January 16 - Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

Education News
Articles from Local Newspapers About or Affecting our District
January 15 - 31, 2008
Table of Contents:
KCK School District training local students to fill new jobs (Kansan 01/16) ......................................................................... 3
Lady Wildcats fall in KA-MO Tourney (Kansan 01/16) ......................................................................................................... 5
In Brief – King Day events (KC Star 01/16) .......................................................................................................................... 7
Schlagle choir wins contest but can’t keep prize (KC Star 01/16) ........................................................................................ 8
School notes – Sumner Academy of Arts & Science + Holman Academy [charter school] (KC Star 01/16) ....................... 9
Lansing wrestler nearly wins 152-pound championship (KC Star 01/16) ........................................................................... 10
Group asks state to reject KCK casino proposals (Kansan 01/17) ..................................................................................... 12
Dream of Helping At-Risk Youth is Becoming a Reality in 2008 (KC Hispanic News 01/17-23) ......................................... 14
Looking for Children in Need of Special Education (Record 01/17) ................................................................................... 16
Sumner Academy Receives Bronze Medal From U.S. News and World Report (Record 01/17) ...................................... 17
Kansas City losing SkillsUSA convention to Louisville, Kentucky (KC Star 01/17) ............................................................ 18
Instrument repair is their trade, sweet music is their reward (Wyandotte West 01/17) ...................................................... 20
Local libraries host art exhibits (Wyandotte West 01/17) .................................................................................................... 22
Schlagle Chamber Choir wins national competition (Wyandotte West 01/17) ................................................................... 24
Second-half spurt secures a league win for Schlagle [HS Basketball] (Wyandotte West 01/17) ....................................... 26
Featured Event [Mr. & Mrs. F. L. Schlagle Library] (Kansan 01/18) ................................................................................... 27
Free basketball clinic to be held at Arrowhead (Kansan 01/18) ......................................................................................... 28
Senator suggests minor changes to NCLB (Kansan 01/18) ............................................................................................... 29
Transcript from Brownback-Kansan interview (Kansan 01/18) ........................................................................................... 31
What would it take to close the achievement gap (Kansan 01/18) ................................................................................... 37
Dinner honors black achievers (KC Star 01/18) .................................................................................................................. 39
Jill Shackelford, Kansas City, Kan.: Breaking through barriers (KC Star 01/20) ................................................................ 40
Life beyond high school (KC Star 01/20) ............................................................................................................................ 41
Proposal aims to draw new residents to KCK, help more students go to college (KC Star 01/20) .................................... 42
Charter school one step closer (Kansan 01/22) .................................................................................................................. 45
Every game important for Hawks [boys basketball] (Kansan 01/22) .................................................................................. 47
Members of KC Brigade … ‘Believe Campaign’ + Sumner … student artwork … KU Med. (Kansan 01/22) .................... 49
Schlagle High School Chamber Choir Wins $10,000 (Globe 01/23) .................................................................................. 50
Photo [from the ‘Believe Campaign’ kick-off] (KC Star 01/23) ............................................................................................ 51
KCK school foundation aims to raise $1 million (KC Star 01/23) ........................................................................................ 52
Football career is lost, but he perseveres [Michael Harris] (KC Star 01/23) ....................................................................... 53
In Brief: Scholarship winner [William Bowles @ Harmon] (KC Star 01/23) ........................................................................ 54
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: “There are still some aches” (KC Star 01/23) ......................................................................... 55
Public Safety: Arrest in school vandalism [West MS] (KC Star 01/23) .............................................................................. 56

Wyandotte and Leavenworth county sports notebook (KC Star 01/23) .............................................................................. 58
Afternoon hoops at Arrowhead [photo] (Kansan 01/24) ..................................................................................................... 59
Former Chiefs star, Brigade help KCK School Foundation (Kansan 01/24) ....................................................................... 60
Members of KC Brigade Team Up With KCK Public Schools To Kick Off ‘Believe Campaign’ (Record 01/24) ................ 62
Sumner Academy Student Artwork Included in Exhibit at KU Medical Center (Record 01/24) .......................................... 63
As I See It: School district turmoil has continued too long [O.L. Plucker] (KC Star 01/24) ................................................. 64
Exciting projects abound at KCK Public Library (Wyandotte West 01/24) ......................................................................... 65
Harmon basketball program on the come up (Wyandotte West 01/24) .............................................................................. 66
Kansas City Brigade players help kick off ‘Believe Campaign’ (Wyandotte West 01/24) ................................................... 67
KCK Board of Education seeks continued district transformation (Wyandotte West 01/24) .............................................. 68
Poverty increases among Wyandotte County schoolchildren, census estimates show (Wyandotte West 01/24) ............. 70
Rim Rocker … [photo of Schlagle senior forward Tyrone Wallace] (Wyandotte West 01/24) ............................................ 71
Photo of January Students of the Month (Wyandotte West 01/24) ..................................................................................... 72
Sumner Academy student artwork included in KC Med Center exhibit (Wyandotte West 01/24) ...................................... 73
KCKPS success gains national attention (Kansan 01/25) .................................................................................................. 74
Sumner artists get top billing at KU Med Center art exhibit (Kansan 01/25) ...................................................................... 76
Wauer enjoys breakout season [wrestling] (Kansan 01/26) ............................................................................................... 78
Kauffman Scholars join fraternity (KC Star 01/27) .............................................................................................................. 80
Looking for a few good mentors (KC Star 01/27) ................................................................................................................ 81
Colleges need more well-prepared students (KC Star 01/27) ............................................................................................ 83
KCKL clash tonight [Stallions vs. Sabres] (Kansan 01/29) ................................................................................................. 84
First fundraiser scheduled for charter school (Kansan 01/30) ............................................................................................ 85
Librarians don’t often get credit they deserve (KC Star 01/30) ........................................................................................... 86
Mother of three earning her GED is an ‘inspiration’ (KC Star 01/30) .................................................................................. 87
School Notes – Accessible Arts Inc. Grant + CIS Empowering Youth Grant (KC Star 01/30) ........................................... 88
They Believe [photo of Neil Smith and Mary Stewart at FFE kickoff of “Believe Campaign”] (KC Star 01/30) .................. 89
Sports Notebook Source (KC Star 01/30) ............................................................................................................................ 90
Agency now taking scholarship applications (Dos Mundos 01/31) ..................................................................................... 91
Entire Maintenance Shop honored by school district (Kansan 01/31) ................................................................................ 93
Sabres find their niche [KCKL] (Kansan 01/31) .................................................................................................................. 95
Public safety: KCK teen dies from crash injuries (KC Star 01/31) ...................................................................................... 97
Bird of Prey … [photo of Kestrel at Schlagle library] (Wyandotte West 01/31) ................................................................... 98
Demographics can be a window to the future [library database] (Wyandotte West 01/31) ................................................ 99
Sumner students selected for all-state festival choir + County spelling bee … Tuesday (Wyandotte West 01/31) ......... 100
Slowter secures championship at Shawnee Mission North Invitational [wrestling] (Wyandotte West 01/31) .................. 101
Schlagle hold on to knock off league rival [KCKL] (Wyandotte West 01/31) .................................................................... 102
Wyandotte County meet proves a swimming success (Wyandotte West 01/31) ............................................................. 103

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KCK School District training local students to fill new
jobs
By NICK SLOAN, Kansan Staff Writer
As jobs are created by the incoming
Schlitter-bahn Water Park and other
developments, the Kansas City, Kan.,
Public Schools District is working to
prepare its students to fill those jobs.
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The district is implementing the
Building Employment Services and
Training, or BEST, program. The
program will allow students and area
residents to receive a special certificate
upon graduation for achieving skills in
“hospitality services.”
“The purpose is to provide professional
and education training for students to
help address employment needs for
current and future employment
opportunities,” said Christal Watson,
foundation specialist for the district.
The district will enter into partnerships
with the KCK Area Technical School,
Kansas City Kansas Community
College, the Black Chamber of
Commerce and Workforce Development
of Wyandotte County to provide
opportunities.
A string of earth movers is parked
in front of the old Wyandotte
County Annex building near 94th
and State Avenue, awaiting work
at the Schlitterbahn Vacation
Village Water Park site. As
Schlitterbahn and other
development projects draw near,
the Kansas City, Kan., Public
Schools District is working to
prepare students and community
members to fill the thousands of
jobs that will be created. Kansan
photo by NICK SLOAN
“I’m excited about the opportunities to provide certification and training experience in the
world of work,” said Lori Hewitt, work-based learning specialist. “It brings together the
community to provide educational experiences.”
Programs will be used to not only train students for typical entry level positions, but also
for certification in hotel management.
The partnership is working with Schlitterbahn and other corporations on the project.
Ground has been broken on Schlitterbahn, and portions of the water park are set to be
open by 2010. The 40-acre water resort will include hundreds of hotel rooms and between
2,000-3,000 jobs once it’s fully operational.
The program is available for juniors and seniors with a minimum 2.0 grade point average.
Curriculum courses range from those teaching leadership skills to basic hospitality skills.
While Schlitterbahn is the early target for the program, other development opportunities
will present more job openings. The Plaza at the Speedway, which will feature tenants such
as Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Best Buy, is expected to bring in over 2,100 more jobs.
Sport World Live, located around the Wolcott area off of Interstate 435, could also bring in

thousands of jobs if the project reaches fruition.
Once a casino is built, and a resort hotel accompanies it, even more jobs will be created.
Also, current openings exist for businesses already open in Village West. The Legends
shopping center and surrounding businesses have created as many as 6,000 jobs.
Watson said the incoming developments led to the district acting now.
“The district will be pro-active instead of reactive,” she said. “We want to prepare quality
students for excellent opportunities.”
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Lady Wildcats fall in KA-MO Tourney
By JEREMY BANKS, Kansan Sports Editor
The Washington Lady Wildcats were defeated 59-53 by the Liberty Lady Jays in the
quarterfinals of the KA-MO Classic Girls Basketball Tournament Tuesday at Blue Valley
North High School.
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Washington will face Lincoln Prep at 4 p.m. today at Blue Valley High School.
On Tuesday night, the Lady Jays were just better in the end. However, the Lady Wildcats,
in spurts, showed that they can give any team fits when they play with energy and focus.
Washington fell behind 16-10 in the first quarter, but it matched Liberty bucket-for-bucket
in the second quarter, heading into halftime behind 29-23.
Liberty extended its lead to 39-28 with 4:15 remaining in the third by using pressure
defense and scoring off turnovers.
The momentum was totally in Liberty’s corner. That’s when the Lady Wildcats turned it on.
Washington scored two unanswered buckets to make the score 39-32 with 2:54 remaining
in the third.
Liberty knocked Washington right back down and took a 47-34 lead into the start of the
fourth quarter. And guess what The Lady Wildcats came back fighting again.
Key plays by Linda Henderson, Ashley Jones and Monique Johnson helped them go on a 9-
0 run and make the score 51-47.
During the run, the Lady Wildcats were impressive.
Here’s the thing: The Lady Wildcats, in terms of talent, are about as good as any team in
the area. They have it all. Height. Speed. Athletic ability. Inside scoring. Outside scoring.
Playmaking defenders. And for one quarter everything came together.
Height took over in the middle. The Lady Wildcats seemed faster which resulted in more
plays being made. The defenders created turnovers.
But it wasn’t always this way. The focus wasn’t always there. Decisions weren’t always
right. And it ultimately led to a defeat.
When it came together for them, the Lady Wildcats gave the Lady Jays fits.
Every player has something to contribute. Jones, who scored 20 points, is the centerpiece.
Shetiarra Pledger (14 points) is like a music producer on the court. She sets the table and
sits in the background while the stars get the accolades. Johnson (eight points) is a do-itall
in the post. Henderson is a smooth ballhander who is solid on defense.
And when they find a way to compliment each other, the Lady Wildcats are an impressive
team.
The cupboard is pretty full. The Lady Wildcats aren’t going hungry for talent anytime soon.
If they tighten the screws Washington can play with anybody. The KA-MO Classic is good
for the Lady Wildcats. They’ll find out a lot about themselves this week. Facing a bracket
which features Blue Valley North, Ruskin, Blue Springs South, Hickman Mills Lincoln Prep
and Liberty is a valuable learning tool which can be used for the rest of the season.
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Wednesday, Jan 16, 2
Posted on Tue, Jan. 15, 2008
IN BRIEF
Sewer rates to increase
Wyandotte County’s Unified Board of Commissioners has approved a 4 percent increase in the Kansas City, Kan., sewer service fee effective
next month. An additional 4 percent increase will go into effect July 1.
The board approved the increase during its meeting Thursday as a way to keep up with the cost of maintaining 1,200 miles of sewers and to
help meet federal environmental requirements.
Public works director Robert Roddy said the average resident would see a monthly increase of 99 cents over the entire year. The fee appears
on residents’ Board of Public Utilities bills.
The increase will add $1.5 million a year to a sewer service budget that now stands at $19 million.
Roddy said the fee hike was a prudent way to handle increasing expenses. He also noted that, even with the increase, the city’s sewer rate was
still competitive with the rates of other cities in the metropolitan area.
“We feel comfortable that it’ll provide the funds for continued maintenance,” Roddy said. “It does not give us money to burn.”
King Day events
The Rev. J.C. Wade Jr. will deliver the keynote address Monday at the annual Kansas City, Kan., Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration.
Wade is pastor of the Zion Missionary Baptist Church in East Chicago, Ind.
The day’s events will begin with a motorcade that will assemble at 9 a.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Fifth Street and Richmond Avenue. The
motorcade will depart at 10 a.m. and make its way to the Reardon Convention Center, Fifth Street and Minnesota Avenue.
An 11 a.m. mass celebration will be at the convention center. Wade will deliver his address during the celebration, which also will include the
awarding of $30,000 in scholarships to area high school seniors.
Democrats to caucus
Wyandotte County Democrats will discuss the Feb. 5 presidential caucus as part of their monthly breakfast Saturday at The Woodlands, 9700
Leavenworth Road.
Matthew Anderson, the party’s state field director, and Lindsay Gentry, the 3rd District director, will speak about organizing the caucus.
The event will begin with an 8:15 a.m. breakfast buffet. The program begins at 9 a.m. The buffet costs $10; $7 for students and those on a
limited income.
For more information call 913-788-9328 or send email to scottmackey08@yahoo.com.
Survey for residents
Wyandotte County’s Unified Government wants your opinion — or at least some of your opinions.
The government mailed a survey to 3,500 households Monday with questions on a host of topics — from smoking bans to spending priorities.
Residents have until Jan. 30 to complete the survey. The Unified Government plans to use the survey results to help it craft policy and make
budget decisions over the next year.
Benefit dinner
The public is invited to a spaghetti dinner benefiting the Sisters, Servants of Mary, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 3 at St. Patrick’s parish center,
94th Street and State Avenue.
The religious group provides free in-home nursing care for people who are dying or suffering from a terminal illness. Suggested donation is $7
for adults and $3 for those under 10. Call 913-371-3423.
Trash service delayed
Lansing trash pickup will be delayed next week to allow Deffenbaugh employees to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Trash collection normally picked up on Monday and Friday will be moved to Tuesday and Saturday. Call 913-727-3233 with questions.
| Mark Wiebe, mwiebe@kcstar.com | Mark Wiebe, mwiebe@kcstar.com | Mark Wiebe, mwiebe@kcstar.com | Mark Wiebe, http://www.kansascity.com

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Posted on Tue, Jan. 15, 2008
Schlagle choir wins contest but can’t keep prize
By COURTNEY CONDRON
The Kansas City Star
The Chamber Choir students at F.L. Schlagle High School could use the $10,000 they won in a national competition last week for
their annual choir trip.
But because of a rule against school groups competing for money, the choir is not allowed to keep the money, so the group is
donating its winnings to the Kansas City Kansas School Foundation for Excellence.
The choir won the prize after receiving the most online votes in the “First Sunday” Gospel Singing Challenge. The group was one
of 13 finalist choirs from around the country whose videos were posted at www.blackvoices.com/firstsunday as a promotion for the
new movie “First Sunday.” Users visiting the Web site were asked to vote for their favorite choir.
The choir was almost disqualified from the competition because it couldn’t accept the money, but the Kansas State High School
Activities Association decided the money could be donated to the district’s foundation. There is still a chance that the money could
be used to benefit the choir because the foundation allows teachers to apply for grants.
“This is certainly a mechanism the choir could use to get the funds for travel,” said David A. Smith, Kansas City, Kan., School
District spokesman.
The annual trip the choir takes to compete in a national competition costs $500 to $750 per person. Each year, students raise the
money through fundraisers such as selling candy and frozen foods.
Gary Musselman, executive director of the state activities association, said there wouldn’t be anything wrong with the foundation
giving money to help the choir go on its annual trip, but that decision would be up to the school district and the foundation. He said
this was an unusual situation because the competition took place over the Internet.
“We did what we felt like would be appropriate, even though schools don’t compete for cash prizes,” Musselman said. “It seems to
me that donating the money to the school district through a nonprofit organization would certainly help stay within the spirit of the
rule.”
Musselman said the rule against school programs competing for money is in place so that programs are not exploited.
Darryl Ammons, Schlagle’s choir director, said in an e-mail that this was an opportunity to give back to the community that has
supported the choir.
Schlagle Principal Douglas Bolden said the compromise to give the money to the foundation was fair.
The foundation supports before, during and after-school programs, gives scholarships to students and helps fund other parts of
Kansas City, Kan., schools in need.
The choir sang “Joy to the World” in English and Japanese for the competition, which took place to promote the movie “First
Sunday.”
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com
Wednesday, Jan 16, 2

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Wednesday, Jan 16, 2
Posted on Tue, Jan. 15, 2008
School notes
Basehor Bluejays Team
Chilingo: About 30 homeroom classrooms at Basehor Elementary School and the Sixth Grade Center are competing in a chili cookoff
Thursday.
Students will fix chili in the morning, and school officials will judge in the afternoon. The winner will be announced and the trophy presented
during a chili feed and bingo event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the gym of the school located at 15602 Leavenworth Road.
Chilingo is sponsored by the Basehor Bluejays Team, a parent-teacher organization. There is no fee for the dinner. Donations will be
accepted at the door.
University of Kansas
Certification earned: Students from Basehor, Bonner Springs and Kansas City, Kan., completed the Global Awareness Program.
They are Lara Kindle, a graduate of Basehor-Linwood High School; Nicholas Zimmerman from Bonner Springs, a graduate of Turner High
School; and Dustin Dye, a graduate of Piper High School.
The program recognizes students for studying abroad, taking courses with an international focus, learning foreign languages and being
active in international co-curricular activities. Students earn certification on their transcripts and are honored at a luncheon in the spring.
Emporia State University
Graduate degrees: Master’s degrees were awarded during winter commencement ceremonies last month to Sonja Moyer, Bonner
Springs; Amy Nicole Smith, Kansas City, Kan.; Kelli Jo Feikert, Lansing; and Darla C. Meyer, Leavenworth.
Sumner Academy of Arts and Science
National recognition: The school received a bronze medal for its ranking among more than 18,000 public high schools in 40 states.
“America’s Best High Schools” was conducted by U.S. News and World Report. Schools were rated according to student performance on
state tests, college-level courses offered and academic record of the school’s disadvantaged students.
Sumner offers both the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement curriculum. The Kansas City, Kan., academy educates about
1,000 eighth- through 12th-graders. It frequently appears on Newsweek magazine’s annual ranking of the top 100 high schools nationwide.
KU School of Medicine
Faculty member honored: Marc Asher of Kansas City, Kan., will be named Distinguished Kansan of the Year on Jan. 25 at a banquet in
Topeka.
Asher, an academic physician, was selected by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas, an organization dedicated to preserving
Kansas history and ideals and to honoring outstanding citizens.
Asher graduated from the KU School of Medicine in 1962 and returned to join the faculty in 1972. He was named University Distinguished
Professor in 2003 and recognized for his contributions to orthopedics. Asher retired from active practice in 2002 and now works on projects
in the school’s department of orthopedic surgery and at the medical center and hospital.
Holman Academy
Charter school update: The first charter school in Kansas City, Kan., is on track to open in the fall.
A representative from Maurice R. Holman Academy recently told school board members that the school will begin seeking students in the
spring. Interviews are under way to hire a school principal. The school district and charter board have conducted several “walk-throughs” of
the school, which will be in the former Parker Elementary, to identify improvements that need to be made.
SEND US YOUR GOOD NEWS
Please send your school news to Julie Adam at jadam@kcstar.com or to The Kansas City Star, “School Notebook,” 701 Minnesota Ave.,
Suite 506, Kansas City, KS 66101. Include a phone number for verification.
| Compiled by Su Bacon and Dawn Bormann
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

Star – January 16, 2008
Lansing wrestler nearly wins 152-pound championship
Source: The Star
The Bobcat Classic at Basehor-Linwood was full of action on Saturday. LEFT: Caleb Seaton (left) of Bonner Springs grappled with Michael
Provencher of Rossville. RIGHT: Ryne Cokeley (top) of St. James Academy tangled with Derrick Weller of Piper. Trailing Goddard senior
Brent Fisher 5-1 in the second period of the 152-pound championship match on Saturday at Basehor-Linwood, Flynn
rallied and tied the score at 5 before Fisher scored the winning point on an escape.
It was the first loss of the season for Flynn, who entered the tournament 18-0.
However, Lansing coach Ron Averill said Flynn can take some positives from the loss.
“It shows him that he can come back and compete, regardless of the point deficit,” Averill said. “He got himself right
back into the match.”
Flynn’s performance (plus that of five other wrestlers who finished in the top eight of their weight classes) helped
Lansing score 122 points, good enough for sixth place.
It was the highest finish of any of the participating Wyandotte County schools, and considering the Lions had nine
freshmen on varsity for the tournament, Averill can certainly live with that.
“Win or lose, it’s all a stepping stone to state,” Averill said. “We think we have a lot to look forward to.”
Harmon wrestler second
Harmon senior William Bowles was hardly satisfied with his second-place finish at the Bobcat Classic on Saturday.
Bowles entered the Bobcat, which is generally regarded as one of the toughest tournaments in the area, with a 12-1
record but was pinned in the first period of the 171-pound championship match by Pittsburg senior Tyler Koehn.
Bowles was especially disappointed with the loss because he only lost to Koehn by one point earlier this season.
“I could have done better,” said Bowles, who added that he needed to work on his mental preparation.
However, Harmon coach Josh Gutierrez thinks Bowles and the rest of Harmon’s wrestlers will be better for their
experience at the Bobcat.
“We picked this tournament because we wanted them to get pounded on before state,” said Gutierrez. “That way
they’re used to this type of competition.”
Raider shoots straight
Immaculata boys basketball coach Dan Schmidt lauds senior Derek Kooser’s all-round playmaking abilities and knack
for getting his teammates involved in the offense.
But, then again, on some nights Kooser doesn’t seem to need much help at all.

