Dr. Janet Stramel was announced today to the Edna Shutts Williams Endowed Chair in the College of Education at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;

Stramel is an associate professor of teacher education at Fort Hays State.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As the Shutts Williams endowed professor, she said, “My work will revolve around training elementary teachers with a focus on STEM education.”&nbsp;

Education in the STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics ­– has been a focus of Stramel’s in her work for the 100Kin10 Project, a national initiative to “prepare and support 100,000 excellent STEM teachers in America’s classrooms.”&nbsp;

“Training for elementary teachers traditionally focuses on reading and literacy skills,” Stramel said. “While reading is a critical skill at the elementary level, research shows that early mathematics and science skills are a greater predictor of future school success.”&nbsp;

“In the Department of Teacher Education,” she continued, “we train amazing elementary teachers who make a huge impact on the students they teach. But I want to expand that training to focus more and include more STEM integration in the coursework.”&nbsp;

Stramel began her career at Fort Hays State in 2009 as an instructor of teacher education while completing work on her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in mathematics at Kansas State University.&nbsp;

After competing her doctorate in 2010, she was promoted to assistant professor, and in the fall of 2015 she was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor. Her promotion to full professor will take effect this fall.&nbsp;

Dr. Paul Adams, dean of FHSU’s College of Education, expressed thanks to the family of Edna Shutts Williams “for having the foresight and vision to support a distinguished professor in the College of Education.”&nbsp;

“The resources provided by our alumni, such as this gift, enables the college to provide resources to empower the creative vision of our faculty,” Adams said.&nbsp;

“FHSU faculty, such as Dr. Stramel, have at their core an entrepreneurial spirit to make a difference in the world,” he said. “The potential impact of her work will go far in preparing graduates to be leaders in STEM teaching.”&nbsp;

The Shutts Williams Chair in the College of Education was established in 2006 by Williams’ daughter, Betty Akins. Williams attended a one-room school through eighth grade, graduated from Hays High School in 1918 and went on to graduate from Kansas State Teachers College, Hays, now Fort Hays State, in 1926.&nbsp;

Earnings from the Shutts Williams Chair fund provides funding for the endowed chair position, and additional funding for the honor is provided through the university’s Faculty Distinction Program, with matching money from the State of Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588866813609.jpeg" alt="Stramel" />
 <figcaption>Stramel</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsDr. Janet Stramel was announced today to the Edna Shutts Williams Endowed Chair in the College of Education at Fort Hays State University.&nbsp;Stramel is an associate professor of teacher education at Fort Hays State.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the Shutts Williams endowed professor, she said, “My work will revolve around training elementary teachers with a focus on STEM education.”&nbsp;Education in the STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics ­– has been a focus of Stramel’s in her work for the 100Kin10 Project, a national initiative to “prepare and support 100,000 excellent STEM teachers in America’s classrooms.”&nbsp;“Training for elementary teachers traditionally focuses on reading and literacy skills,” Stramel said. “While reading is a critical skill at the elementary level, research shows that early mathematics and science skills are a greater predictor of future school success.”&nbsp;“In the Department of Teacher Education,” she continued, “we train amazing elementary teachers who make a huge impact on the students they teach. But I want to expand that training to focus more and include more STEM integration in the coursework.”&nbsp;Stramel began her career at Fort Hays State in 2009 as an instructor of teacher education while completing work on her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in mathematics at Kansas State University.&nbsp;After competing her doctorate in 2010, she was promoted to assistant professor, and in the fall of 2015 she was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor. Her promotion to full professor will take effect this fall.&nbsp;Dr. Paul Adams, dean of FHSU’s College of Education, expressed thanks to the family of Edna Shutts Williams “for having the foresight and vision to support a distinguished professor in the College of Education.”&nbsp;“The resources provided by our alumni, such as this gift, enables the college to provide resources to empower the creative vision of our faculty,” Adams said.&nbsp;“FHSU faculty, such as Dr. Stramel, have at their core an entrepreneurial spirit to make a difference in the world,” he said. “The potential impact of her work will go far in preparing graduates to be leaders in STEM teaching.”&nbsp;The Shutts Williams Chair in the College of Education was established in 2006 by Williams’ daughter, Betty Akins. Williams attended a one-room school through eighth grade, graduated from Hays High School in 1918 and went on to graduate from Kansas State Teachers College, Hays, now Fort Hays State, in 1926.&nbsp;Earnings from the Shutts Williams Chair fund provides funding for the endowed chair position, and additional funding for the honor is provided through the university’s Faculty Distinction Program, with matching money from the State of Kansas.&nbsp;

FHSU's Stramel named to endowed professor’s chair in College of Education

The Downtown Hays Market will open Saturday, May 30, but with drive-through service for at least a couple of weeks until social distancing regulations are further eased.

Allie Glidewell, DHDC director of events and operations, said the market plans to offer prepaid preorders that can be collected via drive-through.

DHDC is also considering a system in which customers can have their orders picked same-day on site and then delivered to customers' vehicles.

The exact procedures for the market will be decided after the DHDC meets with vendors in two weeks.

"I think if COVID has taught business people anything, it is you have to adapt," Glidewell said. "I know there are a lot of markets not only in Kansas, but within the country that have had a lot of success with either the drive-through or pre-order option.

"Maybe if it goes really well we have an open market and we keep one of them — the drive-through or the preorder."

The market operates 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays from May through October at the Downtown Pavilion in Hays.

Glidewell said she hopes the market will be able to reopen for normal operations as social distancing requirements are eased. Even when it does open for normal operations, the market plans to take COVID precautions by encouraging social distancing and setting up hand-sanitizing stations.

