used for sanitation equipment as well as dishes, cups and serving utensils for the center's food service program.

The funds will help the nonprofit center maintain its mission of providing affordable child care to local families.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677877108939.jpeg" alt="Wonder Women League members presented a check to the Hays High School Student Council to buy female hygiene product vending machines for the high school. Hygiene products will be available to girls for free. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Wonder Women League members presented a check to the Hays High School Student Council to buy female hygiene product vending machines for the high school. Hygiene products will be available to girls for free. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays High School Student Council has joined forces with the Wonder Women League to provide female hygiene products for free to high school students.HHS does not have sanitary napkin or tampon vending machines in its bathrooms. This means that female students have to borrow these items from friends or request them from the nurse's office if they are needed during the school day.The student council requested $3,125 to buy the vending machines and initially stock them in the high school student bathrooms.Members of the Wonder Women League met with student council members on Friday to present a check for the project.The vending machines should be ordered next week and installed before the end of March.The hygiene products will be available through the vending machines for free.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677877154290.jpeg" alt="Wonder Women League members with staff of the Hays Area Children's Center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Wonder Women League members with staff of the Hays Area Children's Center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hays Area Children's Center</h2>The Wonder Women League also donated $500 to Hays Area Children's Center on Feb. 2.&nbsp;These funds will be used for sanitation equipment as well as dishes, cups and serving utensils for the center's food service program.The funds will help the nonprofit center maintain its mission of providing affordable child care to local families.

Wonder Women League donates to HHS female hygiene project, children's center

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

When NCK Tech President Eric Burks presented the college's annual impact report to the Hays City Commission, he was also able to report the affiliation agreement sought with Fort Hays State University and Northwest Tech, Goodland, had just passed the Kansas House on a vote of 121-1.

"It had tremendous support and now moves on to the senate," Burks said in a Zoom meeting Thursday. "We hope it passes out of there with similar support." 

The senate received the bill Monday. The request has already been approved by the Kansas Board of Regents.&nbsp;

NCK Tech, with campuses in Hays and Beloit, already has an agreement with FHSU which allows the technical college students to live on the FHSU campus, and utilizes part of the Center for Applied Technology building for NCK Tech welding training. Credit transfer programs easily allow a NCK Tech grad to earn a four-year FHSU degree.

The affiliation agreement would deepen the relationship between the three schools.&nbsp;

"Really, it's all about increasing student and community success for rural Kansas. We're looking at the demographics that we're all going to be facing (of a declining, aging population) and if we don't do something (to attract and keep young people in rural Kansas), we're not going to have anything."

The agreement has two core principles, to meet students where they're at and engaging local business and industry.&nbsp;

Burks cited an example of telecommunications and network training in a partnership with Hays Nex-Tech.

The college was approached by Nex-Tech with a program idea to help fill the gap of Nex-Tech technicians who were leaving the area or retiring.&nbsp;

A partnership was developed for a two-year associate degree program.

Nex-Tech is providing the equipment and facility, while NCK-Tech provides the instructor, recruitment of more students and the program credits.&nbsp;

The school's prior IT curriculum on the Beloit campus was altered to meet the specific needs of Nex-Tech and the IT industry.

Nex-Tech and other area companies are financially sponsoring students to participate in the program.

"It's really been a win, win, win. Nex-Tech is helping train and find those next generation employees that they need."&nbsp;

Another NCK Tech partnership program is planned for launch in the fall of 2024 to add respiratory therapy&nbsp;training to be taught at HaysMed. Start-up costs will be funded by the HaysMed Foundation.&nbsp;

Burks thanked city commissioners for their letter of support of the affiliation agreement.&nbsp;

He acknowledged the three schools have in the past sometimes viewed themselves as competitors.&nbsp;

"Instead, we're locking arms and we're attacking something bigger than all three of us, which is the demographics shift we face.&nbsp;

"We can find ways to help students stay in this region and that's going to serve our area well and help keep population, and hopefully, attract population over time."

