By RON WILSON Kansas State University

There are two legendary football coaches who are retired and living in Manhattan, Kansas. One is Bill Snyder, a multiple-time national coach of the year and a member of the National College Football Hall of Fame.&nbsp;

The other is a legendary high school football coach who led his team to the longest winning streak in the nation while coaching in&nbsp;rural&nbsp;Kansas.&nbsp;

Roger Barta is the retired high school football coach who set these records in Smith Center, Kansas. His accomplishments were so noteworthy that an East Coast writer spent a year in Kansas to write about them. In 2010, the book chronicling these achievements was published.&nbsp;

Roger Barta and his wife Pam grew up in the&nbsp;rural&nbsp;community of Plainville, population 1,903 people. Now, that’s&nbsp;rural. In high school, Roger played quarterback but couldn’t continue football due to injury. After graduating from Fort Hays State and earning a master’s in Georgia, he embarked on a high school teaching and coaching career. In 1987, he took his first and only head coaching job in Smith Center.&nbsp;

That was the beginning of a phenomenal career. Roger Barta built a coaching staff and a power football system which would develop into a juggernaut, with tremendous community support.&nbsp;

His won-loss record was excellent, and then came the streak of consecutive winning games. One win turned into two, and then five and 10 and more. A state championship was achieved, and then another and another.&nbsp;

One day in 2007, the Smith Center Redmen played Plainville and got on a roll. A series of Plainville turnovers and Smith Center offensive strikes snowballed into a rout. In a set of circumstances that Coach Barta regrets today, the Redmen scored 72 points – in the first quarter. This broke a national record set back in 1925 and propelled Smith Center into the national spotlight.&nbsp;

One of the national sportswriters who followed this story was a New York Times reporter named Joe Drape. He visited Smith Center to report on it and found himself intrigued with this remarkable coach and community.&nbsp;

Joe returned to New York, but something about the community stayed with him. He thought about Coach Barta and the lives the coach had touched. He thought about the winning streak and the challenges of the upcoming season, after a highly touted senior class graduated.&nbsp;

Joe had the unlikely idea to move his wife and young son from New York to Kansas for a year to follow the football season. He did so and chronicled the remarkable season that followed.&nbsp;

Coach Barta shaped this group of unheralded underclassmen into a powerful team once again. After some early-season close calls, the team came together and finished undefeated with Smith Center’s fifth consecutive state championship. Eventually, the winning streak would extend to 79 games – the longest high school victory streak in the nation.&nbsp;

The best-selling book is titled “Our Boys - A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen.”&nbsp;

“Our Boys” is about&nbsp;rural&nbsp;life as well as football. In the end, the book is about Coach Barta and the values he instills. Coach Barta teaches the simple values of hard work, dedication and love. “We talk about getting a little better each day,” he said, “about being the best we can be, about being a team.” He tells his players, “We need to respect each other, and then like each other, and then love each other. And when we have chemistry, that’s when together we are champions.”&nbsp;

Coach Barta said, “None of this is about football. What I hope we’re doing is sending kids into life who know that every day means something.” After retiring, Coach Barta and Pam retired to Manhattan.&nbsp;

Hard work, high values, and getting better every day. That sounds like another legendary coach who is retired and living in Manhattan. We commend Bill Snyder and Roger Barta for making a difference in their community and in the lives of so many young people.&nbsp;

And there’s more. Roger’s son Brooks would follow in his father’s footsteps of outstanding coaching. We’ll learn about that next week.

Audio and text files of Kansas Profiles are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasprofile.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kansasprofile.com</a>. For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">http://www.huckboydinstitute.org</a>.

Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600566316666.jpeg" alt="Ron Wilson. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Ron Wilson. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Kansas State UniversityThere are two legendary football coaches who are retired and living in Manhattan, Kansas. One is Bill Snyder, a multiple-time national coach of the year and a member of the National College Football Hall of Fame.&nbsp;The other is a legendary high school football coach who led his team to the longest winning streak in the nation while coaching in&nbsp;rural&nbsp;Kansas.&nbsp;Roger Barta is the retired high school football coach who set these records in Smith Center, Kansas. His accomplishments were so noteworthy that an East Coast writer spent a year in Kansas to write about them. In 2010, the book chronicling these achievements was published.&nbsp;Roger Barta and his wife Pam grew up in the&nbsp;rural&nbsp;community of Plainville, population 1,903 people. Now, that’s&nbsp;rural. In high school, Roger played quarterback but couldn’t continue football due to injury. After graduating from Fort Hays State and earning a master’s in Georgia, he embarked on a high school teaching and coaching career. In 1987, he took his first and only head coaching job in Smith Center.&nbsp;That was the beginning of a phenomenal career. Roger Barta built a coaching staff and a power football system which would develop into a juggernaut, with tremendous community support.&nbsp;His won-loss record was excellent, and then came the streak of consecutive winning games. One win turned into two, and then five and 10 and more. A state championship was achieved, and then another and another.&nbsp;One day in 2007, the Smith Center Redmen played Plainville and got on a roll. A series of Plainville turnovers and Smith Center offensive strikes snowballed into a rout. In a set of circumstances that Coach Barta regrets today, the Redmen scored 72 points – in the first quarter. This broke a national record set back in 1925 and propelled Smith Center into the national spotlight.&nbsp;One of the national sportswriters who followed this story was a New York Times reporter named Joe Drape. He visited Smith Center to report on it and found himself intrigued with this remarkable coach and community.&nbsp;Joe returned to New York, but something about the community stayed with him. He thought about Coach Barta and the lives the coach had touched. He thought about the winning streak and the challenges of the upcoming season, after a highly touted senior class graduated.&nbsp;Joe had the unlikely idea to move his wife and young son from New York to Kansas for a year to follow the football season. He did so and chronicled the remarkable season that followed.&nbsp;Coach Barta shaped this group of unheralded underclassmen into a powerful team once again. After some early-season close calls, the team came together and finished undefeated with Smith Center’s fifth consecutive state championship. Eventually, the winning streak would extend to 79 games – the longest high school victory streak in the nation.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608444086109.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>The best-selling book is titled “Our Boys - A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen.”&nbsp;“Our Boys” is about&nbsp;rural&nbsp;life as well as football. In the end, the book is about Coach Barta and the values he instills. Coach Barta teaches the simple values of hard work, dedication and love. “We talk about getting a little better each day,” he said, “about being the best we can be, about being a team.” He tells his players, “We need to respect each other, and then like each other, and then love each other. And when we have chemistry, that’s when together we are champions.”&nbsp;Coach Barta said, “None of this is about football. What I hope we’re doing is sending kids into life who know that every day means something.” After retiring, Coach Barta and Pam retired to Manhattan.&nbsp;Hard work, high values, and getting better every day. That sounds like another legendary coach who is retired and living in Manhattan. We commend Bill Snyder and Roger Barta for making a difference in their community and in the lives of so many young people.&nbsp;And there’s more. Roger’s son Brooks would follow in his father’s footsteps of outstanding coaching. We’ll learn about that next week.Audio and text files of Kansas Profiles are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasprofile.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kansasprofile.com</a>. For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">http://www.huckboydinstitute.org</a>.Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

NOW THAT'S RURAL: Roger Barta, football family, part 1

Today is Sunday, Dec. 20, the 355th day of 2020. There are 11 days left in the year. 

On Dec. 20, 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega. 

In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as ownership of the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States.

In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union as all 169 delegates to a special convention in Charleston voted in favor of separation. 

In 1864, Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Georgia, as Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman nearly completed his "March to the Sea."

In 1924, Adolf Hitler was released from prison after serving nine months for his role in the Beer Hall Putsch. 

In 1963, the Berlin Wall was opened for the first time to West Berliners, who were allowed one-day visits to relatives in the Eastern sector for the holidays. 

In 1978, former White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman was released from prison after serving 18 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up. 

In 1987, more than 4,300 people were killed when the Dona Paz (DOHN'-yuh pahz), a Philippine passenger ship, collided with the tanker Vector off Mindoro island. 

In 1995, an American Airlines Boeing 757 en route to Cali, Colombia, slammed into a mountain, killing all but four of the 163 people aboard. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, NATO began its peacekeeping mission, taking over from the United Nations. 

In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that homosexual couples were entitled to the same benefits and protections as wedded heterosexual couples. 

In 2005, a federal judge ruled that "intelligent design" could not be mentioned in biology classes in a Pennsylvania public school district, delivering a stinging attack on the Dover Area School Board. 

