USD 383 school board member Katie Allen is seeking more than $6 million in compensation in her lawsuit against Kansas Department of Education officials, according to new court documents. Allen filed a federal lawsuit against her former boss, Randy Watson, commissioner of education, for “demanding” she resign after she made a Facebook post in September. She said it was a violation of her First Amendment right to free speech. She has named Watson in his individual capacity and added Jake Steele, the new education commissioner, in his official capacity. The department itself is no longer listed as a defendant. According…
Author: Megan Moser
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall said Tuesday that he wants to minimize casualties and avoid a “forever war” as the United States negotiates with Iran to end the 100-day conflict. Marshall, a Republican representing Kansas, spoke to reporters in a video call Tuesday morning as U.S. officials continued talks in Switzerland. Marshall recalled Desert Storm in 1991, which he said was the first venture into “this Middle East quagmire.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
USD 383 students will be without their phones from the beginning of the school day to the end under a new policy the school board approved Wednesday to align with Kansas law. The Manhattan-Ogden school board at its meeting voted 6-1 to approve a policy prohibiting students from “using or accessing personal electronic communications devices during the school day while on district owned or operated property.” The school district had been developing its own cell phone policy, but officials decided they had to change tack after Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a more stringent cell phone ban in March.…
We don’t yet know many of the specifics of a large-scale data center proposed for Pottawatomie County, which was presented to the public last month. The developer hasn’t shared the name of the company that would be the end-user, the size of the facility or details about its utility needs. But we’ve gathered some of the basic questions we’re hearing from residents about what could be a very large project and what it will mean for the region. Here’s what we know so far: What is a data center? A data center is really a bunch of computer servers, as…
Riley County’s appraiser warned county commissioners that appraisal appeals are increasing again after a brief decline and said millions of dollars in pending exemptions could affect future budgets. During a commission meeting Thursday, county appraiser Anna Burson said the office is preparing for small claims hearings related to the 2026 tax year while continuing to manage payment-under-protest hearings and Board of Tax Appeals cases dating back several years. Burson presented historical appeal data dating to 2018. She said residential properties continue to account for the majority of appeals. Appeals peaked in 2023 and, after declining for a period, are rising…
The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education on Wednesday night approved the purchase of a district-based artificial intelligence server. Board members said the technology is necessary for the future of education and emphasized privacy and security safeguards. The board unanimously approved a $23,000 quote from United School Administrators for the artificial intelligence server and three configured models. Board members and administrators said the system would allow the district to use AI tools internally without sending student or district data to internet-based AI platforms. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
The driver of a motorcycle in a crash involving Manhattan mayor Susan Adamchak was cited for speeding, according to police records obtained by The Mercury on Wednesday. Those records also make clear that the motorcyclist hit Adamchak, rather than the other way around. The crash occurred Sunday afternoon on Zeandale Road. The initial police report, which formed the basis for the news report published Monday by The Mercury, said Adamchak crashed into the motorcyclist. Adamchak, 72, said she was leaving the Unitarian Universalist church, turning left onto Zeandale road in her car. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Having a proper administrator will help Riley County have a “seat at the table” with other entities, Mike Dodson told commissioners at Thursday’s meeting. Dodson, a former legislator, mayor and commanding general at Fort Riley, spoke as part of the Citizen Group for Advancing Riley County Growth and Prosperity, to share its conclusions in a presentation. The commission in February hired a consultant to make a recommendation on changes to the county’s leadership structure. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
USD 383 officials said Wednesday they’ve seen modest academic gains and are addressing ongoing challenges in the district’s latest accountability report. Andrea Tiede, director of teaching and learning for the Manhattan-Ogden District, shared with the school board some data comparing 2024 and 2025 in several areas. According to data, the district’s graduation rate stood at 83.3% percent in 2025, up from 82.8% in 2024. The state rate is 90.5%. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
One year in, the cell phone policy in USD 383 schools is driving improved classroom engagement and behavior, district officials said Wednesday, though a new Kansas law may soon require stricter enforcement and create new challenges. Officials gave a report reflecting on the policy’s first year during the Manhattan-Ogden school board meeting Wednesday at Lincoln Education Center. The policy requires students keep devices in bags, pockets or special pouches, though they can use them during passing periods and at lunch. More than 92% of educators reported improved student engagement under the policy, while about 94% said classroom climate has improved,…