The 5-9 guard demonstrated that recently when he scored a season-high 31 points in leading Immaculata past Troy
57-46 early last week. Kooser hit six of his seven three-point attempts en route to the big night.
For the season, Kooser is averaging 20.7 points and 5.7 assists per game. And that may not be the last time he
contributes 54 percent of the scoring for Immaculata, which had a 4-3 record as of Tuesday.
“If he’s open, yeah, we want him to shoot,” Schmidt said. “A shooter like that, we want him to shoot the ball. He has
the green light.”
- January 15, 2008 - 15:09 PM

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Group asks state to reject KCK casino proposals
By SAM HARTLE and MATT KELSEY, Kansan Staff Writers
The economically conservative special interest group Americans for Prosperity-Kansas on
Wednesday called for state lottery officials to dismiss three casino applications endorsed
last month by the Unified Government.
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In a release issued Wednesday afternoon, the group says that three of the four approved
proposals in Wyandotte County - Kansas Speedway-Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Pinnacle
Entertainment and Legends Sun - all take advantage of previous public incentive programs.
The Edwardsville Golden Gaming casino was not included in the statement.
Those incentive programs cited in the release, including sales tax revenue bonds, or STAR
bonds, and tax increment financing, or TIF, were prohibited from use when Kansas
legislators last year approved legislation authorizing the state-owned casinos.
The group is not alleging that the casino proposals themselves used TIF or STAR bond
funding; instead, they claim that those casinos benefit from previously-issued public
financing. Specifically, the Hard Rock proposal benefits from public financing given to the
Kansas Speedway; Legends Sun benefits from The Legends at Village West shopping
center; and Pinnacle benefits from the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Water Park.
"Any projects that are associated with these types of funding and financing are not
allowable under the new law," said Alan Cobb, executive director of the Topeka-based
Americans for Prosperity. "These proposals are not valid and we urge the Kansas Lottery
Facility Review Board to reject them. We also urge the Unified Government of Wyandotte
County to reevaluate these proposals in light of their clear violation of the criteria set out
by law."
Unified Government spokesman Mike Taylor said Cobb’s claims had no merit.
“AFP’s claim is inaccurate and off-base,” Taylor said Wednesday when asked for comment
on the issue. “We’re confident the proposals we sent to the Kansas Lottery Commission are
strong proposals and are proposals that do not use tax incentives.”
Dave Claflin, a spokesperson for RED Development, which is a managing partner for
Legends Sun, agreed with Taylor.
“The Legends Sun proposal does not utilize TIF or STAR bond financing, nor is it on land
purchased by such a tax benefit,” Claflin said. Claflin withheld further comment until RED
could further examine AFP’s assertions.
“We’re not opposing the casinos in and of themselves,” Cobb told the Kansan. “But (the
regulations) clearly lay out what was supposed to happen.”
Cobb said his group has always had a stance against public financing options.
“We’ve been looking at STAR bonds for a while, because it gets into the area of corporate
welfare,” Cobb said.
Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger said what the Kansas Speedway - which benefited
from STAR bonds - brings to the community is hardly reflective of corporate welfare, noting
that the Speedway’s bonds have long been fully repaid.

“There’s no public financing involved in this (casino) project, and we think this is a moot
point,” Boerger said Wednesday. “That group’s name includes the word ‘prosperity,’ But
prosperity is what we would bring to Wyandotte County, by bringing in more wealth, more
jobs and more tourism to the county.”
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Posted on Wed, Jan. 16, 2008
Kansas City losing SkillsUSA convention to Louisville,
Kentucky
Thursday, Jan 17, 2
By RICK ALM
The Kansas City Star
Kansas City has lost another convention. This time it’s the big one.
Virginia-based SkillsUSA announced Wednesday that its annual National Leadership and Skills Conference for
high school and secondary students would move to Louisville, Ky., for 2015 through 2020.
“SkillsUSA loves Kansas City. We’ll be here for seven more years, and we’d love to come back,” said Tim
Lawrence, SkillsUSA executive director, who traveled here Wednesday to deliver the bad news to the Kansas City
Convention and Visitors Association.
“The sole reason is space,” said SkillsUSA spokesman Tom Holdsworth.
He said the organization had outgrown Kansas City. The group’s need for increased meeting space and hotel
rooms every year is outstripping the city’s capacity to keep up.
The event first met here in 1994 and annually ranks as the city’s largest convention. Last year the event resulted
in $14.8 million in spending by conventioneers, who filled more than 25,000 hotel room nights.
Association President Rick Hughes was stoic Wednesday after meeting with Lawrence.
“It’s kind of a tough week for us,” he said. “This decision came down to bricks and mortar … adequate footage.
“I’m just surprised that they are willing to compromise with us over the next seven years.”
Hughes said SkillsUSA’s move out of Kansas City should force the twin issues of a new downtown hotel and
another Bartle Hall expansion to the front burner at City Hall.
“You can’t build for one group,” he said. But he said the Sprint Center, the Kansas City Power & Light District and
other new visitor amenities would start building critical mass.
“Over the next five to six years we’ll see the need for real expansion, and we’ll have the demand to fill it,” he said.
The decision to pull out had nothing to do with the controversy over Kansas City park board member Frances
Semler, whose membership in the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps led La Raza to move its convention and the
head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to threaten a boycott of the city.
Lawrence said his organization wasn’t even aware of the controversy until he arrived in town Wednesday and read
about it in The Kansas City Star.
The association has feared the eventual loss of the SkillsUSA convention. Officials for a couple of months had
called the city’s chances of beating out Louisville “50-50” at best.
SkillsUSA years ago outgrew Bartle Hall and annually books many events at Municipal Auditorium and the
American Royal complex. Some years events have been held outdoors at Barney Allis Plaza.
When the association last year was putting together the city’s final bid package, several officials were critical of
some large hotels in the metro area that had refused to pledge discounted rooms to SkillsUSA during June, when
seasonal demand is starting to peak and hotel operators can charge premium rates to leisure and midweek
business travelers.
The SkillsUSA championships are the nation’s largest showcase for career, technical education and skilled work
force students
“We have an obligation to our members and sponsors to keep it growing,” Lawrence said. “During our time here,
our need for floor space for the championships alone has grown 45 percent.

“By 2014, at our rate of growth we could use more than twice the space we did in 1994 if the space were
available.”
The group by then projects more than 11,000 participants will need 30,000 hotel room nights, preferably no more
than a 30-minute drive from Bartle Hall. Holdsworth said last year’s event filled 24,998 hotel room nights and
required daily rides of 45 minutes for many of the 8,841 registrants.
He also noted that last year’s event comprised 87 contests with 1,200 corporate and labor sponsors, and required
18 acres (792,000 square feet) of floor space.
By 2014, at the current rate of expansion, the group will need 22.4 acres. “That space is neither available now nor
projected to be available in Kansas City in 2014,” Holdsworth said.
Lawrence said the organization expects in 2016 to seek bids for a location in 2021 and beyond, and said Kansas
City would be a welcome bidder.
“Our board wrestled with this decision,” he said. “Kansas City has been our home, and it’s tough to leave home.”
Lawrence said the organization’s local school programs and community service activities would continue.
He noted more than 750 businesses, unions and schools in the area have worked with SkillsUSA over the years.
“We’ll continue to count on them in the years ahead,” Lawrence said.
Often called “the Olympics of everyday life,” students work against the clock and each other and are judged on
their expertise in occupations such as electronics, nursing and the culinary arts.
Industry, trade associations, and labor organizations play major roles in setting test standards.
The competitions are open to the public and free of charge.
SkillsUSA has more than 285,000 student and instructor members at 15,000 school chapters in 54 state and
territorial associations.
By the numbers
1994 First year SkillsUSA met in KC
$14.8 million spent by conventioneers last year
More than 25,000 hotel room nights filled last year
To reach Rick Alm, call 816-234-4785 or send e-mail to ralm@kcstar.com.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

Wyandotte West, January 17, 2008
Instrument repair technicians Forest Stewart (left) and Tom Parle perform a method called "rebounding" on
this brass instrument. The process is used to take dents out of metal. (Submitted photo.)
Instrument repair is their trade, sweet music is their
reward
They specialize in body repairs, tune-ups and overhauls. But you’ll never hear the
roar of engines coming from their shop.
Forest Stewart and Tom Parle are instrument repair technicians in the Kansas City
Kansas Public Schools’ (KCKPS) instrument repair shop, which is located at the
Integrated Arts and Resource Center (IARC). Their job is to repair and restore all district
band and string instruments, which is no small feat. KCKPS is one of the only school
districts in the state that provides instruments to students, according to Jean Ney,
coordinator of fine arts and physical education. She estimates that 99 percent of the
instruments used by KCKPS students in band and orchestra are district provided.
“We are very fortunate that our district has made this commitment to the arts. We
believe our kids deserve those chances to learn and perform and so we provide
instruments for them to use,” Ney said.
But that usage requires maintenance and repair, and that’s where Stewart and Parle come
in. The two work to “keep things running as long as possible” according to Stewart, who
specializes in band instrument repairs. Parle is the strings technician.
Their shop is filled with drum rims, bows, mouthpieces, strings and a wide range of
other instrument pieces. And their tools include an assortment of carpentry and plumbing
tools, and even dental tools. Some tools are ones they have created themselves to meet
specific needs. The centerpiece for their shop is an old bathtub, which is used for
cleaning the instruments, of course.
While their primary goal is to ensure that each instrument is “up to PC” (or in good
playing condition), they spend just as much time making sure that the instruments are
visually appealing.

“We want students to not only have an instrument that works well, but also to have
it be in top shape so they’re proud to use it,” Stewart said, as he worked at rounding out
the bell on a baritone horn. “If you have an instrument that looks bad, you tend not to
care about it as much.”
Paint, varnish and lacquer are commonly used to brighten up instruments, and good
old cleaning solvent can dissolve deposits inside the brass. Stewart and Parle also use a
myriad of tools to smooth out dents and to refinish wood.
While they try to reinforce to students that instruments should either be in their
hands or in their cases, they know that accidents happen, and sometimes instruments
simply get worn from use.
Parle began working for the KCKPS more than five years ago. Previously he
worked for KC Strings in Merriam, where he learned his trade. He has a background in
carpentry and woodworking, which comes into play in his instrument repairs.
Stewart has been with the district for one year, but has been in the instrument repair
business for about 10 years. Previously he taught high school band. He learned his
instrument repair trade at Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical in Red Wing,
Minn. He grew up playing the French horn and bass. When he’s not working at IARC, he
plays the French horn and performs with the legendary singer Ida McBeth.
Getting five or six instruments repaired in a day is not out of the ordinary for both
gentlemen. Each instrument that comes in for work is tagged with the date, and
instruments are repaired or refurbished in order of arrival. But there are some emergency
situations where an instrument takes precedence because of an upcoming concert or
festival. Over the summer months, the two instrument specialists ordinarily take in more
than 700 instruments to repair.
“Our guys invest themselves wholly in an instrument when it comes in for repair,”
Ney said. “And they are able to repair almost anything.”
Their most trying repairs are those that Mom or Dad has tried to fix. Wood glue is a
big frustration. And there’s a story still circulating about a parent who tried to use a blow
torch to remove a mouthpiece. Unfortunately, that instrument was “decommissioned.”
“The basic approach to instrument care is to treat your instrument like a living
thing,” Stewart said.
So how do they ensure that the instruments are in good playing condition Why, by
playing them of course. Stewart and Parle are skilled at playing every instrument they
repair, and then some.
“It’s like fixing a car,” Stewart said. “You have to test drive a car after you fix it.
And it’s the same for instruments.”

Wyandotte West, January 17, 2008
Local libraries host art exhibits
The Kansas City Kansas Public Library has announced these art exhibits for the month of
January.
West Wyandotte Library: “Places, People and Things,” photographs by Audrey Pike and
“Loving Our Community through the Camera Lens,” Bethel Neighborhood CenterYouth Photo
Project, will be on display Jan. 4-30 at the West Wyandotte Library.
Mrs. Pike has loved photography since she was a young girl. She has traveled throughout the
United States and Europe and will show her award-winning photographs from her travels as well
as from the Kansas City area. There will be a reception for Audrey Pike from 1 to 3p.m.,
Saturday, Jan. 19, at the West Wyandotte Library.
The youth of the Bethel Neighborhood Center photographed each other as they
participated in serving the community. These photographs will be on display.
The West Wyandotte Library is located at 1737 N. 82nd St. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 9
p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public.
Main Library: “Beauty and the World Around Us,” works by Christine Rupert, will be on
display through Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Main Library. Ms. Rupert will show some of her
landscape and floral paintings and drawings. Jan. 12 through Feb. 13, “Out of the Blue,” artwork
by Vickie Boggs, will be on display. Ms. Boggs is a member of Platte County Arts and has been
an art teacher in local school districts.
The Main Library is located at 625 Minnesota Ave. Library hours are 8:30 a.m. to 8:30
p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The exhibits are free and open to the public.
Argentine Library: “The Rainbow Collection,” artwork by the S.I.D.E. Inc. Artists’
Coalition, will be on display through Jan. 15 at the Argentine Library. Socialization,
Interdependence, Development and Empowerment (S.I.D.E.) Inc., is a mutual peer Support
organization for individuals with mental illness. Their mission is to offer leadership, education,
training, and research opportunities to their members. Jan. 17 through March 18, artwork by
Darla Todd will be on display.
The Argentine Library is located at 2800 Metropolitan Ave. Library hours are 8:30 a.m. to
8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on
Sunday. The exhibits are free and open to the public.
Schlagle Library: Photographs by Ives Images will be on display through February 15,
2008 at the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library. The Schlagle Library is located at 4051 West
Drive, Wyandotte County Lake Park. Library hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
and the third Saturday of the month. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Know Your Camera: Grow Your Photo-Taking Pleasure
Saturdays, January 5 & 19, 10:00am
West Wyandotte Library
Want to take better pictures with your digital camera Join local photographer Phil Noah
as he teaches you how to use your digital camera through hands-on experience. He will also talk
about photo editing software and offer helpful "how to's" when using it. This is a 2-part class and

you must attend both sessions. Class size is limited to 20, so don’t wait to sign up! Call 913 596-
5800 to register.
Photographer Phil Noah is a native Wyandotte County resident who enjoys the results
provided by digital photography. Capturing the many moods of the landscape of Wyandotte
County Lake is probably one of his most satisfying accomplishments. Phil’s photo images have
been selected for use by the KCK Chamber, Kansas City, Kansas/Wyandotte County Convention
and Visitor’s Bureau for the promoting of Wyandotte County and most recently by the
LEGENDS of Village West.
Silas Goodrich of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Thursday, January 17, 7:00pm
West Wyandotte Library
Rolland Love will present a monologue about Silas Goodrich, the character he portrayed
with the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery on the Missouri River. He will also talk about how
the Missouri River has changed during the past 200 years since the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Mr. Love, an award winning author, will also discuss how to write and market novels and short
stories.

Wyandotte West, January 17, 2008
Schlagle Chamber Choir wins national competition
by Joe Keefhaver
The students were just completely ecstatic,” said Darryl Ammons, director of Choral
Activities, F.L. Schlagle High School Chamber Choir. He received the call Friday that
their choir had won the $10,000 grand prize for the “First Sunday Gospel Challenge”
competition for high school chamber choirs throughout the nation.
In order to market the newly released movie, “First Sunday,” starring Ice Cube, Katt
Williams, and Tracy Morgan released on Friday, Columbia TriStar Marketing Group Inc.
sponsored the challenge.
This contest consisted of two phases: a local competition against other high schools,
and, if successful, their videotaped performance would be placed on the movie’s website
for voting. The winning choir for the national competition would receive $10,000 for
their school.
“We were given the choice between three different musical selections,” Ammons
said. “From this, we would be judged on originality, appearance, execution and
performance.”
Of the three songs available to choose, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “O, Holy Night,”
and “Joy to the World,” the choir chose to sing “Joy to the World” in English and
Japanese.
“There was no doubt in my mind that we had won the local competition held at Penn
Valley,” Ammons said. “Our performance was a traditional format, but with an original
twist.”
However, Phase II of the contest was much more challenging. Thirteen choir groups
from across the nation were competing, including large cities such as Dallas, Chicago,
Miami and Philadelphia. Voting online was possible from Jan. 4 through 10. Students,
staff and families diligently worked to notify community members to go online and vote.
“It is so gratifying to know that the community was so supportive of our efforts,”
Ammons said. “We truly couldn’t have done this without them.”
Ammons was notified that their choir had won the grand prize while teaching the
Chamber Choir class.
“All the students eyes were on me when I took the call, and you could hear a pin
drop,” Ammons said. “Once I gave them the thumbs up, they went ballistic, hugging and
screaming. There has never been that much noise in my room before, and three teachers
came running in.”
“I am extremely excited for the school and for my daughter,” said Clarence Small,
father of senior Stephanie Washington. “This is wonderful kudos for the kids and our
community.”
In the school’s press release, Ammons said he and the choir want to give back to the
community who supported them and the arts and education in Wyandotte County. They
are donating the $10,000 grand prize to the KCK School Foundation for Excellence
whose mission is to advance learning opportunities for staff and students by providing
grants, scholarships and enrichment activities for KCK Public Schools.

“I am blessed to be part of a district that is so supportive of the arts. Students learn
so many valuable life skills through music and the arts, like time management,
performing, interpersonal communications skills and the tenacity to weather any
situation,” Ammons said. “When students in KCK are given the chance, they come
through and they certainly showed that through this competition.”
To see the F.L. Schlagle High School Chamber Choir’s videotape that won the
“First Sunday Gospel Challenge,” go to http://www.blackvoices.com/firstsunday.

