On this episode of the Post Podcast, USD 489 superintendent Ron Wilson and public relations director Chrisy Crough speaks with Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney about the next steps following the passage of a district bond issue.

<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

<div><iframe title="After USD 489 bond election administration looks ahead" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=vquke-1225246-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, USD 489 superintendent Ron Wilson and public relations director Chrisy Crough speaks with Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney about the next steps following the passage of a district bond issue.<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: After USD 489 bond election administration looks ahead

As Fort Hays State University wraps the 2021-22 academic year with
commencement this weekend, it’s not just graduating seniors taking a moment to
look back and reflect on their accomplishments.

As the end of the academic year quickly approaches the university itself
is taking stock of the number of noteworthy accomplishments made by FHSU students
and staff over the year.

Chief Communications Officer Scott Cason recently shred some of those triumphs
as the university begins winding down operations for the summer break.

“One of
the things that I think is distinctive and unique with our year, is the way our
students have competed,” Cason said. “And we have a lot of experiential – we
call them experiential learning opportunities — for students, internships,
service learning, things like that.

“But
nothing quite like the crucible of competition to bring out and really hone
your skills,” he continued. “Skills that I think prepare our students for
successful lives after college.”

One
example of the athletic achievements of the year was Bennington native Ryan
Stanley.

Stanley,
he said, is “one of the all-time greatest NCAA Division II pole vaulters ever,”
Cason said.

A four-time
All American, he won the national title and pole vault for the second straight
year, he said.

“The
height he hit to win the national championship — 17 feet, nine and a quarter
inch on his first attempt,” Cason said, “stands as the fifth best all
time in Division II and the third best in the Division II championship history.”

Cason also
noted, Stanley served as vice president of the FHSU Student Government.

“So,
there's a there's a young man who's gaining tremendous experience before he
goes out in the world,” Cason said.

While athletic
achievements are an often thought of examples of competition, he said FHSU is competitive
in academic areas as well.

On the non-athletic
completion side, he said students in the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of
Business and Entrepreneurship were able to continue their legacy of achievement
during a national financial planning challenge, bringing home a third place.

“You
talk about something that really prepares you for life in business, presenting
plans to boards and leadership groups, our students have great experience with
that with this financial planning challenge,” Cason said.

And technical
studies at the university also continue to shine.

“In the
last month (during the) annual International Technology and Engineering
Association conference in Orlando, our students won three of the five
individual events to claim the championship, and all-round honors with Purdue
University. … So truly a nationally dominant program in that regard.”

While
schools like Purdue may have more resources than a school the size of FHSU, he
said the caliber of students attending FHSU more than makes up for any size
advantage.

“It's that
that ethic of that perseverance, that innovation, that really is the hallmark
of our university and the kinds of students that we attract,” Cason said.

And
while academic and athletics programs at the university are notable for those accomplishments,
he said some campus club sports also highlighted the FHSU competitive spirit.

"We've
got the premier shooting sports team in the nation. Flat out hands down. We
just got our eighth national championship in October, in the Scholastic clay
targeting program in Columbus, Ohio. This is I think it's a pretty amazing
statistic, how good our students are. They hit 2,953 targets out of 3,000
targets that were served. That's a 98% hit percentage.”

Having competitors at that level
of ability, is a draw for future students.

“It really
is a reflection of our culture and where we live,” Cason said. “I think we have
students that come from California and north northwest, and obviously,
Nebraska, places like that, but they know about us, they know about our team,
and they want to come here and compete,” Cason said. “And they're also some of
the best students we have, as well. Their academic performance is top-notch.”

FHSU
graduations will once again be broken down into colleges with a mix of virtual
and in-person events beginning at 8 a.m. Friday.

<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/commencement/">A full calendar of the graduation
events can be found on the FHSU website, fhsu.edu.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578077978142.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAs Fort Hays State University wraps the 2021-22 academic year with
commencement this weekend, it’s not just graduating seniors taking a moment to
look back and reflect on their accomplishments.As the end of the academic year quickly approaches the university itself
is taking stock of the number of noteworthy accomplishments made by FHSU students
and staff over the year.Chief Communications Officer Scott Cason recently shred some of those triumphs
as the university begins winding down operations for the summer break.“One of
the things that I think is distinctive and unique with our year, is the way our
students have competed,” Cason said. “And we have a lot of experiential – we
call them experiential learning opportunities — for students, internships,
service learning, things like that.“But
nothing quite like the crucible of competition to bring out and really hone
your skills,” he continued. “Skills that I think prepare our students for
successful lives after college.”<div><iframe title="Fort Hays State University has lots to celebrate as year end nears" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=g25qh-1220ee0-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>One
example of the athletic achievements of the year was Bennington native Ryan
Stanley.Stanley,
he said, is “one of the all-time greatest NCAA Division II pole vaulters ever,”
Cason said.A four-time
All American, he won the national title and pole vault for the second straight
year, he said.“The
height he hit to win the national championship — 17 feet, nine and a quarter
inch on his first attempt,” Cason said, “stands as the fifth best all
time in Division II and the third best in the Division II championship history.”Cason also
noted, Stanley served as vice president of the FHSU Student Government.“So,
there's a there's a young man who's gaining tremendous experience before he
goes out in the world,” Cason said.While athletic
achievements are an often thought of examples of competition, he said FHSU is competitive
in academic areas as well.On the non-athletic
completion side, he said students in the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of
Business and Entrepreneurship were able to continue their legacy of achievement
during a national financial planning challenge, bringing home a third place.“You
talk about something that really prepares you for life in business, presenting
plans to boards and leadership groups, our students have great experience with
that with this financial planning challenge,” Cason said.And technical
studies at the university also continue to shine.“In the
last month (during the) annual International Technology and Engineering
Association conference in Orlando, our students won three of the five
individual events to claim the championship, and all-round honors with Purdue
University. … So truly a nationally dominant program in that regard.”While
schools like Purdue may have more resources than a school the size of FHSU, he
said the caliber of students attending FHSU more than makes up for any size
advantage.“It's that
that ethic of that perseverance, that innovation, that really is the hallmark
of our university and the kinds of students that we attract,” Cason said.And
while academic and athletics programs at the university are notable for those accomplishments,
he said some campus club sports also highlighted the FHSU competitive spirit."We've
got the premier shooting sports team in the nation. Flat out hands down. We
just got our eighth national championship in October, in the Scholastic clay
targeting program in Columbus, Ohio. This is I think it's a pretty amazing
statistic, how good our students are. They hit 2,953 targets out of 3,000
targets that were served. That's a 98% hit percentage.”Having competitors at that level
of ability, is a draw for future students.“It really
is a reflection of our culture and where we live,” Cason said. “I think we have
students that come from California and north northwest, and obviously,
Nebraska, places like that, but they know about us, they know about our team,
and they want to come here and compete,” Cason said. “And they're also some of
the best students we have, as well. Their academic performance is top-notch.”FHSU
graduations will once again be broken down into colleges with a mix of virtual
and in-person events beginning at 8 a.m. Friday.<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/commencement/">A full calendar of the graduation
events can be found on the FHSU website, fhsu.edu.</a>

🎙 As commencement nears, Fort Hays State celebrating accomplishments

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about the Heart of America Development Corporation's land donation to the Microfactoy project.