In 2017, Cardinal Bernard Law, the disgraced former archbishop of Boston, died in Rome at the age of 86; his failure to stop child molesters in the priesthood had triggered a crisis in American Catholicism.

Ten years ago: In the biggest anti-terrorist sweep in Britain in nearly two years, police arrested a dozen men accused of plotting a large-scale terror attack on targets inside the United Kingdom. Former Mexican presidential candidate Diego Fernandez de Cevallos was freed more than seven months after his kidnapping by suspected leftist rebels. "Barney Miller" actor Steve Landesberg, 74, died in Los Angeles.

Five years ago: A strong showing by a pair of upstart parties in Spain's general election upended the country's traditional two-party system, with the ruling center-right Popular Party winning the most votes but falling far short of a parliamentary majority. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines was crowned Miss Universe at the pageant in Las Vegas (in a bizarre finale, first-time host Steve Harvey mistakenly identified first-runner up Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo of Colombia as the winner before correcting himself and apologizing for the error). Tony Award-winning actress Patricia Elliott, 77, died in New York.

One year ago: President Donald Trump signed a Defense Authorization Act that included Space Force, the first new military service in more than 70 years. Police in Iowa said they had charged a woman with attempted murder after she told police that she intentionally ran over a 14-year-old girl because she believed the teenager was Mexican; she was also accused of driving over a curb to hit a 12-year-old Black boy. (Both children survived; the suspect, Nicole Poole, was ruled incompetent for trial.)

Today's Birthdays: Original Mouseketeer Tommy Cole (TV: "The Mickey Mouse Club") is 79. Rhythm and blues singer-musician Walter "Wolfman" Washington is 77. Rock musician-music producer Bobby Colomby is 76. Rock musician Peter Criss is 75. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is 74. Psychic/illusionist Uri Geller is 74. Producer Dick Wolf ("Law &amp; Order") is 74. Rock musician Alan Parsons is 72. Actor Jenny Agutter is 68. Actor Michael Badalucco is 66. Actor Blanche Baker is 64. Rock singer Billy Bragg is 63. Rock singer-musician Mike Watt (The Secondmen, Minutemen, fIREHOSE) is 63. Actor Joel Gretsch is 57. Country singer Kris Tyler is 56. Rock singer Chris Robinson is 54. Actor Nicole deBoer is 50. Movie director Todd Phillips is 50. Singer David Cook ("American Idol") is 38. Actor Jonah Hill is 37. Actor Bob Morley is 36. Singer JoJo is 30. Actor Colin Woodell is 29.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="history art Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>history art Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Sunday, Dec. 20, the 355th day of 2020. There are 11 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Dec. 20, 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, sending troops into Panama to topple the government of Gen. Manuel Noriega. On this date: In 1790, the first successful cotton mill in the United States began operating at Pawtucket, Rhode Island.In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as ownership of the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States.In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union as all 169 delegates to a special convention in Charleston voted in favor of separation. In 1864, Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Georgia, as Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman nearly completed his "March to the Sea."In 1924, Adolf Hitler was released from prison after serving nine months for his role in the Beer Hall Putsch. In 1963, the Berlin Wall was opened for the first time to West Berliners, who were allowed one-day visits to relatives in the Eastern sector for the holidays. In 1978, former White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman was released from prison after serving 18 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up. In 1987, more than 4,300 people were killed when the Dona Paz (DOHN'-yuh pahz), a Philippine passenger ship, collided with the tanker Vector off Mindoro island. In 1995, an American Airlines Boeing 757 en route to Cali, Colombia, slammed into a mountain, killing all but four of the 163 people aboard. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, NATO began its peacekeeping mission, taking over from the United Nations. In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that homosexual couples were entitled to the same benefits and protections as wedded heterosexual couples. In 2005, a federal judge ruled that "intelligent design" could not be mentioned in biology classes in a Pennsylvania public school district, delivering a stinging attack on the Dover Area School Board. In 2017, Cardinal Bernard Law, the disgraced former archbishop of Boston, died in Rome at the age of 86; his failure to stop child molesters in the priesthood had triggered a crisis in American Catholicism.Ten years ago: In the biggest anti-terrorist sweep in Britain in nearly two years, police arrested a dozen men accused of plotting a large-scale terror attack on targets inside the United Kingdom. Former Mexican presidential candidate Diego Fernandez de Cevallos was freed more than seven months after his kidnapping by suspected leftist rebels. "Barney Miller" actor Steve Landesberg, 74, died in Los Angeles.Five years ago: A strong showing by a pair of upstart parties in Spain's general election upended the country's traditional two-party system, with the ruling center-right Popular Party winning the most votes but falling far short of a parliamentary majority. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines was crowned Miss Universe at the pageant in Las Vegas (in a bizarre finale, first-time host Steve Harvey mistakenly identified first-runner up Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo of Colombia as the winner before correcting himself and apologizing for the error). Tony Award-winning actress Patricia Elliott, 77, died in New York.One year ago: President Donald Trump signed a Defense Authorization Act that included Space Force, the first new military service in more than 70 years. Police in Iowa said they had charged a woman with attempted murder after she told police that she intentionally ran over a 14-year-old girl because she believed the teenager was Mexican; she was also accused of driving over a curb to hit a 12-year-old Black boy. (Both children survived; the suspect, Nicole Poole, was ruled incompetent for trial.)Today's Birthdays: Original Mouseketeer Tommy Cole (TV: "The Mickey Mouse Club") is 79. Rhythm and blues singer-musician Walter "Wolfman" Washington is 77. Rock musician-music producer Bobby Colomby is 76. Rock musician Peter Criss is 75. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is 74. Psychic/illusionist Uri Geller is 74. Producer Dick Wolf ("Law &amp; Order") is 74. Rock musician Alan Parsons is 72. Actor Jenny Agutter is 68. Actor Michael Badalucco is 66. Actor Blanche Baker is 64. Rock singer Billy Bragg is 63. Rock singer-musician Mike Watt (The Secondmen, Minutemen, fIREHOSE) is 63. Actor Joel Gretsch is 57. Country singer Kris Tyler is 56. Rock singer Chris Robinson is 54. Actor Nicole deBoer is 50. Movie director Todd Phillips is 50. Singer David Cook ("American Idol") is 38. Actor Jonah Hill is 37. Actor Bob Morley is 36. Singer JoJo is 30. Actor Colin Woodell is 29.

Today in History -- Dec. 20

Salina Central Theatre Troupe 639 has been recognized as one of the Kansas Thespians Honored Troupes of 2020. 

This year, due to COVID-19, the requirements for this distinction were altered and troupes that would normally compete for Gold Honor Troupe were recognized as Honored Troupes.

The troupe’s accomplishments, including their presentation of The Greek Tragedy Antigone, which was selected for a mainstage production at the Tri-State Festival, were highlighted in a digital submission of their activities during this unprecedented year in the theatre education.

Two Troupe 639 students --&nbsp;Joelle Pfannenstiel and&nbsp;Lillie Myers -- earned a Superior Distinction in solo events called Thespys and have qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608410175156.png" alt="Salina Central Thespian Troupe 639. Image and photos courtesy USD 305" />
 <figcaption>Salina Central Thespian Troupe 639. Image and photos courtesy USD 305</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Central Theatre Troupe 639 has been recognized as one of the Kansas Thespians Honored Troupes of 2020. This year, due to COVID-19, the requirements for this distinction were altered and troupes that would normally compete for Gold Honor Troupe were recognized as Honored Troupes.The troupe’s accomplishments, including their presentation of The Greek Tragedy Antigone, which was selected for a mainstage production at the Tri-State Festival, were highlighted in a digital submission of their activities during this unprecedented year in the theatre education.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608410943493.jpeg" alt="Central's Joelle Pfannenstiel and Lillie Myers" />
 <figcaption>Central's Joelle Pfannenstiel and Lillie Myers</figcaption>
 </figure>Two Troupe 639 students --&nbsp;Joelle Pfannenstiel and&nbsp;Lillie Myers -- earned a Superior Distinction in solo events called Thespys and have qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival.

Salina Central theatre students, group honored

TOPEKA – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) employees, retirees, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation donated a total of $282,090.64&nbsp;to United Way 2021 campaigns in Hutchinson, Salina, Topeka, and Wichita on Friday.

“Our commitment to make a positive impact on the communities where we live and serve is so important to us here at Blue Cross,” said Matt All, president/CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation. “This year has been difficult for many, but I couldn’t be prouder of how our employees came together to support our fellow Kansans through United Way organizations across the state.”