Wyandotte West, January 17, 2008
High School Basketball
Second-half spurt secures a league win for Schlagle
Stallions to play in top-flight tournament
by Donovan Corrigan
In a game of spurts, Schlagle rode the wave of a 35-10 run in the second half in
earning a 57-52 come-from-behind victory over Washington in a key Kansas City,
Kansas, League game last weekend at Schlagle.
Washington played well in the first half, including an 18-7 edge in the second
quarter to enter the locker room at halftime with a 27-16 lead. The Wildcats added to
their lead before Schlagle scorched the nets in the second half.
“I thought we played really well in the second half after we struggled to score in the
first half,” Schlagle coach Dave Gonzales said. “We went on a 35-10 run during the
middle of the third (quarter) and early part of the fourth quarter.”
Schlagle turned to its athletic and aggressive defense to jumpstart its transition
game on offense.
“We picked up our defensive intensity and started driving to the basket instead of
settling for jump shots,” Gonzales said. “We did a nice job of hitting the defensive boards
and then getting out and running our offense in transition.”
Eric Kellogg had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Kellogg added
four assists and two steals. Rozell Nunn was solid with 13 points, nine rebounds and
three blocked shots. Bruce Brooks chipped in 11 points, four rebounds and three steals.
Senior Tyrone Wallace finished with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and four
blocks.
Schlagle has four players averaging at least nine points per game this season.
Wallace leads the way with 16 points a game. Wallace averages eight rebounds and three
blocks. Kellogg averages 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists a game. Nunn and
Brooks average nine points a game, while LaDarius Frazier averages five points and three
assists.
“It was nice to see four guys get in double figures for us,” Gonzales said.
“Washington played a box –and-one defense on us trying to take away (Tyrone) Wallace
and that’s when the other guys stepped up and contributed the most for us. I think we can
really be successful this year if we continue to get balanced scoring out of our line-up.”
The KCKL win evened Schlagle’s league record to 1-1. The Stallions are 3-3
overall heading into the talent-rich Valley Center Tournament this weekend. The
Stallions open the tourney against Junction City tonight.
“This tournament has mostly (Class) 6A schools in it like Wichita Southeast, the
No. 1 in the state and 8-0, and it will be a good mid-season test for us. We just want to go
down there and improve as a team and get ready for the rest of league play.”
The Stallions return to KCKL action on Jan. 25 vs. Wyandotte at Schlagle.

Print this story
Free basketball clinic to be held at Arrowhead
By KANSAN STAFF
Arrowhead Middle School will hold a free boys basketball clinic on Jan. 19. Registration
begins at 9:30 a.m. and the clinic begins at 10 a.m. There are 70 spots open for third to
eight grade boys.
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The clinic will be held in the Arrowhead Middle School Gynasium. The clinic will focus on
basketball fundamentals. It will also feature several motivational speakers such as former
University of Missouri Tiger and Los Angeles Laker Clay Johnson, former F.L. Schlagle
Stallions and UMKC Kangaroos star Vinson Smith, former Wyandotte Bulldogs and
Oklahoma State University Cowboys star Victor Williams and former F.L. Schlagle Stallions
and Alabama State Hornets star Malcolm Campbell.
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Print this story
Senator suggests minor changes to NCLB
By NICK SLOAN, Kansan Staff Writer
Although he said his goals
for the federal No Child
Left Behind Act have been
met, U.S. Sen. Sam
Brownback said the bill
could still be improved
before it’s renewed by
congress.
Print Page
When visiting with the
Kansas City Kansan’s
editorial staff on
Wednesday, Brownback
spoke about education
issues facing Wyandotte
County and the state,
ranging from No Child Left
Behind to the Kansas City,
Kan., Public Schools
District’s Laptops for
Learning program.
In addition to his Wednesday interview with
the Kansas City Kansan, U.S. Sen. Sam
Brownback also took time during his visit to
the Kansas City metropolitan area to sign
copies of his book, "From Power to
Purpose," at the Olathe Christian Book and
Gift Store. Kansan photo by SAM HARTLE
“Test scores are up in
Kansas and they’re up
nationwide,” Brownback
said, referring to the
success of No Child Left Behind. “The basic theory behind No Child Left Behind is the
federal government has rarely found a way to change something until it finds a way to
measure it.”
The bill, originally signed into law by 2002, was passed with bipartisan support. But since
then, the bill has also faced criticism from both sides of the aisle.
Brownback said he would keep the basics of the bill, but he also supports legislation -
called “Straight A’s” - that would allow the state to decide how to use federal dollars on
their own, provided they achieve good test scores.
“If you agree to hit your No Child Left Behind targets, we will allow you to take this group
of different federal funding streams and put it anyplace you want,” he said, “as a way of
teaching the states to more individually move the federal money where they want it as
long as they hit the goals. And that seems to be a better way to go with it.”
Additionally, Brownback voiced some concerns over the legislation’s academic targets.
Brownback said he wants to hear from residents and educators in Kansas concerning the
academic goals.
“We may have to look at some of the practicality of what they’re talking about of individual
groups hitting 100 percent of those targets,” he said.
The senator, who said he would not run for reelection in 2010 because of a self-imposed

term limit pledge, said funding should be provided for special needs education.
Brownback said the special needs package called for the federal government to pay for 40
percent of the costs, but so far only 17 percent has been paid.
“A lot of educators tell me, ‘If you just hit your target on that, we’ll just use our money to
do the rest of it.’”
He also gave thumbs-up to the KCK Public Schools District for implementing the Laptops
for Learning program in 2007.
“There’s just so much information that’s available if you’ve got that computer,” he said.
“There’s just a world of information that my generation just didn’t have access to.”
While endorsing the program, Brownback was hesitant to call for federal funding to support
similar programs nationwide.
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Transcript from Brownback-Kansan interview
By KANSAN STAFF
The Kansas City Kansan hosted U.S. Sen Sam Brownback on Wednesday. Here, a complete
transcript from that interview:
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Kansas City Kansan: Thanks so much for visiting with us today.
Wyandotte County, as you know, is much different than any other place in the state, so
when you visit here, what impressions do you take away with you
SAM BROWNBACK: It’s great here. There’s a lot of positive things going on here, with what
all is happening at the (Kansas) Speedway and The Legends. That’s just a fabulous growing
area through there. And then there’s also a lot we need to do to revitalize downtown KCK. I
was working on a Habitat (for Humanity) project right before the Christmas break. We’ve
done a series of those. But there’s great development potential in downtown Kansas City,
Kan., and redevelopment potential. There’s beautiful rolling hills, trees, so both of those
come to mind for me on Kansas City, Kan.
KCK: Obviously the county wants to continue that growth, as well as expand the growth in
the east. But how do they do that, and how can you as a Senator help
SB: We’ve gotten funding for the Cathedral Hill project near Donnelly College for them to
put in sewage and utilities to hold the price of the housing units down. We’ve also done
work with Pastor Sims at Mount Carmel. Generally what we try to do is to buy down the
price of the specials to make the units more affordable. I think there’s a great potential to
redevelop the residential housing in downtown KCK, and we’re happy to help out with it in
any way we can.
KCK: Last year the Unified Government celebrated the 10th anniversary of consolidation.
SB: It’s been a very successful consolidation.
KCK: Can and should that formula be successfully applied elsewhere
SB: You know, I’m not the best one to ask about that because I deal at the federal level.
But consolidations are tough for governments. I was in Manhattan Kansas, and they
consolidated, and it’s worked very well for efficiencies, but a lot of, particularly the smaller
communities, they’re going, “Well, we feel like we’re dealt out of the package politically.”
So there’s a lot of personal feelings about that but I think it’s something that really needs
to be supported in places where it fits for ways to help inefficiencies for government and to
drive the cost of government down for people. Kansas is, I think we’re fifth in the nation for
the number of governmental units that we have, and for a state of our population, we got a
lot of government, and a lot of government units. One way you should get more efficient
with government is having fewer units that hopefully produce more tax dollars per unit,
and these are good ways to go. But a lot of times they’re really tough.
KCK: Last year the Kansas legislature authorized state-owned gaming in four gaming zones
in the state. Do you believe gambling is an ideal way to generate revenue
SB: I’m not a big gambling guy. I wasn’t the first time around on the racetracks, when The
Woodlands came in, and that was supposed to produce a whole bunch of economic yield.
And we built a big track in Pittsburg, Kan. I don’t even know if they ran a full season in

Pittsburg before that one went under, and The Woodlands has had a lot of difficulty, and…
I’m just not a big gambling guy. We fought for years to keep Chief (Leaford) Bearskin (of
the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma) from building a casino in downtown Kansas City, Kan.,
over a graveyard. That’s just not part of the deal. They don’t have a casino over the
graveyard now at least. But I’m not big on that as the way to go. I think you do economic
development the old-fashioned way. You create a good business environment, you create a
good tax environment, and you recruit businesses into the area. I thought KCK and
Wyandotte County did a fabulous job recruiting the NASCAR racetrack. Here was a
legitimate business that you know you could build around. I think those are the things.
We’ve got a great chance to expand the animal health industry. We’ve got a great chance
of building around Stower’s and KU Med Center. And I just think you roll up your sleeves
and you do the blocking and tackling to make that happen.
Having said that, the people have spoken. This is what’s gonna take place, and that’s fine,
I’ve just not been a big fan of gambling being used for economic development.
KCK: What are your thoughts about the No Child Left Behind act, particularly with how it
affects Kansas schools
SB: Test scores are up. That’s the basic positive out of No Child Left Behind. Test scores
are up in Kansas and they’re up nationwide. And they’re up across the board. The basic
theory behind No Child Left Behind is the federal government has rarely found a way to
change something until it finds a way to measure it. And this is something (late Sen. Daniel
Patrick) Moynahan taught me before he left the Senate: America is this vast experiment in
liberty. You cannot micro-manage America and you shouldn’t try. But we weren’t getting
the results out of our education system, K-12, that we need to get. We do great in higher
education, but K-12, we’re not getting the results out of it. That’s where No Child Left
Behind comes in. I think the shortcomings have been the prescriptive nature of it, and I’m
supporting a bill, we call it “Straights A’s,” that would allow the federal government to
negotiate with the states, saying “If you agree to hit your No Child Left Behind targets, we
will allow you to take this group of different federal funding streams and put it anyplace
you want. So you hit the goal, you can move the federal money where you want to. As a
way of teaching the states to more individually move the federal money where they want it
as long as they hit the goals. And that seems to be a better way to go with it.
Educators are complaining a lot that these targets - we’re now getting into the tougher
years. They’ve been able to get them up, but they’re worried in particularly because it’s all
groups, it’s not just an amalgamated group, it’s individual segments of it, and they’re
saying, “We might be able to hit the broad goal, but we can’t hit it in all these various
segments.” But that’s the very point of No CHILD Left Behind, that’s why you break it down
by these segments. We may have to look at some of the practicality of what they’re talking
about of individual groups hitting 100 percent of those targets.
That last point I think is one we really need to look at, but I just really don’t know the
answer to it: Have we set unattainable goals as we move into the program, move into year
7, 8, 9, 10, and I don’t know. That’s what I want to hear from Kansans and educators: can
we hit these goals
KCK: Last year, the KCK Public Schools District approved a measure to provide laptop
computers to every high school student in the district. What do you think of that type of
program, and should the federal government do more to fund such programs
SB: That’s great. Computers are an essential tool in educating. There’s just so much
information that’s available if you’ve got that computer. There’s just a world of information
that my generation just didn’t have access to. And you were dependent on having a really
high quality library, and I grew up in a community where we didn’t have any library. You
still got a good education in school but there was just a whole world of information that you
didn’t have access to unless you went to Kansas City or somewhere else. Now with the
Internet and the computer, you can access incredible data. You can access incredible crap,
too, and get in real trouble. But yeah, it sounds like that would be a good thing to expand.

The federal budget in education dollars, we’re averaging about 7 percent of the education
dollar, and 93 percent of it comes from state and local. That’s why I’m always hesitant
about federal action in this field, because we’re not the ones funding it. It’s state and local,
that’s where the money’s coming from, and that’s where the decisions should be made.
Local officials say, “We don’t make many decisions because you guys tell us what to do.”
And in our education funding, for me one of the top priorities has always been upping our
amount of special needs funding. When we passed the special needs education (plan) at
the federal level we said we’d pay for 40 percent of the cost. Over the years I’ve been in
the Senate, we’ve been upping that number, but we’re only at 17 percent now. So a lot of
educators tell me, “If you just hit your target on that, we’ll just use our money to do the
rest of it.”
KCK: Wyandotte County is uniquely exposed to the sub-prime mortgage crisis. What needs
to be done legislatively to address that issue
SB: First, I think we have to do and need to do an economic stimulus package when we get
back to Congress. I think we have a good shot at getting one through. Part of the reason
for the need for an economic stimulus package is the sub-prime crisis that we have. I
would hope we could do things like bonus depreciation, maybe a tax rebate, lowering tax
rates. And one I’m interested in because it’s a nice, big, quick hit, is reducing tax rates on
repatriated money, and then requiring that money to go out in dividends. We did this a
couple years ago on our corporations that have overseas operations. We said that if you
bring that money back home, it’s essentially a tax holiday, we’ll put it at, I think it was a
five percent rate, but you have to put that money out in dividends. And it put nearly $200
billion a year in the US economy. So I want us to look at that because it’s a big, quick hit,
and we need a hit stimulus now. That’s why people look at tax rebates, because it’s a hit
right now. And we need to lower interest rates. That’s the Fed’s role. Yes, I think the
Congress ought to do something on the sub-prime. I don’t think we ought to change the
bankruptcy code. Some are advocating that, but I don’t think that’s the way to go. I do
think we ought to be modernizing FHA and VA loans so people can get into those that may
be on the bubble on the sub-prime, and get that back in the lower interest rates. I’ve
supported that, and I think we’ll be able to get that through this next year. And, I do think
it would be appropriate do legislation on predatory lending practices. I’m very pleased the
Bush administration is pushing big, nationwide groups that securitize a bunch of the
mortgages that work with individuals to extend the rates. One of the key things we really
need to do is to not get a bunch of distressed housing on the market at the same time. If
Kansas City, Kan., or any community gets a bunch of houses on the market at distressed
prices at one time, it drops everybody’s home values, and a lot more people were in
trouble who weren’t sub-prime in the first place, but now they are, because the value of
their home has dropped. And I’ve been through one of these before in the farm crisis in the
‘80s, and the key thing the government can do is to have it play out over a longer period of
time, because if the market can absorb housing at a certain rate over five years, you can
take the same number of houses that you’re going to dump in two years and not have a
problem, but if you do it in two you kill the market. And we’ve done that before, and that’s
what I want to see us avoid, kind of have this thing spread out further on us.
KCK: President Bush last year signed the Energy Independence and Security Act. What are
you feelings about the bill, and do you think it’s a good start on making the United States
more energy independent
SB: I supported the bill, think it was a good bill, and I think it is a good start. It’s not
anywhere near the distance we’ve gotta go. And I look at it as energy security. I want to
get us in a position that if (Iran President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad or (Venezuela President
Hugo) Chavez decide they want to try to cripple the U.S. economy, they can’t do it. But
right now, we’re in a position of vulnerability where they possibly could do it. Now when I
say that, they would have to hurt themselves, too, but they don’t act rationally. So we just
have to get in a position where we’re a lot better off. But I think we’re going to have to do
a lot more development domestically, and we have to do a lot more in biofuels, I think
we’re going to have to engage nuclear again, I think on coal we’re going to have to
continue to use coal but reduce its CO2 footprint. For the near term, you cannot figure how
you’re going to power America without coal.

I’m for plug-in cars. You have a plug in bus here in Kansas City that I helped get funding
for. I’m for hydrogen. We just announced the first-in-the-world hydrogen fuel cell
locomotive, it’s going to be made in Topeka. Fabulous stuff. But it’s not commercially viable
right now, and it’s going to take time to do that.
KCK: Let’s turn our focus now to the presidential campaign. Last May, we interviewed
Senator Pat Roberts, and he had this to say about your presidential bid: “Sam’s campaign,
as I understand it, is to bring moral clarity to America. That is an immense challenge, but
that is what he believes in.” First, do you agree with Senator Roberts’ assessment of your
campaign, and if so, do you think during your time in the race that you achieved at least
some portion of that goal
SB: That was part of what the campaign was about. Certainly. I would talk a lot about
rebuilding the family, renewing the culture, reviving the economy, those were the three R’s
that I hit. I don’t think you can run strictly as a social conservative; you have to build out
to the full coalition. It’s social, it’s economic conservatives, it’s pro-growth people, it’s fiscal
conservatives, and security conservatives. And that’s the Reagan Coalition. What I wanted
to do was to start with the social conservatives and build out, like Mike Huckabee is
successfully doing. We weren’t able to make it successfully work. But you know, I think we
did have some impact in moving those topics forward in the debate. It wasn’t as much as I
would have liked, but I think it was there. One of the things we tried to introduce in the
campaign, and that’s as good a place as any, was about being “pro-life” and “whole life,”
that every life is sacred at every stage and in every place. That’s the child in the womb,
which people know that as the pro-life movement. But it’s also the child in Darfur. And it’s
the person in poverty and the person in prison. Each of these are sacred. Now what is it
you’re doing to try and help them improve their lot or to save them And I think that’s a
much more consistent, holistic philosophy, and I think it’s one you can grow the party
around, but it’s one we weren’t able to get fully developed.
KCK: You mentioned Mike Huckabee. In this campaign, as you know, all you need is a
lucky break at some point, and some would say that’s what helped catapult Huckabee from
an underdog to a front-runner. Seeing Huckabee’s success now, does it make you have any
regrets for getting out of the race when you did
SB: We were out of money. These other candidates are asking their staffs not to be paid.
We invented that this cycle. We were doing that before anybody else was doing it, because
we just ran out of money.
Mike and I were fishing out of the same pond. Our model was the same. I just thought he
would have trouble building out to economic conservatives, because he’s not a fiscal or
economic conservative, so you can’t build the coalition out, and if you don’t go with them,
then where do you build the rest of the Reagan Coalition If you’re going to throw away
economic conservatives and fiscal conservatives, what do you replace them with Because
we don’t have any room to spare. We don’t have any extra votes around here. I just
thought Mike was going to have trouble building out. But he’s a gifted orator; I think he’s
the best on either side as an orator, and he’s a quick-witted guy, and that’s been
something he’s been able to use to bounce himself up.
KCK: After you left the race, you endorsed John McCain for president. How do you think his
campaign is going, and why should Kansas residents vote for him
SB: I think his campaign’s going well, even with (Tuesday night’s Michigan primary, a
victory for Mitt Romney). There were some hopes that they were going to be able to win in
Michigan, but you’re going against Governor Romney in his home state, and - I don’t think
people recognize this -not just the locale but the topic favored him. The economy came up.
And Romney, of everybody on our side, is the most credible pro-growth guy. Huckabee’s
the most credible social conservative on our side. McCain’s the most credible security hawk
on our side and most credible fiscal conservative on our side. But I wouldn’t say that Mike
Huckabee is a fiscal conservative. And I wouldn’t call Romney a social conservative. He’s
claiming that now, but he wasn’t before, and that’s the record. So then you’re left with

different people who kind of have pieces of it. I’m sitting there going, “Look, I’ve done all
of these.” But we couldn’t get traction on it. I endorsed McCain for a number of reasons,
but right at the top of it is this: There are two things primarily that a president is solely
responsible for. He is solely responsible for foreign policy and to be the commander in
chief. Economic stimulus, he or she has to work with the Congress to get tax cuts. Fiscal
restraint, you have to work with the Congress because they’re the ones who pass the check
book. There’s a whole series of things where you share that responsibility. But these two
things, the president does. And John McCain will have the most military experience of
anybody since Eisenhower as president if he’s elected. And he’s the only one in the field,
now that on the Democratic side (Joe) Biden’s out, and I’m out, who has foreign policy
experience. It makes a big difference whether this guy or lady has to learn it on the job or
whether they know it going in.
Plus, McCain is acceptable on the social issues. He’s got a 24-year pro-life voting record,
supported the marriage amendment in Arizona; I wish he’d supported the federal one, but
he supported the one at the state. He supports marriage as a union of a man and a
woman. He’s a hard-rock fiscal conservative. And - and this is the biggest one - he
matches up the best against either Hillary or Obama in the key battleground states in the
fall. It’s not a nationwide race, it’s a state race, and he matches up the best in Florida and
Ohio and Missouri. Those are three key battleground states.
KCK: How do you feel the media represented your campaign, in Iowa and across the
country
SB: I thought we did fine in the Iowa media. As a matter of fact, I thought we did very well
in the Iowa media. We were able to get out the message of social and economic
conservatism. Nationwide, we couldn’t ever really get out of the box of being kind of an
also-ran, so we never got the coverage of the top three.
The real thing that broke against us was the Ames, Iowa, Straw Poll. We got third at it,
which is normally seen as very good, and a qualifier. But Mike Huckabee got second. And
really, kind of from that point on forward, we started to drift and he started to gain. And as
he was gaining with values voters, things took off for him. Plus, he had a lot of great quips
at the debates. His one-liners were great. Not many people actually watch the debates, but
they’ll hear the spin afterwards, and the one-liners make it out, and he was able to score
with those. He was operating with less money than we were.
KCK: Can a senator still be elected president Why does it seem that voters these days
gravitate more to governors when they pick their presidents
SB: I’ve wondered that myself, because a governor, by nature, doesn’t get the foreign
policy exposure. But I think it’s just that people are looking for somebody that’s run a level
of government rather than just been voting in the system. There’s another thing, too. You
know, I gotta cast votes. You can’t dodge some of them. So the immigration bill comes up.
It would have been very helpful for me if we had not had to debate immigration last year.
Because that hurts a lot. I need to be there and vote. And I missed some votes. Everybody
that’s running for president missed votes. Governors don’t vote. Many times they remain
above the fray. Part of legislating is just how you compromise to move something forward.
Well, people don’t like compromise; they want you to stand for something. And I do. But to
get a bill on through, it’s necessary. I voted for an appropriations bill that was two-and-ahalf
feet thick. And I set a standard: I would not vote for a bill that weighed more than my
youngest daughter. There’s a little inflation factor there. People look at it and say, “That’s a
beast! Did you know this was in it Did you know this is what you voted for” Well, yes, I
knew what was in it, but there’s a bunch of things in it that I thought were really
important, too.
Now, Senator McCain has done a nice job of carving out an image in spite of this sort of
thing over many years. And (Barack) Obama hasn’t engaged much in the Senate. He hasn’t
left many fingerprints. Same really for Senator Clinton, there’s not much that either of
them have done in the Senate. They’re fine people, but they’ve just not engaged much.