<div><iframe title="Land donation bolsters Hays Microfactory project" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=4yc4u-121d508-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about the Heart of America Development Corporation's land donation to the Microfactoy project.<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: Land donation bolsters Hays Microfactory project

On this episode of the Post Podcast president and CEO of the Hays Chamber Sarah Wasinger, along with president and CEO of the First Care Clinic Bryan Brady shares information about the upcoming Chamber Golf Tournament.

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber Golf Tourney set for Friday" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=a5xbd-1218a49-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast president and CEO of the Hays Chamber Sarah Wasinger, along with president and CEO of the First Care Clinic Bryan Brady shares information about the upcoming Chamber Golf Tournament.<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: Hays Chamber Golf Tourney set for Friday

By JAMES BELL 
Hays Post

During Monday’s Hays USD 489 Board of Education meeting, the
body voted 6-0 to allow Russell USD 407 to join the West Central Kansas Special
Education Cooperative.

Russell will join, Hays, Ellis, Victoria and La Crosse in
the co-op. The Hays board was the last of the group to approve the measure.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/597cb3fb-8783-4f1c-96de-c5990d35e807">The vote
is the final step in a process that began over two years ago, according to Superintendent Ron Wilson.</a>

He said having a standalone special education co-op between the
member schools is rare in Kansas, but all things considered allowing another member strengthens
the co-op.

“We felt like it also gives us some additional stability,”
Wilson said. “Russell would be the second largest — other than Hays in that
cooperative once they join ours — so, it does give us some stability in terms
of just kind of spreading the cost out across to everybody, and maybe reducing
some risk for some of our smaller districts.”

While speaking at the Ellis USD 388 Board of Education
meeting earlier this month Kyle Carlin, co-op director, acknowledged that risk,
but said having Russell join was a “good move.”

“The risk involved with adding another district is certainly
there,” he said. “But the risk all four of our districts carry right now will
also be spread out over all of the districts, is also beneficial.”

Overall, the move is likely to lower costs in the Hays
district.

With Russell’s inclusion, Carlin estimated Hays'
contribution would have dropped from 77 percent to 65 percent this year, totaling
$23,000, he told the board during a discussion in February.

The costs will be, in part, covered by the Russell district
agreeing to pay a &nbsp;buy-in fee of $250 per staff member and $5 per student,
cover additional costs incurred during the transition and provide a payment to
the co-op equal to the average carryover from the special education department
over the last five years.

“When we have more districts involved, it helps make sure that the cost
is being shared by more districts, so one district doesn't have to take as long
to have a high cost all of a sudden,” Carlin said. “It can be shared.”

The approved plan will see Russell fully move into the co-op
over the next three years. 

“We'll start adding pieces in every year,” Wilson said. “We've
been working with them in providing gifted services for the last few years. So,
we've already kind of started that those steps, but we'll continue to add
pieces each year.”

During the next year, the plan calls for WCKSEC and Russell to
enter a collaborative relationship where Russell continues to provide special
education services themselves, according to documents provided to the board.
Russell and WCKSEC staff will also participate in common professional
development and professional learning communities.

Throughout 2023 -24, the plans call on the hiring and onboarding of staff. Then, in the 2024-25 academic year, Russell will fully join and begin
assuming all responsibilities and rights as a member district.

Overall, he said the district is excited to add Russell and
the move is good for the cooperative.

“I think it's also by just being able to provide those kinds of
services that sometimes we don't necessarily need that one service in a
particular district all the time, we can spread those services across all
districts,” Wilson said.

During Monday’s meeting the USD 489 Board of Education also
voted 6-0 to approve new security cameras for entrances at Wilson, O’Loughlin
and Lincoln elementary schools, along with Westside.

The Board also voted 6-0 to approved renewal to the Kansas
Association of School Boards and Legal Assistance Fund.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651012394964.jpeg" alt="West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative director Kyle Carlin speaks to the USD 489 School Board prior to their vote to accept Russell USD 407 into the co-op." />
 <figcaption>West Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative director Kyle Carlin speaks to the USD 489 School Board prior to their vote to accept Russell USD 407 into the co-op.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="USD 489 approves Russell schools admission to special education co-op" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=rsuyb-120ec24-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL 
Hays PostDuring Monday’s Hays USD 489 Board of Education meeting, the
body voted 6-0 to allow Russell USD 407 to join the West Central Kansas Special
Education Cooperative.Russell will join, Hays, Ellis, Victoria and La Crosse in
the co-op. The Hays board was the last of the group to approve the measure.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/597cb3fb-8783-4f1c-96de-c5990d35e807">The vote
is the final step in a process that began over two years ago, according to Superintendent Ron Wilson.</a>He said having a standalone special education co-op between the
member schools is rare in Kansas, but all things considered allowing another member strengthens
the co-op.“We felt like it also gives us some additional stability,”
Wilson said. “Russell would be the second largest — other than Hays in that
cooperative once they join ours — so, it does give us some stability in terms
of just kind of spreading the cost out across to everybody, and maybe reducing
some risk for some of our smaller districts.”While speaking at the Ellis USD 388 Board of Education
meeting earlier this month Kyle Carlin, co-op director, acknowledged that risk,
but said having Russell join was a “good move.”“The risk involved with adding another district is certainly
there,” he said. “But the risk all four of our districts carry right now will
also be spread out over all of the districts, is also beneficial.”Overall, the move is likely to lower costs in the Hays
district.With Russell’s inclusion, Carlin estimated Hays'
contribution would have dropped from 77 percent to 65 percent this year, totaling
$23,000, he told the board during a discussion in February.The costs will be, in part, covered by the Russell district
agreeing to pay a &nbsp;buy-in fee of $250 per staff member and $5 per student,
cover additional costs incurred during the transition and provide a payment to
the co-op equal to the average carryover from the special education department
over the last five years.“When we have more districts involved, it helps make sure that the cost
is being shared by more districts, so one district doesn't have to take as long
to have a high cost all of a sudden,” Carlin said. “It can be shared.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651012338163.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The approved plan will see Russell fully move into the co-op
over the next three years. “We'll start adding pieces in every year,” Wilson said. “We've
been working with them in providing gifted services for the last few years. So,
we've already kind of started that those steps, but we'll continue to add
pieces each year.”During the next year, the plan calls for WCKSEC and Russell to
enter a collaborative relationship where Russell continues to provide special
education services themselves, according to documents provided to the board.
Russell and WCKSEC staff will also participate in common professional
development and professional learning communities.Throughout 2023 -24, the plans call on the hiring and onboarding of staff. Then, in the 2024-25 academic year, Russell will fully join and begin
assuming all responsibilities and rights as a member district.Overall, he said the district is excited to add Russell and
the move is good for the cooperative.“I think it's also by just being able to provide those kinds of
services that sometimes we don't necessarily need that one service in a
particular district all the time, we can spread those services across all
districts,” Wilson said.During Monday’s meeting the USD 489 Board of Education also
voted 6-0 to approve new security cameras for entrances at Wilson, O’Loughlin
and Lincoln elementary schools, along with Westside.The Board also voted 6-0 to approved renewal to the Kansas
Association of School Boards and Legal Assistance Fund.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1651012364972.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Hays School Board votes to admit Russell to special education co-op

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about the ongoing apartment construction in Hays.