According to the Chronical of Higher Education, NCK Tech has ranked in the top 10 graduation rates nationally in six of the past seven years.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678141945453.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostWhen NCK Tech President Eric Burks presented the college's annual impact report to the Hays City Commission, he was also able to report the affiliation agreement sought with Fort Hays State University and Northwest Tech, Goodland, had just passed the Kansas House on a vote of 121-1."It had tremendous support and now moves on to the senate," Burks said in a Zoom meeting Thursday. "We hope it passes out of there with similar support." The senate received the bill Monday. The request has already been approved by the Kansas Board of Regents.&nbsp;NCK Tech, with campuses in Hays and Beloit, already has an agreement with FHSU which allows the technical college students to live on the FHSU campus, and utilizes part of the Center for Applied Technology building for NCK Tech welding training. Credit transfer programs easily allow a NCK Tech grad to earn a four-year FHSU degree.The affiliation agreement would deepen the relationship between the three schools.&nbsp;"Really, it's all about increasing student and community success for rural Kansas. We're looking at the demographics that we're all going to be facing (of a declining, aging population) and if we don't do something (to attract and keep young people in rural Kansas), we're not going to have anything."The agreement has two core principles, to meet students where they're at and engaging local business and industry.&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VhIo6XNk-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Affliation Agreement Burks" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Burks cited an example of telecommunications and network training in a partnership with Hays Nex-Tech.The college was approached by Nex-Tech with a program idea to help fill the gap of Nex-Tech technicians who were leaving the area or retiring.&nbsp;A partnership was developed for a two-year associate degree program.Nex-Tech is providing the equipment and facility, while NCK-Tech provides the instructor, recruitment of more students and the program credits.&nbsp;The school's prior IT curriculum on the Beloit campus was altered to meet the specific needs of Nex-Tech and the IT industry.Nex-Tech and other area companies are financially sponsoring students to participate in the program."It's really been a win, win, win. Nex-Tech is helping train and find those next generation employees that they need."&nbsp;Another NCK Tech partnership program is planned for launch in the fall of 2024 to add respiratory therapy&nbsp;training to be taught at HaysMed. Start-up costs will be funded by the HaysMed Foundation.&nbsp;Burks thanked city commissioners for their letter of support of the affiliation agreement.&nbsp;He acknowledged the three schools have in the past sometimes viewed themselves as competitors.&nbsp;"Instead, we're locking arms and we're attacking something bigger than all three of us, which is the demographics shift we face.&nbsp;"We can find ways to help students stay in this region and that's going to serve our area well and help keep population, and hopefully, attract population over time."According to the Chronical of Higher Education, NCK Tech has ranked in the top 10 graduation rates nationally in six of the past seven years.&nbsp;

🎥 NCK Tech, FHSU, NW Tech affiliation request now in Kansas senate 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 10 new COVID-19 cases had been identified in Ellis County from Feb. 25 to March 3.

KDHE reports updated case numbers weekly on Wednesdays.

<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Since reporting began, there have been 8,442 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County.&nbsp;

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday reported 10 new COVID-19 cases had been identified in Ellis County from Feb. 25 to March 3.KDHE reports updated case numbers weekly on Wednesdays.<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/97/Health">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;for information on how to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.Since reporting began, there have been 8,442 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County.&nbsp;

KDHE: 10 new COVID cases in Ellis Co. this reporting period

The Special Olympics Kansas Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament is
quickly approaching and more than 200 volunteers are needed to make the event unforgettable for more than 750 athletes and coaches.


On March 17 and 18, Special Olympics athletes from all over central and western Kansas will
converge on Hays. Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in cheerleading, individual
skills and team basketball play throughout the two days.


Volunteers are still needed in nearly all areas of the event. Some volunteer roles include
scoreboard, scorebook, individual skills and referee.


Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up <a href="https://www.givepulse.com/event/346098-2023-State-Basketball-and-Cheerleading-Hays">online</a>.

If you have questions about volunteering, contact Brent Kaiser, Special Olympics Kansas
development and sports coordinator (785)-301-8214 or kaiserb@soks.org.


Special Olympics Kansas is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to
become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports competitions,
health and nutrition programs and leadership development.

Offering year-round initiatives to
children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics Kansas is a platform for
acceptance and inclusion as well as one of the largest advocates for healthy lifestyles in the state--regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences.