Vendor applications are being accepted for the market. Vendors need to provide their sales tax number when they apply. <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/downtown-hays-markethttps://www.downtownhays.com/downtown-hays-market">The application can be found on the DHDC website.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588881103313.jpeg" alt="Downtown Hays Market will open for the season Saturday, May 30, with pre-order and drive-through service. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Downtown Hays Market will open for the season Saturday, May 30, with pre-order and drive-through service. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEYHays PostThe Downtown Hays Market will open Saturday, May 30, but with drive-through service for at least a couple of weeks until social distancing regulations are further eased.Allie Glidewell, DHDC director of events and operations, said the market plans to offer prepaid preorders that can be collected via drive-through.DHDC is also considering a system in which customers can have their orders picked same-day on site and then delivered to customers' vehicles.The exact procedures for the market will be decided after the DHDC meets with vendors in two weeks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588881298182.jpeg" alt="Downtown Hays Market vendor" />
 <figcaption>Downtown Hays Market vendor</figcaption>
 </figure>"I think if COVID has taught business people anything, it is you have to adapt," Glidewell said. "I know there are a lot of markets not only in Kansas, but within the country that have had a lot of success with either the drive-through or pre-order option."Maybe if it goes really well we have an open market and we keep one of them — the drive-through or the preorder."The market operates 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays from May through October at the Downtown Pavilion in Hays.Glidewell said she hopes the market will be able to reopen for normal operations as social distancing requirements are eased. Even when it does open for normal operations, the market plans to take COVID precautions by encouraging social distancing and setting up hand-sanitizing stations.Vendor applications are being accepted for the market. Vendors need to provide their sales tax number when they apply. <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/downtown-hays-markethttps://www.downtownhays.com/downtown-hays-market">The application can be found on the DHDC website.</a>

Hays Downtown Market to start with preorder/drive-through service

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A request for the city of Hays to contribute more money to the Ellis County&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/653/Northwest-Business-Corridor">Northwest Business Corridor</a> project will be discussed in detail at a later date.

The request was introduced in a May 4 letter from Butch Schlyer, county commission chairman, during Thursday night's city commission work session.

In February, the commission voted to allow Ellis County to keep the  remaining&nbsp; $284,668 city monies from a county sales tax several years ago used for construction of a new county Emergency Services building and remodel of the courthouse and law enforcement center.&nbsp;

The county commission is now asking the city to consider contributing another $750,000 from its share of the proceeds in 2021 of a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e8cfcfdeb7f17053601f5e0">new one-half cent countywide retail sales tax </a>that will go into effect Oct. 1.

One quarter-cent of the sales tax will be dedicated for Ellis County Emergency Medical Services and the Health Department operations. The other quarter-cent will be split proportionately among Hays, Ellis, Victoria, Schoenchen and Ellis County, based on population as required by state law.

Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor, said she wasn't prepared to discuss the request Thursday and suggested it be moved to June during a commission retreat when the city's 2021 draft budget will be reviewed.

"We owe it to the taxpayers to work together, and I think we do work together as a county and a city.

"I'm very glad the county got their sales tax passed. I think it will be good for them and our community. ... If we can help them we should. I think we should be smart how we do that. 

"But this is not our project," Musil emphasized. "We've all got our own issues we have to deal with financially now."

In late March, Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager, said the city is<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e828633afae0f4d5f5e94c3"> planning for "long-lasting ramifications" </a>of the economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ron Mellick, commissioner, noted Hays relies on the city sales tax for most of the monies in its general fund.

"What is our budget going to look like next year?"

The Northwest Business Corridor would be a 55 mph bypass around northwest Hays, diverting heavy truck traffic and superloads away from Highway 183/Vine Street.

"The business corridor I think is really, really important to our community in a lot of ways," Jacobs added.&nbsp;

Ellis County Commissioner Dustin Roths was in the audience but did not speak.

Mason Ruder, city commissioner, noted he is employed by Ellis County and therefore would not be participating in the discussion or a vote.&nbsp;

In other business the commission heard and agreed to move forward the following agenda items:

Dougherty told commissioners his office has worked with John Bird, city attorney, and the state of Kansas, to ensure the public will be able to appear in person in city commission chambers to make comments during the May 14 live public hearings without violating the current state order limiting gatherings to 10 or fewer people until at least May 17.&nbsp; Dougherty also noted the May 4 reopening of playgrounds in Hays parks as Phase 1 of Gov. Laura Kelley's plan to begin reopening Kansas after her stay-at-home order in March to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Public swimming pools, which attract crowds of people, would be allowed to open in Phase 2, scheduled to begin May 18.&nbsp;However, the mass-gathering restriction jumps from no more than 10, to a maximum of 30 people.

"It's highly unlikely the Wilson Pool will open this summer," Dougherty told commissioners, and he's not sure about the status of the larger Hays Aquatic Park m(HAP).