<div><iframe title="Apartment construction in Hays to help housing shortage" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=n6bw7-1209e67-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about the ongoing apartment construction in Hays.

🎙Post Podcast: Apartment construction in Hays to help housing shortage

Ten years after the program was ended, only to restart years later, Hays can once again count
itself among the ranks of cities in the Kansas Main Street Program.

Gov. Laura Kelly made the announcement Thursday in Salina.
Along with Hays, Salina and Great Bend have returned to the program that “helps
communities preserve and revitalize their downtown districts by helping them
develop a comprehensive strategy,” according to an announcement from Kelly’s
office.

"The Kansas Main Street network continues to grow, and
it's great to see communities that were previously part of the program rejoin
this year," Kelly said. "Today's announcement is a sign for the
future of our state's vibrant downtowns and the state's economy. It's clear the
Kansas Main Street program is not only back on its feet—it's now stronger than
ever."&nbsp;

The program was initially launched in 1985, was ended by the
Brownback administration in 2012, and was restarted in 2019 by Kelly.

“These communities were in the program during its first 27
years of existence, and since its return, these three communities have
expressed interest in rejoining,” the announcement said. “With these three
communities rejoining, the Kansas Main Street program has added ten communities
in the past two years, bringing the total number of Designated communities to
35.”

The self-described “self-help technical assistance program”
focuses on organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring in Kansas
downtowns.

Among the attendees at the ceremony was Downtown Hays
Development Corporation executive director Sara Bloom.

“The main street program allows main streets to – or downtowns
to – follow four main points to help build and improve them,” Bloom said. “One
of the points is having an organization and having that funding behind you and,
and design standards and all sorts of sorts of different things.”

For 21 years, Bloom said the DHDC has worked to revitalize
downtown Hays.

"Our main streets speak volumes about our state and its
communities,"&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland
said. "We're pleased to see three outstanding communities rejoining Kansas
Main Street this year. Strong and vibrant main streets make it clear that
Kansas is open for business, and we have outstanding cities and towns where
people want to live and where businesses want to invest."

Bloom said having Hays re-admitted to the program is “huge.”

“There's a whole organization that is supporting the
revitalization, of downtowns in Kansas,” Bloom said. “What it means for us even
though we have a fantastic, beautiful, wonderful downtown, now that we are a
designated Mainstreet, again, that opens opportunities for additional grants
for additional recognition.”

“It gives us free tools that we can use as an organization,”
she continued. “It ties us into the greater national network, and it gives us
even more opportunities through that.”

She also called the recognition an “honor.”

“It speaks really, really highly of our downtown and the
quality of downtown that we have. … We should be very proud.”

The program is affiliated with the National Main Street
Center and offers designated cities training and technical assistance designed
to help with efforts to become self-sufficient in downtown revitalization.

"I want to join the Governor and Lieutenant Governor in
welcoming these wonderful cities back to the Kansas Main Street
program,"&nbsp;said Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell.&nbsp;"To
those communities that have returned to the program, we are excited to have you
and appreciate that you saw the value in the services and technical assistance
provides. The state office is here to guide you and support you in your
efforts, and we look forward to your success."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650055132869.jpeg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly announces Salina, Hays and Great Bend would rejoin the Kansas Main Street Program. Photo by Leslie Eikleberry / Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly announces Salina, Hays and Great Bend would rejoin the Kansas Main Street Program. Photo by Leslie Eikleberry / Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostTen years after the program was ended, only to restart years later, Hays can once again count
itself among the ranks of cities in the Kansas Main Street Program.Gov. Laura Kelly made the announcement Thursday in Salina.
Along with Hays, Salina and Great Bend have returned to the program that “helps
communities preserve and revitalize their downtown districts by helping them
develop a comprehensive strategy,” according to an announcement from Kelly’s
office."The Kansas Main Street network continues to grow, and
it's great to see communities that were previously part of the program rejoin
this year," Kelly said. "Today's announcement is a sign for the
future of our state's vibrant downtowns and the state's economy. It's clear the
Kansas Main Street program is not only back on its feet—it's now stronger than
ever."&nbsp;<div><iframe title="Hays receives Kansas Main Street designation" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=4mu9t-11fe6b4-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>The program was initially launched in 1985, was ended by the
Brownback administration in 2012, and was restarted in 2019 by Kelly.“These communities were in the program during its first 27
years of existence, and since its return, these three communities have
expressed interest in rejoining,” the announcement said. “With these three
communities rejoining, the Kansas Main Street program has added ten communities
in the past two years, bringing the total number of Designated communities to
35.”The self-described “self-help technical assistance program”
focuses on organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring in Kansas
downtowns.Among the attendees at the ceremony was Downtown Hays
Development Corporation executive director Sara Bloom.“The main street program allows main streets to – or downtowns
to – follow four main points to help build and improve them,” Bloom said. “One
of the points is having an organization and having that funding behind you and,
and design standards and all sorts of sorts of different things.”For 21 years, Bloom said the DHDC has worked to revitalize
downtown Hays."Our main streets speak volumes about our state and its
communities,"&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland
said. "We're pleased to see three outstanding communities rejoining Kansas
Main Street this year. Strong and vibrant main streets make it clear that
Kansas is open for business, and we have outstanding cities and towns where
people want to live and where businesses want to invest."Bloom said having Hays re-admitted to the program is “huge.”“There's a whole organization that is supporting the
revitalization, of downtowns in Kansas,” Bloom said. “What it means for us even
though we have a fantastic, beautiful, wonderful downtown, now that we are a
designated Mainstreet, again, that opens opportunities for additional grants
for additional recognition.”“It gives us free tools that we can use as an organization,”
she continued. “It ties us into the greater national network, and it gives us
even more opportunities through that.”She also called the recognition an “honor.”“It speaks really, really highly of our downtown and the
quality of downtown that we have. … We should be very proud.”The program is affiliated with the National Main Street
Center and offers designated cities training and technical assistance designed
to help with efforts to become self-sufficient in downtown revitalization."I want to join the Governor and Lieutenant Governor in
welcoming these wonderful cities back to the Kansas Main Street
program,"&nbsp;said Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell.&nbsp;"To
those communities that have returned to the program, we are excited to have you
and appreciate that you saw the value in the services and technical assistance
provides. The state office is here to guide you and support you in your
efforts, and we look forward to your success."

🎙 Hays rejoins Kansas Main Street program

This week Fort Hays State University will once again promote the scholarly, research and creative activities of
Fort Hays State University students, faculty and staff during the John
Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activities Day.

This year’s event will take place in a hybrid format, with online content
available throughout the week and in-person presentation scheduled for April
20.

“SACAD
actually started in 2005 With an event just to honor and recognize research and
scholarly activity that was happening among faculty and students at Fort Hays,”
said Department of Psychology associate professor Whitney Whitaker. “Since then,
it has grown into this university wide celebration of scholarly and creative
activities.”