Follow SOKS on social media at facebook.com/specialolympicskansas, on Twitter and
Instagram @soKansas and Special Olympics Kansas on Flickr. Visit soks.org to donate to
Special Olympics Kansas.


SubmittedThe Special Olympics Kansas Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament is
quickly approaching and more than 200 volunteers are needed to make the event unforgettable for more than 750 athletes and coaches.
On March 17 and 18, Special Olympics athletes from all over central and western Kansas will
converge on Hays. Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in cheerleading, individual
skills and team basketball play throughout the two days.
Volunteers are still needed in nearly all areas of the event. Some volunteer roles include
scoreboard, scorebook, individual skills and referee.
Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up <a href="https://www.givepulse.com/event/346098-2023-State-Basketball-and-Cheerleading-Hays">online</a>.If you have questions about volunteering, contact Brent Kaiser, Special Olympics Kansas
development and sports coordinator (785)-301-8214 or kaiserb@soks.org.
Special Olympics Kansas is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to
become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports competitions,
health and nutrition programs and leadership development.Offering year-round initiatives to
children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics Kansas is a platform for
acceptance and inclusion as well as one of the largest advocates for healthy lifestyles in the state--regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences.
Follow SOKS on social media at facebook.com/specialolympicskansas, on Twitter and
Instagram @soKansas and Special Olympics Kansas on Flickr. Visit soks.org to donate to
Special Olympics Kansas.

Special Olympics seeks volunteers for BB, cheerleading tourney

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678211523123.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Live in Kansas and the Midwest for very long, and it becomes commonplace to expect a wide variety of spring and summer weather. Tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding and lightning often dominate the news headlines in this part of the country.&nbsp;

But Chip Redmond says those weather hazards can happen most&nbsp;anytime&nbsp;of year.&nbsp;

“You can’t just focus on a couple weeks of the year,” said Redmond, manager of the&nbsp;<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/">Kansas&nbsp;Mesonet</a>, a network of weather monitoring stations throughout the state. “For example, we see tornadoes most often in the spring and early summer, but we could see them year-round. We’ve had tornadoes in December before.”&nbsp;

The National Weather Service in Topeka has designated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/top/swaw">March 6-10 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Kansas</a>, including a statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 7 at 10 a.m. All Kansans are urged to participate in the drill by practicing the plans they have in place for seeking shelter from a tornado.&nbsp;

“You’ve got to keep that plan fresh,” Redmond said. “Anytime there’s a wind threat, whether it’s a tornado or severe winds, the best thing to do is to get centrally located in your house – typically a bathroom that has four interior walls around it, or underneath the stairwell in a basement. You want as many walls between you and the outside in all directions.”&nbsp;

Redmond suggests people keep a weather safety kit that includes such items as non-perishable food, blankets, boots, extra clothes, helmets, weather radio, batteries, a charging device for phones and even a map to track the path of the storm while listening to news reports.&nbsp;

He also recommends that parents practice the plan with children well in advance of severe weather threats; doing so helps to ease children’s anxiety in a real emergency.&nbsp;

Though parts of Kansas are starved for rain, flash flooding is also a common threat in spring and summer. It’s also a tricky threat.&nbsp;

“Honestly, flash flooding kills more people than tornadoes in most years,” Redmond said. “That’s because people really underestimate the power of water.”&nbsp;

He said water can quickly rise in areas that people don’t expect – such as across a roadway – and the current is often turbulent.&nbsp;

“There’s a good meteorologist slogan for when&nbsp;water’s&nbsp;on the road: ‘Turn Around, Don’t Drown,’” Redmond said. “You don’t know what kind of turbulence and current that water has underneath, and for that matter, you don’t know the state of the road underneath the water. Find another way to your destination.”&nbsp;

To stay safe from lightning, the meteorologist’s advice is ‘When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors.’ Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year, according to the National Weather Service, accounting for an average of 47 deaths.&nbsp;