In&nbsp;Topeka, where a majority of employees work, All presented the United Way of Greater Topeka with a check in the amount of $246,806.12. The amount includes an employee and retiree contribution of $196,806.12, as well as a $50,000 donation from the BCBSKS Foundation. BCBSKS employee and Foundation donations in Topeka go to support basic needs of community members and four other impact areas -&nbsp;financial stability; early education; on-grade achievement; and health.&nbsp;Jessica Lehnherr, executive director of the United Way of Greater Topeka, is grateful for the support from BCBSKS.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is a leading example of companies that engage employees in serving in the community,” Lehnherr said. “We appreciate their donation and our long-standing relationship with them."

In&nbsp;Hutchinson,&nbsp;Salina, and Wichita,&nbsp;49 employees and the BCBSKS Foundation raised&nbsp;$34,684.52&nbsp;that will be divided among their respective local United Way organizations. &nbsp;

TOPEKA – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) employees, retirees, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation donated a total of $282,090.64&nbsp;to United Way 2021 campaigns in Hutchinson, Salina, Topeka, and Wichita on Friday.“Our commitment to make a positive impact on the communities where we live and serve is so important to us here at Blue Cross,” said Matt All, president/CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation. “This year has been difficult for many, but I couldn’t be prouder of how our employees came together to support our fellow Kansans through United Way organizations across the state.”In&nbsp;Topeka, where a majority of employees work, All presented the United Way of Greater Topeka with a check in the amount of $246,806.12. The amount includes an employee and retiree contribution of $196,806.12, as well as a $50,000 donation from the BCBSKS Foundation. BCBSKS employee and Foundation donations in Topeka go to support basic needs of community members and four other impact areas -&nbsp;financial stability; early education; on-grade achievement; and health.&nbsp;Jessica Lehnherr, executive director of the United Way of Greater Topeka, is grateful for the support from BCBSKS."Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is a leading example of companies that engage employees in serving in the community,” Lehnherr said. “We appreciate their donation and our long-standing relationship with them."In&nbsp;Hutchinson,&nbsp;Salina, and Wichita,&nbsp;49 employees and the BCBSKS Foundation raised&nbsp;$34,684.52&nbsp;that will be divided among their respective local United Way organizations. &nbsp;

Local United Way among those receiving funds from BCBSKS

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

While the COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to in-person concerts, one local band is channeling its energies into creating new music, much to the delight of its growing fanbase in Europe, Australia, and the United States.

On Friday, the Sunset Sinners released another song, Way To Go, which drummer Blake Blackim describes as "a cool up-tempo country hitkicker."

"The catch 22 with the COVID crisis is that we had a lot of live shows canceled. The flip side is it gave us time to write and record a lot of new music. We will now have a full album out late this spring or early summer" Blackim said.

The band's first single and music video, Always Time For One More Beer, has garnered a great deal of attention throughout the Midwest, Texas and Deep South, as well as in France, the Czech Republic, and other parts of Europe, Blackim noted. The video now has approximately 500,000 views and that number keeps growing.

READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/523f9d99-839c-4d9f-9b87-5e6675aecaa9">'Heavy hitter' Nashville songwriters behind latest Sunset Sinners single</a>

"We really write realistic songs about real life, events, and people, which I think people can relate to," Blackim explained. "We are also all about honoring military, veterans, first responders, and folks in the healthcare industry. We are super excited about an upcoming release of a new song called Old Glory that’s a patriotic ballad that’s about honoring the flag and the folks that made the sacrifice to sign up for any form of military service. The song has been recorded and music video footage shot. We’re just trying to figure out the best time to release."

The Sunset Sinners also recently released another music video for its song Friday Night, a song that was written by two heavy hitter Nashville songwriters from Anthem Entertainment/Publishing: Randy Montana, who wrote Luke Combs' Beer Never Broke My Heart, and Blake Chaffin, who has written for Brantley Gilbert, Logan Mize, and Rodney Atkins.

Blackim said that Always Time For One More Beer, Friday Night, Way To Go, and another recent Sinner single, Hell To Pay, are in rotation on more than 150 stations in France and other parts of Europe.

The airtime is paying off as fans from Europe are reaching out to the band. Blackim said he recently sent some autographed photos to fans in France.

"We are very accessible and with social media, it’s easy to contact us," Blackim said.

"Honestly, they love us," he continued. "From what I can tell, they just like straight up rock 'n' roll and southern rock. We created our own genre, whiskey barrel rock, which is basically a fusion of southern and classic '70s rock with some red dirt country, so it seems to fit in well. I also think its music everyone can relate to as the Beer song is basically an anthem that seems to strike a chord. I also feel that they like discovering new music/bands from the U.S."

Additionally, fans from afar can get Sinner swag, including hats and t-shirts, from the band's website, <a href="http://whiskeybarrelrock.com">whiskeybarrelrock.com</a>.

So how does a band located in the middle of the United States build a fanbase in Europe? 

"In our case, a Nashville radio promo company reached out to us as they really liked Always Time For One More Beer and thought it could do really well and be picked up by stations in the U.S. and internationally," Blackim said. "As luck would have it, I had a radio producer and DJ from France, Johnny Da Piedade, reach out and really loved our music, videos, and vibe."

Da Piedade's programs, Big Country Cactus and BCC Rocks, go out to stations all over France and in other parts of Europe, Blackim explained.

"The real cool part about this is that they also have a show that features select USA bands with their music and music videos. It’s called Les News De Nashville hosted by Allison," Blackim said. "It’s a really cool show that is basically letting folks over there know what new music and bands are coming out of Nashville and the USA. The Sunset Sinners are being featured this week."

In addition to having their music played in Europe, the Sunset Sinners also are receiving quite a bit of airplay in Australia, as well as some in the United States.

"There’s a station now in Nebraska that currently has three Sinner songs in rotation. It’s a bit harder to get U.S. airplay unless signed to a major label as everyone is basically fighting for position," Blackim said.

Of course, there also are online options for listening to the Sunset Sinners.

"All of our music is available on all streaming services: Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc. We have a distribution company that distributes all of our music to all streaming services. We also have our own YouTube channel that features all of our videos and promos. We have some pretty comical YouTube promo videos that we did for Miller Lite," Blackim explained.

While radio and online play provides fans with listening options, a number of them continue to ask when the next in-person concert will happen.