KCK: What are the positive things you’ll take away from your presidential campaign
SB: Most of it was very positive. You’re hearing problems; it was a fabulous experience. I
grew as a person, I think I grew as a legislator, and my family grew together. I thought the
biggest thing was that it would really hurt my family because of the time I was going to
have to be on the campaign trail. But it actually grew us as a family together. I also have a
better appreciation for America. Michigan is different from New Hampshire is different from
Kansas is different from South Carolina is different from Iowa. It was a fabulous
experience, and I hope I contributed some.
KCK: Is it something you’d want to do again
SB: I took a term-limits pledge when I first ran in 1996. I don’t know what’s in the future.
Right now I’m honoring the pledge that I took. I love serving in the Senate; I love serving
the people of Kansas. But I took a pledge that this is what I’d do, and I’m going honor that.
KCK: Any plans to run for Governor of Kansas in 2010
SB: Right now what I’m doing is helping John McCain in the presidential race, and I’ve
been a political tourist in Michigan and Iowa, and I may hit some other places helping him
out. So I’m focused on that and what we can do this legislative session. But I will look at
the governor’s race. But that’s three years out.
KCK: These campaigns are getting so long now.
KCK: And you’re getting to the point where the next race starts far before the current race
ends.
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What would it take to close the achievement gap
By JILL SHACKELFORD, KCKPS Superintendent
Earlier this week, I was reading a report from the Panasonic Foundation, which began with
the following statement:
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“It is a disturbing truth that race and class are highly predictive of student achievement in
our schools. It is almost as though the literal chains that restrained African slaves have
been transformed into figurative chains that form an iron-clad connection between
children’s social and economic circumstances and their prospects for success in school and
life.”
The author continued: “The links can and will be broken. It’s a matter of will, moral
courage, strategic acumen, applied knowledge, and persistent work at every level of the
system . . . To blame inequality of educational outcomes on the race and class of children
and their families is to ignore extensive and ever-growing data revealing that, on the
whole, public education is hardwired— consciously or not—to perpetuate the inequalities
that children are born into.”
Wow!
I don’t know if I’ve ever heard it so clearly stated: Rather than being the great “equalizer”
that many of us imagine education to be, schools actually perpetuate the unequal
circumstances into which children are born. Or, if we turn it around and say it in a positive
way, public schools could be the vehicle by which we break the cycle of poverty and
hopelessness into which so many children, particularly children of color, are born.
If this is true (and I believe it is,) then we must ask ourselves: “What would we need to
change, in order to create schools where you couldn’t predict a child’s academic
achievement by the color of their skin, the family’s income, the language the family speaks
in the home, or how much education the parent had” In other words: “What would it take
to close the achievement gap”
Well, if I knew all the answers, I would write a book. But there are some things I do know:
To close the achievement gap, we would have to decide that we had both the power and
the responsibility to close the gap. Until we are willing to confront the idea that “public
schools are hardwired to perpetuate inequality,” nothing will change. This is difficult to
comprehend, especially for educators. None of us would be in this job if we didn’t believe
we could make a difference, particularly for the children who need us most. None of us
wants to believe that our actions, no matter how well intentioned, might actually
perpetuate, rather than eliminate inequality.
We would have to find a way to talk together without blame, but with each of us willing to
shoulder our share of the responsibility to change how we do business. To close the
achievement gap, it will take the entire community working shoulder to shoulder, over a
long period of time. Our hands will be full with the work we have to do, and no one will
have either the time, the energy, or even a free hand with which to point fingers.
We would have to figure out how to talk in this community about race. As a society, we
have fallen into what is essentially a collective silence about the issue of race, and its
ongoing impact upon our communities. More ominously, we have left it to people of color to
raise the issue, and frequently expressed annoyance when they do. The impact of race

upon achievement is something we all would need to be willing to explore. My colleague
Addye Hawkins is leading a group of district staff in “courageous conversations” about race.
These conversations need to be continued, and expanded.
Finally, we would have to believe that there is strength in diversity, and that equality of
opportunity is something that benefits the entire community. We would have to believe
that more opportunities will come to a community where all students are achieving at high
levels, and that, rather than fighting over a piece of the pie, we could actually expand the
size of the pie.
I have heard it said that equality of educational opportunity is the civil rights struggle of
the 21st Century. During a week when we pause to celebrate the life and work of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., I can think of no better tribute, than to work to make sure that our
education system serves all children well, regardless of race, gender, language of origin or
family income.
Is anyone else willing to dream with me
Dr. Jill Shackelford is the superintendent of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools District.
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Posted on Thu, Jan. 17, 2008
Dinner honors black achievers
By SARA SHEPHERD
The Kansas City Star
A doctor, a book editor and an international businessman — those are among things this year’s Black Achievers Scholarship
recipients hope to become.
The six winners, all college-bound seniors at area high schools, were honored Thursday at the 33rd Annual Black Achievers
Recognition Dinner, organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City.
Scholarship recipients are William Bowles, a student at J.C. Harmon; Brittany Harden, Oak Park; Vincent and Victor Howze,
Raymore-Peculiar; Brityni Saxton, Raytown; and Nadvish Whitely, Shawnee Mission East.
In addition to making good grades, the students keep busy with volunteer organizations, school groups and athletics.
Bowles, for one, has always had big plans.
“Last year I wanted to be a lawyer,” he said. “The year before I wanted to go into the Navy SEALs.”
Being color-blind quashed the Navy SEALs plan, Bowles said. His focus is now on the University of Central Missouri, where he
plans to wrestle and study business, with an eye to international affairs.
Vincent and Victor Howze participate in many of the same things now, including track and their school’s robotics team.
Next year the twins expect to split up, with Vincent considering a major in accounting at Emporia State University (he loves math
and solving problems) and Victor looking at the architecture program at Prairie View A&M University in Texas (he’s passionate
about “anything with design and drawing”).
Numerous high school and college students receiving SCLC Mentorship and Scholarship awards also were honored at the dinner.
Several high-achieving adults received recognition.
Gwendolyn Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, received the Community Service Award. The
President’s Award went to LaDora Lattimore, executive director of Friends of Yates Inc.
Professionals inducted into the Black Achievers Society were Bonnie Barclay, Marshaun Butler, Shirley Cooper, Donna
Crosswhite, Kevin Cullen, Jairo de Jesus, Andrea Hendricks, Luvenia Huskey, William Johnson, Yolanda Marlow, Carlton May,
Callie Merritt, Carles Miller, C. Pete Peoples, Derrick Robinson and Patricia Thomas.
To reach Sara Shepherd, call 816-234-4366 or send e-mail to sshepherd@kcstar.com.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com
Friday, Jan 18, 2

Back to web version
Posted on Mon, Jan. 21, 2008
Jill Shackelford, Kansas City, Kan.: Breaking through barriers
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2
Jill Shackelford, Kansas City, Kan., School District superintendent.
Her challenge: Prepare low-income students to be first in their families to enter college.
Her focus: Align high school curriculums with the ACT exam; offer courses that double as college credits.
On preparing students for education beyond high school: “The world that our students are inheriting is moving so quickly that
change will be the only constant. The ability to learn, in formal and informal settings, will be what allows them to survive, and to
compete. One of our goals is to have all students exit 12th grade ready for college.”
On helping students with college admissions: “All of our high schools are broken into small learning communities. Each
community has a college and career coordinator who works with students on making sure they have the academic preparation
necessary to be successful in college, and that they take and score well on the ACT test. They also work with students on
completing the college application process, submitting financial aid forms and applying for scholarships.”
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

Back to web version
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2
Posted on Mon, Jan. 21, 2008
Life beyond high school
High schools must do more than prepare students to enroll in college. They must groom them to succeed once they get there.
As The Star notes in an editorial today, schools don’t perform that task equally. Some offer courses rigorous enough for students
to earn college credits. Others graduate students so unprepared they must take remedial courses once they get to campus.
The push to enroll all students in college or some sort of job training is changing high schools.
More is expected of students, teachers and counselors. The days of coasting through senior year are over. The high school
diploma is no longer an end goal, but a ticket to the next step.
Some schools and districts are meeting the changing demands better than others. And they are challenged in different ways.
Districts that serve low-income families face the initial test of raising achievement among students whose families may not have
been able to help them learn basic skills. Schools that serve more prosperous families must find ways to serve very ambitious
students while raising the expectations of teenagers who approach school without much motivation or confidence.
All of them must constantly update curriculums to meet the expectations of colleges, employers and state assessment tests.
The five school district leaders featured talked about what their schools are doing to prepare students for a future requiring
increasingly sophisticated knowledge and skills.
Highlights of the interviews are summarized here.
Next week, The Star will print excerpts from interviews with leaders of universities and colleges.
Profiles of five students from the school districts featured here were printed Jan. 13. The stories and videotaped interviews with
the students can be found at www.kansascity.com/opinion, in a special report, Paths to College.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

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Posted on Sun, Jan. 20, 2008
Proposal aims to draw new residents to KCK, help more
students go to college
Monday, Jan 21, 2
By MARK WIEBE and DAWN BORMANN
The Kansas City Star
What if your child could receive a four-year, $16,000 college scholarship simply by living in Kansas City, Kan.
At a time of skyrocketing tuition, would it entice you to move there
A Wyandotte County Unified Government commissioner thinks it could. Inspired by a program adopted in
Kalamazoo, Mich., Pat Huggins Pettey is preparing a ¼-cent sales-tax initiative that would generate revenue to
help pay for a scholarship program called the Dotte Promise. (“Dotte” is the moniker Wyandotte County residents
have proudly given themselves.)
Pettey, a retired Turner School District teacher, said she thought the program could address two challenges her
urban community faces: helping more students go to college and attracting new residents.
To be eligible, students must live in Kansas City, Kan., and have graduated from an accredited high school in the
city. They would get a maximum of $4,000 a year for four years to be used for tuition and mandatory fees. The
scholarship amount would be based on when the student entered Kansas City, Kan., schools.
The program, Pettey contended, could build on the economic successes the city has recently seen with Kansas
Speedway and the Village West entertainment district.
“You can’t just depend on the speedway or Schlitterbahn (Vacation Village),” Pettey said. “If you don’t have the
work force to fill the jobs, then all that’s doing is providing a place for other people to come and enjoy and spend
their money.”
Pettey hopes the program could convince more families to call Kansas City, Kan., home. Wyandotte County’s
recent economic successes have slowed a population exodus that dates to the 1970s. Despite an explosion of
development, the county is still losing residents, according to 2006 Census estimates.
Pettey wants to generate enough interest to get the issue on the ballot by June. To do that would require approval
from the Unified Board of Commissioners. The measure would require a simple majority for approval.
If voters approve, the Dotte Promise would become the first such initiative in the metropolitan area — one that the
president and chief executive officer of the Kansas City Area Development Council thinks could address a
pressing need in the community.
“A lot of people are talking about the coming shortage of educated workers as the baby boomers retire. But not a
lot of municipalities are stepping up to make a difference,” Bob Marcusse said. “They ought to be lauded for their
innovative thinking.”
Although Pettey proposes the sales tax as the key funding mechanism, she would be open to other ways of
financing.
Unified Government Mayor Joe Reardon said his office was impressed with the scholarship concept and has been
studying it for about a year.
“I think it has great policy merit for a community like ours,” he said. “To focus on reinvesting in our children is a
communitywide interest. I intend to pursue that.”
Kalamazoo Promise
Kalamazoo is not relying on public funds for a similar initiative it implemented in 2005. Dubbed “The Kalamazoo
Promise,” the program is being financed by an anonymous donor whose primary objective is to use the
scholarships as an economic-development tool.
Although the Promise has attracted wide interest, with Kalamazoo fielding inquiries from dozens of communities, it

has yet to be widely copied. So far, only a handful of communities have pursued it.
Since the program began, the Kalamazoo district’s student population has increased nearly 1,000, stemming
decades of declining enrollment. The number of students eligible for the scholarship has increased 15 percent.
But just as important, said Mayor Bobby Hopewell, the program has given the community an incentive to focus
more attention on educating youth.
“What this great gift has done is help others think differently about how we invest in children,” Hopewell said.
Michael Rice, school superintendent, said the program has given students greater incentive to finish high school
— the number of students graduating is up about 10 percent.
“That said, we continue to experience challenges,” Rice said. “We’re an urban district with the same challenges
that urban districts have.”
A new motivator
Kansas City, Kan., School District Superintendent Jill Shackelford and Turner district Superintendent Bobby Allen
said they were intrigued, although the idea didn’t originate within school districts and there were still several
unanswered questions.
“Something like this just opens the door for more of our kids,” Shackelford said.
The program could motivate students in an entirely new way and be the extra incentive some parents need to get
more involved in their children’s education, Allen said.
The initiative also would demand that districts prepare children for the rigors of college to ensure that the Promise,
Shackelford said, “is a real promise and we’re not just setting them up for failure.”
Shackelford said the Dotte Promise might not have worked as well in her district before it overhauled its collegereadiness
programs.
The district has been lauded by national education groups for remarkable gains in student achievement and
assessment scores. But its ACT scores are well below the state average.
Shackelford launched a major initiative to get youths “college ready” and asked district staff to adopt new
expectations from students. The district refined its curriculum and invited students to study for the ACT after
school and on Saturday. Last year, it launched a laptop-lending program.
Many novel scholarship opportunities exist in the area, including some loosely based on address.
Aside from residency and graduation requirements, the Dotte Promise comes with few strings attached. Students
are eligible regardless of financial need.
Counting the cost
Word of the program has yet to reach many parents and community members, although at least 3,500 households
were asked for their opinions about it and several other city issues in a survey mailed last week by the Unified
Government. Some who heard details were encouraged by what it could mean to the community.
“Personally, I would support it, of course. I believe most people would, too,” said Judi Tucci, a grandparent who
serves as president of the district’s council of the Parent Teacher Association.
Still, Tucci said it was hard to say how other voters might feel about a new sales tax.
If the Dotte Promise sales tax is approved, it is estimated it would cost a family of four earning $30,000 to $40,000
about $33 a year.
Voters, however, may face one unresolved issue: After three years, the sales tax alone won’t be enough to
finance the program. Currently, about 35 percent of the city’s students go on to college, according to a Unified
Government estimate. If the program is adopted, that figure could rise to 55 percent, which could contribute to a
$4.4 million funding gap after 10 years.
To address the shortage, Pettey said the tax revenue could be used to leverage money from a private foundation
or some other source. But that source hasn’t materialized yet.
Kelly Kultala, executive director of the Community Foundation of Wyandotte County, said her board was interested
in the program, so much so that the organization recently co-hosted a luncheon for groups to learn more about it.
She said the Community Foundation could not by itself fill the gap, but would look to other sources for help.