Initially
the day was limited to physical science students and staff presenting their
work, in an effort to collaborate, she said, but over the years the event has
grown substantially.

“It's
morphed into more of a university celebration where all departments are
recognized and participate now, from English to Music and Theatre,” Whitaker
said. “So, it's really taken off and really grown since 2005.”

“It has
grown into a university-wide event where all departments all units are
recognized,” she said. “We have opportunities for poster presentations, oral
presentations, and one thing that we're really proud of is the creative works
exhibit where we have people who will showcase their art, their sculptures,
printmaking. It's a really, really cool event and way to recognize what's going
on on campus.”

As the
program has grown, Whitaker said the work needed has also expanded.

“It
takes a team to make it happen,” she said. “So, we have our SACAD Planning
Committee, which is part of the scholarship Environment Committee at Fort Hays.
That committee is charged to cultivate and enhance collaborations between
faculty and students and just everybody on campus for scholarly and creative
works.”

A large
team of volunteers also help during the in-person event from across the campus.

“Our
Dean's are really, really critical to in terms of helping us to spread the
word. And one thing that we are really grateful for this year – and in the last
couple of years – is that our FHSU Foundation is involved also in helping us to
plan. They have been very gracious in helping to fund the event but also
inviting alumni and donors to the event as well to really make this spread
outside of the university community to our local community and beyond.”

Creating
community awareness and participation has been a growing focus for the program,
and so in that vein, this year an award ceremony is slated for Wednesday.

“One of
our major goals is to try to expand this outside of the campus community, to
our local community, and then even beyond,” Whitaker said. “And one of the ways
that we think that we might be able to achieve that is through the hybrid
format this year.”

The
online content will be available throughout the week, presenting those wishing to participate
that are outside the area, like FHSU alumni, the opportunity to do so.

“We hope
that will then help to bring in maybe alumni or other people who are familiar
with Fort Hays, or maybe even not familiar, but would want to be interested in
looking at and reviewing some of the work,” Whitaker said. “We hope that that
the mission of cultivating and celebrating the work of our faculty and staff
and students can spread then across the nation, maybe even across the world
with some of our partnerships that we have.”

And
while the program organizers look to the future, the day is also a reflection
of the past.

“We
changed the name of it in 2014 to honor the late Dr. John Heinrichs,” Whitaker
said. “John was a faculty member and the chair of the Geosciences Department and
when he passed away, we wanted to try to find a way to honor his legacy.”

As an
avid supporter of the connection between faculty and students working together on
research, renaming the event to honor Heinrichs was in line with his legacy at
the university.

“We're
always looking for new donors, new sponsors, new volunteers as well to help us
to put on this event,” Whitaker said. “And we are truly hoping that we'll be
able to continue the hybrid format next year. So, there's definitely ways for
people to get involved as well. And if that's the case, I would encourage them
to reach out to me or reach out to the university because there's definitely
ways to get plugged in if people want to attend as well.”

<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/research/events-and-opportunities/sacad/event-submission-details">For
more about the John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activities Day, including
a full calendar of events visit the Fort Hays State University website, fhsu.edu.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650060000528.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostThis week Fort Hays State University will once again promote the scholarly, research and creative activities of
Fort Hays State University students, faculty and staff during the John
Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activities Day.This year’s event will take place in a hybrid format, with online content
available throughout the week and in-person presentation scheduled for April
20.<div><iframe title="FHSU celebrates creativity during John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=dwnsd-11fe6ce-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=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</div>“SACAD
actually started in 2005 With an event just to honor and recognize research and
scholarly activity that was happening among faculty and students at Fort Hays,”
said Department of Psychology associate professor Whitney Whitaker. “Since then,
it has grown into this university wide celebration of scholarly and creative
activities.”Initially
the day was limited to physical science students and staff presenting their
work, in an effort to collaborate, she said, but over the years the event has
grown substantially.“It's
morphed into more of a university celebration where all departments are
recognized and participate now, from English to Music and Theatre,” Whitaker
said. “So, it's really taken off and really grown since 2005.”“It has
grown into a university-wide event where all departments all units are
recognized,” she said. “We have opportunities for poster presentations, oral
presentations, and one thing that we're really proud of is the creative works
exhibit where we have people who will showcase their art, their sculptures,
printmaking. It's a really, really cool event and way to recognize what's going
on on campus.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650060113431.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>As the
program has grown, Whitaker said the work needed has also expanded.“It
takes a team to make it happen,” she said. “So, we have our SACAD Planning
Committee, which is part of the scholarship Environment Committee at Fort Hays.
That committee is charged to cultivate and enhance collaborations between
faculty and students and just everybody on campus for scholarly and creative
works.”A large
team of volunteers also help during the in-person event from across the campus.“Our
Dean's are really, really critical to in terms of helping us to spread the
word. And one thing that we are really grateful for this year – and in the last
couple of years – is that our FHSU Foundation is involved also in helping us to
plan. They have been very gracious in helping to fund the event but also
inviting alumni and donors to the event as well to really make this spread
outside of the university community to our local community and beyond.”Creating
community awareness and participation has been a growing focus for the program,
and so in that vein, this year an award ceremony is slated for Wednesday.The public
is invited to attend.“One of
our major goals is to try to expand this outside of the campus community, to
our local community, and then even beyond,” Whitaker said. “And one of the ways
that we think that we might be able to achieve that is through the hybrid
format this year.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650060141703.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The
online content will be available throughout the week, presenting those wishing to participate
that are outside the area, like FHSU alumni, the opportunity to do so.“We hope
that will then help to bring in maybe alumni or other people who are familiar
with Fort Hays, or maybe even not familiar, but would want to be interested in
looking at and reviewing some of the work,” Whitaker said. “We hope that that
the mission of cultivating and celebrating the work of our faculty and staff
and students can spread then across the nation, maybe even across the world
with some of our partnerships that we have.”And
while the program organizers look to the future, the day is also a reflection
of the past.“We
changed the name of it in 2014 to honor the late Dr. John Heinrichs,” Whitaker
said. “John was a faculty member and the chair of the Geosciences Department and
when he passed away, we wanted to try to find a way to honor his legacy.”As an
avid supporter of the connection between faculty and students working together on
research, renaming the event to honor Heinrichs was in line with his legacy at
the university.“We're
always looking for new donors, new sponsors, new volunteers as well to help us
to put on this event,” Whitaker said. “And we are truly hoping that we'll be
able to continue the hybrid format next year. So, there's definitely ways for
people to get involved as well. And if that's the case, I would encourage them
to reach out to me or reach out to the university because there's definitely
ways to get plugged in if people want to attend as well.”<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/research/events-and-opportunities/sacad/event-submission-details">For
more about the John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activities Day, including
a full calendar of events visit the Fort Hays State University website, fhsu.edu.</a>

🎙 FHSU celebrates student, faculty work during day dedicated to John Heinrichs

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about the Hays microfactory project.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Hays microfactory to bring industrial opportunities to the area" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=s7685-11fe6a8-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=f6f6f6&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about the Hays microfactory project.&nbsp;

🎙Post Podcast: Hays microfactory to bring industrial opportunities to the area

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams, shares information about some of the tax incentive districts used in Ellis County and beyond.

