Priceless SSATURDAYATURDAY Take One VOLUME 15, NUMBER 65 SATURDAY,, FFEBRUARY 3, 2007 WINNER OF THE KANSAS GAS SERVICE 2006 KANSAS PROFESSIONAL 2006 KANSAS PROFESSIONAL WINNER OF THE KANSAS PRESS EXCELLENCE IN EDITORIAL WRITING COMMUNICATORS PHOTO ESSAY AWARD COMMUNICATORS EDITORIAL AWARD ASSOCIATION ADVERTISING AWARD Attorney Fees Rejected In School Funding Case Attorney General Paul Morrison $2 and 3 million,” Morrison said. and put our money in classrooms, not announced today that the state will “The court stated that: “this courtrooms.” save $2 to $3 million in legal fees as case is over.”“ The Kansas Legislature also filed a a result of a United State District The United States District Court brief in this case opposing the Court ruling yesterday. determined the plaintiffs were not request for legal fees by Schools for The judge found that Kansas was entitled to attorney’s fees under 42 Fair Funding. not responsible for paying the USC 1988 for their victory In the past eight years, the Kansas attorney’s fees incurred by Schools against the State and Board of Supreme Court has issued five for Fair Funding, the coalition of Education in the state courts. The opinions in Montoy v. State of public school districts that filed suit plaintiffs had continued litigation in Kansas. In 2005, the Legislature was in state and federal court order to gain compensation for called back into a special session by seeking an increase in school fund- these fees in federal court. Governor Kathleen Sebelius to Sue Carpenter Deb Nauerth Jane Kenyon ing. “Because of litigation, Kansas solve the school finance problems. “School finance litigation has con- schools are stronger and our children The result has been a nearly $800 sumed state government for the past will have more opportunities to suc- million increase in spending for 8 eight years and I’m happy to say ceed,” Morrison said. “But it’s Kansas schools. Teachers Earn National Certification this decision saves Kansas between time for the state to move forward The National Board for dards through an extensive series of from the education policy estab- Professional Teaching Standards performance-based assessments that lishment to parents in the commu- recently announced that three includes teaching portfolios, student nity. Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 teach- work samples, videotapes and thor- Manhattan – Ogden currently ers have earned their National ough analyses of the candidate’s has 13 National Board Certified Brownback To Fight For Bases Board Certification. teaching and students’ learning. They Teachers. U.S. Senator Sam Brownback we must give the Department of Sue Carpenter – 5th grade also complete a series of written Shelley Aistrup, Northview today commented on recent action in Defense the resources it needs by teacher, Marlatt Elementary exercises that probe the depth of Elementary School Recent House the House of Representatives that passing a fiscal year 2007 military School their subject-matter knowledge, as Karen Bargabus, Northview could deprive key military bases in construction bill. I had hoped the Jane Kenyon – Language Arts well as their understanding of how to Elementary School Action Could Kansas of $450 million in federal Democratic majority would make teacher, Manhattan High School teach those subjects to their students. Sue Carpenter, Marlatt funds. Jeopardize military construction shortfalls a pri- Deb Nauerth – Gifted Education Certification is voluntary and open Elementary School “I share the concern of our mili- ority, but the recent action in the teacher, Amanda Arnold and Lee to anyone with a baccalaureate Sonda Copeland, Manhattan tary commanders that recent actions Funding House makes me less optimistic. Elementary Schools degree and three years of classroom High School in the House of Representatives “The recommendations of the National Board Certification is a experience in either a public or pri- Kent Dick, Anthony Middle could deprive Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and McConnell Air Base Realignment and Closure symbol of professional teaching vate school. It is valid for 10 years, School Leavenworth and McConnell Air Force Base of $450 million that the Commission require fully funding excellence. A certificate will attest after which a teacher must seek Cindy Garwick, Northview Force Base of crucial federal fund- Senate approved in draft form last construction projects at Fort Riley that a teacher was judged by his or renewal. Elementary School ing, and I am working hard to see year. and Fort Leavenworth, which would her peers as one who is accom- Teachers who have participated in Ken Garwick, Marlatt that this funding is restored by the Brownback continued, “If we fail not be possible with the bill that the plished, makes sound professional National Board Certification have Elementary School Senate,” said Brownback. to fully fund current military con- Democrats passed in the House.” judgments about students’ best overwhelmingly stated it is the most Chris