“Staying safe in severe weather really is having situational awareness all the time,” Redmond said. “Whether you’re driving down the road or going to bed at night, know the forecast and know what’s going on around you all the time. Forecasts aren’t perfect; they can change very quickly.&nbsp;So&nbsp;make a habit of checking the weather in the morning, during the day and before you go to bed.” &nbsp;

More weather&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/top/swaw">safety tips are available online from the National Weather Service.</a>&nbsp;

More information on Kansas weather conditions, including up-to-date forecasts, is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/">Kansas&nbsp;Mesonet</a>.&nbsp;

The National Weather Service issues alerts on severe weather based on the immediacy of a storm. Knowing the terms associated with weather alerts can help you stay safe.&nbsp;

A storm&nbsp;watch&nbsp;means that severe weather has not yet occurred, but weather conditions are expected to produce potentially dangerous weather.&nbsp;

A storm&nbsp;warning&nbsp;means that meteorologists have already observed severe conditions, and dangerous weather is imminent in your area or location. Take appropriate action as quickly and safely as possible.&nbsp;

Sometimes, a weather&nbsp;advisory&nbsp;is issued, indicating a less serious condition compared to warnings, but still requires residents to take appropriate precautions to avoid threats to life or property.&nbsp;

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:moniquek@ksu.edu">moniquek@ksu.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668522152076.jpeg" alt="Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Live in Kansas and the Midwest for very long, and it becomes commonplace to expect a wide variety of spring and summer weather. Tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding and lightning often dominate the news headlines in this part of the country.&nbsp;But Chip Redmond says those weather hazards can happen most&nbsp;anytime&nbsp;of year.&nbsp;“You can’t just focus on a couple weeks of the year,” said Redmond, manager of the&nbsp;<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/">Kansas&nbsp;Mesonet</a>, a network of weather monitoring stations throughout the state. “For example, we see tornadoes most often in the spring and early summer, but we could see them year-round. We’ve had tornadoes in December before.”&nbsp;The National Weather Service in Topeka has designated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/top/swaw">March 6-10 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Kansas</a>, including a statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 7 at 10 a.m. All Kansans are urged to participate in the drill by practicing the plans they have in place for seeking shelter from a tornado.&nbsp;“You’ve got to keep that plan fresh,” Redmond said. “Anytime there’s a wind threat, whether it’s a tornado or severe winds, the best thing to do is to get centrally located in your house – typically a bathroom that has four interior walls around it, or underneath the stairwell in a basement. You want as many walls between you and the outside in all directions.”&nbsp;Redmond suggests people keep a weather safety kit that includes such items as non-perishable food, blankets, boots, extra clothes, helmets, weather radio, batteries, a charging device for phones and even a map to track the path of the storm while listening to news reports.&nbsp;He also recommends that parents practice the plan with children well in advance of severe weather threats; doing so helps to ease children’s anxiety in a real emergency.&nbsp;Though parts of Kansas are starved for rain, flash flooding is also a common threat in spring and summer. It’s also a tricky threat.&nbsp;“Honestly, flash flooding kills more people than tornadoes in most years,” Redmond said. “That’s because people really underestimate the power of water.”&nbsp;He said water can quickly rise in areas that people don’t expect – such as across a roadway – and the current is often turbulent.&nbsp;“There’s a good meteorologist slogan for when&nbsp;water’s&nbsp;on the road: ‘Turn Around, Don’t Drown,’” Redmond said. “You don’t know what kind of turbulence and current that water has underneath, and for that matter, you don’t know the state of the road underneath the water. Find another way to your destination.”&nbsp;To stay safe from lightning, the meteorologist’s advice is ‘When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors.’ Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year, according to the National Weather Service, accounting for an average of 47 deaths.&nbsp;“Staying safe in severe weather really is having situational awareness all the time,” Redmond said. “Whether you’re driving down the road or going to bed at night, know the forecast and know what’s going on around you all the time. Forecasts aren’t perfect; they can change very quickly.&nbsp;So&nbsp;make a habit of checking the weather in the morning, during the day and before you go to bed.” &nbsp;More weather&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/top/swaw">safety tips are available online from the National Weather Service.</a>&nbsp;More information on Kansas weather conditions, including up-to-date forecasts, is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://mesonet.k-state.edu/">Kansas&nbsp;Mesonet</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Weather watch or warning?</h2>The National Weather Service issues alerts on severe weather based on the immediacy of a storm. Knowing the terms associated with weather alerts can help you stay safe.&nbsp;A storm&nbsp;watch&nbsp;means that severe weather has not yet occurred, but weather conditions are expected to produce potentially dangerous weather.&nbsp;A storm&nbsp;warning&nbsp;means that meteorologists have already observed severe conditions, and dangerous weather is imminent in your area or location. Take appropriate action as quickly and safely as possible.&nbsp;Sometimes, a weather&nbsp;advisory&nbsp;is issued, indicating a less serious condition compared to warnings, but still requires residents to take appropriate precautions to avoid threats to life or property.&nbsp;Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:moniquek@ksu.edu">moniquek@ksu.edu</a>