"We've been talking to Roger Bixenman, (Hays Recreation Commission superintendent, and the information we have from the state is still kind of murky." Dougherty said it's possible HAP could open in early June.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588916436824.jpeg" alt="The Hays City Commission postponed discussion Thursday of a request by the Ellis County Commission to contribute more money to the Northwest Business Corridor project.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Hays City Commission postponed discussion Thursday of a request by the Ellis County Commission to contribute more money to the Northwest Business Corridor project.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostA request for the city of Hays to contribute more money to the Ellis County&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ellisco.net/653/Northwest-Business-Corridor">Northwest Business Corridor</a> project will be discussed in detail at a later date.The request was introduced in a May 4 letter from Butch Schlyer, county commission chairman, during Thursday night's city commission work session.In February, the commission voted to allow Ellis County to keep the remaining&nbsp; $284,668 city monies from a county sales tax several years ago used for construction of a new county Emergency Services building and remodel of the courthouse and law enforcement center.&nbsp;The county commission is now asking the city to consider contributing another $750,000 from its share of the proceeds in 2021 of a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e8cfcfdeb7f17053601f5e0">new one-half cent countywide retail sales tax </a>that will go into effect Oct. 1.One quarter-cent of the sales tax will be dedicated for Ellis County Emergency Medical Services and the Health Department operations. The other quarter-cent will be split proportionately among Hays, Ellis, Victoria, Schoenchen and Ellis County, based on population as required by state law.Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor, said she wasn't prepared to discuss the request Thursday and suggested it be moved to June during a commission retreat when the city's 2021 draft budget will be reviewed.Mayor Shaun Musil agreed.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bRZ-6dLPC5o"></iframe>
 <figcaption>(Video and pictures courtesy Nex-Tech)</figcaption>
 </figure>"We owe it to the taxpayers to work together, and I think we do work together as a county and a city."I'm very glad the county got their sales tax passed. I think it will be good for them and our community. ... If we can help them we should. I think we should be smart how we do that. "But this is not our project," Musil emphasized. "We've all got our own issues we have to deal with financially now."In late March, Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager, said the city is<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e828633afae0f4d5f5e94c3"> planning for "long-lasting ramifications" </a>of the economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ron Mellick, commissioner, noted Hays relies on the city sales tax for most of the monies in its general fund."What is our budget going to look like next year?"The Northwest Business Corridor would be a 55 mph bypass around northwest Hays, diverting heavy truck traffic and superloads away from Highway 183/Vine Street."The business corridor I think is really, really important to our community in a lot of ways," Jacobs added.&nbsp;Ellis County Commissioner Dustin Roths was in the audience but did not speak.Mason Ruder, city commissioner, noted he is employed by Ellis County and therefore would not be participating in the discussion or a vote.&nbsp;In other business the commission heard and agreed to move forward the following agenda items:<ol>
 <li>Set a public hearing date of June 25 and ordinance consideration for establishment of an RHID (Rural Housing Incentive District financing) by the Ellis County Heart of American Corporation for&nbsp;75 "affordable housing" residential lots&nbsp; located at the northeast corner of 22nd Street and Wheatland. The developer estimates the RHID would generate about $3.2 million over the maximum 25-year term, reimbursing the developer on&nbsp; a pay-as-you go basis.</li><li>Designation of&nbsp;main trafficways- (West) Frontage Road, Skyline, and 37th Street -&nbsp; in the North Vine Street Corridor Project for general&nbsp;obligation (GO) bond financing.&nbsp;The city plans to issue GO bonds in late 2020 or early 2021 to reimburse itself for the&nbsp;majority of the city’s share of the project costs, which is $7.1 million.&nbsp;The debt&nbsp;service of the GO bonds will be paid by a 2% increase in the Transient Guest Tax implemented in 2018.</li><li>Conducting a May 14 public hearing for the requested D &amp; J Land and Development TIF (Tax Increment Financing district) and subsequent ordinance adopting the TIF project plan and development agreement for a proposed travel plaza to be built at the northwest corner of 230th Ave. and 55th Street, near Interstate 70, Exit 157. The TIF would generate approximately $14.95 million over the maximum 20-year term.</li><li>Conducting a May 14 public hearing and consideration of an ordinance establishing a CID (Community Improvement District) and levying a 2% CID sales tax for the travel plaza. It's estimated to generate about $2.9 million over the 22-year maximum term. </li>
 </ol>Dougherty told commissioners his office has worked with John Bird, city attorney, and the state of Kansas, to ensure the public will be able to appear in person in city commission chambers to make comments during the May 14 live public hearings without violating the current state order limiting gatherings to 10 or fewer people until at least May 17.&nbsp; Dougherty also noted the May 4 reopening of playgrounds in Hays parks as Phase 1 of Gov. Laura Kelley's plan to begin reopening Kansas after her stay-at-home order in March to help stop the spread of COVID-19.Public swimming pools, which attract crowds of people, would be allowed to open in Phase 2, scheduled to begin May 18.&nbsp;However, the mass-gathering restriction jumps from no more than 10, to a maximum of 30 people."It's highly unlikely the Wilson Pool will open this summer," Dougherty told commissioners, and he's not sure about the status of the larger Hays Aquatic Park m(HAP)."We've been talking to Roger Bixenman, (Hays Recreation Commission superintendent, and the information we have from the state is still kind of murky." Dougherty said it's possible HAP could open in early June.

🎥 MAYOR: 'We owe it to taxpayers to work together, but it's not our project'

Have you wondered how much rain or snow has fallen? Have you noticed that what was reported at the official National Weather Service Cooperative site does not match what you observed at your location? There is a volunteer organization that is working to answer both questions: <a href="https://cocorahs.org/">CoCoRaHS</a>. Now is a great time to join this network as Kansans are spending more time at home due to COVID-19.

CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, nonprofit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail, and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive website, the aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education, and research applications. CoCoRaHS has been active in Kansas since 2004. More observers are always very welcome.

Each time a storm — rain, hail, or snow — crosses your area, volunteers take measurements of precipitation from as many locations as possible. These precipitation reports are recorded on the website, <a href="https://cocorahs.org/">https://cocorahs.org/</a>. The data are then displayed and organized for the end users to analyze and apply to daily situations ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards. For example, Manhattan was able to document the highest rainfall amount during the Labor Day 2018 flood, thanks to a CoCoRaHS observer.

No rain is still an important observation

Volunteers also report when it DOES NOT rain. Documenting the fact that a part of the county missed a precipitation event helps improve our understanding of drought conditions. That information is also useful in improving radar and satellite rainfall estimates.

CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals. The National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water, insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor &amp; recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community are just some examples of those who visit the website and use the data.

One of the neat things about participating in this network is coming away with the feeling that you have made an important contribution that helps others. By providing your daily observation, you help to fill in a piece of the weather puzzle that affects many across your area in one way or another.

To join CoCoRaHS, just go to the website CoCoRaHS.org and click “Join Now."

If you have questions about the program, contact Mary Knapp at Kansas State University by email at mknapp@ksu.edu or phone at 785-313-1562.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District" />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District</figcaption>
 </figure>Have you wondered how much rain or snow has fallen? Have you noticed that what was reported at the official National Weather Service Cooperative site does not match what you observed at your location? There is a volunteer organization that is working to answer both questions: <a href="https://cocorahs.org/">CoCoRaHS</a>. Now is a great time to join this network as Kansans are spending more time at home due to COVID-19.<h2>What is CoCoRaHS?</h2>CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, nonprofit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail, and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive website, the aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education, and research applications. CoCoRaHS has been active in Kansas since 2004. More observers are always very welcome.Each time a storm — rain, hail, or snow — crosses your area, volunteers take measurements of precipitation from as many locations as possible. These precipitation reports are recorded on the website, <a href="https://cocorahs.org/">https://cocorahs.org/</a>. The data are then displayed and organized for the end users to analyze and apply to daily situations ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards. For example, Manhattan was able to document the highest rainfall amount during the Labor Day 2018 flood, thanks to a CoCoRaHS observer.<h2>No rain is still an important observation</h2>Volunteers also report when it DOES NOT rain. Documenting the fact that a part of the county missed a precipitation event helps improve our understanding of drought conditions. That information is also useful in improving radar and satellite rainfall estimates.<h2>Who uses the CoCoRaHS data?</h2>CoCoRaHS is used by a wide variety of organizations and individuals. The National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, city utilities (water supply, water conservation, storm water, insurance adjusters, USDA, engineers, mosquito control, ranchers and farmers, outdoor &amp; recreation interests, teachers, students, and neighbors in the community are just some examples of those who visit the website and use the data.One of the neat things about participating in this network is coming away with the feeling that you have made an important contribution that helps others. By providing your daily observation, you help to fill in a piece of the weather puzzle that affects many across your area in one way or another.To join CoCoRaHS, just go to the website CoCoRaHS.org and click “Join Now."If you have questions about the program, contact Mary Knapp at Kansas State University by email at mknapp@ksu.edu or phone at 785-313-1562.Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: CoCoRaHS helps gauge local weather