"We get asked a lot when the next show is. We have a full live schedule with some really cool festivals and concerts starting June 1. I do not see too much for live shows happening before then and I hope this summer gets back to some normalcy," Blackim said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608406725588.jpeg" alt="The Sunset Sinners, from left,&nbsp;Brad Johnson,&nbsp;Tony Bowell, Blake Blackim, and&nbsp;Chris Brungardt. All photos courtesy Blake Blackim" />
 <figcaption>The Sunset Sinners, from left,&nbsp;Brad Johnson,&nbsp;Tony Bowell, Blake Blackim, and&nbsp;Chris Brungardt. All photos courtesy Blake Blackim</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostWhile the COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to in-person concerts, one local band is channeling its energies into creating new music, much to the delight of its growing fanbase in Europe, Australia, and the United States.On Friday, the Sunset Sinners released another song, Way To Go, which drummer Blake Blackim describes as "a cool up-tempo country hitkicker."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608406356661.jpeg" alt="The cover for the Sunset Sinners' new single, "Way To Go."" />
 <figcaption>The cover for the Sunset Sinners' new single, "Way To Go."</figcaption>
 </figure>"The catch 22 with the COVID crisis is that we had a lot of live shows canceled. The flip side is it gave us time to write and record a lot of new music. We will now have a full album out late this spring or early summer" Blackim said.The band's first single and music video, Always Time For One More Beer, has garnered a great deal of attention throughout the Midwest, Texas and Deep South, as well as in France, the Czech Republic, and other parts of Europe, Blackim noted. The video now has approximately 500,000 views and that number keeps growing.READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/523f9d99-839c-4d9f-9b87-5e6675aecaa9">'Heavy hitter' Nashville songwriters behind latest Sunset Sinners single</a>"We really write realistic songs about real life, events, and people, which I think people can relate to," Blackim explained. "We are also all about honoring military, veterans, first responders, and folks in the healthcare industry. We are super excited about an upcoming release of a new song called Old Glory that’s a patriotic ballad that’s about honoring the flag and the folks that made the sacrifice to sign up for any form of military service. The song has been recorded and music video footage shot. We’re just trying to figure out the best time to release."The Sunset Sinners also recently released another music video for its song Friday Night, a song that was written by two heavy hitter Nashville songwriters from Anthem Entertainment/Publishing: Randy Montana, who wrote Luke Combs' Beer Never Broke My Heart, and Blake Chaffin, who has written for Brantley Gilbert, Logan Mize, and Rodney Atkins.Blackim said that Always Time For One More Beer, Friday Night, Way To Go, and another recent Sinner single, Hell To Pay, are in rotation on more than 150 stations in France and other parts of Europe. The airtime is paying off as fans from Europe are reaching out to the band. Blackim said he recently sent some autographed photos to fans in France."We are very accessible and with social media, it’s easy to contact us," Blackim said."Honestly, they love us," he continued. "From what I can tell, they just like straight up rock 'n' roll and southern rock. We created our own genre, whiskey barrel rock, which is basically a fusion of southern and classic '70s rock with some red dirt country, so it seems to fit in well. I also think its music everyone can relate to as the Beer song is basically an anthem that seems to strike a chord. I also feel that they like discovering new music/bands from the U.S."Additionally, fans from afar can get Sinner swag, including hats and t-shirts, from the band's website, <a href="http://whiskeybarrelrock.com">whiskeybarrelrock.com</a>.So how does a band located in the middle of the United States build a fanbase in Europe? "In our case, a Nashville radio promo company reached out to us as they really liked Always Time For One More Beer and thought it could do really well and be picked up by stations in the U.S. and internationally," Blackim said. "As luck would have it, I had a radio producer and DJ from France, Johnny Da Piedade, reach out and really loved our music, videos, and vibe."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608406056422.jpeg" alt="French radio producer and DJ&nbsp;Johnny Da Piedade." />
 <figcaption>French radio producer and DJ&nbsp;Johnny Da Piedade.</figcaption>
 </figure>Da Piedade's programs, Big Country Cactus and BCC Rocks, go out to stations all over France and in other parts of Europe, Blackim explained."The real cool part about this is that they also have a show that features select USA bands with their music and music videos. It’s called Les News De Nashville hosted by Allison," Blackim said. "It’s a really cool show that is basically letting folks over there know what new music and bands are coming out of Nashville and the USA. The Sunset Sinners are being featured this week."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608406188133.jpeg" alt="Work has begun on the Sunset Sinners video feature for the French show Les News de Nashville." />
 <figcaption>Work has begun on the Sunset Sinners video feature for the French show Les News de Nashville.</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to having their music played in Europe, the Sunset Sinners also are receiving quite a bit of airplay in Australia, as well as some in the United States."There’s a station now in Nebraska that currently has three Sinner songs in rotation. It’s a bit harder to get U.S. airplay unless signed to a major label as everyone is basically fighting for position," Blackim said.Of course, there also are online options for listening to the Sunset Sinners."All of our music is available on all streaming services: Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc. We have a distribution company that distributes all of our music to all streaming services. We also have our own YouTube channel that features all of our videos and promos. We have some pretty comical YouTube promo videos that we did for Miller Lite," Blackim explained.While radio and online play provides fans with listening options, a number of them continue to ask when the next in-person concert will happen."We get asked a lot when the next show is. We have a full live schedule with some really cool festivals and concerts starting June 1. I do not see too much for live shows happening before then and I hope this summer gets back to some normalcy," Blackim said.

Sunset Sinners add to music selections, build fan base in Europe, elsewhere

The 2021 Kansas Legislature convenes in less than a month, Jan. 11. Committee chairs and assignments are being named, offices and desks assigned, and protocols for operating during the COVID pandemic under discussion.

Here is a look at the major issues identified by the KASB Legislative Committee as priorities. The full committee report,&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/State-policy-proposals-approved-by-LC-on-11.7.20.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, will be considered for amendment and final approval at the KASB Delegate Assembly, to be held virtually at 6 p.m. Jan. 21.

KASB Pathway: Increase Support for Student Health and Safety

Support safe school operations.&nbsp;After Governor Laura Kelly ordered schools to be closed from mid-March to late May, as well as numerous other restrictions on business and gatherings to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legislature put new limits on executive authority. Since then, decisions on how to operate schools – onsite, remotely or by hybrid – have been mostly in the control of local school boards, with the State Board of Education and health officials offering guidance but little direct control. Boards have made very different decisions – and many of these have been criticized.

Expect the Legislature to have hearings and discussion on school operations, how and why local decisions were made, and whether more state control should be required as part of the state’s review of the Kansas Emergency Management Act. Expect a push to give more flexibility to private schools, and proposals to let parents use public funding for private schools if their public schools are not operating in person.

There could also be a review of the 1,116-hour minimum school term and whether remote learning satisfied those requirements. The State Board of Education in December gave districts more&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1208-2/">flexibility</a>&nbsp;to meet those hours by have teacher professional development days, but that could mean more time off students.

Increase Mental Health Support for Students.&nbsp;The Legislature appointed a special committee to study mental health issues. Its report isn’t public yet but expect Legislative attention to what many believe is a severely underfunded mental health system at a time when cases are expected to rise with COVID-related stress. Education committees will likely take another look at the “pilot” school mental health program that has been operating in selected districts.

Improve Education Outcomes for Foster/Homeless Students.&nbsp;The state system for children removed from their homes has also faced numerous challenges and received an interim committee study.

That&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1022-4/">committee</a>&nbsp;wants to strengthen procedures for transfer of records when children are placed in different schools. Expect to hear continuing concerns that districts are slow to enroll foster children or provide technology or online learning to this mobile population. Governor Laura Kelly has also issued an executive order to publish an annual report card on foster children educational outcomes, which by existing measures lag far behind their peers.

Support Positive School Safety and Discipline.&nbsp;Following last summer’s civil rights and social justice protests, Governor Kelly created the Kansas Racial Equity and Social Justice Commission. The commission has already made some&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1211-3/">recommendations</a>&nbsp;on school resources office and is expected to continue to look at education issues such as the disparity between White and non-White students in academic achievement and discipline. Expect Legislative committees to review its report.

Maintain Ongoing Efforts to Address Bullying, Vaping and Other Issues.&nbsp;Legislators continue to report concerns about bullying among school-aged children and whether schools are doing enough to address it. Expect a review of the final report of the State Board’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1214-3/">Bullying Prevention Task Force</a>&nbsp;and debate over whether it goes far enough.

Last session, the Legislature was considering steps to address the youth vaping issue, but the session ended early. The new Legislature could take that issue up again.

KASB Pathway: Strengthen Civic and Community Engagement

Last session, the House Education Committee considered a bill to require students to pass a civics education test. KASB and the State Board argued that civics should be addressed through a broader approach to civics education through State Board’s accreditation process, but the issue could return. Also, expect discussion about closer alignment between schools and businesses, from preschool through higher education.

KASB Pathway: Give all students the opportunity to succeed

Increase Special Education Funding.&nbsp;Although the Legislature has already approved a $75 million increase in special education state aid this year, special education costs are rising even faster as the share of “excess cost” paid by the state continues to drop far below the 92 percent benchmark in state law. Further increases will be a tough sell with the Legislature facing a projected $150 million deficit in the state general fund.

Expand Broadband Access.&nbsp;The COVID pandemic focused attention on the lack of broadband access for Kansans due to geographic isolation or inability to office service and devices, not just in educational access for remote learning but also health care and economic development. The Governor’s SPARK committee proposed, and the State Finance Council approved, using federal COVID aid to widen broadband access. Expect the Legislature to consider further action. More&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1215/">federal funding</a>&nbsp;could be on the way.

Equal Access (Private school funding).&nbsp;Expanding funding to help students attend private schools is expected to be a major issue the 2021 session. Proponents will argue this would expand educational opportunity by allowing students struggling with remote learning in public schools to switch to in person private schools, and help low income, often minority, children with lagging educational outcomes in public schools.

Opponents, including KASB, will argue that such programs will harm educational opportunity because private schools are not required to serve students with the highest education needs, allowing them to select students while leaving public schools with the students private schools choose not to serve.

Expand Early Childhood Education.&nbsp;Governor Kelly, the State Board of Education and state agencies have been pushing to improve and increase early childhood programs in Kansas, supported by a large federal grant. However, new&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/blog/public-and-private-school-enrollment-falls-highest-decline-in-lowest-grades/">enrollment data</a>&nbsp;show declines in preschool, kindergarten and lower grades in both public and private schools, presumably as a result of COVID concerns. Expanded funding in this area may depend on federal policy.

