The Manhattan-Ogden school district could see its enrollment increase by 400 students within the next five years. On Wednesday night, BG Consultants told USD 383 board members a seven-percent increase over the next four years is a conservative estimate of what the future holds over the next twenty years. USD 383 administrators plan to follow the 2037 Master Plan as Manhattan experiences its next boom. The district hired BG Consultants last fall to execute a long-range facilities plan. An online survey distributed by the architecture firm elicited 1,700 responses, while site council meetings and community forums gave consultants enough feedback to…
Author: KMAN Staff
Graduating high school seniors and eager school children are not the only ones counting down the days left on USD 383’s school calendar. The Manhattan-Ogden board of education celebrated the careers and service of 35 retiring teachers and faculty members at a reception held on Wednesday evening at the Robinson Education Center. According to president Marcia Rozell, the group of retirees had a combined 735 years of service in Manhattan-Ogden. Each retiree was given a plaque and gift for their service. Most retirees are looking ahead to simpler days, where they trade lesson plans and grade books for sit-down meals…
TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s top Democrats are proposing that the state phase in a $600 million increase in spending on public schools over three years. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka and House Minority Leader Jim Ward of Wichita made their proposal public Wednesday. They also sent a letter to GOP leaders Tuesday. A House committee has proposed phasing in a $280 million increase in spending over two years. The increase in aid under the Democratic plan after two years would be $400 million. A Senate committee is drafting its own proposal. Kansas spends about $4 billion a year…
Today’s guests on In Focus included Manhattan Ogden USD 383 School Board member Aaron Estabrook with Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid, as well as Manhattan Christian College President Kevin Ingram. Estabrook & Reid: Ingram:
A full-scale exercise is being held at Fort Riley the next few days (May 17 and 18). Fort Riley residents, employees and community members should be aware there is likely to be an increase in emergency response vehicle traffic and warning sirens. Additionally, certain roads on the installation may be closed and traffic could be rerouted in certain locations at various times. Drivers are asked to be patient and allow extra time when traveling on post. The exercise is a way to test and train installation emergency preparedness. The annual exercise involves Fort Riley assets and community partner support to…
Drive-thru’s, gas stations, and parking lots will soon have no place in Aggieville. At Tuesday night’s meeting, Manhattan City Commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance which would amend Article IV of the Manhattan Zoning Regulations. According to John Adams, senior long range planner, the amendments to the zoning regulations come at the recommendation of the recently-passed Aggieville Community Vision. “The amendments are intended to stop further auto-centric development from happening,” Adams said. “Since the goal of the Aggieville plan is to create a vibrant urban design, this kind of urban design doesn’t really achieve that end.” Adams noted…
TOPEKA — State legislators are delaying discussions about public school funding and raising taxes to fix the state budget. House and Senate negotiators who had planned to convene Tuesday to discuss proposals for increasing income taxes never scheduled a meeting. Lead House negotiator Steven Johnson said he doesn’t know when the group will convene again. The Assaria Republican said it’s an indication that lawmakers remain divided on tax issues. The House postponed a debate until at least Thursday on a plan to phase in a $280 million increase in spending on public schools over two years. Leaders want to give House members…
TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate has backed away from a floor debate on the state’s controversial concealed carry law and opted to send a bill back to committee. Senators on Tuesday voted to send back a bill that would allow public hospitals and nursing homes, community mental health centers, low-income health clinics and the University of Kansas Medical Center to ban guns in their facilities. Under a law taking effect July 1, those health care providers will have to either allow guns on the premises or secure building entrances using metal detectors and armed guards. The bill would allow the facilities…
Editor’s note: The initial version of this story incorrectly referenced the accident as a fatal hit-and-run. Wilhelm, the victim, is alive and still receiving treatment. KMAN regrets and apologizes for the error. Additional details have been released regarding a hit and run case KMAN reported on more than a month ago. The case has been forwarded to the Riley County Attorney’s office regarding possible charges and the name of the driver has been released. The release reminds us officers with the Riley County Police Department responded to a report of a hit and run injury accident that occurred at 12th St. and…
Tuesday’s guests were Manhattan Mayor Usha Reddi and City Manager Ron Fehr.