Transfer Connect went live on April 20.&nbsp;

A key to the system is partnership between academic advisors at Garden City and a dedicated FHSU Transfer Success Coach. Under Transfer Connect, coordination begins much earlier than in traditional articulation agreements to ensure smooth transferability of a student’s community college work.&nbsp;

“An articulation agreement is a printed curriculum guide that the prospective students and their community college advisors can use in course selection,” said Erica Fisher, FHSU’s articulation coordinator and recruiter.&nbsp;

“Transfer Connect is a dual advising relationship where a prospective community college student has access to an FHSU Transfer Success Coach, who proactively engages with their assigned students,” she said.&nbsp;

The transfer coach is available for questions from students or students’ academic advisors at the community college.&nbsp;

Colin Lamb, GCCC’s vice president for student services, said the new partnership is mutually beneficial and is likely to increase GCCC’s own recruitment and retention efforts. More GCCC students transfer to FHSU to continue their studies annually than any other four-year institution statewide, he said.&nbsp;

“This partnership will allow our students to receive academic advising more often and earlier in their undergraduate career,” Lamb said. “We are very excited for any opportunity that improves our students’ transfer experience.”&nbsp;

“We are trying to build the bridge to FHSU earlier in the student’s academic journey to ensure a seamless experience,” she said.&nbsp;

Throughout the community college career, students will have access to:&nbsp;

• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Unofficial transcript evaluations to help student keep on track.&nbsp;

• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Course recommendations.&nbsp;

• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Regular communication of events and deadlines.&nbsp;

• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Program exploration based on academic goals.&nbsp;

• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Degree completion planning.&nbsp;

• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Admission and financial aid assistance.&nbsp;

• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;On-boarding and enrollment guidance.&nbsp;

A pilot partnership for Transfer Connect began last spring at Barton Community College for the current academic year. That partnership has been a success, said Fisher, with 23 students currently enrolled.&nbsp;

More information, and the sign-up form, is at&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsu.edu/transfer/transfer-connect/student">https://fhsu.edu/transfer/transfer-connect/student</a>.&nbsp;

Once enrolled, a Transfer Success Coach at FHSU will begin collaborating with the student and the GCCC academic advisor to develop a customized academic plan.&nbsp;

For questions about the academic advising process or the Transfer Connect program, contact Fisher at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:eafisher@fhsu.edu">eafisher@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hsrebel@fhsu.edu">hsrebel@fhsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588884141703.png" alt="GCCC Transfer Connect pic.png" />
 <figcaption>GCCC Transfer Connect pic.png</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsTransfer Connect went live on April 20.&nbsp;A key to the system is partnership between academic advisors at Garden City and a dedicated FHSU Transfer Success Coach. Under Transfer Connect, coordination begins much earlier than in traditional articulation agreements to ensure smooth transferability of a student’s community college work.&nbsp;“An articulation agreement is a printed curriculum guide that the prospective students and their community college advisors can use in course selection,” said Erica Fisher, FHSU’s articulation coordinator and recruiter.&nbsp;“Transfer Connect is a dual advising relationship where a prospective community college student has access to an FHSU Transfer Success Coach, who proactively engages with their assigned students,” she said.&nbsp;The transfer coach is available for questions from students or students’ academic advisors at the community college.&nbsp;Colin Lamb, GCCC’s vice president for student services, said the new partnership is mutually beneficial and is likely to increase GCCC’s own recruitment and retention efforts. More GCCC students transfer to FHSU to continue their studies annually than any other four-year institution statewide, he said.&nbsp;“This partnership will allow our students to receive academic advising more often and earlier in their undergraduate career,” Lamb said. “We are very excited for any opportunity that improves our students’ transfer experience.”&nbsp;Fisher agreed.&nbsp;“We are trying to build the bridge to FHSU earlier in the student’s academic journey to ensure a seamless experience,” she said.&nbsp;Throughout the community college career, students will have access to:&nbsp;• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Unofficial transcript evaluations to help student keep on track.&nbsp;• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Course recommendations.&nbsp;• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Regular communication of events and deadlines.&nbsp;• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Program exploration based on academic goals.&nbsp;• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Degree completion planning.&nbsp;• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Admission and financial aid assistance.&nbsp;• &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;On-boarding and enrollment guidance.&nbsp;A pilot partnership for Transfer Connect began last spring at Barton Community College for the current academic year. That partnership has been a success, said Fisher, with 23 students currently enrolled.&nbsp;More information, and the sign-up form, is at&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsu.edu/transfer/transfer-connect/student">https://fhsu.edu/transfer/transfer-connect/student</a>.&nbsp;Once enrolled, a Transfer Success Coach at FHSU will begin collaborating with the student and the GCCC academic advisor to develop a customized academic plan.&nbsp;For questions about the academic advising process or the Transfer Connect program, contact Fisher at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:eafisher@fhsu.edu">eafisher@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hsrebel@fhsu.edu">hsrebel@fhsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;

Garden City CC, FHSU begin partnership under Transfer Connect program

Three-day weather outlook

Several Ellis students earned honors in the annual Kansas State Press Association contest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588713436772.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Several Ellis students earned honors in the annual Kansas State Press Association contest.

Ellis High School students earn state journalism awards

By GREG DOERING <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2020/05/01/food-supply-chain-adjusting-to-second-wave-of-disruption">Kansas Living Magazine</a>

The nation’s food supply is facing a second wave of disruption as Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on our food system.

Just as distributors were getting a handle on the surging market at 
grocery stores and decimated demand at restaurants, the pandemic 
infiltrated packing plants crimping the meat supply.

“While there was a big demand boost for food in grocery stores, we 
lost much of the market in food away from home,” says Jayson Lusk, head 
of agriculture economics at Purdue University. “Just using milk as the 
example, if you have a processing facility that’s packaging milk in the 
small containers for schools, we don’t have school going on anymore. 
It’s not like that plant can suddenly switch to pumping out gallon 
jugs.”

The supply chain for grocery stores typically forecasts steady growth
 between 3 and 5 percent. In the beginning of the pandemic, sales surged
 25 to 30 percent, with certain items exceeding even those lofty 
numbers.

“I think one of the things this scenario has shown is just how 
complicated our food system is,” Lusk says. “It’s a food system that is 
in constant evolution, constant change, but a lot of it is pretty 
gradual.”