Support Equity in Student Success.&nbsp;Last session, the Legislature received a report from its Post Audit Division raising questions about use and oversight of at-risk funding. Both the House and Senate Education Committees were preparing bills that would add new requirements to at-risk funds and extend the expiring “high density” at-risk weighting, which provides $50 million to districts and buildings with the highest free lunch enrollment, when the session ended early.

The weighting was extended for the current school year and next year in the state budget bill, but the Legislature will have to act to extend it farther, so questions about how those funds are used will likely be back. There is also a new Post Audit report on the bilingual education weighting, which did not raise the same concerns on oversight but did question the long-term effectiveness of the program.

KASB Pathway: Prepare students for postsecondary education and careers

Address COVID impact.&nbsp;School leaders are concerned that the time spent in remote learning due to COVID safety decisions will set back student learning, especially for at-risk students struggling even before the pandemic. Expect Legislative discussion on what schools will be doing to address this – and likely criticism that some schools were too cautious. Also, expect concerns about the drop in higher education enrollment.

KASB Pathway: Attract and retain qualified, effective educators and support staff

Staffing Issues and Professional Development.&nbsp;Expect scrutiny over school staffing. Data from KSDE indicates districts have fewer positions filled when reported in September, and the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System reports more&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/kpers-report-pension-system-in-good-financial-shape-teacher-retirements-increase/">retirement</a>&nbsp;this year. Some Legislators may say that should be mean savings in employment costs, but many school leaders say their substitute and overtime costs have soared to make for unfilled positions and quarantine cases.

KASB Pathway: Support effective school operations

Continue Constitutional Funding.&nbsp;In response to the&nbsp;Gannon&nbsp;school finance case, the Kansas Legislature approved a plan to increase base state aid per pupil to inflation-adjusted 2009 levels over six years, with the final step in 2023. The Legislature has already approved funding for those base increases in the current year (Fiscal Year 2021) and next year (FY 2022). However, districts will receive about $30 million less than approved last session because a portion of enrollment decline is reflected in the current year&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/blog/what-new-reports-show-about-school-enrollments-funding-and-the-state-budget/">budget</a>.

With the state general fund currently facing a $150 million deficit next year based on official&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1106-5/">estimates</a>&nbsp;released in November – after adding the increase in school funding for&nbsp;Gannon&nbsp;– expect Legislators to ask for an accounting of any “savings” due to less onsite learning, fewer students and staff; compared to higher costs due to COVID; how much federal COVID aid districts received and how it was used; and estimates of future expenditures.

The Legislature will also review a new Legislative Post Audit&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1130-2/">report</a>&nbsp;on school district cash balances, which have increased in recent years (along with school district expenditures). Noting that the neither the Legislature nor State Board of Education has provided any guidelines on cash reserves and outlining why districts have reserves, the audit did not issue any recommendations.

Equitable Funding of Capital Costs.&nbsp;Last session, both House and Senate education committees were considering changes in the state bond and interest aid program, which provides state aid for lower wealth districts to hold down property rates for school construction. The current formula is reducing aid over time, but the session ended before final action. This issue could return.

KASB Pathway: Exceptional Boards and Leadership Teams&nbsp;

Local Decision Making.&nbsp;Any Legislative session produces battles over “local control,” with some arguing that the state should allow local government (school boards, cities and counties) to make decisions on how to operate, and others arguing for more requirements and restrictions when they don’t like those decisions.

This issue will certainly be part of the decision about state law responding to emergencies like the COVID pandemic. Part of that debate will center on whether there should be more state control over decisions like school operating environment for learning and student activities.

Mark Tallman is the&nbsp; associate executive director for&nbsp;advocacy&nbsp; for the <a href="http://kasb.org">Kansas Association of School Boards</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582221969260.jpeg" alt="Mark Tallman. Photo courtesy Kansas Association of School Boards" />
 <figcaption>Mark Tallman. Photo courtesy Kansas Association of School Boards</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK&nbsp;TALLMANThe 2021 Kansas Legislature convenes in less than a month, Jan. 11. Committee chairs and assignments are being named, offices and desks assigned, and protocols for operating during the COVID pandemic under discussion.Here is a look at the major issues identified by the KASB Legislative Committee as priorities. The full committee report,&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/State-policy-proposals-approved-by-LC-on-11.7.20.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, will be considered for amendment and final approval at the KASB Delegate Assembly, to be held virtually at 6 p.m. Jan. 21.KASB Pathway: Increase Support for Student Health and SafetySupport safe school operations.&nbsp;After Governor Laura Kelly ordered schools to be closed from mid-March to late May, as well as numerous other restrictions on business and gatherings to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legislature put new limits on executive authority. Since then, decisions on how to operate schools – onsite, remotely or by hybrid – have been mostly in the control of local school boards, with the State Board of Education and health officials offering guidance but little direct control. Boards have made very different decisions – and many of these have been criticized.Expect the Legislature to have hearings and discussion on school operations, how and why local decisions were made, and whether more state control should be required as part of the state’s review of the Kansas Emergency Management Act. Expect a push to give more flexibility to private schools, and proposals to let parents use public funding for private schools if their public schools are not operating in person.There could also be a review of the 1,116-hour minimum school term and whether remote learning satisfied those requirements. The State Board of Education in December gave districts more&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1208-2/">flexibility</a>&nbsp;to meet those hours by have teacher professional development days, but that could mean more time off students.Increase Mental Health Support for Students.&nbsp;The Legislature appointed a special committee to study mental health issues. Its report isn’t public yet but expect Legislative attention to what many believe is a severely underfunded mental health system at a time when cases are expected to rise with COVID-related stress. Education committees will likely take another look at the “pilot” school mental health program that has been operating in selected districts.Improve Education Outcomes for Foster/Homeless Students.&nbsp;The state system for children removed from their homes has also faced numerous challenges and received an interim committee study. That&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1022-4/">committee</a>&nbsp;wants to strengthen procedures for transfer of records when children are placed in different schools. Expect to hear continuing concerns that districts are slow to enroll foster children or provide technology or online learning to this mobile population. Governor Laura Kelly has also issued an executive order to publish an annual report card on foster children educational outcomes, which by existing measures lag far behind their peers.Support Positive School Safety and Discipline.&nbsp;Following last summer’s civil rights and social justice protests, Governor Kelly created the Kansas Racial Equity and Social Justice Commission. The commission has already made some&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1211-3/">recommendations</a>&nbsp;on school resources office and is expected to continue to look at education issues such as the disparity between White and non-White students in academic achievement and discipline. Expect Legislative committees to review its report.Maintain Ongoing Efforts to Address Bullying, Vaping and Other Issues.&nbsp;Legislators continue to report concerns about bullying among school-aged children and whether schools are doing enough to address it. Expect a review of the final report of the State Board’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1214-3/">Bullying Prevention Task Force</a>&nbsp;and debate over whether it goes far enough.Last session, the Legislature was considering steps to address the youth vaping issue, but the session ended early. The new Legislature could take that issue up again.KASB Pathway: Strengthen Civic and Community EngagementLast session, the House Education Committee considered a bill to require students to pass a civics education test. KASB and the State Board argued that civics should be addressed through a broader approach to civics education through State Board’s accreditation process, but the issue could return. Also, expect discussion about closer alignment between schools and businesses, from preschool through higher education.KASB Pathway: Give all students the opportunity to succeedIncrease Special Education Funding.&nbsp;Although the Legislature has already approved a $75 million increase in special education state aid this year, special education costs are rising even faster as the share of “excess cost” paid by the state continues to drop far below the 92 percent benchmark in state law. Further increases will be a tough sell with the Legislature facing a projected $150 million deficit in the state general fund.Expand Broadband Access.&nbsp;The COVID pandemic focused attention on the lack of broadband access for Kansans due to geographic isolation or inability to office service and devices, not just in educational access for remote learning but also health care and economic development. The Governor’s SPARK committee proposed, and the State Finance Council approved, using federal COVID aid to widen broadband access. Expect the Legislature to consider further action. More&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1215/">federal funding</a>&nbsp;could be on the way.Equal Access (Private school funding).&nbsp;Expanding funding to help students attend private schools is expected to be a major issue the 2021 session. Proponents will argue this would expand educational opportunity by allowing students struggling with remote learning in public schools to switch to in person private schools, and help low income, often minority, children with lagging educational outcomes in public schools.Opponents, including KASB, will argue that such programs will harm educational opportunity because private schools are not required to serve students with the highest education needs, allowing them to select students while leaving public schools with the students private schools choose not to serve.Expand Early Childhood Education.&nbsp;Governor Kelly, the State Board of Education and state agencies have been pushing to improve and increase early childhood programs in Kansas, supported by a large federal grant. However, new&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/blog/public-and-private-school-enrollment-falls-highest-decline-in-lowest-grades/">enrollment data</a>&nbsp;show declines in preschool, kindergarten and lower grades in both public and private schools, presumably as a result of COVID concerns. Expanded funding in this area may depend on federal policy.Support Equity in Student Success.&nbsp;Last session, the Legislature received a report from its Post Audit Division raising questions about use and oversight of at-risk funding. Both the House and Senate Education Committees were preparing bills that would add new requirements to at-risk funds and extend the expiring “high density” at-risk weighting, which provides $50 million to districts and buildings with the highest free lunch enrollment, when the session ended early.The weighting was extended for the current school year and next year in the state budget bill, but the Legislature will have to act to extend it farther, so questions about how those funds are used will likely be back. There is also a new Post Audit report on the bilingual education weighting, which did not raise the same concerns on oversight but did question the long-term effectiveness of the program.KASB Pathway: Prepare students for postsecondary education and careersAddress COVID impact.&nbsp;School leaders are concerned that the time spent in remote learning due to COVID safety decisions will set back student learning, especially for at-risk students struggling even before the pandemic. Expect Legislative discussion on what schools will be doing to address this – and likely criticism that some schools were too cautious. Also, expect concerns about the drop in higher education enrollment.KASB Pathway: Attract and retain qualified, effective educators and support staffStaffing Issues and Professional Development.&nbsp;Expect scrutiny over school staffing. Data from KSDE indicates districts have fewer positions filled when reported in September, and the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System reports more&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/kpers-report-pension-system-in-good-financial-shape-teacher-retirements-increase/">retirement</a>&nbsp;this year. Some Legislators may say that should be mean savings in employment costs, but many school leaders say their substitute and overtime costs have soared to make for unfilled positions and quarantine cases.KASB Pathway: Support effective school operationsContinue Constitutional Funding.&nbsp;In response to the&nbsp;Gannon&nbsp;school finance case, the Kansas Legislature approved a plan to increase base state aid per pupil to inflation-adjusted 2009 levels over six years, with the final step in 2023. The Legislature has already approved funding for those base increases in the current year (Fiscal Year 2021) and next year (FY 2022). However, districts will receive about $30 million less than approved last session because a portion of enrollment decline is reflected in the current year&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/blog/what-new-reports-show-about-school-enrollments-funding-and-the-state-budget/">budget</a>.With the state general fund currently facing a $150 million deficit next year based on official&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1106-5/">estimates</a>&nbsp;released in November – after adding the increase in school funding for&nbsp;Gannon&nbsp;– expect Legislators to ask for an accounting of any “savings” due to less onsite learning, fewer students and staff; compared to higher costs due to COVID; how much federal COVID aid districts received and how it was used; and estimates of future expenditures.The Legislature will also review a new Legislative Post Audit&nbsp;<a href="https://kasb.org/nb1130-2/">report</a>&nbsp;on school district cash balances, which have increased in recent years (along with school district expenditures). Noting that the neither the Legislature nor State Board of Education has provided any guidelines on cash reserves and outlining why districts have reserves, the audit did not issue any recommendations.Equitable Funding of Capital Costs.&nbsp;Last session, both House and Senate education committees were considering changes in the state bond and interest aid program, which provides state aid for lower wealth districts to hold down property rates for school construction. The current formula is reducing aid over time, but the session ended before final action. This issue could return.KASB Pathway: Exceptional Boards and Leadership Teams&nbsp;Local Decision Making.&nbsp;Any Legislative session produces battles over “local control,” with some arguing that the state should allow local government (school boards, cities and counties) to make decisions on how to operate, and others arguing for more requirements and restrictions when they don’t like those decisions.This issue will certainly be part of the decision about state law responding to emergencies like the COVID pandemic. Part of that debate will center on whether there should be more state control over decisions like school operating environment for learning and student activities.Mark Tallman is the&nbsp; associate executive director for&nbsp;advocacy&nbsp; for the <a href="http://kasb.org">Kansas Association of School Boards</a>.

