Lawrence Journal-World 02-13-11

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KU DOMINATES IOWA STATE, 89-66, AND MAY TOP RANKINGS MONDAY

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SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 13 • 2011

Law change may allow even blind to carry concealed

Seeking bond issue for consolidation, updates ‘a huge risk’

By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com

In the state of Kansas, to carry a concealed firearm you need a gun — preferably something that fits nice under your jacket, in your pocket or perI think a lot of haps in your purse. You also need a people who have license, the state’s concealed carry seal of approval that don’t carry that you can hide a firearm on your permuch because son. they realize the What’s less clear is gravity of it. It is whether you need eyesight. It certainly a tremendous is suggested, unquesresponsibility. I tionably helpful. But trust people in following a change in state law, it is no general.” longer clear whether it is required. — Rep. Forrest Knox, Kansas legislators R-Altoona during the last session approved a number of changes to the state’s concealed carry law. One of them was that people who are

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photos

A FIFTH-GRADE CLASS AT SUNSET HILL SCHOOL, 901 Schwarz Road in central Lawrence, leaves portable classrooms to head to lunch Thursday. The school is among elementary schools in the district envisioned for upgrades as part of a potential bond issue that would be expected to make changes within the next three to five years. Sunset Hill is simply too small — its fifth-graders all attend class in portables, and the lunchroom also is the school’s gym.

District weighs elementary school needs By Mark Fagan mfagan@ljworld.com

Please see CONCEALED, page 9A

KU taking new approach to curb hazing By Andy Hyland ahyland@ljworld.com

Kansas University continues to refine its policies toward hazing after the issue flared up twice this academic year. KU placed its chapter of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity on a two-year probation after an investigation revealed hazing occurred at the fraternity’s annual island party in September. At that party, KU freshman Matt Fritzie was left paralyzed after diving into a makeshift pool. The university is also mulling sanctions for its Interfraternity Council, a student leadership group whose mission includes promoting the greek community. A KU report found that members of that group committed hazing violations relating to paddling one another. Please see KU, page 2A

KAMREE MILES, 6, AND HER FATHER, TODD MILES, a school Watch D.O.G., have lunch together in the Sunset Hill cafeteria, which is also the school’s gym. “This community is an education community. If a bond issue is crafted that makes sense, and it’s respectful of taxpayer money, I think the community would support it,” said Sunset Hill principal Chris Bay.

By Shaun Hittle sdhittle@ljworld.com

Scanning the name tags of the audience at Saturday morning’s Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Eggs and Issues event gave a good indication of the day’s hot topic: cuts to state education funding. At least a quarter of those registered for the event were from the Lawrence Education Association, and many more featured “USD 497” on their name tags. Answering a variety of questions was a panel made up of area state representatives Ann Mah, DTopeka, TerriLois Gregory, RBaldwin City, Barbara Ballard, DLawrence, and House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence,

plus House Majority warned that potential Leader Arlen Siegfreid, budget cuts could force R-Olathe; and state senaschool districts to raise tors Tom Holland, Dlocal revenue, which Baldwin City, and Marci would be more difficult Francisco, D-Lawrence. for smaller districts. There were plenty of That could result in “a questions but not enough state of haves and havetime as focus of the mod- LEGISLATURE nots,” Holland said. erated discussion shifted Siegfreid, however, to proposed cuts to state educa- emphasized making tough decition funding. sions in tight economic times. “It’s stirred up a little bit of dis“We can’t print money,” he said. cussion, to say the least,” Davis said. “We don’t cut for fun, we’re cutKansas faces a $492 million ting out of necessity.” shortfall in revenue for the coming Hank Booth, the Chamber’s fiscal year, starting July 1, and Gov. government and community Sam Brownback’s budget recom- affairs director, said Saturday’s mendation — revealed in January event broke an Eggs and Issues — includes a $132 million cut in this attendance record, as more than year’s education spending. 120 ate breakfast and listened to Several of the lawmakers lawmakers in the Alton Ballroom

INSIDE Arts & Entertainment 1C-6C Books 3C Classified 7B-10B Deaths 2A

Events listings Horoscope Movies Opinion

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Puzzles Sports Television

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Today’s forecast, page 12A

Please see DISTRICT, page 2A ● Task Force to discuss its studies at Monday board meeting. Page 4A

Education hot topic at Eggs and Issues forum

Mostly sunny

High: 50

Officials acknowledge that the next bond issue in the Lawrence school district will address needs in the district’s elementary schools: eliminating portables, adding classrooms, fixing roofs, remodeling kitchens and embarking on dozens of other projects — large and small — considered necessary to bring equitable and effective educational opportunities to all students in grades kindergarten through five. Such a goal is poised to emerge later this month from the district’s Lawrence Elementary School Facility Vision Task Force, tasked with recommending short- and long-term

plans for addressing the district’s educational needs while grappling with dwindling finances. One inherent problem: A bond issue is no sure thing. “It’s a huge risk,” said Jessica Beeson, a task force member and parent of two kids at Cordley School, one of three schools being studied by the group for recommended closure next year. Voters, of course, always have the final say in district business: They elect school board members, who have

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at Pachamama’s, 800 N.H. Booth attributed the strong turnout to the education concerns and the many new faces in the Kansas legislature. “All eyes are focused on Topeka,” Booth said. “Everybody’s watching.” Following Eggs and Issues, school board and city commission candidates engaged in a dialogue and met with the public in a forum sponsored by the Voter Education Coalition. The Chamber will sponsor two more Eggs and Issues events before July, including one in March, though a date for the event has not been set. — Reporter Shaun Hittle can be reached at 832-7173.

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