Doug Baker, vice president of industry relations-private brands at 
the Food Marketing Institute, says his organization helped overcome some
 of the logistical challenges of rerouting food destined for restaurants
 to grocery stores.

“It’s not an easy process to bring in a new supplier partner,” Baker 
says. “There’s a significant number of activities that need to happen in
 order to get that supplier set up in the system. That’s difficult even 
if they’re doing retail packaging. It becomes even more difficult if 
they’re doing food service packs.”

One of the challenges involved working with government agencies to 
relax rules on food packaging on things like labels, which have 
differing requirements for institutional consumers versus those buying 
for use in their homes.

“My perspective is by and large, the food system did a remarkable 
job,” Lusk says. “We had this initial run and stocking-up phase, but 
that subsided pretty quickly.”

Grocery stores and their suppliers made adjustments to increase 
product availability and demand settled into a more manageable level 
just as the virus started to disrupt processing facilities that process 
the beef, pork and poultry we eat.

“So far, we know it’s been well over 20 facilities that have closed 
down,” says Michael Nepveux, an economist with the American Farm Bureau 
Federation. “In some cases, those closures are due to outbreaks within 
the facilities among the workers, and in other cases, it’s already a 
struggle to keep labor in these plants. And, when workers are afraid of 
getting sick or having vulnerable populations living with them at home, 
it makes them think twice about coming into the plant.”

This has caused a ripple effect through the protein supply chain. 
While the price for retail cuts has increased, farmers and ranchers have
 seen double-digit declines in the prices they receive for live animals.

The bottleneck at processing plants is the reason for the price 
discrepancy between live animals on ranches and feedlots and the price 
retailers are willing to pay for consumer-ready protein. Plants are 
slaughtering fewer animals, creating a surplus of market-ready livestock
 and a deficit of retail beef, pork and poultry.

The meat supply will face strain with facilities closed and 
throughput capacity reduced at others, but a shortage doesn’t mean zero 
protein at meat counters.

“The data we have on animal processing numbers shows on the beef side
 we’re probably processing 25 percent fewer cattle than the same time 
last year. On the pork side it’s about 20 percent,” Lusk says. “You 
can’t have that reduction without it having some market impact.”

Lusk says higher prices, more whole cuts and different packaging are 
some of the things consumers can expect to see first as the supply chain
 adjusts to the current disruption.

“Hopefully they won’t see reduced availability, but I’d be lying if I
 didn’t say there aren’t some concerns there,” he says. “There’s been 
some fairly high inventories in cold storage. One challenge is those 
inventories might be packaged in ways we aren’t accustomed to seeing and
 aren’t easy to move in to grocery stores.”

Baker says most current inventory problems are sporadic and regional.
 There’s also the chance grocery stores pick up some of the processing 
slack.

“A lot of beef anymore for retailers is case ready,” he says, meaning
 it can go directly onto the shelf. “They still have the equipment in 
their stores — the grinders, the cutters. They might not be able to do 
some of those high-end cuts, but they can do cuts out of primals.”

As distributors straighten out their supply chains, farmers and 
ranchers will continue doing their work growing safe, healthy crops and 
livestock.

Kansas Living Magazine is a publication of Kansas Farm Bureau.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588866472020.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2020/05/01/food-supply-chain-adjusting-to-second-wave-of-disruption">Kansas Living Magazine</a>The nation’s food supply is facing a second wave of disruption as Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on our food system.Just as distributors were getting a handle on the surging market at 
grocery stores and decimated demand at restaurants, the pandemic 
infiltrated packing plants crimping the meat supply.<h2>FIRST WAVE</h2>“While there was a big demand boost for food in grocery stores, we 
lost much of the market in food away from home,” says Jayson Lusk, head 
of agriculture economics at Purdue University. “Just using milk as the 
example, if you have a processing facility that’s packaging milk in the 
small containers for schools, we don’t have school going on anymore. 
It’s not like that plant can suddenly switch to pumping out gallon 
jugs.”The supply chain for grocery stores typically forecasts steady growth
 between 3 and 5 percent. In the beginning of the pandemic, sales surged
 25 to 30 percent, with certain items exceeding even those lofty 
numbers.“I think one of the things this scenario has shown is just how 
complicated our food system is,” Lusk says. “It’s a food system that is 
in constant evolution, constant change, but a lot of it is pretty 
gradual.”Doug Baker, vice president of industry relations-private brands at 
the Food Marketing Institute, says his organization helped overcome some
 of the logistical challenges of rerouting food destined for restaurants
 to grocery stores.“It’s not an easy process to bring in a new supplier partner,” Baker 
says. “There’s a significant number of activities that need to happen in
 order to get that supplier set up in the system. That’s difficult even 
if they’re doing retail packaging. It becomes even more difficult if 
they’re doing food service packs.”One of the challenges involved working with government agencies to 
relax rules on food packaging on things like labels, which have 
differing requirements for institutional consumers versus those buying 
for use in their homes.“My perspective is by and large, the food system did a remarkable 
job,” Lusk says. “We had this initial run and stocking-up phase, but 
that subsided pretty quickly.”<h2>SECOND WAVE</h2>Grocery stores and their suppliers made adjustments to increase 
product availability and demand settled into a more manageable level 
just as the virus started to disrupt processing facilities that process 
the beef, pork and poultry we eat.“So far, we know it’s been well over 20 facilities that have closed 
down,” says Michael Nepveux, an economist with the American Farm Bureau 
Federation. “In some cases, those closures are due to outbreaks within 
the facilities among the workers, and in other cases, it’s already a 
struggle to keep labor in these plants. And, when workers are afraid of 
getting sick or having vulnerable populations living with them at home, 
it makes them think twice about coming into the plant.”This has caused a ripple effect through the protein supply chain. 
While the price for retail cuts has increased, farmers and ranchers have
 seen double-digit declines in the prices they receive for live animals.The bottleneck at processing plants is the reason for the price 
discrepancy between live animals on ranches and feedlots and the price 
retailers are willing to pay for consumer-ready protein. Plants are 
slaughtering fewer animals, creating a surplus of market-ready livestock
 and a deficit of retail beef, pork and poultry.<h2>MEAT SHORTAGE</h2>The meat supply will face strain with facilities closed and 
throughput capacity reduced at others, but a shortage doesn’t mean zero 
protein at meat counters.“The data we have on animal processing numbers shows on the beef side
 we’re probably processing 25 percent fewer cattle than the same time 
last year. On the pork side it’s about 20 percent,” Lusk says. “You 
can’t have that reduction without it having some market impact.”Lusk says higher prices, more whole cuts and different packaging are 
some of the things consumers can expect to see first as the supply chain
 adjusts to the current disruption.“Hopefully they won’t see reduced availability, but I’d be lying if I
 didn’t say there aren’t some concerns there,” he says. “There’s been 
some fairly high inventories in cold storage. One challenge is those 
inventories might be packaged in ways we aren’t accustomed to seeing and
 aren’t easy to move in to grocery stores.”Baker says most current inventory problems are sporadic and regional.
 There’s also the chance grocery stores pick up some of the processing 
slack.“A lot of beef anymore for retailers is case ready,” he says, meaning
 it can go directly onto the shelf. “They still have the equipment in 
their stores — the grinders, the cutters. They might not be able to do 
some of those high-end cuts, but they can do cuts out of primals.”As distributors straighten out their supply chains, farmers and 
ranchers will continue doing their work growing safe, healthy crops and 
livestock.Kansas Living Magazine is a publication of Kansas Farm Bureau.

