SCHOOL NOTEBOOK | Hale Library opening second floor after spring break

Jan. 31--K-State plans to open Hale Library's second floor shortly after spring break.

Hale was shut down after a fire above the historic Farrell portion of the building in May 2018. The central library's structure was largely spared, although water from the firefighting efforts poured down from the top floors and damaged much of the building's interior and estimated 1.5 million books.

The resulting restoration and renovation costs are expected to cost a combined $90 million with $80 million coming from insurance payouts and the rest from private donations.

The first floor, which had been planned for restorations before the fire, opened shortly into the fall semester as a study space for students.

Workers are putting the final touches on the second floor, said K-State public relations officer Darchelle Martin. The floor will now have a combined library and IT help desk to more effectively help students and other library users.

Library officials still hope to open the third through fifth floors by the end of 2020. However, the historic 1927 Farell Library portion likely won't open until early 2021. Restoration of the Great Room's murals, currently covered in wood boxes to protect them from construction damage, won't start until the rest of the room finishes up.

The library is planning the logistical feat of moving books back into the building, starting in April, but books won't be immediately available to the public, as library staffers have no way to partition the book stacks from ongoing construction.

No full snow days left for USD 378

The Riley County school district has canceled 4.25 days of school, including a late start and an early release, and any additional snow days likely will force the district to add school time to the calendar.

Superintendent Cliff Williams said the district has five snow days built into its calendar, meaning the district has 0.75 of a snow day left. As it stands, the last day of school in the district is still May 20, Williams said.

The Manhattan-Ogden school district has already used four snow days out of three it builds into its calendar, but the school district typically exceeds the state-required minimum class time. No additional days are planned for Manhattan-Ogden as of yet, but that could change for both districts with a few weeks of winter weather still left.

Myers named

Outstanding Kansas Citian of the Year

K-State president Richard Myers was selected as one of two Outstanding Kansas Citians of the Year by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City.

The award is given to individuals who work to develop and promote the city or become a part of the city's history.

Myers, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was born and raised in the Kansas City area. He attended K-State before receiving an Air Force commission, where he served for 40 years.

The organization's other honoree is Ed Eilert, chair of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. He is the father of Scott Eilert, the senior video coordinator for the K-State football team.

USD 383 to help pilot sustainable, from-scratch meal program

The Manhattan-Ogden Child Nutrition department was selected as one of five school districts to join the Chef Ann Foundation's Get Schools Cooking program, in which districts revamp their food service approach.

Department members will attend a workshop in Boulder, Colorado, where they'll learn about menu planning and food service management. The child nutrition department will then evaluate their meal programs based on the foundation's five key areas of school food operations: food, finance, facilities, human resources and marketing.

Over the next year and a half, child nutrition staff will develop recommendations for changes to provide sustainable meals made from scratch.

Donations, grants

The Manhattan-Ogden school board accepted $25,999.68 in donations and grants at its Jan. 22 meeting.

Riley County Raising Riley granted $12,040 to College Hill Early Learning Center for reduced fees for families.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation granted $994.24 to Northview Elementary for PE supplies.

James and Ann Coen donated $500 to Eugene Field Early Learning Center for building operation expenses.

The Susie Bilderback Memorial donated $2,515 to Ogden Elementary School for school use.

Riley County Raising Riley donated $4,000 to Eugene Field Early Learning Center for behavioral and mental health personnel.

Blue Cross Blue Shield awarded the child nutrition department a $1,000 allocation to continue nutrition education efforts.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation granted $1,000 to Bluemont Elementary to establish a healthy lifestyles program at the school.

A donor gave $2,077.44 in honor of Marvin J. Marsh to Eisenhower Middle School for school lunch debt.

Manhattan High School Wrestling Parent Support Group donated $775 to Manhattan High School for the wrestling program.

The Manhattan High School Performing Arts Parents donated $1,098 to Manhattan High School for Disney World travel expenses.

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