“It’s innovative,” she said of the Dotte Promise. “It’s something that’s not available anywhere else in the metro
area.”
Marcusse conceded that some might argue the sales-tax revenue should go toward physical infrastructure,
especially in a community with aging roads, sewers and bridges. But the benefits from a program like the Dotte
Promise would affect “a different kind of infrastructure.
“It’s human capital,” he said. “But it’s as critical, or more critical, to the future of the community as physical
infrastructure.”
DOTTE PROMISE
The Dotte Promise is a 1/4-cent sales tax that would fund college scholarships for students in Kansas City, Kan.
Here’s how it’s projected to work:
•Students must live in Kansas City, Kan., and have graduated from an accredited high school in Kansas City, Kan.
As of now, the schools would include Turner, Piper, Bishop Ward and any Kansas City, Kan., district high school.
•Students could receive a maximum of $4,000 a year for four years. The money, which would be distributed
directly to the school for tuition and mandatory fees, would have to be used within the four years after graduation.
The only exception would be for military service.
•College students would be required to maintain a C average and carry 12 credit hours per semester.
•Scholarships could be used at any private or public institution for higher education, community college or
vocational school in Kansas. The University of Missouri-Kansas City, which has agreements with Kansas City
Kansas Community College, is also allowed.
•Students would have to apply for the scholarship and for the federal Pell Grant program.
•Scholarship dollars would be rewarded on a sliding scale based upon when the student entered the Kansas City,
Kan. schools: Kindergarten through third grade, 100 percent; fourth through seventh grade, 90 percent; eighth
through 10th grade, 80 percent; and 11th and 12th grade, ineligible.
To reach Mark Wiebe, call 816-234-5995 or send e-mail to mwiebe@kcstar.com.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

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Charter school one step closer
By NICK SLOAN, Kansan Staff Writer
Officials from the Maurice Holman Academy for Excellence and the Kansas City, Kan.,
Board of Education agreed to a memorandum of understanding last week.
Print Page
Under state law, public school districts are responsible for charter schools in Kansas.
However, the memorandum of understanding went beyond what the state calls for.
“It’s not a requirement of legislation,” said Cindy Lane, the KCK Public School District’s
assistant superintendent of business and instructional support. “It’s criteria on how to work
together on key issues.”
The partnering party with the school district is the Northeast Business Association.
Highlights of the memorandum:
• The charter board will be required to provide funding for
curriculum materials and training that is characterized as
unique.
• The district will be responsible for hiring faculty members
and special education personnel.
• A “charter board” will be established and will work with the
school district under the guidelines of the KCK Board of
Education.
• The charter school will be required to follow the district’s
code of conduct, or attempt to create its own code with
approval from the KCK Board of Education.
• The school will be required to meet “adequate yearly
progress,” just like all schools in the district. Should the school
fail to achieve AYP for three consecutive years, the board of
education has the right to revoke the charter.
• The charter school will be required to meet fiscal obligations
annually beginning in 2009. Projections are due to the district
on Feb. 1 of each year, with an annual budget produced by
March 1. The monthly financial statements will be due on day
15 of each month. Fundraising for additional funds will be
allowed, but the charter must account for all grants in the
annual budget and monthly reports.
• Within a certain radius, the district will be responsible for

transporting students, and the charter school will be required
to follow all district transportation regulations.
• For workers compensation, the charter school will be
required to reimburse the district up to 60 days. Employees
assigned to the school will be eligible for benefits.
The location of the charter school will be the former Parker
Elementary School.
Chiquita Coggs, a member of the charter council, said the
current phase of the school is important.
“We’ve been looking forward to doing this for a long time,” she
said.
Coggs gave an update to the board of education at its Tuesday
meeting. The school is currently undergoing a search for its
first principal. Coggs said there would be different “rounds” in
the search.
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Every game important for Hawks
By JEREMY BANKS, Kansan Sports Editor
The J.C. Harmon boys basketball team has an opportunity to fight back into the Kansas
City Kansas League race.
Print Page
The Hawks were dealt big blows with back-to-back blowout losses to Sumner and
Wyandotte in KCKL play.
Before then, the Hawks were flying high, having won four of five games. They had hopes of
competing for the Kansas City Kansas League title.
At least for a moment, their hopes were dashed. The Hawks are 0-2 in the KCKL, a
dangerous spot.
The Sabres are 3-0 and in control in the KCKL. Sumner has enjoyed a solid comeback
season after struggling through the growing pains a year ago. The Sabres, with a young
lineup in 2005-2006, had to learn how to win. This year’s version remains young, yet
experienced.
The Hawks are in the same boat. They’re young, but they also have the luxury of having
upperclassmen as their best players.
Jermery Moore, a junior, and Mark Willis, a senior, have been the team’s constants.
The youth It’s with point guard Jauan Wilson. The Hawks have the tools to get back into
the race. It’s not over but with a two-game deficit, their chances are slipping.
Every game is a must-win for the Hawks. Harmon has improved immensely this season.
With big-time performances from capable players like Moore and Willis, the Hawks can
make a run at the KCKL title.
Verle Harris has begun to emerge as the Hawks’ top post player. He’s scoring well inside
and becoming a rebounding force, which only makes the Hawks’ attack that much better.
But first thing is first. The Hawks have to get a win and give themselves something to feel
good about.
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Posted on Tue, Jan. 22, 2008
KCK school foundation aims to raise $1 million
By DAWN BORMANN
The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City, Kan., school foundation on Tuesday launched a campaign dubbed Believe to raise $1 million in two years.
If successful, the nonprofit agency will have accomplished a major feat considering it typically pulls in about $50,000 to support
Kansas City, Kan., School District students with scholarships.
While the school district funds basic necessities for classrooms and more, the foundation provides extra support above and
beyond what the budget will support. But the foundation wants to follow the lead of other agencies supporting local school districts
by handing out grants and scholarships not just to students, but also teachers.
“We’re launching this campaign because we need more money,” Kansas City, Kan., Superintendent Jill Shackelford said Tuesday
at the kickoff.
The kickoff included help from Kansas City Brigade co-owner and former Kansas City Chief Neil Smith. He pledged his support to
the foundation by donating a percentage of sales from the March 24 game to the foundation.
Believe fundraiser
The next fundraiser is set for March 24 at the Kansas City Brigade game, where the district will receive from $4 to $6 for each
ticket purchased through students. Those interested can purchase designated tickets by talking to a KCK School District student
or by calling 913-449-9124.
To reach Dawn Bormann, call 816-234-5992 or send e-mail to dbormann@kcstar.com
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2

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Posted on Tue, Jan. 22, 2008
Football career is lost, but he perseveres
By LEWIS W. DIUGUID
Steam from a cup of cappuccino rose in front of Michael Harris. Sunlight from The Q Brew Coffee Shop window gave his face a
new glow.
Life hasn’t been easy the last couple of years for the 27-year-old twin whom I got to know when he was a student and athlete at
Washington High School. It is where I joined Harris, his brother Marcus and others in the Class of 1999 for four years to learn
what it was like to be a teen and teacher.
Many of the young adults have stayed in touch. Some, like Harris, have inspirational stories to tell of achieving their dreams.
Others have faced unforeseen obstacles.
The twins went to college and kept their dream of playing pro football. In 2003-2004 they made the semipro Kansas City Shockers
team.
But life changed for them on Feb. 28, 2005, at Tomfooleries Restaurant & Bar on the Plaza. Michael Harris, who was feeling
fatigued, passed out.
Fortunately a nurse in the restaurant came to his aid. Doctors told Harris later that she likely saved his life.
He was diagnosed as having had a stroke, a mild heart attack and the onset of multiple sclerosis. Disbelief followed. But Michael
Harris learned that such things do happen to young people, too — even well-conditioned athletes like him.
Marcus Harris said: “You’re thinking how come it happened to him and not me. But he’s staying upbeat about it. At times it gets
him down.
“I try to be like the big brother to him,” Marcus Harris said laughing, because he is the younger twin.
After Michael Harris collapsed things went downhill. He lost the use of his left side. His speech was slurred, and he had to use a
wheelchair, crutches and a walker. He relied on his family’s help.
Marcus Harris parked his NFL dreams, too, to aid his brother. Their mother, Sandra Harris, who’d cheered her sons at many
football games, has provided support throughout her son’s illness.
“We try to keep his spirits up,” she said. “We tell him to keep his faith and to look to the Lord.”
The spirit that drove Michael Harris to achieve in sports and to never give up his NFL dream of playing for the Kansas City Chiefs
propelled him to regain the use of his left side.
“It’s tough to deal with it,” he said. “But I deal with it. It’s putting up a good fight. But I’m putting up a stronger fight.
“I’m not going to let it get me down. I do pray every day. I’m thanking God regardless for still letting me be here. Life now is more
of a take-it-slow. It all goes back to Him sending his angel there to save me.”
That’s what he calls the nurse who ran to his aid. One of his goals is to find out who she was and to thank her.
Another is to help people learn more about multiple sclerosis, a nervous system disorder for which there is no known cause or
cure.
He’d also like to become a husband to his girlfriend and to do what’s right to benefit his spouse, children and northeast Kansas
City, Kan. The area — like Michael Harris — has seen better days. But Harris wants to do what he can to help the community
rebuild.
“I find myself now being more helpful,” he said. “I truly believe we need more activities for the younger generation. I feel like just
because it wasn’t there when I was growing up that it should be there for the next generation.”
The football dream hasn’t been sidelined. Marcus Harris plans to play again for himself and his brother and try out for the NFL for
both of them.
“Wherever I go, I take him with me,” Marcus Harris said. “I’ll be able to say, ‘We made it.’ ”
I love that undying spirit from Washington High School.
Lewis W. Diuguid is a member of The Star’s Editorial Board. To reach him, call 816-234-4723 or send e-mail to Ldiuguid@kcstar.com.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2

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Posted on Tue, Jan. 22, 2008
IN BRIEF: Scholarship winner, Tonganoxie citizens of the year
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2
Scholarship winner
William Bowles, a J.C. Harmon High School senior, was one of six area high school seniors chosen to receive this year’s Black
Achievers Scholarship.
Winners were honored Thursday at the 33rd annual Black Achievers Recognition Dinner, organized by the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City.
Bowles is leaning toward studying business or a career in international commerce.
Bowles, who maintains a 3.93 GPA at Harmon, is also an athlete — he’s competed in wrestling, cross country, track and football,
and hopes to wrestle next year at the University of Central Missouri.
In addition to participating in volunteer work and Black Student Union, Bowles works at QuikTrip outside of school.
Citizens of the year
Two Tonganoxie residents were named 2007 Citizens of the Year at the Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce meeting last week.
Bo Himpel of Himpel Lumber was honored for his donations of time and money to Veterans Park. George Cooper of the
Tonganoxie Community Historical Society was honored for his service to the city through various community organizations.
Also named at the meeting were Chamber of Commerce officers and directors for 2008:
•Steve Christensen, president
•Blake Waters, vice president
•Marcy Manion, treasurer
•John Evans, Kathy Graveman and Margaret Steele were named as directors.
Boxing show
The Turner Boxing Club is sponsoring an amateur boxing show featuring 25 of its top boxers at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Turner
Recreation Commission Gymnasium, 831 S. 55th St.
Tickets, which are $7 for floor seats and $5 for bleachers, are available at the Turner Recreation Center. For more information,
call 913-287-2111.
Sumner students’ artwork to be displayed
Artwork by Sumner Academy juniors and seniors has been selected for an exhibit Thursday at KU Medical Center.
The students selected are seniors Antonia Becerra, Kayla Bishop, Phillip DeCoster, Kevin Freeman, Andrew Grube, Christine Hill,
Sarah Ottens, Meagan Patrzykont, Racheal Roberts, Jessica VanDyke and Kayla Zang; and juniors Kyle Freeman, Tiffany
Johnson, Andrew Reyes-Burkholder and Chey-Ann Sutton. The showing is from 5 to 7 p.m.
| Sara Shepherd, sshepherd@kcstar.com | Julie Adam, jadam@kcstar.com | Julie Adam, jadam@kcstar.com | Su Bacon, Special to The Star
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

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Posted on Tue, Jan. 22, 2008
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: “There are still some aches”
By ROBERT A. CRONKLETON
The Kansas City Star
With children reciting excerpts from the “I Have a Dream” speech and a choir singing, the Kansas City, Kan., community
celebrated the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Hundreds of people crowded the Jack Reardon Convention Center on Monday to participate in the city’s holiday celebration. At
times, ushers had to find seats for those standing.
LaVert Murray, coordinator of the event, said the city started the annual celebration more than 20 years ago — before the creation
of the national holiday.
The city has continued the celebration to help educate those who were not alive at the same time as King and don’t know that he
pursued social justice, Murray said.
“We celebrate Dr. King and promote his teachings so that we may arrive at a nonviolent society, so that our students, so that our
youth, so that our people will learn to love each other as brothers,” Murray said.
The city’s observance was highlighted by a mass celebration with the Rev. J.C. Wade Jr., pastor of the Zion Missionary Baptist
Church of East Chicago, Ind., who gave the keynote address.
“Dr. King realized that we had some aches and just like he knew we had some aches, we still have some aches,” Wade said.
“Even though we are celebrating today, there are still some aches.”
There is still discrimination taking place in society, and hate is still being taught in some homes, Wade said in his address, which
combined King’s message with Wade’s belief in the Gospel.
“As we celebrate today, we are celebrating ‘I have a dream,’” Wade said. “But let me caution you: The speech that Dr. King gave
in Washington was really not ‘I have a dream.’ That wasn’t the speech. What has happened is our community has embraced that
part of the speech in order to sell the tape. But the speech was about broken promises.”
Other highlights of the event included kindergartners, first-graders and a third-grader from Kiddie Kollege Primary School who
recited excerpts from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and performed a “praise dance.”
As part of the celebration, the Education Awards Program presented a total of $35,000 in scholarships to 70 high school seniors
from Wyandotte County schools. The students, who each received a $500 scholarship, are:
Josh Aguilar, Piper; Jonathan David Bean, Piper; Chris Beery, Piper; Jeanette Black, Turner; Ajja Boyington, Turner; Kristopher
Bright, Washington; Alicia Brooks, Washington; Derek Bryant, Turner; Patricia Buchanan, Schlagle;
Patricia Clarke, Schlagle; Adreena Cook, Turner; Nicolette Cummings, Piper; Angela Davenport, Sumner; Donzel L. Davis,
Sumner; Shanai Davis, Turner; Tiara Davis, Piper; Diana Dukovcic, Piper; Joshua D. Easterwood, Washington;
Alexandra Fasching, Piper; Shaquoya Fears, Sumner; Laura Marie Ferguson, Piper; Jessika File, Piper; Rebecca French, Turner;
David Fuel Jr., Schlagle; Anthony Garcia, Washington; David Gentry, Piper; Alexander Godfrey, Turner; Kayla M. Henry, Sumner;
Rasheda Hibler, Washington; Terra M. Hill, Washington; Matthew Holyfield, Washington;
Ehijator Ighalo, Sumner; Seth Irving, Wyandotte; Amber Jackson, Piper; Matthew Johnson, Schlagle; Monique Johnson,
Washington; Nefetari Terrill-Jones, Sumner; Eric Kellogg, Schlagle; Anthony O. Lee Jr., Bonner Springs; Janelle Lira, Bonner
Springs;
Jairrah Mansfield, Piper; Elizabeth Martinez, Turner; Chantel McGee, Turner; Jacqueline Mera, Wyandotte; Cais Monroe,
Washington; Sandra Morales, Wyandotte; Sha’Fawn Morrision, Bishop Ward; Joshua Newbill, Wyandotte; Allie Nichols, Piper;
Rachael Odem, Sumner; Vanessa Oropeza, Turner;
Stanton Parker II, Sumner; Aaron Phillips, Turner; Ashlee Phillips, Washington; Alex Rodgers, Wyandotte; Nicole Anne Sambol,
Piper; Khloi Saunders, Piper; Bradley Sirls, Schlagle; Maria Soria, Wyandotte; Joshua Springfield, Washingon; Tyler Studna,
Turner; Tiffany Sutton, Washington;
Desmond Tallie, Sumner; Brandy Taylor, Washington; Christopher Teters, Piper; Sara Jean Tucker, Washington; Alyssa Vallejo,
Turner; Quinten White, Wyandotte; Marc A. Wilson, Sumner; and Catty Yang, Washington.
To reach Robert A. Cronkleton call 816-234-5994 or send e-mail to bcronkleton@kcstar.com.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2

Back to web version
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2
Posted on Tue, Jan. 22, 2008
Public Safety: Man wrests gun from carjacker
KANSAS CITY, KAN. | A 52-year-old man filling up his mother’s car with gas wrested a handgun from a carjacker Saturday.
Two men confronted the victim about 12:40 p.m. in the 5500 block of Leavenworth Road and asked for change; then one pulled a
gun, wanting the car, too. The victim grabbed the gun and fired at the car as the assailants sped away, hitting it once. Police found
the car minutes later.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mark Bundy at 913-573-6052.
DEARBORN | Bank robbed
A man robbed the Platte Valley Bank branch in the 100 block of Main Street about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The man walked up to a teller at the branch near Interstate 29 and the Buchanan County line and demanded money. He kept his
hands in his pockets and pretended to have a weapon, officials said.
KANSAS CITY | Detectives honored
Police paid tribute to Detectives Tod Reaves and Timothy Mountz on Tuesday for their investigation into unscrupulous tow truck
drivers who were stealing abandoned vehicles and selling them for scrap.
One suspect had sold more than $800,000 worth of scrap metal to one salvage yard in 2006. Another was selling illegal guns.
Police recovered 42 at his home.
During a two-day sting at four salvage yards last year, officers recovered 35 stolen cars and made 94 arrests.
LEAVENWORTH | Arrest made after stabbing
A 27-year-old Leavenworth man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he reportedly attacked his stepfather and
stabbed him repeatedly with the handle of a toilet plunger.
The suspect allegedly got into a physical confrontation with his mother early Monday morning in the house the three shared in the
200 block of 12th Street. When the stepfather tried to intervene, the suspect allegedly stabbed, beat and kicked him, police said.
The stepfather was in serious condition at a hospital, but his injuries were not considered life-threatening, Kitchens said.
GLADSTONE | Parents were held captive, police say
Clay County authorities have charged a 47-year-old man with holding his parents against their will at knifepoint inside the couple’s
Gladstone residence.
Steven C. Daniels of Overland Park was charged Monday with two counts of felonious restraint and one count of unlawful use of a
weapon in connection with the incident, which occurred Sunday, according to authorities.
Daniels was being held in the Clay County Detention Center. Bond was set at $75,000.
KANSAS CITY, KAN. | Arrest in school vandalism
Police have arrested a 19-year-old man suspected of vandalizing West Middle School twice this month.
Kansas City, Kan., police tracked down the suspect in part by using information posted on the Internet, said Capt. Alexander
Kump.
The suspect, who lives near the school at 2600 N. 44th St., allegedly broke windows and spray-painted graffiti inside and outside
of the school.
KANSAS CITY | Sexual misconduct charges
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged Stephen C. Reddy, 47, with sexual misconduct after he allegedly exposed his genitals. The 31-
year-old victim said she pulled into her driveway about 11:50 a.m. Monday and saw a man masturbating.
The man called out to her, “Hey! Do you see what I’m doing” He asked, “Do you mind if I come in” The victim ran inside her
home in the 7200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue and called police. Officers arrested Reddy nearby.
LANSING | Woman found dead
A woman was found dead in a mobile home Tuesday evening, and the death appeared to be a homicide, the Leavenworth County
Sheriff’s Department said.

Authorities received the call about 7 p.m. They found the woman in the mobile home at Wildwoods Mobile Home Park, 921 South
Main Street, the Sheriff’s Department said.
Police were investigating.
| Robert A. Cronkleton, bcronkleton@kcstar.com | Glenn E. Rice, grice@kcstar.com | Christine Vendel, cvendel@kcstar.com | Robert
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

Star – Wyandotte/Leavenworth section – January 23, 2008
Wyandotte and Leavenworth county sports
notebook
Source: The Star
Seconds after the biggest win of his high school career, Washington junior James Wauer ran
up to assistant coach George Roath and embraced him.
It’s hard to blame them for their excitement. Wauer had just improved to 16-1 by pinning
Gardner Edgerton junior Tyler Stokes – the defending 5A state champion – in the 112-pound
championship match of the Blue Valley Northwest Husky Invitational on Saturday. It was
Stokes’ second loss of the season.
To be sure, it was a big win not only for Wauer but for Washington’s program. Washington
coach Darwyn Thomlinson brought seven wrestlers to the event, and six made it to the second
day of competition Saturday. The Wildcats scored 49.5 points, good enough for 15th out of 21
teams.
But when you consider the Wildcats’ recent past at the Husky Invitational — they’ve finished
last each of the previous three years (including 2006, when the Wildcats didn’t score a point)
— Wauer’s win was just an added bonus.
“It’s big,” Thomlinson said. “We’ve been down for so long, but Washington wrestling has gone
through a rebirth. We’ve been overcoming obstacles constantly.”
Basehor sweeps
Basehor-Linwood sent its guests packing with figurative consolation prizes last week.
The Basehor-Linwood boys and girls teams both won their respective portions of the Bobcat
Basketball Invitational Saturday, though their triumphs held different significance.
For the Basehor-Linwood girls, the 65-52 victory over previously-undefeated Platte County in
the championship game was a statement of sorts.
The Bobcats, 12-0, were led by senior Cassie Lombardino with a team-high 21 points in the
finals.
For the boys, it signaled an escape from early season struggles. Basehor-Linwood’s 55-54
victory over Holton in the championship game was its fifth straight for the 8-4 team.
“I feel like we’re back on track,” Bobcats boys coach Mike McBride said.
Senior Tanner Swafford, the tournament MVP, led the way with 19 points. Junior Anthony
Pierce’s steals sparked a fourth-quarter comeback, and junior Chandler Schaake steadied the
team at point guard.
Basehor-Linwood trailed by eight with less than 4 minutes to play in the boys game before
coming back to win.
- January 22, 2008 - 17:51 PM

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Former Chiefs star, Brigade help KCK School Foundation
By NICK SLOAN, Kansan Staff Writer
Former Kansas City Chiefs star Neil
Smith and Kansas City Brigade player
Boo Williams kicked off the KCK School
Foundation for Excellence “Believe
Campaign” on Tuesday.
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“We’re proud and honored to work with
Wyandotte High School to kick off the
program,” Smith said during a
ceremony on Tuesday.
Smith, who played in seven NFL Pro
Bowls as a member of the Chiefs and
Denver Broncos, is the current vice
president of the Arena Football
League’s team in Kansas City.
Williams, a starting wide receiver for
the Brigade, played for a handful of
years with the NFL’s New Orleans
Saints and the New York Giants. He
played football at Coffeyville
Community College and later
transferred to the University of
Arkansas.
“We’re hoping to provide students
chances to help better themselves for
the future,” he said.
Former Kansas City Chiefs
defensive end Neil Smith used to
give opposing NFL quarterbacks
nightmares, but now he's working
to help Kansas City, Kan., students
through the KCK School
Foundation. He spoke at
Wyandotte High School on
Tuesday. KCK Public Schools
photo by SUSAN ENLOE
The KCK School Foundation for
Excellence has provided scholarships to students in the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools
District since 1991. This year, there are plans to expand the foundation to support faculty
and more students, and members of the foundation are working to see donations from the
community.
“Our mission is to expand our support efforts to include professional development for
teachers, field trips for students, tuition reimbursement and other special projects,” said
Keith Jones, marketing specialist. “We are investing in the future of our community and we
are confident that we can make a difference. But we need everyone’s support to make it
happen.”
Tuesday’s support will not be the only time the Brigade will work with the district. The team
will host “Friends and Family Day” at the Sprint Center during their March 24 game against
the Grand Rapids Rampage.
Jones said the team will donate a percentage of tickets sold that day to benefit the KCK
School Foundation. Along with the game and the financial donations, the Wyandotte High
School Marching Band is expected to perform at the game.