Food supply chain adjusting to second wave of disruption

Ellis County Health Department

New cases: 0 Current active cases: 0 Recovered cases: 8 Probable Cases: 1 Total cases: 9

New cases: As reported by KDHE. Will be updated every 24 hours via Facebook post from ECHD.

Active cases: As determined by the Public Health office. Patients are currently in isolation with daily contact from the ECHD.

Recovered cases: Following KDHE guidelines patients have completed isolation, had significant improvement of symptoms and have gone 72 hours fever free with no fever-reducing medication.

Probable Cases as determined by KDHE: Defined as a person with a) presumptive lab evidence with COVID-19 symptoms or epi-linked to a confirmed case, or b) no lab testing with COVID-19 symptoms and epi-linked to a confirmed case. Reported retroactively by KDHE.

Total cases: Total number of lab-confirmed Covid-19 patients that reside in Ellis County.

Includes both active, recovered and probable cases.

Note: As of May 7, confirmed and probable cases are included in case totals reported on the KDHE website. The case that was reported today is not a new case. We have not received notification of any new cases at this time. The probable case reported by KDHE today was a close contact of a positive in Ellis County. This person was quarantined following KDHE guidelines at the beginning of April.

Residents and visitors of Ellis County need to remain diligent in social distancing as well as basic precautions like washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are ill.

Continue to follow and understand guidance provided by CDC, KDHE and ECHD. Make the individual choice to protect yourself and others around you.

Stay informed as information changes frequently. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/COVID19 or www.kdheks.gov/. Call the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) or ECHD at 628-9440.

Ellis County Health DepartmentNew cases: 0 Current active cases: 0 Recovered cases: 8 Probable Cases: 1 Total cases: 9New cases: As reported by KDHE. Will be updated every 24 hours via Facebook post from ECHD.Active cases: As determined by the Public Health office. Patients are currently in isolation with daily contact from the ECHD.Recovered cases: Following KDHE guidelines patients have completed isolation, had significant improvement of symptoms and have gone 72 hours fever free with no fever-reducing medication.Probable Cases as determined by KDHE: Defined as a person with a) presumptive lab evidence with COVID-19 symptoms or epi-linked to a confirmed case, or b) no lab testing with COVID-19 symptoms and epi-linked to a confirmed case. Reported retroactively by KDHE.Total cases: Total number of lab-confirmed Covid-19 patients that reside in Ellis County.Includes both active, recovered and probable cases.Note: As of May 7, confirmed and probable cases are included in case totals reported on the KDHE website. The case that was reported today is not a new case. We have not received notification of any new cases at this time. The probable case reported by KDHE today was a close contact of a positive in Ellis County. This person was quarantined following KDHE guidelines at the beginning of April.Residents and visitors of Ellis County need to remain diligent in social distancing as well as basic precautions like washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are ill.Continue to follow and understand guidance provided by CDC, KDHE and ECHD. Make the individual choice to protect yourself and others around you.Stay informed as information changes frequently. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/COVID19 or www.kdheks.gov/. Call the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) or ECHD at 628-9440.

No new cases of COVID-19 in Ellis Co. as KDHE changes case reporting 

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

Ellis County Deputy Clerk Bobbi Dreiling is the first
candidate to file for Ellis County Clerk in the 2020 election.

Dreiling submitted the necessary paperwork Wednesday to
run as a Republican.

After serving two terms as county clerk and election officer
and serving 41 years with Ellis County, Donna Maskus is retiring at the end of her
current term in January.

Dreiling has served as the deputy clerk for seven and a half
years.

&nbsp;The candidate filing
deadline is June 1. The primary election is Aug. 4. The general election is
Nov. 3.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostEllis County Deputy Clerk Bobbi Dreiling is the first
candidate to file for Ellis County Clerk in the 2020 election.Dreiling submitted the necessary paperwork Wednesday to
run as a Republican.After serving two terms as county clerk and election officer
and serving 41 years with Ellis County, Donna Maskus is retiring at the end of her
current term in January.Dreiling has served as the deputy clerk for seven and a half
years.&nbsp;The candidate filing
deadline is June 1. The primary election is Aug. 4. The general election is
Nov. 3.

Dreiling files to run for Ellis County Clerk position

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="Sen. Moran says relief on the way for ag producers impacted during COVID-19" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/ux8rt-dbb29e?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=3&btn-skin=101&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5dd2f46c897d147ad4bb104b">To find out more about The Post Podcast, or subscribe to mobile notifications click here.</a>

🎤Post Podcast: Moran says relief on the way for ag producers impacted by COVID-19

Fort Hays State University announced today its plan to disburse emergency financial aid grants to students under the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.&nbsp;

The CARES Act grant program was created to assist students in covering expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.&nbsp;

The university expects to receive $1,262,038 to allocate to students who were impacted by the interruption of campus operations and the transition from on-campus to online instruction.&nbsp;

FHSU plans to conduct a thorough review of currently eligible financial aid students to identify and serve those with the most need first. These students will be contacted directly by the university about the disbursement of their awards.&nbsp;

The university will also create an online application process that other Title IV financial aid eligible students can use to request grant funding.&nbsp;

To be eligible to receive CARES Act funds, FHSU students had to be enrolled in at least one on-campus class at the time of the university’s transition to all-online instruction.&nbsp;

They also must be Title IV eligible, defined as students who are:&nbsp;

• U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens who hold a valid Social Security number;&nbsp;