<div><iframe title="Tax incentives explained" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=wc3i4-11e9d15-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams, shares information about some of the tax incentive districts used in Ellis County and beyond.

🎙Post Podcast: Tax incentive districts explained

As efforts to curb the ongoing housing shortage in Ellis
County continue, one of the most discussed projects — the Heart of America Corp. housing project at 22nd and Wheatland — is ready to celebrate a major milestone,
with some of the first houses in the development nearing completion.

But even as the first homes are sold and become occupied,
the next stage in the development is also moving forward.

“If anybody's been out by that development (east of NCK Tech), they've seen the activity,” Grow Hays Executive
Director Doug Williams said. “There's currently 10 homes under construction.”

He said that he believed the first houses could be completed within
30 days.

Shortly after the first homes are completed, two of the four
contractors that have committed to building homes in the development will begin
construction on 14 more homes.

“And so that'll put us at 24 out of the first 36 lots that
were in phase one,” Williams said. “And we're not even through the first three
months of this year.”

And plans to roll into the next phase are already shaping
up.

“Heart of America, which is a not-for-profit developer in
Hays, has purchased the 21 acres to the north of this development, and has
committed to go ahead and start construction, hopefully this summer, of the
next cul de sac, which will be 18 lots.”

The rapid-fire moves are needed, Williams said in an effort
to bring much-needed homes to the market.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/04190f5b-c0f4-4ebf-bb03-f747e8d62e08">At many times throughout the year, fewer than 10 homes under $499,000 have been available
for purchase in Ellis County</a>.

“I looked a while back, and there were nine total homes on
the market in Hays, two in Ellis and one in Victoria,” Williams said. “And of
those ... four were under $499,000. Well, that's not an acceptable
situation at all. We're not going to get companies to move here, or people who
want to relocate to move here and enter our workforce, if we don't have any
place for him to live. So we’ve got to get that fixed and get more choice out
there for people.”

But getting needed houses to the market is not going
to be a quick process, he said.

“What we're trying to do is get ahead of this situation,
instead of playing catchup all the time,” Williams said. “Unfortunately, in
our community, over the last 10 or 12 years, we haven't built as many houses as
we need to have. And that puts us behind the eight-ball on this stuff. So,
we're playing catch up.”

Having the infrastructure in place can be instrumental in moving
the project forward quickly, he said.

“We're going to try and get ahead of it a little bit,”
Williams said. “It takes some time
to get streets and sewer and water and that kind of thing in and, if we if we
are able to start this summer, it will be the first of the year before that
infrastructure is all in and ready for homes to be constructed on those lots.”

“We're going to get started with those 18 sometime next
summer,” he continued. “And then we're going to start platting that next 21
acres to the north, for the additional expansion after that, trying to look two,
three, four or five years down the line. But at this pace, I could see that
development being built out in two or three years, which would be terrific.”

He said with the price point for each home under $225,000, the houses are filling the most urgent need in the county — and are
being sold long before they are constructed.

“While we can argue all day long about what's affordable,
these certainly are appealing to a broad sector here,” Williams said. “And the
buyers are viewing them as affordable relative to other things on the market.”

And more inventory on the market can help with another
pressing issue facing Ellis County — insufficient workforce. 

“That's going to help us attract people to our community
help that workforce recruitment, and as well as keeping people here,” Williams
said.

Having the extra housing on the market is also likely to
drive down housing costs.

“Supply and demand,” Williams said. “It's that basic rule of
economics. And right now, we have very little supply and high demand, and it's
forcing prices up. The only way you're going to change that is to increase the
supply or decrease the demand.”

And decreasing demand is not desirable, he said. 

“That's not the way we want to have it happen,” Williams
said. “But certainly, if they raise interest rates, that will decrease demand a
little bit.”

Supply chain issues have also wreaked havoc on the price of
construction, which is also a cost driver in the housing market.

“The contractors that we have building out there are
struggling with material prices. They're all over the board,” Williams said. “They
don't really know where they stand. They think they know where they're going to be
when the smoke clears, but until they actually get the house done, they don't
know exactly where they're at on it.”

But when there is a demand, someone will find a way to create
supply and so, he said, he is grateful for the work the contractors are putting
in. 

“Kudos to these guys who are building the houses out there,”
Williams said. “They recognize a need and they're filling it. So that's
terrific.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647549658227.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAs efforts to curb the ongoing housing shortage in Ellis
County continue, one of the most discussed projects — the Heart of America Corp. housing project at 22nd and Wheatland — is ready to celebrate a major milestone,
with some of the first houses in the development nearing completion.But even as the first homes are sold and become occupied,
the next stage in the development is also moving forward.“If anybody's been out by that development (east of NCK Tech), they've seen the activity,” Grow Hays Executive
Director Doug Williams said. “There's currently 10 homes under construction.”He said that he believed the first houses could be completed within
30 days.<div><iframe title="Hays RHID Housing project pushing forward" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=kw22p-11d5c8d-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Shortly after the first homes are completed, two of the four
contractors that have committed to building homes in the development will begin
construction on 14 more homes.“And so that'll put us at 24 out of the first 36 lots that
were in phase one,” Williams said. “And we're not even through the first three
months of this year.”And plans to roll into the next phase are already shaping
up.“Heart of America, which is a not-for-profit developer in
Hays, has purchased the 21 acres to the north of this development, and has
committed to go ahead and start construction, hopefully this summer, of the
next cul de sac, which will be 18 lots.”The rapid-fire moves are needed, Williams said in an effort
to bring much-needed homes to the market.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/04190f5b-c0f4-4ebf-bb03-f747e8d62e08">At many times throughout the year, fewer than 10 homes under $499,000 have been available
for purchase in Ellis County</a>. “I looked a while back, and there were nine total homes on
the market in Hays, two in Ellis and one in Victoria,” Williams said. “And of
those ... four were under $499,000. Well, that's not an acceptable
situation at all. We're not going to get companies to move here, or people who
want to relocate to move here and enter our workforce, if we don't have any
place for him to live. So we’ve got to get that fixed and get more choice out
there for people.”But getting needed houses to the market is not going
to be a quick process, he said.“What we're trying to do is get ahead of this situation,
instead of playing catchup all the time,” Williams said. “Unfortunately, in
our community, over the last 10 or 12 years, we haven't built as many houses as
we need to have. And that puts us behind the eight-ball on this stuff. So,
we're playing catch up.”Having the infrastructure in place can be instrumental in moving
the project forward quickly, he said.“We're going to try and get ahead of it a little bit,”
Williams said. “It takes some time
to get streets and sewer and water and that kind of thing in and, if we if we
are able to start this summer, it will be the first of the year before that
infrastructure is all in and ready for homes to be constructed on those lots.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647549702477.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“We're going to get started with those 18 sometime next
summer,” he continued. “And then we're going to start platting that next 21
acres to the north, for the additional expansion after that, trying to look two,
three, four or five years down the line. But at this pace, I could see that
development being built out in two or three years, which would be terrific.”He said with the price point for each home under $225,000, the houses are filling the most urgent need in the county — and are
being sold long before they are constructed.“While we can argue all day long about what's affordable,
these certainly are appealing to a broad sector here,” Williams said. “And the
buyers are viewing them as affordable relative to other things on the market.”And more inventory on the market can help with another
pressing issue facing Ellis County — insufficient workforce. “That's going to help us attract people to our community
help that workforce recruitment, and as well as keeping people here,” Williams
said.Having the extra housing on the market is also likely to
drive down housing costs.“Supply and demand,” Williams said. “It's that basic rule of
economics. And right now, we have very little supply and high demand, and it's
forcing prices up. The only way you're going to change that is to increase the
supply or decrease the demand.”And decreasing demand is not desirable, he said. “That's not the way we want to have it happen,” Williams
said. “But certainly, if they raise interest rates, that will decrease demand a
little bit.”Supply chain issues have also wreaked havoc on the price of
construction, which is also a cost driver in the housing market.“The contractors that we have building out there are
struggling with material prices. They're all over the board,” Williams said. “They
don't really know where they stand. They think they know where they're going to be
when the smoke clears, but until they actually get the house done, they don't
know exactly where they're at on it.”But when there is a demand, someone will find a way to create
supply and so, he said, he is grateful for the work the contractors are putting
in. “Kudos to these guys who are building the houses out there,”
Williams said. “They recognize a need and they're filling it. So that's
terrific.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647549641195.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Hays housing project pushing forward to fill community needs