Throughout the community, pledge cards will be distributed via mail and other methods.
Parents who return pledge cards before Feb. 27 will receive a free school district “Believe”
T-shirt. A celebration of the drive will be held on March 14 to announce the results of the
campaign.
The district is seeking to raise at least $1 million in the next two years.
The Brigade began as a franchise two years ago. After struggling with a 3-13 record in the
franchise’s first year, the team improved to 10-7 last year, including earning its first playoff
berth.
This year, the Brigade will move from Kemper Arena to the Sprint Center. The Brigade will
begin its season in Kansas City against the Tampa Bay Storm on March 1.
For more information on obtaining tickets to “Friends and Family Day” for the district, go to
www.kcbrigade.com.
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Posted on Wed, Jan. 23, 2008
AS I SEE IT: School district turmoil has continued too long
By O.L. PLUCKER
The sad tale of dysfunctional relationships between the board of education and superintendents in the Kansas City School district
can only be viewed in anguish. The destruction of a quality school system began 40 years ago.
In 1969, James Hazlett, Kansas City’s last real superintendent, resigned.
He could no longer tolerate the new monster board created largely by the leadership of Homer Wadsworth.
Wadsworth died in 1994. He was on the Kansas City Board of Education from 1954 to 1958 and again from 1960 to 1970. He was
board president from 1962 to 1966.
I have viewed the disheartening corrosion over those years as a bystander deeply concerned about the future of education in
urban centers. That concern is based on my experience as an administrator in two of the larger adjoining districts for more than 32
years.
Since my retirement as “superintendent emeritus” in Kansas City, Kan. in 1986, I have been a silent observer struggling to hold
my tongue.
But enough is enough. Almost 40 years of turmoil is a burden too great for children of Kansas City to bear and for the metropolitan
area of Kansas City to ignore.
No institution and no business can survive governed by a board of directors that has hired 23 different chief executive officers in
40 years and is in the process of seeking another one to put in the grinder.
The answer isn’t simple but it is time for the State of Missouri to step in and assume responsibility for governance of the education
of its children.
Whether the answer lies in an appointed board of education, a board elected in a manner similar to other Missouri districts, or
some other method probably isn’t clear.
But a board whose members are selected and controlled by competing factions and often by the spoils system of politics is
unacceptable.
A board that can’t distinguish between its policy making responsibilities and meddling in the details of the administration, and can’t
hire a satisfactory CEO in 40 years has been wandering in the wilderness too long.
It’s anybody’s guess who will be the next superintendent to be sacrificed in the process now in vogue.
Children, teachers, the district and the entire metropolitan area will continue to suffer. It’s time for major reorganization. If it takes
legislative action, so be it.
O.L. Plucker lives in Merriam.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com
Thursday, Jan 24, 2

Wyandotte West – January 24, 2008
At their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, members of the Kansas City Kansas Board of Education recognized,
back row from left: Viviana Rojas, seventh-grade student at Central Middle School; Xochitl Saldivar,
junior at J.C. Harmon High School; Solema Garccia, fifth-grade student at Quindaro Elementary School;
and Claudia Hernandez (seated), adult student in the On Track Family Literacy Program, as January 2008
Students of the Month. (Submitted photo.)

Wyandotte West – January 24, 2008
Sumner Academy student artwork
included in KC Med Center exhibit
The artwork of 15 students from Sumner Academy of Arts and Science will be
featured in an exhibit opening this month at the Center for Advanced Heart Care at the
University of Kansas Medical Center.
The exhibit, which was arranged by Paul Dorrell, owner of the Leopold Gallery,
will feature a variety of student artwork including paintings, sculptures and drawings.
The centerpiece will be the Sprint Center’s glass art sculpture, “Enliven.” Sumner
students recently visited the studio where the sculpture was created and learned about
glass blowing and other forms of art involving glass.
A special reception and celebration will open the exhibit from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday,
Jan. 24. The exhibit will be open to the public for two weeks beginning Jan. 25.
The student artists are: seniors Phillip DeCoster, Kevin Freeman, Andrew Grube,
Christine Hill, Meagan Patrzykont, Racheal Roberts, Jessica VanDyke, Kayla Zang,
Sarah Ottens, Antonia Becerra and Kayla Bishop; and juniors Kyle Freeman, Andrew
Reyes-Burkholder, Chey-Ann Sutton and Tiffany Johnson.

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KCKPS success gains national attention
By JILL SHACKELFORD, KCKPS Superintendent
One of the things that has amazed me as a superintendent is just how much paper comes
across my desk. I could probably read 24/7, and still not get to everything that I have to
read. However, I don’t want you to think I’m complaining. I love to read, and one of the
best parts of this job is that I am learning something new every day.
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It’s particularly enjoyable when I come across something that mentions the work we are
doing here in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. I have mentioned in this space before
that we are getting national recognition for our First Things First reform effort. Well, it’s
happened again. Last week, Jay Mathews, the noted Washington Post columnist who writes
about education, titled his weekly column “Dropout Solutions That Work.”
It turns out, Mathews had been reading himself; specifically a book titled “The Price We
Pay: Economic and Social Consequences of Inadequate Education.” (I know, I can hear the
groans, but hang with me - this gets good, I promise!)
Mathews reprinted a chart from that book, which showed five “Interventions that
Demonstrably Raise the High School Graduation Rate.” The researchers, Clive Belfield of
City University of New York and Henry Levin of Columbia University, examined hundreds of
reports and articles, trying to find “programs whose results had been rigorously evaluated
and had proven to produce significant increases in graduation rates.”
After reading all of those articles and reports, Belfield and Levin only found five that
produced a demonstrated increase in the high school graduation rate. First Things First
(FTF), which we have been doing here in KCK for the past ten years, is one of those
programs!
In his article, Mathews noted that First Things First produces 16 extra high school
graduates for every 100 students that are served, which is second only to the Perry
Preschool Program, which produces 19 extra graduates for every 100 enrolled in the
program. (Now, regular readers of this column will no doubt remember that we have been
working hard to strengthen preschool programs here in KCK, but more about that later...)
What Mathews goes on to say is even more important, and I will repeat it here: “Only one
of these five programs is something that high school educators can do, even though they
are the people getting most of the blame for our high dropout rates . . . the one effective
high school program, breaking dysfunctional urban schools into small learning
communities, is not discussed very often on the campaign trail. That program, First Things
First, was carried out in Kansas City, Kan.”
“Belfield and Levin spend much of their chapter calculating which of the five methods was
most cost effective. First Things First won that race, with benefits 3.54 times greater than
its cost.”
Can you believe it FTF is the only high school intervention in the country that is proven to
increase the graduation rate, and it produces benefits that are worth 3 _ times its cost!
And this isn’t just us, tooting our own horn: this came from researchers out of New York,
being quoted in the Washington Post.
We have known for some time that our reforms were making a difference, both in
increased test scores and in higher graduation rates. We have also worked very hard to

make sure that we were working in the most cost-efficient manner possible. We managed
to continue our reforms, even as we were forced to cut $20 million from the budget over
four years, because of reductions in state funding. This past year, we were able to roll out
the Laptops for Learning program, while at the same time reducing our mill levy.
Still, it is really gratifying to be recognized by others, and to have prominent researchers
say that FTF is the most cost-effective strategy in the country for increasing the high school
graduation rate! But this is not just a high school story: we could never have achieved the
results we have, without making change at every level of the district. All of our staff
deserve credit for their hard work. In addition, we never could not have implemented FTF,
and stuck with it during the difficult early years, without the stability and strong leadership
of our Board of Education.
I also want to remind you that one of our 2010 Goals is that “All students will enter first
grade ready to learn,” and that strengthening early childhood education in KCK is a passion
of mine. I was pleased to see two different preschool programs mentioned in the
Washington Post article as having been proven to increase high school graduation rates. It
sounds as if our early childhood work is also taking us in the right direction.
As I tell you all the time, we are proud of the work we have done so far, but we are not
satisfied. We are a good district, but we are working to become a great district. I hope that
the recognition that we are getting for First Things First will strengthen your confidence in
our work. The next time you hear someone make a negative comment about public
schools, remind them that here in KCKPS, we’ve got programs that are proven to work!
Dr. Jill Shackelford is superintendent of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools District. Her
column appears every Friday, only in the Kansan.
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Sumner artists get top billing at KU Med Center art
exhibit
By NICK SLOAN, Kansan Staff Writer
Areas of the University of
Kansas Medical Center will
soon be filled with more
local flavor.
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The artwork of 15
students from Sumner
Academy of Arts and
Sciences will be featured
in at the Center for
Advanced Heart Care at
the medical center.
Students from the
International
Baccalaureate Art class at
Sumner have worked on
pieces ranging from oil
paintings to papier-m…
ch/.
Mary Ann Sit, an art
instructor at Sumner
Academy, said the
students have been busy
working with professional
artists on field trips
throughout the school
year.
Artist Paul Dorrell, left, spoke to Sumner
Academy art instructor Mary Ann Sit and
some of her students on Thursday at the
University of Kansas Medical Center. Art
from 15 students in the class will be on
display at the Advanced Heart Care Center
at KU Med for the next two weeks. Kansan
photo by NICK SLOAN
“(The visits) have been inspirational, and they get excited at seeing real artists,” she said.
“This display is a culmination of events from the visits.”
Students have visited art studios, including one showing how glass art is produced.
Paul Dorrell of Leopold Gallery, an art gallery located across the state line in Kansas City,
Mo., has mentored the students from Sumner and other students from a handful of other
schools.
“I just believe talent is universal and can be found anywhere,” he said. “Sometimes in art,
Kansas City, Kan., is just neglected.”
Dorrell, who once had a job working in a warehouse in the Armourdale neighborhood of
KCK, said mentoring provides encouragement to students.
“The idea is to have a self-esteem impact,” he said. “With high school students, we have a
positive impact. It (can) encourage them to move on to college. They have a higher level of
execution.”

Dorrell said he hopes students are at point after mentoring where their work of art will be
considered better than the art of professional artists.
Kevin Freeman, a senior at the school, said artists depend on personality and attitude when
working on art.
“I think artists use it to get a point across,” he said.
An art show was held Thursday evening at KU Medical Center. The exhibit becomes open to
the public today and will be on display for two weeks.
Along with mentoring the students, Dorrell also helped arrange the exhibit. The centerpiece
is a glass art sculpture, “Enliven,” that eventually will be displayed at the Sprint Center.
Dorrell also made the heart care center’s glass art, which hangs in the lobby area.
Along with Freeman, student artists include seniors Phillip DeCoster, Andrew Grube,
Christine Hill, Meagan Patrzykont, Racheal Roberts, Jessica VanDyke, Kayla Zang, Sarah
Ottens, Antonia Becerra and Kayla Bishop; and juniors Kyle Freeman, Andrew Reyes-
Burkholder, Chey-Ann Sutton and Tiffany Johnson.
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Wauer enjoys breakout season
By JEREMY BANKS, Sports Editor
Not many wrestlers have created this much momentum.
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Washington’s James Wauer is 16-1 this season. He’s ranked No.1 in the state in the 112-
pound division. He’s improving every day. On Jan. 19, he defeated last year’s 103-pound
5A state champion, Tyler Stokes, of Gardner-Edgerton, with a pin in the second period in
the 112-pound division championship match of the Husky Invitational at Blue Valley
Northwest High School.
And none of it matters to him. The only thing Wauer is worried about is his next match.
“I really don’t pay attention to (the rankings). Ranked people get beat every day,” he said.
“I try to block out all my distractions. It doesn’t matter to me what others are doing. I
focus on what I have to get done.”
Having defeated a state champ, Wauer is now a target. It doesn’t matter to him. He’s
always relaxed. He didn’t change his routine against Stokes.
“I just kind of walk around and listen to my iPod and tell myself ‘I am going to win and I
cannot be beat,’” he said.
Wauer never wants to let his emotions get in the way of anything.
“I don’t like to go in scared or intense,” he said.
He stays cool under pressure, like Joe Montana or Tom Brady in the pocket. It’s helped
him enjoy his best season thus far. Wauer gives most of the credit to Washington assistant
wrestling coach George Roath.
Roath was a two-time state qualifier as a wrestler at Washington. He won the 5A state title
in the 140-pound division in 2003. He helped Dana College, in Blair, Neb., claim an NAIA
national championship in 2006. Roath is no stranger to success. He knows what it takes
and how to get there. The two have established a friendship.
The teacher has passed his expertise down to the pupil. However, the teacher had to prove
himself first. He had to gain the pupil’s respect.
“You have to show them you’re credible, show them you’re authentic,” Roath said.
On his first day as an assistant coach, Roath showed the wrestlers he could walk the walk
and talk the talk. He practiced with them.
“I got out there with them,” he said. “I had to show them I was the baddest person in the
room.”
Once it was established, the teaching began. Roath said he always knew Wauer would be a
very good wrestler. He just needed a few things.
“He’s a good wrestler,” Roath said. “He just needed some fine tuning.”
Wauer needed confidence. Earlier this season, Wauer faced Allan Callahan of Baldwin, one

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of the better wrestlers in the state. The Washington junior gave Callahan all he could
handle.
Wauer lost the match 6-4. However, mentality, he scored a victory. He proved to himself
he could wrestle with the best.
“James developed a heart,” Roath said. “By him seeing it and experiencing it for himself.
“He finally believed in himself.”
He’s better, now. Wauer is more aggressive, more fundamentally sound and more
confident.
He’s also humble. Wauer’s not worried about the state ranking or his past. He’s focused on
his goal of winning a state championship.
People talk. He doesn’t listen. Wauer just wrestles.
“It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “It makes me work harder.”
How did Wauer learn to stay grounded Just look a few steps down the mat.
“Winning Blue Valley Northwest was a step,” Roath said. “It’s an indication that he’s
working hard. You can’t be satisfied with short-term victories.
“(Success) comes from hard work, the dedication. It comes from your constant want to
win.”

Back to web version
Posted on Sat, Jan. 26, 2008
Kauffman Scholars join fraternity
By DIANE CARROLL
The Kansas City Star
Forty teenage boys joined a new kind of fraternity Saturday — one set up to help them deal with challenges they
face as they grow into men.
The high school freshmen boys, who are Kauffman Scholars, are the first of the scholars to join the Mu Epsilon Nu
(MEN) fraternity. They gained entry after attending sessions last fall to learn about the importance of respecting
others, assuming responsibility, living righteousness and building positive relationships.
“We basically learned how to do a handshake and do eye-to-eye contact,” 15-year-old John Delap of Kansas City,
Kan., said before being initiated into the fraternity.
The idea for the pilot program, called Males to Men, came from Stephen Green, president of Kauffman Scholars
Inc.
Green knows that the percentage of males graduating from high school and college is lower than that of females
and is even wider for males who are minorities.
“This is our effort to address a trend that needs to be reversed,” Green said.
Tyrone Bates Jr., an academic coach with the Kauffman Scholars program, said the boys met regularly last fall.
On Saturday night, their fathers (or those acting as fathers) walked with them to the front of an auditorium at the
Robert J. Mohart Multi-Purpose FOCUS Center in Kansas City. Each father lit a candle held by his son.
Starting next month, the freshmen will mentor boys in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Green said he hopes some
of the boys who are mentored will become Kauffman Scholars. The program now has more females than males,
he said.
Next year, a pilot program to address the societal challenges young women face is expected to be implemented.
Kauffman Scholars Inc. began in 2003 with the support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
It serves students from the Kansas City and Kansas City, Kan., school districts.
The program prepares students to achieve their aim to attend college. It starts in middle school and continues
working with them in high school and college. It recruits students who have potential but may not be living up to
that potential for a number of reasons, including family difficulties or financial need.
Students who participate receive college scholarship assistance.
To reach Diane Carroll, call 816-234-7704 or send e-mail to dcarroll@kcstar.com.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com
Sunday, Jan 27, 2

Back to web version
Sunday, Jan 27, 2
Posted on Sat, Jan. 26, 2008
Looking for a few good mentors
Wanted: African-American and Latino men with caring hearts and dedicated spirits. No, this is not an early ad for
Valentine’s Day, but a plea from area youth mentoring programs.
Anyone with the inclination to spend time with a young person is needed by programs such as Big Brothers and
Big Sisters and YouthFriends. Big Brothers also has a program matching married couples with youth.
But the most acute need is for minority men to pair with black and Latino young men of middle school and high
school age. Women volunteers tend to populate the ranks of mentoring in disproportionate numbers.
Big Brothers, for example, has a waiting list of about 250 youths; eagerly anticipating the friendship and guidance
to be gained from an adult mentor. About 200 of those waiting are black and Latino young men. All of the young
people seeking a Big Brother or a Big Sister are from one-parent homes.
Young people with mentors are 46 percent less likely to use drugs and 27 percent less likely to drink. They are 52
percent less likely to skip school.
The Kansas City area can take pride in its national reputation as a leader in mentoring programs. Nearly 20,000
young people were matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters and YouthFriends in 2007. Applications were up 27
percent this school year for YouthFriends, a program in dozens of metropolitan area school districts.
For more information: www.bigbrothersbigsisters kc.org or call 816-561-5269; www.youthfriends.org or call 816-
842-7082.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

Kansas City Articles Comments
Article Discussions: Thread #11877
Looking for a few good mentors
1 10:46 AM From: Guest To: All
The focus of children in the nation, but more specifically in the local city
should be an importance to everyone. The article is clearly pressuring the city
to help with this situation. I personally believe that helping children is a
positive focus in peoples lives, but the importance is not understood by all. I
am a Social Welfare major, so I am very passionate about youth who are in
need of help. The article, Looking for a few good mentors, states that with the
help from mentors, children are typically less likely to use drugs, alcohol and to
skip school. For these facts alone, the local community should place a large
pressure amongst themselves in order to build a stronger, educated youth.
These mentors will and can affect them in a positive manner for the rest of
their lives. But clearly the problem is individuals do not have the time, or
worse, the desire to be a mentor. Therefore, there should be an incentive, so
that recruiting would be easier. The thing that speaks directly to people is
money, but funding can be very difficult. Because funding can be insufficient,
local restaurants and entertainment venues should have a large discounted
price for the mentor and children. If the arcade would have twice the amount
of tokens for normal amount, or a pizza buffet had cheaper discounted prices,
this would give and incentive for mentors to join, but more importantly, a
place for the mentor and children to talk and have fun. The connection
between the adult and children is what helps them, what ignites the joy within
them. And for the children, people should care, and be willing to help for one
year. That year could be the deciding factor in the childs life. So I ask, please
help.