• Are registered with Selective Service (if a male);&nbsp;

• And have earned a high school diploma or GED or have completed high school in an approved homeschool setting. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588871126865.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsFort Hays State University announced today its plan to disburse emergency financial aid grants to students under the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.&nbsp;The CARES Act grant program was created to assist students in covering expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.&nbsp;The university expects to receive $1,262,038 to allocate to students who were impacted by the interruption of campus operations and the transition from on-campus to online instruction.&nbsp;FHSU plans to conduct a thorough review of currently eligible financial aid students to identify and serve those with the most need first. These students will be contacted directly by the university about the disbursement of their awards.&nbsp;The university will also create an online application process that other Title IV financial aid eligible students can use to request grant funding.&nbsp;To be eligible to receive CARES Act funds, FHSU students had to be enrolled in at least one on-campus class at the time of the university’s transition to all-online instruction.&nbsp;They also must be Title IV eligible, defined as students who are:&nbsp;• U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens who hold a valid Social Security number;&nbsp;• Are registered with Selective Service (if a male);&nbsp;• And have earned a high school diploma or GED or have completed high school in an approved homeschool setting. &nbsp;&nbsp;

FHSU announces plan to disburse emergency aid to students

The Ellis County Commission elected to table until July discussions
over a potential raise for employees at Monday’s commission
meeting.

The commission had scheduled and budgeted to complete the Evergreen
study and a 1.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment for employees in 2020.

Interim County Administrator Darin Myers told the commission
Monday they had originally budgeted approximately $140,000 for pay
increases but, after some changes, the cost estimate was trimmed to $60,514.

The wage and benefit study, put together by <a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2015/04/07/wage-and-benefit-study-shows-ellis-co-employees-falling-behind/">Evergreen Solutions</a>,
was commissioned in 2014 but the commission did not begin to implement it until
2016. The goal of the study was to ensure county employees were being
compensated at the same level of similarly sized entities. The study showed that
Ellis County was lacking in several areas.

The commission had gradually increased most of the employees' positions on the study. This move in 2020 would take care of the rest of the
employees, according to Myers. 

All three commissioners agreed that it would be good to get
the Evergreen Study completed.

“I believe the Evergreen Study, at the time we done that, cost about $40,000,” Commissioner Butch Schlyer said. “I don’t (think) I’d ever be interested
in doing another one.”

Commissioner Dean Haselhorst called it a “nightmare” and
said he didn’t think it was applicable to employees in Ellis County.

Commissioner Dustin Roths said he supports the step
increases but with the current economic struggles the county is seeing he doesn’t
support the COLA pay increase.

“We know that we are going to take a huge hit on our budget. We have no idea if our sales tax numbers are going to be coming in the way that
we expected that they would,” Roths said. 

“If feel like in the state of this county and the state of
what looks like we’ll be at an almost 10 percent unemployment rate, I would like to get
that Evergreen Study behind us so we can work better at a more aggressive way
of rewarding great staff,” Roths said.

Haselhorst said he agreed with Roths, “I’ve never like these
studies, I think employees should be rewarded off how they work.”



Schlyer said a merit-based pay will be difficult to set
benchmarks for all of the different employees within the county.

Haselhorst said he believes the department heads will be
able to help evaluate employees. 

Roths said because of the current economic climate there are
people looking for work and he believes if there was an open position within
the county there would be plenty of applicants.

“We have a great staff, we have great employees. The idea of
a COLA pay when we are about to see 10 percent unemployment and record low commodity prices doesn’t seem like it would be in line with what our voters would want from us,”
Roths said.

“We did commit to a COLA pay,” Schyler
said. “Our employees had nothing to do with the state of this economy. Politicians
have forced this on everyone.

“During this whole virus pandemic, we’ve had a majority of
our employees out in the public each and every day, doing their jobs.”

Schlyer added that the employees have trusted the commission
to fulfill the COLA pay and said he believes it’s the commission's obligation.

“I think its only fair we follow through with this just as
we have told the employees we would do,” Schlyer said.

Myers said “by not giving a COLA, you’re not accounting for
the employees' salary adjustments for what the markets doing.”

He said some employees were given the COLA increase to keep
the salary scale up to date.

Schyler added that the 1.6 percent was based on last year’s economy
and that the current economic downturn will likely affect next year’s COLA
numbers.&nbsp;

“If someone goes out here to Public Works and wants to be a
truck driver or a mechanic, and we know we’re going to present them an offer
that’s below par, but either ‘accept it or hit the road,’ that’s just taking
advantage of people,” Schlyer said. “It’s using leverage against them instead
of being what’s fair.”

Roths said he doesn’t believe they should offer any paise
raise in the current economy.



“Without the sales tax passing, we would likely be looking at
furloughs in Ellis County,” Roths said. “The taxpayers came to us and helped us
keep a managed balanced budget, (and) I don’t think they would be happy with us
doing a pay raise shortly after that.”

The commission, at the request of Commissioner Haselhorst,
tabled the discussion until July 13.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission elected to table until July discussions
over a potential raise for employees at Monday’s commission
meeting.The commission had scheduled and budgeted to complete the Evergreen
study and a 1.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment for employees in 2020.Interim County Administrator Darin Myers told the commission
Monday they had originally budgeted approximately $140,000 for pay
increases but, after some changes, the cost estimate was trimmed to $60,514.The wage and benefit study, put together by <a href="https://archive.hayspost.com/2015/04/07/wage-and-benefit-study-shows-ellis-co-employees-falling-behind/">Evergreen Solutions</a>,
was commissioned in 2014 but the commission did not begin to implement it until
2016. The goal of the study was to ensure county employees were being
compensated at the same level of similarly sized entities. The study showed that
Ellis County was lacking in several areas.The commission had gradually increased most of the employees' positions on the study. This move in 2020 would take care of the rest of the
employees, according to Myers. All three commissioners agreed that it would be good to get
the Evergreen Study completed.“I believe the Evergreen Study, at the time we done that, cost about $40,000,” Commissioner Butch Schlyer said. “I don’t (think) I’d ever be interested
in doing another one.”Commissioner Dean Haselhorst called it a “nightmare” and
said he didn’t think it was applicable to employees in Ellis County.Commissioner Dustin Roths said he supports the step
increases but with the current economic struggles the county is seeing he doesn’t
support the COLA pay increase.“We know that we are going to take a huge hit on our budget. We have no idea if our sales tax numbers are going to be coming in the way that
we expected that they would,” Roths said. “If feel like in the state of this county and the state of
what looks like we’ll be at an almost 10 percent unemployment rate, I would like to get
that Evergreen Study behind us so we can work better at a more aggressive way
of rewarding great staff,” Roths said.Haselhorst said he agreed with Roths, “I’ve never like these
studies, I think employees should be rewarded off how they work.”