TALLMAN: What school leaders can expect in the 2021 Kansas Legislature

This weekend will feature dry conditions, sunny skies, and generally light winds, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita.

Chilly mornings will give way to above normal afternoon temperatures, especially on Sunday.

The upcoming week will start out on a mild note, and will feel more like Thanksgiving than Christmas. On Tuesday, the warmer temperatures will be accompanied by strong, south winds (which may exceed 45 mph for some), NWS noted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608385712225.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This weekend will feature dry conditions, sunny skies, and generally light winds, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita.Chilly mornings will give way to above normal afternoon temperatures, especially on Sunday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608385738110.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The upcoming week will start out on a mild note, and will feel more like Thanksgiving than Christmas. On Tuesday, the warmer temperatures will be accompanied by strong, south winds (which may exceed 45 mph for some), NWS noted.

NWS: Quiet weekend, mild start to the work week

By GENE POLICINSKI Freedom Forum

Our nation’s annual Bill of Rights Day had a bit more reality for more of us in 2020 than in most years, even though it passed again with little-to-no notice from most of us.

The day was created in 1941 to celebrate the Dec. 15, 1791 ratification by the states of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. But it quickly faded from view: Its first planned celebration was effectively lost to history in the days following of the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II.

The first 10 amendments spell out our rights. They start with the First Amendment’s protection of five core freedoms: Religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.

Nine more amendments guarantee a range of rights, from gun ownership to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure to trial by jury, and reserve all powers not delegated to the federal government to the people or the states.

If we are honest about it, Bill of Rights Day won’t ever become the major focus of holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July or even Labor Day — the timing between Thanksgiving and winter holidays is awkward, for one thing. Much like Constitution Day, in September, it’s not likely to inspire public displays of patriotism, or even a modest number of fireworks displays.

Still, we should be inclined to give it a national nod, or at least a momentary pause to celebrate the freedoms and rights that define who we are as a nation. And then there may be years such as 2020, when those rights and freedoms come into play in unique and varied ways.

Consider: This year has seen more public discussion of government and social policies and practices than in decades. Freedoms at the low end of public identity — assembly and petition — now rival their First Amendment and Bill of Rights brethren on the nation’s political stage and are driving real change.

Among the examples: Ongoing demonstrations and events rooted in the Black Lives Matter movement. Supporters of&nbsp;President Donald J. Trump&nbsp;taking to the streets over his loud but unproven claims of election fraud. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions leading to legal challenges over the extent to which religious liberty shields civil disobedience.

Even outside the realm of government and politics, which was most on the minds of the nation’s founders in proposing both the Constitution and the amendments, we see the power of free expression and protection of core rights to produce change.

Sports teams are private enterprises and thus have their own First Amendment rights to speak in the marketplace of ideas, which in past years has stymied most attempts to force changes in names seen by many as racist and bigoted.

Even Indigenous Peoples, who have been denied legal protections, perhaps more than any others in our nation’s history, have been able to demonstrate, write and assemble in protest. Behold The Washington Football Team (formerly the Redskins) and what may become The Cleveland Baseball Team (soon to be the former Indians).

After a mind-numbing series of deaths involving Black men and women and police, people across the nation have taken to American’s traditional public forum — the streets — in massive numbers to demand racial justice and new approaches to law enforcement, much of the energy driven by the May death of&nbsp;George Floyd&nbsp;while being arrested by Minneapolis police.

Results? Just days ago, the Minneapolis City Council shifted $8 million in police funding to other services such as mental health crisis response teams and anti-violence training. Those who opposed those cuts were able to make their voices heard as well: No cuts were made in the numbers of officers in the city.

National Football League games this season are marked by TV commercials calling for racial equity. League fields are now marked with two slogans: “It Takes All Of Us” on one, “End Racism” on the other. Players literally speak with their feet: the “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign displays players’ individual civic causes on their shoes.

The First Amendment and the Bill of Rights certainly do not figure directly in much of the nation’s ongoing conversations with itself. But those rights and freedoms underpin the confidence to have those conversations — however blunt, acrimonious and challenging they certainly can be.