KOERNER: Severe weather could hit at any time

The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Wednesday, in the area of Willow St. to Indian Trail between 33rd St. and 41st St. 

This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually. 

Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. 

The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains. Slight discoloration of the water supply may be encountered although there will be no health risks to the consumer. 

All reasonable efforts will be taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617405329309.jpeg" alt="File photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysThe Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Wednesday, in the area of Willow St. to Indian Trail between 33rd St. and 41st St. This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually. Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains. Slight discoloration of the water supply may be encountered although there will be no health risks to the consumer. All reasonable efforts will be taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public.

Fire dept. tests fire hydrants Wednesday in north Hays

Nex-Tech has announced its 10th annual Tech Edge event will take place, in Hays on Wednesday, June 7,&nbsp;at the Hilton Garden Inn. The one-day technology event features two keynote speakers, a hands-on vendor area, and breakout sessions on industry happenings. Plus, attendees will have a chance to win amazing prizes in the $10,000 Prize-a-Palooza. Registration is now open at&nbsp;<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Ctc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/VX436j1syPyJW8MQh3K9ljlFzW3mxgk34XCGPvN7bK2-y3q3n5V1-WJV7CgzNkW1Yp2fg82Kc5DV39MLq37CSMRW5HVmzz1yHy08W1Ff7-19fh3S-W2BsW0q9111BtW8jrMYH2kNPwxW6wYG9W6rH-ktF3BlLN2DMcwW6gXT8V1QHGrRW8g3qZx8bKkngN497pQdy67XxW46bxy27hY_--W1v_6RK51JjP2N2t-RL1dNBpZW4Rysfg7pGxbQN6NZF89683__W640ybS3fc9F-W11SnD08FZ1yCW3g84Bv1H1YVrW7V2vmf4qYl0J3fgq1" target="_blank">www.nex-tech.com/techedge</a>.&nbsp;

“2023 marks the tenth year of Tech Edge and for this decade anniversary we are going to bring more 'Tech' and sharpen the 'Edge' to bring the best of what is happening in business and technology from around the globe. Prize-a-Palooza will be the largest yet so make sure you attend our most famous session,” said Steve Riat, Nex-Tech director of sales. &nbsp;

