Lawrence Journal-World 07-22-11

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L A W R E N C E

JOURNAL-WORLD

®

75 CENTS

Kevin Blocker, Topeka, with three pairs of new shoes.

sidewalk sale sights

Hopes for reversal of SRS decision still alive

Makaela Mason, Lawrence, with her $1 sombrero.

Dresses for sale — in every color.

2011

By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com

Local officials said Thursday they are continuing their efforts to get Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration to reverse its decision to shut down the Lawrence office of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Brownback has said he is open to options, but SRS Secretary Robert Siedlecki Jr. has indicated the off ice, which deals with thou- Weinaug sands of people each month, will be closed within three months. Still, SRS indicates there may be some room to deal. “Any alternate arrangement regarding real estate would have to meet the department’s budgetcutting criteria,” SRS spokeswoman Angela De Rocha said. But she added, “There has been no change in the decision to close the SRS off ice in Lawrence.” SRS says it must close nine off ices to save $1 million in administrative costs. Shutting down the Lawrence office, by far the biggest on the hit list, would save $413,385, according to SRS.

Rolled-up fabric samples for sale.

Kelly Bohling, left, and Ruth Kuefler, Lawrence, performing.

By Chris Hong chong@ljworld.com

ONLINE: See videos at LJWorld.com

The blistering heat didn’t stop shoppers from sniffing out the bargains Thursday at the 51st annual Downtown Sidewalk Sale in Lawrence. Businesses along Massachusetts Street set up shop in front of their stores, luring customers with discounted merchandise. Melissa Beatty specifically came to Lawrence from Kansas City, Mo., to shop at Garry Gribble’s Running Sports. “I got a pair of running shorts for $5,” Beatty said. “I was very excited.” Cathy Hamilton, director of Downtown Lawrence Inc., said she wasn’t sure how the high temperature of 101 would affect the event. Organizations and businesses provided free water and access to air conditioning to help shoppers survive the heat, and Hamilton said she thinks the effort made a difference. “I am pleasantly surprised because I was down here before dark and couldn’t find a parking spot,” said Hamilton, who directed her first Sidewalk Sale this year. “I think it’s been a great turnout.” Hamilton said the merchants she talked to said they were happy with the sale’s attendance. “It’s the busiest as it’s ever been,” said Mary Cox, owner of Shark’s Surf Shop, 813 Mass. “The heat did not slow it down.” Meghan Misenhelter, an employee at Weaver’s Department Store, 901 Mass., said that although last year was cooler, the number of customers this year was about the same. Caroline Mathias, owner of Foxtrot, 823 Mass., also said the event went well. Mathias said that her store was busy in the morning and would probably pick up later in the afternoon, as more people got off work. The sale was to ended 9 p.m. — Reporter Chris Hong may be reached at 832-6354.

By Mark Fagan mfagan@ljworld.com

Teachers in the Lawrence school district would get pay raises for the coming school year, but the bulk of the money wouldn’t last any longer. While negotiators for the Lawrence school district and its teachers union, the Lawrence Education Association, remain at odds over an overall master agreement for teachers during the coming year, the two sides did tentatively agree Thursday to two financial changes that would be included in such an agreement: ● All licensed educators would get

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Loan program loses funding

By Christine Metz

Meghan McBride, Lawrence, with bargain dresses.

Domino Brewer, 13, Lawrence, with new shoes and sunglasses.

a one-time payment of $1,000 — earning $58,830, the highest on the payable either Dec. 21 or 22, making salary scale — the raise would be it similar to what other employers equivalent to 2.1 percent. might consider a holiday “We are pleased with the bonus. numbers of dollars they’re ● All licensed educators putting on the table,” said — there are 926 now — also David Reber, the union’s lead would get $250 added to negotiator. their annual base salaries, The tentative agreements something that would came after a negotiating sesremain with teachers as they sion that lasted for more than enter negotiations in comfive hours at district headSCHOOLS ing years. quarters, with contentious For an entry-level teacher, who exchanges over other topics that still now earns $34,780, the raise for next remain unsettled: the amount of year would be equal to 3.6 percent. money that should be dedicated to For a teacher with a doctorate and fringe benefits, and ongoing work to more than 13 years in the district — change the way teachers are evaluat-

cmetz@ljworld.com

Photos by Mike Yoder

Mediate or wait The raises would not take effect until and unless a new master agreement is endorsed by both negotiating teams and then approved by their

Kansas Energy Off ice is pulling funding on a state program that has lent hundreds of Kansans thousands of dollars to make energy-efficient upgrades in their homes. Pending final approval from the U.S. Department of Energy, the money in the loan program will be redirected to three renewable energy projects. The program, known as Efficiency Kansas, was launched in November 2009 and was operating off the bulk of the $38 million the state received in stimulus money earmarked for energy efficiency projects. The idea was to create a revolving, low-interest loan fund that homeowners could tap into for everything from putting insulation in the attic to replacing an

Please see TEACHERS, page 4A

Please see LOANS, page 2A

7A 4B-10B 9A 2A

Events listings Horoscope Movies Opinion

10A, 2B 9B 5A 8A

Poll Puzzles Sports Television

Low: 77

Today’s forecast, page 10A

ed for the work they do. In terms of compensation, however, both sides agreed on the bumps in pay. “Teachers need to be rewarded for what they do,” said Mark Bradford, president of the Lawrence school board. “I think that’s great,” said Reber, a biology teacher at Free State High School.

INSIDE

Same old thing Business Classified Comics Deaths

Please see SRS, page 2A

Kaylee West, 9, of Shawnee, catches a breeze.

Racks of sale-priced shoes.

Negotiations lead to teacher pay raises; other details unsettled

High: 100

LJWorld.com

FRIDAY • JULY 22 • 2011

Join us at Facebook.com/LJWorld and Twitter.com/LJWorld

2A 9B 1B-3B 5A, 2B, 9B

COMING SATURDAY A report on former KU basketball star Mario Chalmers, who’ll be in town for a charity event.

Vol.153/No.203 20 pages

Energy smart: The Journal-World makes the most of renewable resources. www.b-e-f.org


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