School finance bill passes

A school finance bill passed the Kansas Legislature on Sunday night and goes to Gov. Sam Brownback for his signature.

The Legislature was under a court order from the Kansas Supreme Court to provide more equitable funding to school districts.

Besides increasing funding by $73 million, the bill included some controversial provisions, such as eliminating due process when teachers are fired.

Gov. Brownback issued this statement Sunday night about the passage of the school finance bill:

“The school finance bill passed by the Kansas Legislature today fully complies with, and indeed exceeds, the requirements of the recent Kansas Supreme Court ruling for funding schools and providing equity.

“House Bill 2506 increases funding to Kansas schools by $73 million and includes $78 million of property tax relief. The bill ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently, putting money in the classrooms to help teachers teach and students learn.”

Piper results

Piper High School – track at Ottawa

– Boys took 3rd place and girls took 4th place as a team

– 1st place: T. Davis (100m/200m), D. Saunders (200m), Boys 4x100m (Jones, Owens, Hooks, Saunders), Boys 4x400m (Saunders, Bah, Stacer, Pahls)

– 2nd place: Saunders (100m), Richardson (300m H), Hooks (triple jump), Ortiz (discus), Girls 4x100m (Webb, Morrow, Erwin, Davis), Girls 4x400m (Erwin, Morrow, Wayne, Wayne), Boys 4x800m (Lecther, Stacer, McCollum, Schneider)

Jonathan Ortiz broke the 47-year-old discus school record with a throw of 156’2”.

-3rd place: Jones (200m), McIntosh (110m H)

Piper High School record: – Jonathan Ortiz broke the discus record with a 156’2” throw. This record stood for 47 years at Piper.

Piper High School – baseball at SM Northwest –

– Varsity lost game No. 1 (0-10), lost game No. 2 (4-8)

Piper High School – regional choir

– 1 (superior) rating and have qualified for state:

Music-n-Motion women

Music-n-Motion men

Rachel Saunders, Vocal solo

Steven Hodge, Vocal solo

Ashley Pate, Vocal solo

Anissa Brantley, Vocal solo

– 2 (excellent) rating:

Bella Voce

Sarah Stella, Vocal solo

Jared Winzer, Vocal solo

Laura Clark, Vocal solo

Elizabeth Warner, Vocal solo

Ellen Havel, Vocal solo

Josie Jones, Vocal solo

Shaylee Kane, Vocal solo

– from Doug Key, Piper activities director

Rain in today’s forecast

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is in Monday’s forecast.

Light rain will be most likely after 2 p.m., the National Weather Service said. The total amount of precipitation may be minimal. An isolated thunderstorm is possible.

Today’s high will be 63.

Tonight, there is a 30 percent chance of showers with a low of 43, while Tuesday’s weather will be mostly sunny with a high of 60.

The National Weather Service said there is no hazardous weather expected until the weekend.

A strong cold front will move through the area on Saturday night through Sunday morning. Some storms then could be strong to severe.