Tech Edge 2023 will be addressing some of the unique challenges in Business and Technology that include:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664811194934.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseNex-Tech has announced its 10th annual Tech Edge event will take place, in Hays on Wednesday, June 7,&nbsp;at the Hilton Garden Inn. The one-day technology event features two keynote speakers, a hands-on vendor area, and breakout sessions on industry happenings. Plus, attendees will have a chance to win amazing prizes in the $10,000 Prize-a-Palooza. Registration is now open at&nbsp;<a href="https://go.nex-tech.com/e3t/Ctc/ZO+113/c2T0b04/VX436j1syPyJW8MQh3K9ljlFzW3mxgk34XCGPvN7bK2-y3q3n5V1-WJV7CgzNkW1Yp2fg82Kc5DV39MLq37CSMRW5HVmzz1yHy08W1Ff7-19fh3S-W2BsW0q9111BtW8jrMYH2kNPwxW6wYG9W6rH-ktF3BlLN2DMcwW6gXT8V1QHGrRW8g3qZx8bKkngN497pQdy67XxW46bxy27hY_--W1v_6RK51JjP2N2t-RL1dNBpZW4Rysfg7pGxbQN6NZF89683__W640ybS3fc9F-W11SnD08FZ1yCW3g84Bv1H1YVrW7V2vmf4qYl0J3fgq1" target="_blank">www.nex-tech.com/techedge</a>.&nbsp;“2023 marks the tenth year of Tech Edge and for this decade anniversary we are going to bring more 'Tech' and sharpen the 'Edge' to bring the best of what is happening in business and technology from around the globe. Prize-a-Palooza will be the largest yet so make sure you attend our most famous session,” said Steve Riat, Nex-Tech director of sales. &nbsp;Tech Edge 2023 will be addressing some of the unique challenges in Business and Technology that include:<ul>
 <li>Hiring and training staff to meet your company's needs in this ever-changing environment</li><li>Building and maintaining culture in both the office and remote workers</li><li>What is new in technology</li><li>How to better use the technology you already have – such as M365</li><li>How to stretch your technology dollar to maximize your business value</li>
 </ul>

Nex-Tech's Tech Edge marks 10 years with June event in Hays

When culture-war battles reach a fevered pitch as they have in this year’s legislative session, a dynamic is created that makes rational decisions difficult.

Legislation passed under such circumstances can result in, frankly, a mess.&nbsp;

As of March 6, the future of Kansas students is at stake under the revamped HB 2218 voucher bill.&nbsp; Now SB 83, the bill is strategic, but not quite rational and not a true compromise offer.&nbsp;

SB83 weds the highly controversial HB2218 voucher bill to funding for increased teacher pay and special education funding.

With only Republican support for SB83, it’s hardly a stretch to believe the move is an attempt to force Governor Kelly into signing the bill and thus secure teacher raises amid a growing teacher shortage and increase special education funding that she requested previously.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Compromise legislation is at the core of American politics; however, compromise means a middle state between conflicting opinions. In this case, some bi-partisan support exists for teacher pay increases and for special education funding as required by federal policy.&nbsp; This makes SB83 more of a power play than a true compromise.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Currently,&nbsp; SB83&nbsp;offers parents the yearly per-pupil state funding amount of about $5,000 in vouchers for their students in grades one to 12&nbsp;and preschoolers with disabilities.&nbsp; Eventually, qualifying students would be those with parental income of less than 300 percent of the poverty line which currently is $180,000 per year for a family of four. &nbsp;

Parents could use the vouchers for accredited and nonaccredited private schools, micro-schools,supporting individual home school activities and other educational opportunities.

Overall, how would students fare if SB83 becomes law?&nbsp;&nbsp;

For rural students,&nbsp;it’s hard to tell, since in more than 60 of Kansas’ 105 counties there are no private schools students may attend.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For rural students, sports, music, and activities that go beyond school are the heart of community life.&nbsp; Moreover, school districts are frequently the largest employer in rural counties. Funding loss caused by vouchers could mean a significant reduction in teaching staff.&nbsp;

There is no body of research to inform us whether rural students would do better under the fragmented system offered in SB83.&nbsp; Yet, it’s a stretch to believe that micro schools and individual learning activities could replace the resources or state certified teachers needed for rigorous STEM and other courses rural schools offer and students need to succeed in 21st&nbsp;century careers.&nbsp;

I grew up in a small, farming community, pulling tax dollars away from rural schools saddens me because I can see the loss this legislative step toward school privatization would bring for students, the rural economy and the values of farm life.

For low- and middle-income urban students&nbsp;SB83 doesn’t offer practical benefits because the $5,000 voucher wouldn’t cover tuition at many private schools in urban areas and, if it did, it wouldn’t cover additional transportation costs or after school childcare.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For high income students&nbsp;whose family income is near the $180,000 cap, a voucher would merely cushion private school tuition since these families often are already using private schooling.&nbsp;

SB83 would create two school systems--the taxpayer funded public school system governed by elected school board members and an expensive, disorganized, under-regulated voucher system that may possibly attract many but realistically would benefit few.&nbsp;