Schlyer said a merit-based pay will be difficult to set
benchmarks for all of the different employees within the county.Haselhorst said he believes the department heads will be
able to help evaluate employees. Roths said because of the current economic climate there are
people looking for work and he believes if there was an open position within
the county there would be plenty of applicants.“We have a great staff, we have great employees. The idea of
a COLA pay when we are about to see 10 percent unemployment and record low commodity prices doesn’t seem like it would be in line with what our voters would want from us,”
Roths said.Schlyer disagreed.“We did commit to a COLA pay,” Schyler
said. “Our employees had nothing to do with the state of this economy. Politicians
have forced this on everyone.“During this whole virus pandemic, we’ve had a majority of
our employees out in the public each and every day, doing their jobs.”Schlyer added that the employees have trusted the commission
to fulfill the COLA pay and said he believes it’s the commission's obligation.“I think its only fair we follow through with this just as
we have told the employees we would do,” Schlyer said.Myers said “by not giving a COLA, you’re not accounting for
the employees' salary adjustments for what the markets doing.”He said some employees were given the COLA increase to keep
the salary scale up to date.Schyler added that the 1.6 percent was based on last year’s economy
and that the current economic downturn will likely affect next year’s COLA
numbers.&nbsp;“If someone goes out here to Public Works and wants to be a
truck driver or a mechanic, and we know we’re going to present them an offer
that’s below par, but either ‘accept it or hit the road,’ that’s just taking
advantage of people,” Schlyer said. “It’s using leverage against them instead
of being what’s fair.”Roths said he doesn’t believe they should offer any paise
raise in the current economy.

“Without the sales tax passing, we would likely be looking at
furloughs in Ellis County,” Roths said. “The taxpayers came to us and helped us
keep a managed balanced budget, (and) I don’t think they would be happy with us
doing a pay raise shortly after that.”The commission, at the request of Commissioner Haselhorst,
tabled the discussion until July 13.

Ellis Co. Commission tables discussion on raises

The Ellis County Health Department and The Chamber will host a brief webinar at 10 a.m. Friday for Ellis County business owners.&nbsp; Attendees will hear updates regarding reopening Ellis County from Ellis County Health Department Director Jason Kennedy.&nbsp;

To join the meeting, visit <a href="https://hayschamber.com/news-announcements">https://hayschamber.com/news-announcements</a>.&nbsp; There will be time at the end of the webinar for a few questions.&nbsp; Attendees can type their questions into the chat room during the webinar.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582733724162.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Health Department Director Jason Kennedy at an Ellis town hall earlier this year." />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Health Department Director Jason Kennedy at an Ellis town hall earlier this year.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hays ChamberThe Ellis County Health Department and The Chamber will host a brief webinar at 10 a.m. Friday for Ellis County business owners.&nbsp; Attendees will hear updates regarding reopening Ellis County from Ellis County Health Department Director Jason Kennedy.&nbsp;To join the meeting, visit <a href="https://hayschamber.com/news-announcements">https://hayschamber.com/news-announcements</a>.&nbsp; There will be time at the end of the webinar for a few questions.&nbsp; Attendees can type their questions into the chat room during the webinar.

Chamber, health department will host reopening webinar for businesses

In the latest installment of the Tiger Sports Network Podcast, Fort Hays State head women's basketball coach Tony Hobson talks about the 2020-21 recruiting class.

In the latest installment of the Tiger Sports Network Podcast, Fort Hays State head women's basketball coach Tony Hobson talks about the 2020-21 recruiting class.<div><iframe title="Tony Hobson" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/qvexf-dba91d?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=1&btn-skin=102&auto=0&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>

🎧Tiger Sports Network Podcast: Tony Hobson

FFT - Functional Family Therapist - $1,000 Signing Bonus

Full Time Professional, Hays Office

EmberHope Youthville is currently seeking applicants for our full-time Functional Family Therapist position serving the northwest counties of Hays, Kansas. In this role, you will provide therapy services to youth at moderate or high risk to offend and youth in the juvenile justice system.

2. Operate according to the Department Operations Manual

3. Complete and maintain records for assigned clients

4. Coordinate client care with community partners.

5. Provide court reports/testimony when necessary

6. Maintain and grow in expected competency level

How you will spend your time in this job:

To qualify for this job you need to have:

1. Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy or Mental Health Counseling.

2. Licensed to practice with supervision or independently in the State of Kansas.

3. Practicum clinical experience required. Professional clinical experience preferred.

4. Competency in using a personal computer required. Must document information in an electronic medical record.

5. Have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license. Ability to enter client homes without assistance.

6. Ability to travel, driving agency or personal vehicle including at night. Ability to do occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs. Able to walk up stairs. Ability to work flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends. Employee is subject to outside environmental conditions occasionally; inside conditions frequently, with protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature change.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588711392958.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FFT - Functional Family Therapist - $1,000 Signing BonusFull Time Professional, Hays OfficeEmberHope Youthville is currently seeking applicants for our full-time Functional Family Therapist position serving the northwest counties of Hays, Kansas. In this role, you will provide therapy services to youth at moderate or high risk to offend and youth in the juvenile justice system. You will be responsible to:1. Follow Agency Policy and Procedure2. Operate according to the Department Operations Manual3. Complete and maintain records for assigned clients4. Coordinate client care with community partners.5. Provide court reports/testimony when necessary6. Maintain and grow in expected competency level7. Meet departmental goals and outcomesHow you will spend your time in this job:- 50% Administrative- 45% Clinical Practice- 5% FFT trainingTo qualify for this job you need to have:1. Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy or Mental Health Counseling.2. Licensed to practice with supervision or independently in the State of Kansas.3. Practicum clinical experience required. Professional clinical experience preferred.4. Competency in using a personal computer required. Must document information in an electronic medical record.5. Have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license. Ability to enter client homes without assistance.6. Ability to travel, driving agency or personal vehicle including at night. Ability to do occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs. Able to walk up stairs. Ability to work flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends. Employee is subject to outside environmental conditions occasionally; inside conditions frequently, with protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature change.<a href="https://www.emberhope.org/resources/careers-at-emberhope/">For more information or to apply, click HERE.</a>

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