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Sunday, Jan 27, 2
Posted on Sat, Jan. 26, 2008
Colleges need more well-prepared students
The leaders of two area community college systems have strikingly different opinions on how well high schools
prepare students to enter college and succeed there.
“Students come to us very well prepared, with strong skills,” said Terry Calaway, president of Johnson County
Community College.
“Many students are not prepared to do college work when they come to us,” said Jackie Snyder, chancellor of the
five-campus Metropolitan Community College in Missouri.
The demographic differences in their enrollments are just as stark.
Three-fourths of the students at Calaway’s college graduated from high schools in Johnson County, the most
affluent county in the metropolitan area. Most of their parents attended college.
Students on Snyder’s campuses are much more likely to come from low-income families in which no adult has
attended college.
In today’s economy, education beyond high school is essential for any young person seeking a rewarding job and
decent pay.
It’s up to communities and school districts to provide the help that impoverished and first-generation students don’t
find at home. Some are doing a good job; others have a long way to go.
In recent weeks, The Star has printed editorials calling for schools to do a better job preparing students for college
success. Students and school superintendents have shared stories and ideas. Today, college leaders talk about
their challenges and ideas for leveling the playing field.
Editorials on college access, profiles of five college-bound students and excerpts of interviews with school
superintendents can be found at www.kansascity.com/ opinion, in a special report, Paths to College.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

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KCKL clash tonight
By JEREMY BANKS, Kansan Sports Editor
Two simple things can happen when the F.L. Schlagle Stallions host the Sumner Academy
Sabres in a Kansas City Kansas League showdown at 7 p.m. tonight at F.L. Schlagle High
School.
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The tide could turn in the KCKL league race. Or it could not. Depends on who wins. Simple
enough.
This could be the biggest game of the season for the Sabres as far as the KCKL is
concerned. Sumner enters the match up with a 3-0 record, having defeated Wyandotte,
J.C. Harmon and Schlagle at home.
Out of their three league opponents thus far, the Stallions have given them the best game.
On Dec. 18 the Stallions controlled the contest for three quarters before the Sabres came
roaring back to claim the victory.
Tonight is the rematch. A win will give the Sabres a virtual three-game lead in the KCKL,
having beaten three of four league opponents up to this point.
With four games to play, such a lead would be huge. There’s a lot on the line for Sumner
tonight.
Schlagle has something to play for, too. There’s a statement to be made. This could easily
be the Stallions. With a 2-1 record in the KCKL, the Stallions could be the team with a
perfect league record had they held on in the first meeting.
Schlagle will want to redeem itself. Tonight should be fun. The guard play will be
entertaining. However, give the nod to the Sabres in that department. Sumner has four
guards—sometimes on the floor at the same time—which can hurt the defense with outside
shooting, dribble penetration and defensive pressure.
The Stallions hold the advantage inside. Tyrone Wallace played like an all-star in the first
match up. He dominated inside. The senior scored when fed the ball. He was an enforcer
on defense, taking away any easy basket attempts. Wallace also neutralized Sumner’s top
scorer Brian Johnson underneath for most of the game.
The winner of tonight’s game is automatically in the driver’s seat. It’s not over. Both teams
have to travel to Harmon, Wyandotte and Washington to finish the KCKL season. None of
those games will be easy.
But the winner will have the luxury of controlling its own fate. It’s that simple.
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First fundraiser scheduled for charter school
By NICK SLOAN, Kansan Staff Writer
The first fundraiser to raise dollars for the Maurice R. Holman Academy of Excellence will
be held this spring.
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Currently scheduled for Saturday, April 12, the event will raise money to support
curriculum programs in government and civic responsibilities, entrepreneurial opportunities
and business and the extended day, Saturday school and summer enrichment programs.
Based on a memorandum of understanding between the school and the Kansas City, Kan.,
Public Schools District, the charter school must raise funds for any curriculum programs
classified as “unique.”
Chiquita Coggs, a founding member of the Maurice R. Holman Academy of Excellence, said
the goal of the event is to raise about $300,000.
“We are investigating the possibility of including a silent auction if we are able to solicit
items of interest,” she said.
The fundraiser, to be held in a banquet format, is expected to be held at the Jack Reardon
Center. Coggs said Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon has agreed to be a comaster
of ceremonies.
Ephren Taylor, the youngest African-American CEO of a publicly traded company, is
scheduled as the keynote speaker. Taylor, 25, is CEO of City Capital Corporations, a
business development firm focused on developing business enterprises from loans and
equity investments.
“Mr. Taylor is rapidly emerging from generations X and Y what Warren Buffet is for baby
boomers - the premier financial expert for a generation,” Coggs said.
Coggs said portions of the curriculum at the school would be used to inform students in K-
5 about their societal rights and responsibilities.
“They will be better equipped to understand what their community gives to them, as well
as their responsibility to give back to the community,” she said.
Because of the agreement with the district, the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education was
required to approve of the fundraiser, which they did at this Tuesday’s board meeting.
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Posted on Tue, Jan. 29, 2008
Librarians don’t often get credit they deserve
By LEWIS DIUGUID
Ann Seidl’s documentary made me think of all the libraries I’ve frequented and loved, and the librarians who’ve helped make them
so irreplaceable and welcoming.
But the film also made me realize how right she was: Most people value libraries for what they offer but have little to no regard for
the librarians.
“The better we do our jobs, the more invisible we become,” said Seidl after a screening of her documentary “The Hollywood
Librarian” last month at the Central Library downtown. “The better we do our job, the less respect we get.”
Seidl, who has a master of library information services from the University of Denver, did the film to draw attention to the
Hollywood image of librarians vs. the real people who keep libraries alive.
The documentary included film clips of librarians from “The Music Man” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which give negative depictions
of librarians as shushing, inflexible and unappealing. Seidl said that like teachers, most of the people who study to be librarians
are women, and women get stereotyped.
The film showed that some libraries throughout the country are closing because of budget shortfalls. In other cases, people aren’t
willing to support them with tax dollars. When libraries suffer so does civilization.
The film included footage of libraries being looted in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion of that country in 2003. Priceless books and
material were lost.
The documentary showed how librarians have had to defend people’s freedoms against Bush-era, civil-liberties-bludgeoning laws,
which open people’s library records to government snooping. But because of patriotic fervor, librarians have mostly stood alone in
the struggle.
“As far as I am concerned, we have never been in a worse situation,” Seidl said.
“People believe in the library fairy,” Seidl said. They think libraries are “a natural resource like the Grand Canyon. They don’t
realize we put it there in the first place.”
Librarians suffer a huge problem, Seidl said: “We think that because people love the library they love us. That is a bitter, bitter pill
to swallow.”
Not surprisingly, Seidl said librarians love her film, and the audience of mostly librarians at the downtown library was in that camp.
Seidl made me think of librarians who have influenced me. They include Emily Mogelnicki, my high school librarian. She knew my
name and always made me feel welcome. In college Anna Jones at the Ellis Library was tops.
In Kansas City some of my favorites are Mary Roberson at the Westport Branch, Cindy Guyler at the Johnson County Library, and
Jean Hendershot with the Mid-Continent Public Library system and Pat Gaunce with the West Wyandotte branch in Kansas City,
Kan., before they retired.
Carol Levers is forever helpful at the West Wyandotte and Plaza branches. Such individuals have worked hard to make this area’s
libraries great community gathering places.
I said during the discussion after the film that librarians need a Carl Sagan-like person who can do for librarians what he did for
science — make the profession something everyone should value.
Seidl added: “We don’t advertise our value during the course of the transaction. Our skill is invisible.”
That has to change before we lose the librarians and the libraries we love.
Lewis W. Diuguid is a member of The Star’s Editorial Board. To reach him, call 816-234-4723 or send e-mail to Ldiuguid@kcstar.com.
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com
Thursday, Jan 31, 2

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Posted on Tue, Jan. 29, 2008
Mother of three earning her GED is an ‘inspiration’
By JEFF STRAIT
Special to The Star
When Claudia Hernandez showed up at the On Track Family Literacy Center last year, teacher Trina Haygaru knew she wasn’t your typical
student.
Haygaru says many students in the On Track program — an adult learning program that helps students achieve a GED and hone their English
skills, among other things — know what they want to accomplish but aren’t quite sure how to get there.
It wasn’t that way with 27-year-old Hernandez, who for 10 years had worked as a stay-at-home mom since opting not to finish high school in
order to get married and start a family.
Haygaru said not only did Hernandez come in the first day with a strong desire to get her GED, but she presented a multi-step plan of all the
areas she needed to work on to get it.
“She said I need this math, and I need this and I need that,” Haygaru said. “So I knew right away I was going to have to keep up with her.”
Since that first day in the program, which is administered by the Kansas City, Kan., School District and Kansas City Kansas Community
College, Hernandez hasn’t disappointed. She often shows up to class with a list of questions and reads ahead to textbook chapters before her
teacher has had a chance to look over them herself.
These are just a couple of the reasons that Hernandez was one of four students recognized for their achievements by the Kansas City, Kan.,
Board of Education this month.
Her accomplishments are even more noteworthy when you consider the rest of her schedule. Her full-time mothering gig hasn’t changed much
since she went back to school — now she just fits her school work around it.
With three kids ages 10, 6, and 3, Hernandez packs her evenings with cooking, cleaning and all the other things that come with keeping a
family of five going. Her husband, who often has to work late, helps out with the kids when he can, but otherwise she studies once the kids go
to bed or whenever she can find a few spare minutes.
“I just kind of fit it all in,” she said. “The rest of the time I’m helping them with their homework.”
Hernandez said she wouldn’t be on the verge of getting her GED with her current life situation if it wasn’t for the Family Literacy Program, a
facet of the On Track program that allows parents to learn at the same time their kids attend preschool at the same location inside Indian
Springs mall.
Parent and child even meet twice weekly for something called Parent and Child Together sessions, in which the two work on education projects
together. School officials say it’s aimed as much at helping the child learn as it is at teaching parents how to teach.
“The parent is the child’s first teacher to start with,” said Rosemary Lischka, director of Continuing Education and Community Services at
KCKCC. “The parent is basically learning how to teach the child.”
Even more important, Lischka said, is the relationship that parents form with the school system.
“When people don’t graduate from high school or don’t speak English, they’re often fearful of the whole school system that their child goes into,
so if there’s a problem they’re afraid to call,” Lischka said.
Programs like the Family Literacy Program not only help parents improve their prospects for a job or further education, Lischka said, “but the
parents are learning how to communicate with the school district and not be afraid of it anymore.”
Hernandez says the program gives her and 3-year-old Jasmine some valuable mother-daughter time, and it is helping to teach her daughter,
who speaks mainly Spanish at home, learn English also.
“We come together at the same time,” Hernandez said. “While I’m at class she goes to her class with the other kids …. She’s learning and I’m
learning also.”
Hernandez says she is glad she heard about the program, which is free except for a $20 fee to cover enrollment expenses. She hopes to take
the GED test in another month or so. Although she isn’t exactly sure what she wants to do once she gets her degree, she believes it’s going to
increase her job possibilities.
Those who have gotten a chance to know Hernandez through the program say she’s already on her way. Test scores show she’s already
progressing about four times as fast as an average student in the program.
“She is an inspiration to all my other students,” Haygaru wrote in her nomination letter to the school board, “and to anyone who says it’s too late
to change their life.”
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com
Thursday, Jan 31, 2

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Thursday, Jan 31, 2
Posted on Tue, Jan. 29, 2008
School Notes
Bonner Springs High School
Student chosen: Adam Smith, a senior, has been named a delegate to the 46th Annual United States Senate Youth Program.
Smith is one of two students selected from Kansas and among 104 nationwide. Delegates participate in a weeklong study of the
federal government and the American political process during the program’s Annual Washington Week in March. They will attend
meetings and briefings with Senate leaders, congressional staff, a Supreme Court justice, the president and members of the
national media.
Students are selected based on leadership abilities and commitment to public service. They rank academically in the top 1 percent
of their states.
At school, Smith holds a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average and will be a class valedictorian. He is editor-in-chief of the yearbook,
co-captain of the Varsity Scholars Bowl team and president of Executive Board. He is the son of Brian and Sheridan Smith of
Kansas City, Kan.
Accessible Arts Inc.
Grant awarded: The Kansas City, Kan., nonprofit has received a $30,000 grant from the Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis
Foundation.
The mission of the nonprofit is to make dance, music, visual art, drama and storytelling available to children and youth with
disabilities. Programs are designed to provide opportunities for agency clients to participate in plays, concerts, workshops and
other activities fully and in the same way as other students.
The grant will help with funding for programs and professional development workshops for educators and arts professionals. Last
year, the agency served 4,153 students from the Kansas City metropolitan area and the state of Kansas.
Communities in Schools of KCK/Wyandotte County
Empowering Youth grant: The nonprofit recently received a three-year grant of $249,000 from the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
The funds will be used in part to support local churches participating in the Adopt-A-School program that is managed
collaboratively with the Kansas City, Kan., School District. Five district schools have been adopted: J.C. Harmon, F.L. Schlagle,
Washington and Wyandotte high schools and Northwest Middle School.
The Kansas City, Kan., nonprofit is one of 31 agencies chosen nationwide for a Communities Empowering Youth Award. The
agency supports the school district’s efforts to graduate students who are prepared for college or the work force.
Donnelly College
“Meet the Presidents”: Cinthya Cervantes, Wendy Menjivar, Nancy Rodriguez and Maggie Villanueva have been chosen to
participate in a program of the Keeler Women’s Center.
The students will identify their career interests and be matched with a woman president of a company or other leader in that area.
They will shadow the women at work on Feb. 21.
This is the third year for the cooperative program between the college and the women’s center. Students are selected based on
academic records and initiative.
| Compiled by Su Bacon
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

Wyandotte County sports notebook
Source: The Star – January 30, 2008
Schlagle senior linebacker Eric Coulter will be a preferred walk-on at Kansas State next season. He met with his new coach, Ron Prince, on Friday at Schlagle. Just minutes after his team’s 50-44 overtime
victory over Basehor-Linwood on Friday, Tonganoxie girls basketball coach Randy Kraft emerged from the locker room with a slight smile on his face.
It was hard to blame him. His team had just beaten the previously undefeated Bobcats, The Star’s No. 1 small-class team. What’s more, the victory served the dual purpose of putting his
team in line for a shot at the Kaw Valley League championship and avenging a 67-43 loss to the Bobcats earlier this season.
Kraft said the first time the two teams met, his team was simply outplayed in the first half.
“We didn’t play very hard in the first half,” he said. “We were kind of in awe. They were doing a better job of running the floor and running their sets.”
But that wasn’t the case on Friday. Trailing 39-30 late in the fourth quarter, the Chieftains outscored the Bobcats 20-5 the rest of the way, mainly because of their energized play on
defense. Tonganoxie forced some turnovers and pressured Basehor-Linwood into taking some bad shots, and the Chieftains fed off the energy of their home crowd to take home the win.
Now, Kraft hopes his team can draw some confidence from the victory as it heads toward substate.
“It tells me what I thought all along, that we could be a pretty good team,” he said. “We have to bring that (energy) every night.
“Hopefully, this will be a springboard for them to show what they are capable of doing.”
Sumner at top of league
Sumner Academy boys basketball coach Danny Parra has no complaints about the way his first season at the helm has progressed.
“So far, so good,” Parra said.
Sumner is 8-3 overall and sits atop the Kansas City Kansas League standings with a 4-0 mark in league play. The Sabres don’t lack for excitement, either, averaging 71 points per game.
Senior 6-3 forward Brian Johnson leads Sumner in scoring at 19.5 points per game, while also averaging eight rebounds. Junior point guard Neil Watson is scoring 18 points per game and
averaging close to eight assists. And 6-3 sophomore forward Reese Holliday is contributing 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.
“I like where we’re at as a team,” said Parra, who was previously the varsity girls coach at Sumner. “I like the way we’re growing up as a team.”
- January 29, 2008 - 15:36 PM

Agency now taking scholarship applications
Written by By Edie R. Lambert
Thursday, 24 January 2008
The Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship Fund has scholarships totaling over $60,000 available for area Hispanic high school
seniors and college students. The application process is underway, and the deadline for submission is March 7. Scholarship
applications are available from high school counselors or on the LNESC-KC Web site at www.lnesc-kc.org.
Scholarship winners will be notified by April 21.
The objective of the program is to provide scholarships to college or college-bound metro area Hispanics. The scholarships are
awarded on the basis of academic merit, financial need and community involvement.
.
“I encourage kids to apply, even if they only come close to meeting the criteria,” said Mike Macias, LNESC-KC executive director.
“Last year, one of the applicants fell short of meeting academic requirements, but the quality of his essay qualified him, and he won a
$1,000 scholarship.”
All area Hispanic students are eligible to apply. Those residing in the Central Avenue, Armourdale and Argentine communities in
Kansas; and the Westside, Coleman Highlands and Northeast neighborhoods in Missouri will receive special consideration. This year,
40 percent of the funds will be awarded to students in those areas, with the remainder going to Hispanic students throughout the
Greater Kansas City metro area.
Their choice of college or university is not an eligibility criterion.
“Last year, a couple scholarship winners were bound for Stanford University, and some were going to other out-of-state institutions,”
Macias said.
More than 20 area colleges and universities participate in a matching program with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, giving scholarship
winners the opportunity to double the value of their scholarship award. Those institutions are listed on the scholarship application.
LNESC-KC (LULAC National Educational Service Center of Kansas City), a nonprofit organization, processes the scholarship
applications. Scholarships range from $550 to $1750.
In 2007, the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship Fund received 129 applications and awarded scholarships to 85 students.
Macias wants to triple that number of applicants this year.
“I know there are at least that many good students locally,” he said.
Scholarship winners will be honored at an awards ceremony June 12.
“My goal is to have an entry point for English and Spanish, with all the Web pages available in both languages,” said Macias, who
took over the organization nine months ago.
Students who apply for a Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship may also be considered for a scholarship from the Hispanic Bar

Association, Hispanic Media Association, Image de Greater Kansas City and MANA de Kansas City.
LNESC-KC is one of five founding agencies of the scholarship fund.
For more information about the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship, call or e-mail Mike Macias at (816) 241-3780, extension
214, or Mike.Macias@LNESC-KC.org.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 January 2008 )
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Entire Maintenance Shop honored by school district
By NICK SLOAN, Kansan Staff Writer
Each month, the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools District honors a few deserving workers
as the district’s Employees of the Month. But the January honor was by no means typical.
Print Page
At a meeting last week, the KCKPS Board of Education recognized the district’s entire
Maintenance Shop as the first employees of the month for 2008.
While the award was given primarily to the employees for their work in renovating the
district’s downtown office and library, members of the district recognized them for the daily
work they do.
“We are thanking them tonight for renovation of this building, (but) these men and women
are here 24-7,” said Cynthia Lane, assistant superintendent for business and instructional
support services. “If it wasn’t for these individuals, this district would not run.”
Generally, the district honors two or three employees and students of the month based on
recommendations from teaching faculty members or administration staff from within the
district. This month, the entire Maintenance Shop was nominated by the district’s Central
Office.
Richard Porras, carpenter foreman, thanked the district and congratulated fellow
employees for the award.
“Members of the maintenance shop are all brothers to me,” he said. “Our main goal has
always been the children and just get out there and get it done.”
Director of Physical Properties Ira Lourie said the staff takes pride in its work.
The nomination read:
“We would like to recognize and nominate for Employee of the Month (and the year, and
probably even the century), the labor crew, electricians, pipe fitters, carpenters, and entire
maintenance shop team… They helped us in every way possible to make the transition as
smooth as it could be. They are without a doubt a hardworking and dedicated group of men
[and women] and we appreciate them very much!”
Members of the Maintenance Shop who were honored include:
Secretaries Re’Nae Gilliard and Malinda Threadgill; Ira Lourie, director of physical
properties; Joe Herbin, coordinator of buildings and grounds; John Faniuk, plumber;
Richard Porras, carpenter foreman; Larry McAdams, brickmason foreman; Mike Johnson,
roofer and sheetmetal helper, Pete Sosa, electrician; Jack Cash, asbestos
inspector/management planner; Michael Pierce, carpenter; A.J. DeVriese, brickmason; John
Pflumm, plumber; Steve McGill, general mechanic; Mark Scaletty, sheet metal foreman;
Joseph Lillich, carpenter; Robert Pendleton, carpenter; Joe Mann, carpenter; Johnny
Lasley, truck driver; Keith Woolridge, plumber foreman; Gary Stauch, roofer foreman;
Bervin Byers, Jr., plumber; Gary Marx, Jr., laborer foreman; John McClain, mechanic; Carl
Scammahorn, carpenter; Michael Battles, painter foreman; Don Morgan, truck driver;
secretaries Nicole Skinner and Rosemary Marsh, Bessie VanRoss, payroll, James Michael
Dodd, auto mechanic; Daniel Felich, custodian; Jeffrey Fisher, carpenter; Bradley Hoffman,
John Kraft, Steven Roecker, and Joseph Bonomo, electricians; Jerry Belk, John Brooks, Jr.,

Kenneth Clayborn, Kevin Hamm, Kenneth Karnosky, Jack Gandy, Steve Griggs, Tim Gaines,
David Watts and Curtis Stevenson, laborers; Stanley Freeman, grounds department
foreman; Darrin Boehm, Arthur Carvin, Daniel Charles and William Michael Weaver,
grounds crew; Michael Reynolds, painter foreman, Kevin O’Malley, Thomas Solombrino,
Kenneth Williams, and Frank McKay, painters; Randy George, pipefitter foreman; John
Feeback, Terry Scott, Timothy Jensen, and Steve Knight, pipefitters; John Silvey,
cement/laborer; Patrick Santoyo, truck driver; and Bill Duncan, preventive maintenance
technician.
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Sabres find their niche
By JEREMY BANKS, Sports Editor
The Sumner Academy Sabres lead the Kansas City Kansas League with a 3-0 record, one
game better than the 2-1 F.L. Schlagle Stallions.
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The Sabres believe they’re playing their best basketball. And it’s happening at the right
time. Four of the Sabres’ last five league games are on the road, with trips to Washington,
Wyandotte, Schlagle and J.C. Harmon.
The road to the KCKL title will through—well— the road.
Sumner Academy Sabres basketball coach Dan Parra said it’s a good test for the team. He
wants to see if his team can come together and earn wins in difficult environments.
“We’ve got to win on the road,” Parra said. “To win any conference you’ve got to win on the
road.
“You’ve got to protect your home court and win on the road. It’s going to be a challenge.”
Protecting the homecourt hasn’t been a problem thus far. Winning on the road, in the
KCKL, is still a question. Sumner hasn’t done it yet.
However, the Sabres are confident they have the pieces to play well on the oppositions’
homecourt.
The Sabres are beginning to compliment each other.
“We know what we have,” Parra said.
Roles have been defined and the Sabres, 8-3, are thriving. Neil Watson has emerged as
one of the top point guards in the KCKL.
“We wouldn’t be 8-3 without him. He’s the leader of the team,” Parra said. “He’s a real
coach on the court.”
Watson, at times, calls the plays—and does it well.
“He finds a weakness on everybody’s team and he attacks it,” Parra said.
Reese Holliday and Devonte Chaney are two threats on the perimeter. They’re also the
Sabres’ go-to defenders. Chaney will guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player and
Holliday will play the opposition’s best post player.
Holliday and Brian Johnson are the Sabres’ top rebounders.
The Sabres, Johnson said, began to come together after their win against Schlagle on Dec.
18 at home. The Sabres used a fourth-quarter rally to win the game and claim first place in
the KCKL race.
“We all came together, started to work more as a team,” Johnson said. “Since then we’ve
been on a roll.”