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Public Library communication coordinator Callie Kolacny shares updates from the library.

<div><iframe title="Hays Public Library offers a variety of events during coming weeks" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=r26m3-11d1e20-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Public Library communication coordinator Callie Kolacny shares updates from the library.

🎙Post Podcast: Hays Public Library offers a variety of events during coming weeks

After being <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4502fd64-a591-4bf8-8ba8-fc326c27f0cb">rebuffed
by the Ellis County Commission in January,</a> the Hays Board of Realtors
continues in its effort to bring a proposal to county voters that would
increase the number of commissioners from three to five.

To bring the measure to voters the board will need signatures
from five percent of Ellis County voters –&nbsp;around 950
signatures.

The effort to collect signatures began after the January meeting,
where County Commission chair Butch Schlyer said he was “100-percent opposed”
to the effort and asked that as they collect signatures, they tell the public, “This
is not in their best interest.”

Past president of the board Robert Readle said he had hoped the commission would be supportive of the measure going into that
meeting but were prepared to begin collecting signatures as well. 

“We looked into this petition effort and were advised by our
counsel, that there were really two avenues to go,” Readle said. 

He said the board was advised to approach the commission
first to see if they would be supportive of the measure.

“However, we were a little disappointed,” Readle said. “Neither
of the commissioners that were there that night&nbsp;– which ironically, one of the
commissioners had resigned at the beginning of that meeting, so, we were
presenting to two commissioners again&nbsp;– but nevertheless, neither one of them were
in support of that.”

And so, by default, they were forced to attempt the second
method, collecting signatures in order to bring the measure to voters.

“This is just placing it on the ballot,” Readle said. “This
isn't changing anything, it's really just putting it out to the public so that the
county can vote on this.”

And while the issue is being talked discussed in the public sphere,
he said some have been supportive of the effort itself, to bring the measure to a vote.

“Several people that actually have agreed to sign the
petition and said, ‘You know, I'm not saying whether I agree or disagree with
your effort, but I do think it should be put to a vote,’” Readle said. “And so,
it's really just to put it on the ballot.”

The first signatures were collected shortly after the
meeting with the commission, with the hopes of bringing the issue to the voters
this year.

After collecting signatures Readle said, “we take it to the
county clerk, they certify the petition. They'll have to make sure that
everybody that signed it is a registered voter in Ellis County. So that can be
a pretty lengthy process. Our goal is to get over 1000 signatures.”

Once certified the measure will be placed on the ballot.

“We’re looking to have this wrapped up by late July,” Readle
said. “That should give them plenty of time to certify the petition and put it
on the ballot for the November election.”

The board believes the commission should be expanded to help
bring more stability to the county government.

“As a board, we've kind of observed a couple of shortcomings
with the current county commission, just the way it's structured, not
necessarily the members or how they've been voting,” Readle said. “We've seen
just a couple of issues arise that we think could be very easily solved by just
expanding the commission from three seats to five.”

He pointed to land development projects that were rejected
by the commission as examples of why five commissioners would better suit Ellis
County, including Blue Sky Acres.

“That was a petitioner coming to the county government to do
a development south of Hays,” Readle said. “There were only three commissioners
at the time, and one of them had to recuse themselves. And so that left the
county commission, with only two voting members deciding on this, and
effectively a single commissioner was against it.”

“And so, they effectively had veto power on anything coming
through the commission when there's only two commissioners,” he continued. “Whether
you agree or disagree with the way she was voting, it's really not the point.
What we're concerned with is that we think with five commissioners, it would
take at least two commissioners to be against if one of them were to recuse.
And we just think two would be better than one. ... Veto
power like that is less than ideal in our eyes.”

While Readle said he was doubtful an expanded commission would
be an answer to every concern, it may help smooth over contentious issues, that
have in the past led to notable incidents during commission meetings.

“I do think that being able to communicate prior to
meetings, being able to go back to petitioners prior to them coming into the
public meeting, may help keep some of those really hot button issues from
boiling over,” Readle said. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7815a4ca-e1f2-45a7-a99d-bc45aa69e178">“I mean, I think one of those commission meetings a
gal got arrested during the meeting.”</a>

“And so, you know, just from our experience with the City
Commission, being able to come to them talk about the issue, they were able to
kind of step back, assess, think through it and come back to us again. I don't
know that the county really is able to work through that process as well. And
it may just help kind of iron out some of those issues prior to the meeting.
And then it isn't such a chaotic scene.”

Readle said while the board believes the expanded commission
would be a good move the Ellis County, he understands that with only three commissioners’
conversations, are more public by default.

“Some people that are against it, view a three-member
commission, as the best way to keep everything aboveboard,” he said. “With only
three commissioners, they cannot visit with each other directly. The Kansas
Open Meetings Act prohibits them from discussing things outside of the county
commission meeting itself.”

But the group’s experience with the five-member Hays City
Commission has demonstrated how well a five-member board can work.

“When there's a five-member commission, they're able to go
back and meet with each other on a one-on-one basis, discuss things, gain
additional insight, understand somebody else's point of view and oftentimes
that leads to more questions,” Readle said. “We were just able to really work
through a lot more of their concerns prior to it going to a public meeting,
which I think is good, it leads to better-informed decisions.”

“With the county, when there's only three, they can't visit
with each other before the meeting. And so sometimes it takes a long time to
work through the different issues. And we just feel like sometimes the
commissioners aren't seeing eye to eye on some issues. It leads to some
pretty wild meetings and on occasion.”

Hays residents interested in signing the petition that would
bring place the measure on the November ballot can visit most Hays realtors.

“If you're interested in finding out more you can go in,
talk to us,” Readle said. “Or if you're just ready to support our petition
again, just to place it on the ballot, stop in and sign up.”