An up-down vote in the legislature is only fair when an issue like school vouchers is splitting the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>When culture-war battles reach a fevered pitch as they have in this year’s legislative session, a dynamic is created that makes rational decisions difficult.Legislation passed under such circumstances can result in, frankly, a mess.&nbsp;As of March 6, the future of Kansas students is at stake under the revamped HB 2218 voucher bill.&nbsp; Now SB 83, the bill is strategic, but not quite rational and not a true compromise offer.&nbsp;SB83 weds the highly controversial HB2218 voucher bill to funding for increased teacher pay and special education funding.With only Republican support for SB83, it’s hardly a stretch to believe the move is an attempt to force Governor Kelly into signing the bill and thus secure teacher raises amid a growing teacher shortage and increase special education funding that she requested previously.&nbsp;&nbsp;Compromise legislation is at the core of American politics; however, compromise means a middle state between conflicting opinions. In this case, some bi-partisan support exists for teacher pay increases and for special education funding as required by federal policy.&nbsp; This makes SB83 more of a power play than a true compromise.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Currently,&nbsp; SB83&nbsp;offers parents the yearly per-pupil state funding amount of about $5,000 in vouchers for their students in grades one to 12&nbsp;and preschoolers with disabilities.&nbsp; Eventually, qualifying students would be those with parental income of less than 300 percent of the poverty line which currently is $180,000 per year for a family of four. &nbsp;Parents could use the vouchers for accredited and nonaccredited private schools, micro-schools,supporting individual home school activities and other educational opportunities.Overall, how would students fare if SB83 becomes law?&nbsp;&nbsp;For rural students,&nbsp;it’s hard to tell, since in more than 60 of Kansas’ 105 counties there are no private schools students may attend.&nbsp;&nbsp;For rural students, sports, music, and activities that go beyond school are the heart of community life.&nbsp; Moreover, school districts are frequently the largest employer in rural counties. Funding loss caused by vouchers could mean a significant reduction in teaching staff.&nbsp;There is no body of research to inform us whether rural students would do better under the fragmented system offered in SB83.&nbsp; Yet, it’s a stretch to believe that micro schools and individual learning activities could replace the resources or state certified teachers needed for rigorous STEM and other courses rural schools offer and students need to succeed in 21st&nbsp;century careers.&nbsp;I grew up in a small, farming community, pulling tax dollars away from rural schools saddens me because I can see the loss this legislative step toward school privatization would bring for students, the rural economy and the values of farm life.For low- and middle-income urban students&nbsp;SB83 doesn’t offer practical benefits because the $5,000 voucher wouldn’t cover tuition at many private schools in urban areas and, if it did, it wouldn’t cover additional transportation costs or after school childcare.&nbsp;&nbsp;For high income students&nbsp;whose family income is near the $180,000 cap, a voucher would merely cushion private school tuition since these families often are already using private schooling.&nbsp;SB83 would create two school systems--the taxpayer funded public school system governed by elected school board members and an expensive, disorganized, under-regulated voucher system that may possibly attract many but realistically would benefit few.&nbsp;An up-down vote in the legislature is only fair when an issue like school vouchers is splitting the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Vouchers and what’s at stake for students

Ellis County Emergency Management, in conjunction with; Saint Francis Ministries, Hays USD 489, Hays Medical Center, Ellis County EMS, Hays Fire Department, and Hays Polic Department, will be conducting a training exercise.

This exercise will have two scenes, 3000 Broadway Ave. and 201 W. 29th St. The training exercise will be a simulated tornado strike, that will stress operational communications, operational coordination, re-unification, and planning. The training exercise is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. today in coordination with the State-wide Tornado Drill and conclude at noon.

Observers are welcome to attend, but must be reminded that they do so from a safe distance, and not impede, block or interfere with the exercise.

The training will help continue with community preparedness and allow the participating agencies to update/modify their existing policies and procedures if necessary.