Even if you’re not inclined to celebrate legal concepts and governing documents, the Bill of Rights — that cumulative blueprint for freedoms led off by the First Amendment — merits a hearty “huzzah” now and again.

Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. He can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593729871227.png" alt="Gene Policinski. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum" />
 <figcaption>Gene Policinski. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>By GENE POLICINSKI Freedom ForumOur nation’s annual Bill of Rights Day had a bit more reality for more of us in 2020 than in most years, even though it passed again with little-to-no notice from most of us.The day was created in 1941 to celebrate the Dec. 15, 1791 ratification by the states of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. But it quickly faded from view: Its first planned celebration was effectively lost to history in the days following of the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II.The first 10 amendments spell out our rights. They start with the First Amendment’s protection of five core freedoms: Religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.Nine more amendments guarantee a range of rights, from gun ownership to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure to trial by jury, and reserve all powers not delegated to the federal government to the people or the states.If we are honest about it, Bill of Rights Day won’t ever become the major focus of holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July or even Labor Day — the timing between Thanksgiving and winter holidays is awkward, for one thing. Much like Constitution Day, in September, it’s not likely to inspire public displays of patriotism, or even a modest number of fireworks displays.Still, we should be inclined to give it a national nod, or at least a momentary pause to celebrate the freedoms and rights that define who we are as a nation. And then there may be years such as 2020, when those rights and freedoms come into play in unique and varied ways.Consider: This year has seen more public discussion of government and social policies and practices than in decades. Freedoms at the low end of public identity — assembly and petition — now rival their First Amendment and Bill of Rights brethren on the nation’s political stage and are driving real change.Among the examples: Ongoing demonstrations and events rooted in the Black Lives Matter movement. Supporters of&nbsp;President Donald J. Trump&nbsp;taking to the streets over his loud but unproven claims of election fraud. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions leading to legal challenges over the extent to which religious liberty shields civil disobedience.Even outside the realm of government and politics, which was most on the minds of the nation’s founders in proposing both the Constitution and the amendments, we see the power of free expression and protection of core rights to produce change.Sports teams are private enterprises and thus have their own First Amendment rights to speak in the marketplace of ideas, which in past years has stymied most attempts to force changes in names seen by many as racist and bigoted.Even Indigenous Peoples, who have been denied legal protections, perhaps more than any others in our nation’s history, have been able to demonstrate, write and assemble in protest. Behold The Washington Football Team (formerly the Redskins) and what may become The Cleveland Baseball Team (soon to be the former Indians).After a mind-numbing series of deaths involving Black men and women and police, people across the nation have taken to American’s traditional public forum — the streets — in massive numbers to demand racial justice and new approaches to law enforcement, much of the energy driven by the May death of&nbsp;George Floyd&nbsp;while being arrested by Minneapolis police.Results? Just days ago, the Minneapolis City Council shifted $8 million in police funding to other services such as mental health crisis response teams and anti-violence training. Those who opposed those cuts were able to make their voices heard as well: No cuts were made in the numbers of officers in the city.National Football League games this season are marked by TV commercials calling for racial equity. League fields are now marked with two slogans: “It Takes All Of Us” on one, “End Racism” on the other. Players literally speak with their feet: the “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign displays players’ individual civic causes on their shoes.The First Amendment and the Bill of Rights certainly do not figure directly in much of the nation’s ongoing conversations with itself. But those rights and freedoms underpin the confidence to have those conversations — however blunt, acrimonious and challenging they certainly can be.Even if you’re not inclined to celebrate legal concepts and governing documents, the Bill of Rights — that cumulative blueprint for freedoms led off by the First Amendment — merits a hearty “huzzah” now and again.Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. He can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

FIRST FIVE: Bill of Rights Day -- the 'right' day to celebrate our freedom 

The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in January. 

"KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas," the department noted in a news release.

Michael Hollis, Highway Maintenance Supervisor,&nbsp;Rolla

Roger Anderson, Equipment Operator Specialist,&nbsp;Wamego

Chris Herrick, Director of Planning and Development,&nbsp;Topeka

Bobby Davis, Engineering Technician Specialist,&nbsp;Blue Mound

Dennis Kennedy, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;Mankato

Jennifer Kern, Public Service Administrator I,&nbsp;Mayetta

Ian Stringham, Engineering Technician Specialist,&nbsp;Osawatomie

Karla Thies, Assistant Bureau Chief,&nbsp;Tecumseh

Benjamin Tush, Engineering Technician Specialist,&nbsp;Garnett

Cody Ward, Engineering Technician Specialist,&nbsp;Logan

Rita Baltazor, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;Salina

Michelle Burnett, Area Engineer,&nbsp;Ellinwood

Mitchell Cady, Engineering Technician,&nbsp;Salina

James Cedeno, Equipment Operator,&nbsp;Lyons

Jamie Davis, Equipment Operator,&nbsp;Scott City

Matthew Dotson, Engineering Technician Midpoint,&nbsp;Salina

Raul Flores, Equipment Operator,&nbsp;Moscow

Leonard Harding, Equipment Operator Midpoint,&nbsp;Topeka

Kevin Height, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;Barnes

Arthur Helvie, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;Haysville

Josiah Jones, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;Atwood

Marcella Larrabee, State Auditor I,&nbsp;Lawrence

Brian Mallory, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;Jewell

Robert Percival Jr., District Construction Engineer,&nbsp;Norton

Earl Sowers, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;Corning

Peter Tobaben, Engineering Associate III,&nbsp;Lenexa

Tabitha Weigel, Accountant IV,&nbsp;Topeka

The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in January. "KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas," the department noted in a news release.Those celebrating 40 yearsMichael Hollis, Highway Maintenance Supervisor,&nbsp;RollaThose celebrating 30 yearsRoger Anderson, Equipment Operator Specialist,&nbsp;WamegoChris Herrick, Director of Planning and Development,&nbsp;TopekaThose celebrating 20 yearsBobby Davis, Engineering Technician Specialist,&nbsp;Blue MoundDennis Kennedy, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;MankatoJennifer Kern, Public Service Administrator I,&nbsp;MayettaMitchell Kline, Welder,&nbsp;NortonIan Stringham, Engineering Technician Specialist,&nbsp;OsawatomieKarla Thies, Assistant Bureau Chief,&nbsp;TecumsehBenjamin Tush, Engineering Technician Specialist,&nbsp;GarnettCody Ward, Engineering Technician Specialist,&nbsp;LoganThose celebrating 10 yearsRita Baltazor, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;SalinaMichelle Burnett, Area Engineer,&nbsp;EllinwoodMitchell Cady, Engineering Technician,&nbsp;SalinaJames Cedeno, Equipment Operator,&nbsp;LyonsJamie Davis, Equipment Operator,&nbsp;Scott CityMatthew Dotson, Engineering Technician Midpoint,&nbsp;SalinaRaul Flores, Equipment Operator,&nbsp;MoscowLeonard Harding, Equipment Operator Midpoint,&nbsp;TopekaKevin Height, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;BarnesArthur Helvie, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;HaysvilleJosiah Jones, Engineering Technician Senior,&nbsp;AtwoodMarcella Larrabee, State Auditor I,&nbsp;LawrenceBrian Mallory, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;JewellRobert Percival Jr., District Construction Engineer,&nbsp;NortonEarl Sowers, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;CorningPeter Tobaben, Engineering Associate III,&nbsp;LenexaTabitha Weigel, Accountant IV,&nbsp;Topeka

Local, area KDOT employees celebrate service anniversaries

Today is Saturday, Dec. 19, the 354th day of 2020. There are 12 days left in the year.

On Dec. 19, 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House for perjury and obstruction of justice (he was subsequently acquitted by the Senate). 

In 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, Gen. George Washington led his army of about 11,000 men to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to camp for the winter. 

In 1843, "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens, was first published in England.

In 1915, legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf was born in Paris. German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer, who discovered the pathological condition of dementia, died in Breslau (now Wroclaw), Poland, at age 51.

In 1946, war broke out in Indochina as troops under Ho Chi Minh launched widespread attacks against the French. 

In 1960, fire broke out on the hangar deck of the nearly completed aircraft carrier USS Constellation at the New York Naval Shipyard; 50 civilian workers were killed. 

In 1972, Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific, winding up the Apollo program of manned lunar landings.

In 1974, Nelson A. Rockefeller was sworn in as the 41st vice president of the United States in the U.S. Senate chamber by Chief Justice Warren Burger with President Gerald R. Ford looking on. 