Sumner’s bench has improved. Exavier Bass-Brooks is one of the best sixth men in the
KCKL while Stan Parker is giving the Sabres quality minutes as a backup guard. Spencer
Bennett and Blake Franklin are improving as reserve posts.
“We’re learning to play together. We learned we need to play together in order to win. No
individuals,” Watson said.
Everything seems to be coming together for the Sabres late in the season. The Sabres
scorers are producing, the rebounders are collecting and the defenders are suffocating.
With big games down the road, the Sabres will have to lean on each other. It’s a challenge,
one which could just make them better.
“I’m glad it’s this way,” Parra sad.
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Thursday, Jan 31, 2
Posted on Wed, Jan. 30, 2008
Public safety: KCK teen dies from crash injuries
KANSAS CITY, KAN. | A 17-year-old Washington High School student in Kansas City, Kan., has died from injuries suffered in
crash on Saturday.
The victim was identified as Christopher N. Brown. His family removed him from life support late Tuesday, police said. The crash
occurred about 10 p.m. Saturday at 86th Street and State Avenue.
The driver of the vehicle that hit Brown, Eric C. Snitz, 39, has been charged with aggravated battery, driving under the influence
and criminal use of a weapon for carrying a concealed firearm. The Wyandotte County district attorney filed the charges prior to
Brown’s death.
Snitz was released Monday on $100,000 bond, according to jail records.
SHAWNEE | ATM theft charge
Dujuan Clayton Thompson, 26, of Topeka has been charged with manipulating an automated teller machine to steal thousands of
dollars from a Shawnee bowling alley.
Thompson was arrested last week at Park Lanes Family Fun Center, 7701 Renner Road, after people at the bowling center held
him for police. Prosecutors allege that Thompson used an untraceable debit card and a computer code to trick the ATM into
dispensing more money than it was supposed to.
Thompson is under house arrest on $20,000 bond on felony charges of computer crime and theft.
OVERLAND PARK | Toddler left
A 32-year-old Overland Park woman was charged Wednesday with leaving her toddler at Overland Park Regional Medical Center
during an apparent paternity dispute with an employee there.
Christine Telca Murie appeared in Johnson County District Court on a misdemeanor charge of contributing to a child’s
misconduct, which involves causing a child to become a child in need of care.
Police said the woman went to the hospital on Tuesday to speak with an employee she said is the father of her 16-month-old
daughter. When the man refused to meet with her, she left the child in the lobby and fled.
KANSAS CITY | Man charged in thefts
Prosecutors have charged a Kansas City man with stealing from several businesses last weekend including a smash-and-grab
theft at a liquor store.
Frederick E. Griffin, 43, faces 12 criminal charges in all, including four counts of burglary, five counts of stealing and two counts of
property damage.
| Robert A. Cronkleton, bcronkleton@kcstar.com | Benita Y. Williams, bwilliams@kcstar.com | Benita Y. Williams, bwilliams@kcstar
© 2007 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

Wyandotte West, January 31, 2008
Bird of Prey...
Richard Cassidy, 10, of Kansas City, Kansas, casts a somewhat wary eye toward this American
Kestrel during the recent Eagle Day program at the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library. The bird
handler is Bill Whinery of Operation Wildlife. The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North
American and is commonly known as a sparrow hawk. The library is located at Wyandotte County
Lake Park. (Photo by Bettse Folsom.)

Demographics can be a window to the future
by Terri Cline
Have you been trying to sell ice to Eskimos
That’s what business experts call it when you don’t know your market as well as you should.
How do you get to know your market One word. Demographics.
The official definition of demographics is the study of the characteristics of a population. However, some
people feel it is much more than that.
In fact, David Foot, author of Boom Bust & Echo 2000: Profiting from the Demographic Shift in the New
Millennium, thinks demographics can be a window to the future. Foot believes that most economic behavior can
be predicted based upon demographics alone.
“Just consider that we tend to do different things at different times of our lives and that one year from now
we'll be one year older,” Foot explains. “Apply those principles to the whole population and we can explain
two-thirds of everything.”
Sounds good in theory, but does it really work
At least one successful entrepreneur thinks it does.
Steve Edwards expanded his brick and mortar retail store, Music City, into an international online music
outlet. According to Edwards, “a part of the company’s success can be attributed to truly understanding its
customer demographics.”
So, how can you truly understand your customer demographics
Glad you asked. The library has a powerful new database called DemographicsNow that can help.
DemographicsNow gives you easy access to reliable, comprehensive and up-to-date information about
your market, whether that market is the metropolitan Kansas City area, Wyandotte County, a census tract, a
block group, or a ZIP Code. It can even give you information on a custom-defined area based on drive time or a
radius of miles from your business location.
And DemographicsNow doesn’t just tell you who lives here now or how much they spend on commodities.
It also gives you a prediction of who will live in your market in the year 2012 and what they will be buying.
For instance, you can find out if there’s going to be a bigger increase in the male or female population of
Wyandotte County seniors in the coming years. (Men over 65 win this one, with an expected increase of 9.2
percent compared to just 3.9 percent for women.)
What’s the biggest expected area of growth for consumer expenditures in Wyandotte County (Floor
coverings, the only market segment with a predicted increase in the double digits.)
Think there will be more or fewer Wyandotte County households with children in the coming years (Almost
1,100 fewer by 2012.)
DemographicsNow offers valuable information that can help you make business decisions with greater
confidence, whether you’re expanding an existing business or starting a new business from scratch. And you
can take your pick of formats, including reports, graphs, pie charts and even interactive maps. All of which look
very impressive in a marketing or business plan.
Best of all, you can access this information anytime, anywhere using your KCK Public Library card. Just
go to www.kckpl.lib.ks.us, click on “Research Databases” and “Business,” then select DemographicsNow.
Call the library at (913) 551-3280 for more information about DemographicsNow or for help using the
database.
Terri Cline is business librarian for the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library.

Wyandotte West, January 31, 2008
Sumner students selected for all-state festival choir
Four students from Sumner Academy of Arts and Science auditioned and made the
Kansas Music Educators Association All-State Festival Choir. They are Melanie Gardner,
Mario Johnson, Brendan Kerr and Manuel Requenes.
They were selected out of thousands of students who auditioned from across the
state for a place in the 200-voice choir. The group will perform at the Kansas Music
Educators Association Convention in Wichita March 1.
Their vocal music teacher is Becky Thomas.
County spelling bee to be held Tuesday
The Wyandotte County competition in the Sunflower Spelling Bee is scheduled
for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Turner High School, 2211 S. 55th St.
Among the schools participating will be Bonner Springs Elementary, Christ the
King Catholic School, Delaware Ridge Elementary, Edwardsville Elementary,
Eisenhower Middle School, Junction Elementary, Midland Trail Elementary, Morris
Elementary, Northwest Middle School, Oak Grove Elementary, Piper Elementary East,
Resurrection Catholic School, Robert E. Clark Middle School, Rosedale Middle School,
St. Patrick School, Sumner Academy, Turner Elementary and Turner Middle School.
Damon Roberts is coordinator of the event.

Wyandotte West – January 31, 2008
High School Wrestling Notebook
Slowter secures championship at Shawnee Mission
North Invitational
Area grapplers perform well at Atchison tournament
by Donovan Corrigan
Keith Slowter went where no other Washington wrestler had gone before, or at least in nearly a decade—the
winner’s circle at the Shawnee Mission North Invitational. Slowter powered his way through the 189-pound
weight class en route to the championship last weekend.
“It was a big win for Keith,” Washington coach Darwyn Thomlinson said. “Coming into a tough
tournament where 14 (solid) teams were together, and taking a championship is always a big deal. “I believe
that Keith is the first (Wildcats’) winner at the Shawnee Mission North Tournament, since I've been a head
coach, and maybe since 2000.”
Slowter, who went 3-0 with three pins at the tournament, is a long, lanky, athletic and unorthodox wrestler
who causes opponents problems with his reach and height. Shawnee Mission West’s Jarad Sanches found out
first hand in the 189-pound title match, where Slowter pinned him at the three minute, 29-second mark.
“Keith, due to how tall and long he is, is very awkward on the mat,” Thomlinson said. “That makes him
very difficult to wrestle using traditional styles of wrestling you see out of most of the kids in this area. Jarad
Sanches attempted to use some of those techniques, and Keith's learned to take advantage of his long body in
those situations to pin people.”
Slowter, who also has a winning record at 215 pounds and heavyweight this season, improved to 8-4 at
189.
How did James Wauer do at the SM North Invitational:
James was sick the week prior to the SM North Invitational. Because of this we didn't feel comfortable
with him cutting weight down to 112lbs,so we held him out. However, we're looking forward to him wrestling
at the Wyandotte County Tournament and doing very well.
Schlagle
It was more about the quality, than it was the quantity for the Schlagle wrestling team last weekend at the
Final Flurry Invitational at Atchison. Despite only traveling with four wrestlers to compete in the tough
tournament, three Stallions returned home with a medal.
Elijuah Ming wrestled well in earning a third-place showing at 171 pounds. Donald Porter finished
fourth at 189 pounds, while Brandon Nickerson was fourth at 215. Ming improved to 8-3 with six pins.
Nickerson is now 14-8 with eight pins. Senior Raphael Sauls has the best record on the team at 15-2 overall this
season with 13 pins.
“We only took four wrestlers,” Schlagle coach Martez Wesley said. “So as you can see, I thought for the
numbers we had for that meet, they did a great job of competing.”
Bishop Ward
A trio of Cyclones stormed into their respective championship matches at the Final Flurry Invitational at
Atchison last weekend. Unfortunately, none of them were able to capture the crown.
Aaron Quisenberry finished second at 152 pounds; Alex Orel took second at 145 and Cisco Pineda was
second at 189. Alejandro Pacheco was fourth at 189. Quisenberry improved to 20-3 with 14 pins. Orel is now
21-5 with 10 pins. Pineda is 16-8 (12 pins), while Pacheco improved to 7-10 with 7 pins.
Ward finished fourth in the team standings with 73 points. The Cyclones finished one spot higher than
county rival, Piper, who was fifth at 65.5 points.
“Naturally, we were pleased to finish ahead of Piper,” Ward coach Marty Brock said. “Many of the kids
have known each other for years, grew up in the same neighborhoods, and sometimes went to grade school
together. So it's a rivalry based on mutual respect. They finished significantly ahead of us at their tournament,
so it was nice to even things up a bit.”

Schlagle holds on to knock off league rival
Stallions celebrate win over Wyandotte
by Donovan Corrigan
Beating a longtime city and league rival is always a good time. Knocking off a rival, who had beaten you
twice the year before, is certainly grounds for celebration. Just ask Schlagle basketball coach Dave Gonzales.
“Wyandotte beat us twice last year so the guys were really enjoying this one afterwards,” Gonzales said of
Schlagle’s 58-56 Kansas City Kansas League win over the Bulldogs last weekend. “We had some seniors
step up big for us. It was a nice win for us.
The final score was a lot closer than it appeared it would be heading into the fourth quarter. The Stallions
held a double-digit lead at 48-34 after three quarters of play. Wyandotte took advantage of some Schlagle
miscues down the stretch and nearly completed a valiant comeback bid. Wyandotte outscored Schlagle 22-10 in
the fourth quarter.
“I give Wyandotte a lot of credit for battling back the way they did,” Gonzales said. “We built a pretty big
lead heading into the fourth quarter, but played really tight the last four minutes of the game. We took some
shots that we probably shouldn't have taken and missed a lot of free-throw shots down the stretch.”
Schlagle senior forward Tyrone Wallace didn’t miss the biggest shot of the game, even with multiple
defenders on him. Wallace’s off-balance baseline jumper with one minute remaining helped the Stallions
secure the league victory. Wallace finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Guard Eric Kellogg played well in finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Point guard LaDarius Frazier (five
points and nine assists) and Rozell Nunn (six points, seven rebounds) played well before fouling out late in the
fourth quarter. Bruce Brooks scored eight points, while Jimmie Williams had six. Skyler Hall led Wyandotte in
scoring with 17 points.
Nunn, a standout freshman who leads the team in free-throw percentage, field-goal percentage, rebounds
and steals, tipped in a Wallace miss with 15 seconds left in the game to help Schlagle beat Shawnee Mission
North 56-54 at Schlagle last week. Nunn finished with a team-high 17 points and nine rebounds.
“He has gotten so much better since the beginning of the year,” Gonzales said. “There are times when he
makes freshman mistakes, but he does so many good things for us to overshadow those mistakes. He has been a
very pleasant addition for us this year.”
Schlagle improved to 6-6 overall, including a 2-1 record in the KCKL. The Stallions trail Sumner
Academy in the league standings. The Sabres are undefeated in the KCKL and ranked No.3 in the Kansas
Basketball Coaches Association’s Class 5A poll.
“We have to play really well the rest of the way to have a shot at winning league,” Gonzales said. “ We
have a big game vs. Sumner, and if we can win that one, we would pull even with them a top the league
standings. We also go to Harmon, which is a much improved team, so we definitely have our hands full this
week.”
Pirates bowl over competition
by Donovan Corrigan
Heading into the inaugural season of high school bowling at Piper, head coach Dick Tatro have some
simple, yet powerful goals for his team—just to be a team in the first place.
“The goals for this year have (already) been accomplished,” said Tatro, Piper’s athletic director and
former highly-successful football coach. “That was to have a schedule and start a team.”
The Pirates have far exceeded those expectations. Piper improved to 5-3 overall by going 3-0 on Monday
at Gage Bowl. The Pirates beat Leavenworth 2,068-1,974 in the first match-up. Senior Jake Trabert led the way
with a score of 560.
Piper outscored Oskaloosa 2,068-1,594 in the second match. Trabert had the high score at 560. The Pirates took
home a win over Topeka, 2,068-2,008. Senior Jacob Harman paced Piper with a score of 539.

Piper opened the season 2-0 after winning a pair of games over Schlagle. The Pirates out-pointed the
Stallions 1,862-1,604 on Jan. 23 at Ranch West. The Pirates beat Schlagle 1, 944-1.927 on Jan. 24 at Ranch
Bowl. Trabert (544 and 566) was the high scorer in both victories.
“This is a great sport for our kids,” Tatro said. “They are really enjoying it and, I want to thank the school
board for making this possible. I’m the interim coach this year, and hope to hire someone to coach the team next
year. We also hope to have a girls team next year.”
Piper will bowl against St. James Academy on Feb. 8 at 3:30 p.m. at Ranch Bowl.
Wyandotte County meet proves a swimming success
by Donovan Corrigan
It might have been the only time all season that it didn’t matter as much that her team finished a meet in
last place. Nancy Browne, Washington athletic director and head coach of the Washington-Sumner Academy
swimming team, was overjoyed at the thought of one of her dreams for the county’s prep swimmers becoming a
reality, the results weren’t the main thing—the event was.
Washington hosted the inaugural Wyandotte County Swimming Meet last week. The meet, which included
all the boys swimming teams from Wyandotte County high schools, was something Browne was happy to
witness.
“I was thrilled to finally have enough swimming teams in Wyandotte County to host this meet,” Browne
said. “We were three well-matched teams. It was very competitive, yet a friendly atmosphere, and that's the
way it should be. I hope the meet continues for years to come.”
Just a few years ago, the thought of this meet would have been just a far-fetched idea. That was until
Bonner Springs added a swimming program, as did the combined team from Washington and Sumner. Turner
started its swimming program this season, which helped make the WyCo meet possible.
“Turner is a first-year team that has had a very good inaugural season,” Browne said. “Bonner is always
strong, and Washington /Sumner's swimmers outperformed
themselves each week of the season, and has several very young swimmers.”
As the three relatively new swimming programs and the interest in competitive swimming in the county
grows, so does the likelihood that this event will stand the test of time.
“The plan is for this meet to continue,” Browne said. “It will grow as the teams grow. All three teams
could use more numbers, and that is most likely a reflection of the availability (or lack of it) of (swimming)
pools in Wyandotte County.”
Bonner Springs will go down in the history books as the first-ever county boys swimming champions.
The Braves scored 90 points in pulling away from the field. Turner finished second with 56 points, while
Washington-Sumner was third at 55.
Bonner Springs had a pair of swimmers win multiple championships. Ryan Holcomb won the 200-yard
individual medley (two minutes, 46.43 seconds) and the 100-yard freestyle (1:00.54). Matt Bille won the 100-
yard butterfly (1:20.38) and the 500-yard freestyle (6:25.50).
Zach Holder of Bonner Springs won the 100-backstroke (1:26.30), while Josh Cook captured the crown in
the 100-meter breaststroke (1:14.75). The Braves won the 200-yard (team) medley and the 200-yard freestyle
(team) relay titles.
Washington-Sumner had two swimmers win individual championships. Daniel Moody won the 200-yard
freestyle (2:25.31), while James Smith took home gold in the 50-yard freestyle (26.42). Washington-Sumner
finished first in the 400-yard freestyle (team) relay race at 4:35.63.
“Our swimmers improved their times in every event, and every swimmer medaled,” Browne said. “We
were very pleased with their performance.”
The inaugural Wyandotte County girls swimming meet will take place on May 1 at Washington.
Washington-Sumner, Bonner Springs and Turner will be joined by a combined Piper-Bishop Ward team.