September 30, 2004 - Volume 34, Issue 2
BOE proposes bond issue
during community forum
By Melanie Weilert, senior, and Katie Hauser, junior
Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor
On Wednesday, September 28, the Board of Education held their
third community forum in order to educate the public on their proposed bond
issue. As well
as the necessary upgrades and renovations needed within the school district,
the Board has proposed the construction of a community field house.
Humboldt is the only public 3A high school that currently does not possess
two gymnasium facilities, either as part of the school or as another gym available
in the community. Two other 3A schools have only one facility, but they are
private schools and can use city gym facilities to complement their own. To
compensate for this lack of facilitation, the BOE has proposed a bond issue
to go before the community.
While the entire bond issue totals $5.9 million, of that, the state of Kansas
will pay 35 percent, or $2.065 million, while the community will pay $3.835
million. The bond issue funds will be split between major building upgrades
and the construction of a community field house, which will cost $2.536 million.
“It is important to get this done for the community and kids in Humboldt,
because inflation is just going to continue to go up, and the state’s willingness
to pay 35 percent will not be around forever,” said Robert Heigele, superintendent.
The community field house would accommodate 1500 people, with 750 on each side.
Seating would be fully retractable, which allows for two-cross court practices
or volleyball courts. This seating capacity would meet state tournament requirements,
allowing the school district to place itself in the running to host sub-state
tournaments. Humboldt would also be able to run its own tournaments more efficiently,
which could bring more revenue into the community. With effectively planned
usage of the area, other large gatherings, such as alumni events, can also
be housed in the field house.
An elevated walking track would be directly accessible to the community during building hours. A cardio room is tentatively proposed, as well as a limited liability weight training area. However, these additions are only part of an alternative bid due to increased square footage.
Just the facts
•
The bond issue will total $5.9 million.
Of that, the state of Kansas will pay 35%.
•
A community field house would accomodate 1500 people in seating alone.
• Some
building rennovation projects will take place, even if the bond issue is
not passed.
• Voting will take place on November 8 at the Baptist church.
To better regulate increased traffic flow, administrative
and counseling offices would be relocated to the current weight room area,
while the weight
rooms
would move to the current band room. This change is intended to make the weight
room more accessible to the public. The auditorium would then develop into
a multi-purpose room for fine arts classes and smaller performances open to
the community. Larger performances would take place in the community field
house to accommodate seating.
Other building upgrade projects include; energy efficiency, improved emergency
and security lighting, upgrading electrical service, installment of new carpeting
in the elementary and high schools, updated cooking equipment, improving walkway
between the middle and high schools, replacing flush valves and toilets, and
upgrading welding ventilation. Many of these projects are included in the capital
outlay plan, which means that even if the bond issue fails, they will indefinitely
occur.
No grant money is currently available for the renovation projects, instead
the Board is looking toward Qualified Zone Academy Bonds. QZAB offers non-interest
bonds that can not be used for new construction purposes. Instead, the bonds
would simply be used for renovation projects in the school district.
Legally, the BOE is not able to steer voters certain way and can only use district
funds to send out factual information over the bond issue. A separate steering
committee has been established, which will operate on donated funding. The
steering committee is made up of several subcommittees, which include; vote
yes/volunteers, finance, speakers’ bureau, and publicity.
Election day will take place on Tuesday, November 8. Only one voting location
will be available, the Baptist church in Humboldt. Information on absentee
ballots may be obtained from the county clerk by 7 p.m. on the day of the election.
A bond issue kick-off will take place on October 9 in the high school. Citizens
will be taken on a tour to allow them the chance to view the various items
that need upgraded.
“Input and feedback are very helpful and appreciated,” said Dan Weilert,
Board president.
StuCo prepares for fall season
Fundraiser, Homecoming celebrations set
By Katie Hauser, junior
Opinion Editor
As the school year progresses, StuCo members are finding
themselves getting busier and busier.
StuCo members recently attended the Regional StuCo Conference at Pittsburg
High School on Tuesday, September 20. Members had a chance to listen to an
inspirational speaker, Bernie Saggau, during one session and also have a
small group session with members of other schools to share ideas. Sponsors
also had a group session to see what other student councils are doing.
“I got a lot of good ideas, and I know our students did, too,” said
Jason Feeback, StuCo sponsor. “It got everyone excited about the things
we can do this year.”