In 1975, John Paul Stevens was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. 

In 2001, the fires that had burned beneath the ruins of the World Trade Center in New York City for the previous three months were declared extinguished except for a few scattered hot spots. 

In 2002, Secretary of State Colin Powell declared Iraq in "material breach" of a U.N. disarmament resolution. 

In 2003, design plans were unveiled for the signature skyscraper — a 1,776-foot glass tower — at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. 

In 2008, citing imminent danger to the national economy, President George W. Bush ordered an emergency bailout of the U.S. auto industry. 

Ten years ago: The body of an American tourist, Kristine Luken, 44, was found near a road outside Jerusalem. (A Palestinian man was later sentenced by an Israeli court to life in prison for stabbing Luken.) Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko won re-election. In a game that came to be known as the "Miracle at the New Meadowlands," Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the Eagles' 38-31 comeback win over the New York Giants.

Five years ago: Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton debated in Manchester, New Hampshire, where they engaged in a pointed but polite discussion of national security, Americans' heightened terrorism fears and the economy. Conductor Kurt Masur, 88, died in Greenwich, Connecticut. Spain's Mireia Lalaguna Royo was named the winner of the Miss World 2015 competition in a Chinese island resort, an event dogged by controversy over China's refusal to allow Canada's entrant to attend.

One year ago: Congress headed home for the holidays without a plan or timeline in place for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate; Republicans resisted Democratic demands for new witness testimony. The evangelical Christian magazine Christianity Today said in an editorial that President Donald Trump should be removed from office; the editorial urged believers not to "continue to brush off Mr. Trump's immoral words and behavior in the cause of political expediency." The House gave Trump an overwhelming bipartisan victory on trade, approving a bill putting in place the terms of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Karl Fontenot, who spent 35 years in prison in a murder case featured in the book and TV series "The Innocent Man," was released from an Oklahoma prison; a federal judge had written that newly discovered evidence provided "solid proof" of his "probable innocence."

Today's Birthdays: Actor Elaine Joyce is 77. Actor Tim Reid is 76. Paleontologist Richard E. Leakey is 76. Musician John McEuen is 75. Singer Janie Fricke is 73. Jazz musician Lenny White is 71. Actor Mike Lookinland is 60. Actor Scott Cohen is 59. Actor Jennifer Beals is 57. Actor Robert MacNaughton is 54. Magician Criss Angel is 53. Rock musician Klaus Eichstadt (Ugly Kid Joe) is 53. Actor Ken Marino is 52. Actor Elvis Nolasco is 52. Actor Derek Webster is 52. Actor Kristy Swanson is 51. Model Tyson Beckford is 50. Actor Amy Locane is 49. Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is 48. Actor Rosa Blasi is 48. Actor Alyssa Milano is 48. Actor Tara Summers is 41. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is 40. Actor Marla Sokoloff is 40. Rapper Lady Sovereign is 35. Journalist Ronan Farrow is 33. Actor Nik Dodani is 27.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Saturday, Dec. 19, the 354th day of 2020. There are 12 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History: On Dec. 19, 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House for perjury and obstruction of justice (he was subsequently acquitted by the Senate). On this date: In 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, Gen. George Washington led his army of about 11,000 men to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to camp for the winter. In 1843, "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens, was first published in England.In 1915, legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf was born in Paris. German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer, who discovered the pathological condition of dementia, died in Breslau (now Wroclaw), Poland, at age 51.In 1946, war broke out in Indochina as troops under Ho Chi Minh launched widespread attacks against the French. In 1960, fire broke out on the hangar deck of the nearly completed aircraft carrier USS Constellation at the New York Naval Shipyard; 50 civilian workers were killed. In 1972, Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific, winding up the Apollo program of manned lunar landings.In 1974, Nelson A. Rockefeller was sworn in as the 41st vice president of the United States in the U.S. Senate chamber by Chief Justice Warren Burger with President Gerald R. Ford looking on. In 1975, John Paul Stevens was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2001, the fires that had burned beneath the ruins of the World Trade Center in New York City for the previous three months were declared extinguished except for a few scattered hot spots. In 2002, Secretary of State Colin Powell declared Iraq in "material breach" of a U.N. disarmament resolution. In 2003, design plans were unveiled for the signature skyscraper — a 1,776-foot glass tower — at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. In 2008, citing imminent danger to the national economy, President George W. Bush ordered an emergency bailout of the U.S. auto industry. Ten years ago: The body of an American tourist, Kristine Luken, 44, was found near a road outside Jerusalem. (A Palestinian man was later sentenced by an Israeli court to life in prison for stabbing Luken.) Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko won re-election. In a game that came to be known as the "Miracle at the New Meadowlands," Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the Eagles' 38-31 comeback win over the New York Giants.Five years ago: Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton debated in Manchester, New Hampshire, where they engaged in a pointed but polite discussion of national security, Americans' heightened terrorism fears and the economy. Conductor Kurt Masur, 88, died in Greenwich, Connecticut. Spain's Mireia Lalaguna Royo was named the winner of the Miss World 2015 competition in a Chinese island resort, an event dogged by controversy over China's refusal to allow Canada's entrant to attend.One year ago: Congress headed home for the holidays without a plan or timeline in place for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate; Republicans resisted Democratic demands for new witness testimony. The evangelical Christian magazine Christianity Today said in an editorial that President Donald Trump should be removed from office; the editorial urged believers not to "continue to brush off Mr. Trump's immoral words and behavior in the cause of political expediency." The House gave Trump an overwhelming bipartisan victory on trade, approving a bill putting in place the terms of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Karl Fontenot, who spent 35 years in prison in a murder case featured in the book and TV series "The Innocent Man," was released from an Oklahoma prison; a federal judge had written that newly discovered evidence provided "solid proof" of his "probable innocence."Today's Birthdays: Actor Elaine Joyce is 77. Actor Tim Reid is 76. Paleontologist Richard E. Leakey is 76. Musician John McEuen is 75. Singer Janie Fricke is 73. Jazz musician Lenny White is 71. Actor Mike Lookinland is 60. Actor Scott Cohen is 59. Actor Jennifer Beals is 57. Actor Robert MacNaughton is 54. Magician Criss Angel is 53. Rock musician Klaus Eichstadt (Ugly Kid Joe) is 53. Actor Ken Marino is 52. Actor Elvis Nolasco is 52. Actor Derek Webster is 52. Actor Kristy Swanson is 51. Model Tyson Beckford is 50. Actor Amy Locane is 49. Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is 48. Actor Rosa Blasi is 48. Actor Alyssa Milano is 48. Actor Tara Summers is 41. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is 40. Actor Marla Sokoloff is 40. Rapper Lady Sovereign is 35. Journalist Ronan Farrow is 33. Actor Nik Dodani is 27.

Today in History -- Dec. 19

OCCK, Inc. is seeking Direct Support Professionals. These individuals are residential in their supported Living Department in the Salina, Beloit, and Concordia locations. Full time with benefits, EOE, drug testing.

This person will be coordinating services and provide Independent living skills. Training will be provided as needed. Need to be a compassionate and a problem solver.

Must be at least 18 years old with strong oral and written communication skills, math skills and valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Must have the ability to work with a diverse group of people in a team setting. Various shifts available.

OCCK, Inc. is a not-for-profit, mission-based organization that has been providing services to people with disabilities since 1970. With regional offices throughout North Central Kansas. Help others and getting paid to do so. Apply at&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.appone.com/Search/Search.aspx?ServerVar=occkinc.appone.com">https://www2.appone.com/Search/Search.aspx?ServerVar=occkinc.appone.com</a>&nbsp;.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592535783410.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OCCK, Inc. is seeking Direct Support Professionals. These individuals are residential in their supported Living Department in the Salina, Beloit, and Concordia locations. Full time with benefits, EOE, drug testing.This person will be coordinating services and provide Independent living skills. Training will be provided as needed. Need to be a compassionate and a problem solver.Must be at least 18 years old with strong oral and written communication skills, math skills and valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Must have the ability to work with a diverse group of people in a team setting. Various shifts available.OCCK, Inc. is a not-for-profit, mission-based organization that has been providing services to people with disabilities since 1970. With regional offices throughout North Central Kansas. Help others and getting paid to do so. Apply at&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.appone.com/Search/Search.aspx?ServerVar=occkinc.appone.com">https://www2.appone.com/Search/Search.aspx?ServerVar=occkinc.appone.com</a>&nbsp;.&nbsp;