<div><iframe title="Efforts to expand Ellis County Commission continue" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=p5dxi-11cc497-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAfter being <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4502fd64-a591-4bf8-8ba8-fc326c27f0cb">rebuffed
by the Ellis County Commission in January,</a> the Hays Board of Realtors
continues in its effort to bring a proposal to county voters that would
increase the number of commissioners from three to five.To bring the measure to voters the board will need signatures
from five percent of Ellis County voters –&nbsp;around 950
signatures.The effort to collect signatures began after the January meeting,
where County Commission chair Butch Schlyer said he was “100-percent opposed”
to the effort and asked that as they collect signatures, they tell the public, “This
is not in their best interest.”Past president of the board Robert Readle said he had hoped the commission would be supportive of the measure going into that
meeting but were prepared to begin collecting signatures as well. “We looked into this petition effort and were advised by our
counsel, that there were really two avenues to go,” Readle said. He said the board was advised to approach the commission
first to see if they would be supportive of the measure.“However, we were a little disappointed,” Readle said. “Neither
of the commissioners that were there that night&nbsp;– which ironically, one of the
commissioners had resigned at the beginning of that meeting, so, we were
presenting to two commissioners again&nbsp;– but nevertheless, neither one of them were
in support of that.”And so, by default, they were forced to attempt the second
method, collecting signatures in order to bring the measure to voters.“This is just placing it on the ballot,” Readle said. “This
isn't changing anything, it's really just putting it out to the public so that the
county can vote on this.”And while the issue is being talked discussed in the public sphere,
he said some have been supportive of the effort itself, to bring the measure to a vote.“Several people that actually have agreed to sign the
petition and said, ‘You know, I'm not saying whether I agree or disagree with
your effort, but I do think it should be put to a vote,’” Readle said. “And so,
it's really just to put it on the ballot.”The first signatures were collected shortly after the
meeting with the commission, with the hopes of bringing the issue to the voters
this year.After collecting signatures Readle said, “we take it to the
county clerk, they certify the petition. They'll have to make sure that
everybody that signed it is a registered voter in Ellis County. So that can be
a pretty lengthy process. Our goal is to get over 1000 signatures.”Once certified the measure will be placed on the ballot.“We’re looking to have this wrapped up by late July,” Readle
said. “That should give them plenty of time to certify the petition and put it
on the ballot for the November election.”The board believes the commission should be expanded to help
bring more stability to the county government.“As a board, we've kind of observed a couple of shortcomings
with the current county commission, just the way it's structured, not
necessarily the members or how they've been voting,” Readle said. “We've seen
just a couple of issues arise that we think could be very easily solved by just
expanding the commission from three seats to five.”He pointed to land development projects that were rejected
by the commission as examples of why five commissioners would better suit Ellis
County, including Blue Sky Acres.“That was a petitioner coming to the county government to do
a development south of Hays,” Readle said. “There were only three commissioners
at the time, and one of them had to recuse themselves. And so that left the
county commission, with only two voting members deciding on this, and
effectively a single commissioner was against it.”“And so, they effectively had veto power on anything coming
through the commission when there's only two commissioners,” he continued. “Whether
you agree or disagree with the way she was voting, it's really not the point.
What we're concerned with is that we think with five commissioners, it would
take at least two commissioners to be against if one of them were to recuse.
And we just think two would be better than one. ... Veto
power like that is less than ideal in our eyes.”While Readle said he was doubtful an expanded commission would
be an answer to every concern, it may help smooth over contentious issues, that
have in the past led to notable incidents during commission meetings.“I do think that being able to communicate prior to
meetings, being able to go back to petitioners prior to them coming into the
public meeting, may help keep some of those really hot button issues from
boiling over,” Readle said. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/7815a4ca-e1f2-45a7-a99d-bc45aa69e178">“I mean, I think one of those commission meetings a
gal got arrested during the meeting.”</a>“And so, you know, just from our experience with the City
Commission, being able to come to them talk about the issue, they were able to
kind of step back, assess, think through it and come back to us again. I don't
know that the county really is able to work through that process as well. And
it may just help kind of iron out some of those issues prior to the meeting.
And then it isn't such a chaotic scene.”Readle said while the board believes the expanded commission
would be a good move the Ellis County, he understands that with only three commissioners’
conversations, are more public by default.“Some people that are against it, view a three-member
commission, as the best way to keep everything aboveboard,” he said. “With only
three commissioners, they cannot visit with each other directly. The Kansas
Open Meetings Act prohibits them from discussing things outside of the county
commission meeting itself.”But the group’s experience with the five-member Hays City
Commission has demonstrated how well a five-member board can work.“When there's a five-member commission, they're able to go
back and meet with each other on a one-on-one basis, discuss things, gain
additional insight, understand somebody else's point of view and oftentimes
that leads to more questions,” Readle said. “We were just able to really work
through a lot more of their concerns prior to it going to a public meeting,
which I think is good, it leads to better-informed decisions.”“With the county, when there's only three, they can't visit
with each other before the meeting. And so sometimes it takes a long time to
work through the different issues. And we just feel like sometimes the
commissioners aren't seeing eye to eye on some issues. It leads to some
pretty wild meetings and on occasion.”Hays residents interested in signing the petition that would
bring place the measure on the November ballot can visit most Hays realtors.“If you're interested in finding out more you can go in,
talk to us,” Readle said. “Or if you're just ready to support our petition
again, just to place it on the ballot, stop in and sign up.”

🎙 Efforts to expand Ellis County Commission continue

The Docking Insitute of Public Affairs survey finds majority of students have jobs; pleased with hours and pay

As workforce shortages continue to plague area businesses,
the Docking Institute of Public Affairs on the Fort Hays State University campus
recently completed a survey of students in the workforce to find out more about
their work habits and opinions of area employers.

Michael Walker, research scholar with the Docking Institute
said the effort had multiple goals.

“I think a big part of it was we were trying to get a sense
of the desire and willingness of college students to work in Hays because we
had heard that there's a perception out there that college students don't want
to work in Hays,” he said.

To find the answer to that question, he said they asked area
students about their employment status, their desire to find a job in the Hays
market, their expected wages and related questions.

What they found allowed for a detailed analysis of their
student workforce and offered generally positive news.

“We asked questions about their opinions of work and
employers,” Walker said. “We found that most students find that employers
provide good work schedules. ... Most students find that they provide positive
work environments.”

More than 60 percent of students said employers in Hays provide positive working environments for college students.

Further, about 70 percent of student job-seekers said Hays employers offer student-friendly schedules.

Wages were also found to be viewed positively in general, he
said.

“When you ask about wages, they did not seem excessive, at
least to me as a researcher, for a new or different job,” Walker said. 

He said their desired wage was close to the average wage
earned currently – $13.66 per hour, with a desired wage in a new job of $14.08
per hour.

The number of students in the job market is also high, he
said.

In total 93.3 percent of FHSU students reported some type of work.

During the survey, the institute looked at traditional hourly
jobs, local gig work and online jobs.

“We wanted to kind of measure how many folks were doing those kinds of jobs, as well as working on campus,” Walker said.

Nearly half, he said – 48 percent – reported working an
off-campus job, with 50.8 percent reporting an on-campus job.