Ideas ranged from crazy, like drive-by rakings as a possible service project,
to serious, such as having a mock car accident.
“The conference gave the kids a vision of what StuCo could be in our
school,” said
Feeback.
Members of StuCo are looking forward to their first fundraiser of the year.
Paintbrushes are getting ready to be loaded up with bright orange paint.
Photo by Adrienne Gutierrez
Eww, better cover that spot up.
Volunteering their time after school to spray paint StuCo’s
pet project, Hilary Bartlett,
Chelsy Wright, and Mandie Lewis, jrs., make sure that the job is done right.
StuCo is
planning to auction off placement rights to the ‘shelf’ project as
a part of their fundraising efforts.
This paint will be used to paint a ‘shelf,’ better
known to most as a toilet. StuCo is planning to auction the toilet off at
the Homecoming
game. The highest bidder will be able to place the toilet in whatever yard
he or she chooses. StuCo will move the toilet either to another yard or end
the chain for a price.
StuCo will be in charge of the Homecoming dance this year. The dance will
be held at the elementary school multi-purpose room because the high school
will be set up for the Old Grads’ Reunion. The theme will be ‘Beverly
Hills’ by Weezer. A new D.J. will start soon after the game’s
conclusion and the dance will end at midnight. A photographer will be available
for group pictures.
“This is going to be the most awesome dance ever,” said Chelsy Wright,
jr., and StuCo president. “We are trying to get a diversified song
list to please everyone, so anyone with a song request can come talk to me.”
Miss Kansas 2005 assembly
Encouraging appropriate actions, decisions
By Melanie Weilert, senior
Editor-in-Chief
On September 22, students and faculty packed in the high school gymnasium
to catch a glimpse of Miss Kansas, as well as her student-oriented presentation.
Miss Kansas 2005, Adrienne Rosel, is a 22 year-old Liberal, Kansas native.
Rosel graduated from the University of Kansas in 2005, with a bachelor of
science in journalism and mass communications and a minor in theatre.
Recently, Rosel collaborated with Heart to Heart International at a Kansas
City Chiefs game to raise funds for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
Rosel, along with innumerable volunteers, collected nearly $175,000. However,
her charitable efforts end far from her fundraising accomplisments.
As Miss Kansas, Rosel plans to “make a substantial difference in the
educational system throughout the state.” Taking a step towards achieving
her goal, Rosel has set out to visit and speak at various educational establishments
across the state in her school tour. According to her official website, http://www.misskansas.org,
Rosel began her tour on September 9, which consists of a presentation and
speech based on her Miss Kansas pageant platform, “Right Decision,
Right Now.”
“This is what being Miss Kansas is all about,” said Rosel. “It
is so awesome to see so many eyes eager to hear what it is ‘Miss Kansas’ has
to say, but ready to give [me] a hard time if [I] don’t meet their
standards. I love working with kids and I really feed off their energy.”
Photo by Kayla Megenity
Here she is...
Miss Kansas 2005, Adrienne Rosel, gave a presentation
to students and faculty in the high school
auditorium over postiveinfluences, peer pressure, and the importance
of speaking up.
Jason Feeback, counselor, was responsible for organizing
the event along with the Miss Kansas Organization. According to Feeback,
a representative
for Miss Kansas contacted him and provided him with information on Rosel’s
school tour.
“I thought that the presentation would provide students with a good opportunity
to see someone close to their age talk about goals and sending a positive
message about avoiding drugs and sex,” said Feeback.
During her appearance at Humboldt High, Rosel discussed the importance of
personal perseverance, dedication to academics, substance abuse awareness,
and abstinence. She also emphasized that even though students in Humboldt
may be from a small town, that they can accomplish their goals.
However, a main focus of Rosel’s presentation was the importance of
making responsible decisions for one’s self and for others around them.
“One person has the potential to affect one other person – who affects
one other person – and the numbers continue to multiply,” said
Rosel.
Currently, Feeback is planning on sending out a questionnaire over the Miss
Kansas assembly, which will allow students to express their opinions and
feedback about her presentation.
“I thought that Miss Kansas was nice and authentic and that kept our attention,” said
Michelle Sollars, so. “It would be nice for her to come back in the
future.”
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