SubmittedEllis County Emergency Management, in conjunction with; Saint Francis Ministries, Hays USD 489, Hays Medical Center, Ellis County EMS, Hays Fire Department, and Hays Polic Department, will be conducting a training exercise.This exercise will have two scenes, 3000 Broadway Ave. and 201 W. 29th St. The training exercise will be a simulated tornado strike, that will stress operational communications, operational coordination, re-unification, and planning. The training exercise is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. today in coordination with the State-wide Tornado Drill and conclude at noon.Observers are welcome to attend, but must be reminded that they do so from a safe distance, and not impede, block or interfere with the exercise.The training will help continue with community preparedness and allow the participating agencies to update/modify their existing policies and procedures if necessary.

This is only a test: Disaster drill set for Tuesday in Hays

Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann grew up in the small town of Quinter and now lives in Salina.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678090737260.jpeg" alt="First Dist. Congressman Tracey Mann, R-Salina, State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, and State Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, were the guests at the Hays Chamber legislative coffee Saturday. (Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)" />
 <figcaption>First Dist. Congressman Tracey Mann, R-Salina, State Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, and State Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, were the guests at the Hays Chamber legislative coffee Saturday. (Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostKansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann grew up in the small town of Quinter and now lives in Salina.The Republican lawmaker sees a lot of "Kansas common sense" in the rules package passed by the new U.S. House of Representatives membership which will govern how the body operates for the next two years.&nbsp;"It's not rocket science," Mann told the audience at&nbsp;Saturday's Hays Chamber legislative coffee at the Hays Public Library.Mann was one of the featured speakers at the event, joined by state Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, and state Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZAGkoAta-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Mann Rules Pkg" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>"I think the majority of Kansans will agree with these things, things like no more proxy voting, no more multi-subject bills. The days of bills covering 10-20 topics are over, at least for the next two years," Mann said.The 72-hour rule now requires there be at least 72 hours notice before a bill is voted on, "which means no more dropping a 3,000 page bill at 3 in the morning - which is literally what happened - and then we had to vote on it that afternoon.&nbsp; I voted no. If you're not able to read a bill, you can't expect people to vote for it."&nbsp;The new rules also require a return of regular order. The 12 departments of the federal government, i.e., Department of Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security, Pentagon, etc., must submit their budgets separately, be scrutinized, and then passed out individually, instead of lumped together in one large omnibus bill.&nbsp;Any budget passed out of the House must also be balanced.&nbsp;"The rules changes are going to be pretty significant," Mann said.The congressman also outlined the three areas he deems as ongoing threats to the United States - the record $32 trillion federal debt, China, and the country's drift away from "basic western Kansas values."The current U.S. farm bill will expire Sept. 30. Mann, who comes from a northwest Kansas farm family and now serves on the House agriculture committee, said crop insurance will be his top priority.&nbsp;"In our district we are low moisture, high risk agriculture. We've gotta have tools in place to help manage that risk. I think crop insurance is a very effective public/private partnership and the most cost-effective way to deliver a constant food supply."&nbsp;According to Mann, the Big First District of Kansas generates the third largest ag economy among the 435 Congressional districts nationwide.&nbsp;In answer to an audience member's question, he said there may not be any earmarks, formally known as Congressionally-directed spending, in the new five-year farm bill."There's different opinions on earmarks. Last Congress, I did not support earmarks. The majority of Republicans did not support earmarks. Now that they're coming back around, there's a lot of discussion about what the process out to be. ... Typically, the earmarks are on the appropriations bills."Both Mann and Rahjes have co-sponsored legislation opposing Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland."China owns farmland next to our military bases (in North Dakota). I've signed onto legislation to do away with that. I know the state is doing that as well," Mann said with a nod to Rahjes.&nbsp;Another audience member asked about the viral avian flu outbreak which necessitated the culling of poultry flocks and drove up retail egg prices."Part of this will be in the farm bill, really looking at food safety and food security. ... I would be supportive of a vaccine bank for the poultry, beef and swine industries."&nbsp;Mann also addressed the recent sale of U.S. oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China.&nbsp;"It should only be used for emergencies, not for political purposes, not to take the edge off of prices."A resolution has already passed on the House side that would prevent any presidential administration from depleting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and selling the oil overseas. The bill is now in the Senate.&nbsp;"It had some bipartisan support," Mann said. "I'm optimistic it will get passed on the Senate side and we'll see what the president does with it."

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