Another 30.8 percent reported piecemeal or session-type jobs, like selling items online, pet sitting or occasional delivery jobs.

“We asked if they work on campus, and if you have a job off-campus, so there's going to be some overlap there,” Walker said. “That doesn't mean
100 percent work either on campus or off, but a large percentage do. About 9
or 10 percent overlap.”

He said those on-campus jobs are limited to 20 hours per
week, and so some students will supplement earnings with an off-campus position.

“Students are not afraid to work,” Walker said. "They do want
to work, and the number of students that do work in Hays, I would say, are very
beneficial to the economy of Hays. 

"I think it's fair to say that our college
students really benefit the local community,” Walker said, “and the employers
that hire our students, provide benefits to the students as well.”

With so many FHSU students in the local workforce, the institute
also wanted to know why there was a perception that students were no longer interested
in working off-campus jobs.

“Of course with the COVID pandemic, a lot of people in
general and students included, stayed away from crowded areas, and so a lot of
them did not go to work,” Walker said. “And then, of course, there was stimulus
money that helped people during that time, but we asked questions about that.”

“A majority of students did indicate that when the stimulus
money was available, it did help them pay their bills,” he continued. 

And while it may have weighed into the decision to work then,
it is no longer a factor, he said.

“To say that students are just staying home, and getting
paid by the government is a big mistake because it’s just not happening at
this point,” Walker said.

With a high percentage of students desiring to work
off-campus, he said other factors may be at the heart of the workforce
shortage, viewed from the lens of student employment. 

“I think one big factor on why it's difficult for employers
to find workers is because of the decrease in enrollment on campus over the
years,” Walker said. “We've had some big, big downturns if you will. COVID hit
us pretty hard.”

<div><iframe title="New study finds FHSU students happy to be in area workforce" allowtransparency="true" height="300" 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=6u68d-11c8234-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=ffffff&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><h2>The Docking Insitute of Public Affairs survey finds majority of students have jobs; pleased with hours and pay</h2>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAs workforce shortages continue to plague area businesses,
the Docking Institute of Public Affairs on the Fort Hays State University campus
recently completed a survey of students in the workforce to find out more about
their work habits and opinions of area employers.Michael Walker, research scholar with the Docking Institute
said the effort had multiple goals.“I think a big part of it was we were trying to get a sense
of the desire and willingness of college students to work in Hays because we
had heard that there's a perception out there that college students don't want
to work in Hays,” he said. To find the answer to that question, he said they asked area
students about their employment status, their desire to find a job in the Hays
market, their expected wages and related questions.What they found allowed for a detailed analysis of their
student workforce and offered generally positive news.“We asked questions about their opinions of work and
employers,” Walker said. “We found that most students find that employers
provide good work schedules. ... Most students find that they provide positive
work environments.”More than 60 percent of students said employers in Hays provide positive working environments for college students.Further, about 70 percent of student job-seekers said Hays employers offer student-friendly schedules.Wages were also found to be viewed positively in general, he
said.“When you ask about wages, they did not seem excessive, at
least to me as a researcher, for a new or different job,” Walker said. He said their desired wage was close to the average wage
earned currently – $13.66 per hour, with a desired wage in a new job of $14.08
per hour.The number of students in the job market is also high, he
said.In total 93.3 percent of FHSU students reported some type of work.During the survey, the institute looked at traditional hourly
jobs, local gig work and online jobs.“We wanted to kind of measure how many folks were doing those kinds of jobs, as well as working on campus,” Walker said.Nearly half, he said – 48 percent – reported working an
off-campus job, with 50.8 percent reporting an on-campus job.Another 30.8 percent reported piecemeal or session-type jobs, like selling items online, pet sitting or occasional delivery jobs.“We asked if they work on campus, and if you have a job off-campus, so there's going to be some overlap there,” Walker said. “That doesn't mean
100 percent work either on campus or off, but a large percentage do. About 9
or 10 percent overlap.”He said those on-campus jobs are limited to 20 hours per
week, and so some students will supplement earnings with an off-campus position.“Students are not afraid to work,” Walker said. "They do want
to work, and the number of students that do work in Hays, I would say, are very
beneficial to the economy of Hays. "I think it's fair to say that our college
students really benefit the local community,” Walker said, “and the employers
that hire our students, provide benefits to the students as well.”<h2>SO, WHERE ARE THE WORKERS?</h2>With so many FHSU students in the local workforce, the institute
also wanted to know why there was a perception that students were no longer interested
in working off-campus jobs.“Of course with the COVID pandemic, a lot of people in
general and students included, stayed away from crowded areas, and so a lot of
them did not go to work,” Walker said. “And then, of course, there was stimulus
money that helped people during that time, but we asked questions about that.”“A majority of students did indicate that when the stimulus
money was available, it did help them pay their bills,” he continued. And while it may have weighed into the decision to work then,
it is no longer a factor, he said.“To say that students are just staying home, and getting
paid by the government is a big mistake because it’s just not happening at
this point,” Walker said.With a high percentage of students desiring to work
off-campus, he said other factors may be at the heart of the workforce
shortage, viewed from the lens of student employment. “I think one big factor on why it's difficult for employers
to find workers is because of the decrease in enrollment on campus over the
years,” Walker said. “We've had some big, big downturns if you will. COVID hit
us pretty hard.”FHSU saw an on-campus enrollment drop of almost 9 percent during the first year of the pandemic and another 6 percent drop during the second
year.And while student academic patterns remained the same during
a shift to online education, many faced impacts in their employment.“So, the jobs that they had tended to be affected, more by
COVID, then keeping up with their academic plan,” said Fort Hays State
University chief communications officer Scott Cason. “Almost 75 percent of them
were able to keep up with their academic plan. But 50 percent reported that
they lost jobs or reduced work hours because of COVID.”The survey found only 14 percent of students changed their academic course loads, while 49.7 percent reported a change in their employment hours.“I think we can say that the students reported that they did
not change their academic patterns very much because the university did a great
job of shifting from on-campus to off-campus teaching or virtual teaching,”
Walker said. “Employers couldn't do the same thing. So, they had to, in many
cases, just stop, close the doors for a while. And then the students haven't
come back.”He also said many students may have moved home while only online
education was offered and did not return to on-campus learning.While the survey primarily looked at factors driving students
to, or out of, the workforce it also hinted at larger community issues.“Eighteen percent or so of the students indicated that
child care was an issue,” Walker said. “We've measured child care issues, in many
different settings. We do a lot of labor studies across the Midwest, and child care
is one that we always ask about. "Now, it's never quite as large of a percentage
as we think it might be. Like, when we talk to people in the community, it's
like, ‘Oh, it's a big issue.’ But when you survey folks, it usually shows up to
be about 18 to 20 percent. But still, 18 to 20 percent of the population is a
big chunk of students.”He said wage increases may also help address the problem,
but would not be a major factor in enticing more students into the workforce.But for those in the workforce, in general, they seem satisfied
with their conditions, Walker said.“Students do have a positive opinion about employers in
Hays, they certainly don't have a negative opinion,” he said. “Also, most of
our students do work in some capacity.”Cover image courtesy Pixabay.