Thrive directors back new schools initiative

Alan Weber told Allen County commissioners Tuesday the Thrive Allen County board of directors recently voted to unanimously support bond and sales tax issues to build new elementary and high schools.
Weber, county counselor, is a member of the Thrive board and was prompted to announce Thrive’s support after Jen Taylor, chair of the committee supporting the school issue, came to visit with commissioners.
“I’m not here seeking an endorsement,” Taylor said, rather to share an economic impact study that showed what effect construction and the new schools would have on the local economy.
The report said construction activity would pump $59.6 million into Iola’s economy, create 196 jobs during the construction phase and generate $20.4 million in salaries for area construction and other workers.
The project would create an estimated $5.1 million in local taxable sales and generate revenue of $115,988 for Iola and Allen County, according to the study done by Impact DataSource, an Austin, Texas, company. The consulting company has done similar analyses in 36 states over 20 years.
Taylor said rumors and incorrect information were the biggest obstacles to their campaign to build new schools in Iola. However, she is optimistic and thinks the promotion campaign “is going well.”
She encouraged commissioners and others to avail themselves of information about the project through meetings scheduled in LaHarpe at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the town’s City Hall and Oct. 30 at McKinley Elementary School.
Commissioner Jim Talkington asked what Taylor thought would occur if either of the tax issues failed; both have to pass for the project to proceed.
“I know there’s not one vote on the board of education to remodel,” Taylor said, an approach that “wouldn’t solve problems.” She noted low teacher salaries and old buildings make it difficult to attract teachers.
As for her role, Taylor told the county she was “volunteered by my mother” to head the promotional effort. “I have four children and I have been a volunteer in the schools every week for seven years. I know the problems,” from physical deficiencies to overcrowding that forces student-teacher interaction in closets and hallways.
“Remodeling doesn’t solve problems,” Taylor observed because of the limited space in each school. None of the schools are ADA compliant and therapists are forced to work with students in hallways and closets. “It would not be good use of tax money.”
If the two votes are approved, Carl Slaugh, Iola administrator, shed light on how the city would use its quarter-cent portion of a half-cent sales tax. The school district would use its half to fund construction of the schools.
He said utilities would be extended to the 90-acre site north of Oregon Road and on either side of the Prairie Spirit Trail. The city already has rights to provide sewer, gas and electric services and would add water once the area is annexed, which the city has plans to do, he said.
Also, Slaugh said sales tax revenue would be used to extend Cottonwood Street north through Cedarbrook Golf Course to give direct vehicle access to the schools.
“We’re drawing up plans” for the street extension, which would include sidewalks on either side, he added.
As for alterations to Oregon Road to provide better and safer access, Slaugh said a study soon would determine what needed to be done with turning lanes.

Slaugh said conversations he had with a Wichita residential developer at a League of Kansas Municipalities meeting might lead to work here. The developer told Slaugh he had had experience converting such things as schools and hospitals to apartment complexes.
Also, Slaugh said the company that had planned to build senior living apartments along North Kentucky Street had indicated some interest again in Iola. Neighborhood Senior Living built apartments in Chanute after its owners were soured by opposition to developing the Kentucky Street property.
“I understand about all the apartments in Chanute are full,” Slaugh said, including an area set aside for those suffering from Alzheimer’s.

COMMISSIONERS gave 911 director Angie Murphy go-ahead to purchase pre-employment testing software for $3,595. Murphy said the software would be helpful in deciding whether applicants for dispatching positions were well suited for the fast-paced work.
Murphy also mentioned that enhanced 911 service, Next Generation 9-1-1, soon would be available. It will permit the public to transmit texts, images, video and data to 911 dispatchers. Estimated cost for upgrades is $20,000 per dispatch station. Allen County’s Critical Response Center as three full-time stations.
Switching to the higher grade service likely is two years in the future.