George, Manhattan High Yesterday, the Democrat-con- struction projects, soldiers from Fort Senator Brownback is a member interests and acts effectively on powerful professional development School trolled House of Representatives Riley’s Big Red One—who will soon of the Appropriations Subcommittee those judgments. Offered on a vol- experience of their careers. And Lou Ann Getz, Eisenhower passed a stopgap measure to fund deploy to Iraq—will not have ad on Military Construction and untary basis, National Board National Board Certified Teachers Middle School this year’s government operations at quate housing when they return. Veterans Affairs. Certification complements, but are making positive changes in their Jane Kenyon, Manhattan High last year’s levels, which would “If Congress is serious about con- does not replace, state licensing. classrooms, in their school districts, School deprive Fort Riley, Fort fronting new and emerging threats, While state licensing systems set and in the larger education commu- Pat Lamb, Manhattan High entry-level standards for novice nity. The recognition, visibility, new School teachers, National Board roles and growth of the numbers of Deb Nauerth, Amanda Arnold Certification establishes advanced National Board Certified Teaches are and Lee Elementary Schools Festival Of Wines Will Be March 2nd standards for experienced teachers. affecting not only their classrooms, Lori Thompson, Woodrow Tickets are on sale now for the 8th Tasting which will be held in the Festival, you are helping to ensure National Board Certification but also the culture of schools where Wilson Elementary School Annual Flint Hills Festival of Wines, ballroom of the Clarion Hotel. And compassionate care and support will measures a teacher’s practice they work. They are affecting how a benefit for the Homecare & for the first time in Festival history, continue to be given to those who against high and rigorous stan- teachers are viewed by everyone Hospice Foundation. the Grand Tasting will be in the need it so dearly. The Manhattan community can evening, from 6:30 – 10:00 p.m. Call Homecare & Hospice at 537- once again get ready to “sniff, swirl Grand Tasting participants can 0688 now to reserve your tickets or and sip” at the Winemaker Dinner sample from a variety of over 200 visit www.flinthillswinefest.com for which will be held on Friday, March wines from all around the world and more Festival information. There is a Sebelius Proposes Toll Increase 2nd and at the Grand Tasting which taste gourmet cuisine from nine area limit to the number of tickets that will be held on Saturday, March 3rd. restaurants. They can also learn will be sold, so call in now before The Winemaker Dinner will be cooking with wine techniques during they’re all sold out! To Pay For Maintenance held at the Manhattan Country Club the live cooking demonstration as The original Homecare & and will feature a delectable, multi- Hospice, your local, non-profit (AP) _ Motorists on the Kansas “It recognizes that we have an asset the next five years for university repairs, well as bid high on any number of Turnpike would pay higher tolls to help that we can use more aggressively,’‘ for a total of $75 million. The House course meal and wine paired with items at the large Silent Auction. leader for end of life care striving to finance repair projects on state university Sebelius said during a Statehouse news already has approved a bill that includes each course. The Dinner also fea- Proceeds from the Flint Hills provide quality health and support campuses under a proposal Gov. conference, referring to the turnpike. nearly $77 million over five years for tures a Live Auction which will give Festival of Wines help support the services to Manhattan, Junction City, Kathleen Sebelius outlined Wednesday. The regents have estimated that the six such projects. guests a chance to bid on some truly Homecare & Hospice Agency, which Wamego and the surrounding areas Her ``Foundations for the Future’‘ state university campuses have $727 mil- John Dougherty, Emporia State one of a kind items. provides quality care to members of for over 28 years. plan would set aside $575 million for lion worth of deferred maintenance and University’s legislative liaison, said it The Dinner will lead to the our community, regardless of their such projects, with $300 million coming repairs, though it pared its list of projects was too early for him to pass judgment Festival’s main event, the Grand ability to pay. By donating to the from higher turnpike tolls. Sebelius said to $660 million when some legislators on the details of Sebelius’ plan but said tolls would rise no more than 5 percent a questioned some items. he was glad the issue was being dis- year. Sebelius also proposed setting aside cussed. The House’s top Republican leaders $200 million in state funds for low-inter- Conference Creates A Lot Of Energy immediately expressed concerns about est loans to the universities, though she Speaker Melvin Neufeld said he’s the Democratic governor’s proposal.