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By Mary Ann Redeker maryann @ emporia . com

William Allen White Elementary and Turning Point Academy are set to enter their second year of combination .

After year of frustration and change , administration and parents enter year two of combination with hope

By John Robinson john @ emporia . com

Looking back on the first year of combination between William Allen White Elementary and the K-8 program of Turning Point Academy , principal Tell Kirk admits it ended better than it started .

“ I think we came out of it in a real positive place ,” Kirk said . “ I think anytime you have a significant change — especially a second-order change like combining two buildings — there is going to be some growing pains and lessons learned .” Deirdre Tollakson would agree . A parent of children at WAW , she had one word to describe the first year of combination .

“ Challenging ,” Tollakson said , “ I think it was a bad setup .”

Announced in the summer of

2015 , former superintendent Theresa Davidson said combining the two programs under one roof was the recommendation of an audit conducted in 2014 . The Legislative Division of Post Audit , the auditing arm of the Kansas Legislature , estimated the district would save between $ 260,000 - $ 600,000 by closing down TPA ’ s Kansas Avenue location .

According to the school board , the decision to combine the programs so quickly was made after a late notice of vacancy at the high school , and it was determined Dathan Fischer , then principal at WAW , would take over the vacant role of assistant principal at Emporia High School . Kirk became principal of WAW in addition to TPA .

“ In this funding climate , we basically had a principal who had 80 students — and that is a very expensive model ,” board member Susan Brinkman said in 2015 . “ The board has always been committed to those schools of choice because we feel like it benefits the whole district to have those programs . The K-8 transition didn ’ t work out timing-wise like any of us had hoped . We had a late vacancy at the high school . We could see where we could take advantage of that by eliminating an administrative position as well as bringing these two populations together .”

Tollakson said both programs suffered from a lack of support and time to prepare for the change .

“ Even for Mr . Kirk — he ’ s gone from running one school — now he ’ s the principal of two separate programs ,” she said . “ Trying to do it in the amount of time with no support , I don ’ t know who it would take to fix that .”

Kirk said he ’ s not sure what would have been enough time for the administration at the school to prepare .

“ I think it would be hard to say what is enough time ,” he said . “ In any situation like that , you ’ re put in a spot where you do what you feel is best and move forward in a way you think is best . In terms of time , I think no matter what length of time it would always

“ I want to continue to learn and build relationships with all our school family — that would be parents , students and staff . The first year the learning curve was so steep . I look forward to continuing to build deeper relationships with our school families .” feel short .”

Amy Hinrichs , another parent whose children attended WAW last year , said communication with parents was slow to non-existent .

“ I tried to pick up the communication back with the district — with Mr . Kirk — and it was a neverending battle ,” Hinrichs said .

“ So , slowly , I lost the ambition to make it succeed with my children .” Hinrichs said her children will not return to the district .

According to Kirk , both he and his staff made their best effort to respond to any received concerns .

“ There ’ s always challenges in a schedule , but I don ’ t think there is ever an excuse to not communicate ,” he said . “ I have learned ways through this year to better improve that — I would say that in general , we are at a very good place .”

Kirk said one of the complaints he heard most , especially from teachers , was the issue of space .

Tell Kirk , William Allen White Elementary and Turning Point Academy principal

John Robinson / Gazette

Please see Schools , Page 3

Tyler Pettigrew offered a statement of apology to the family of Mark Harrison Monday afternoon during his sentencing hearing Pettigrew in Lyon County District Court .

Pettigrew was found guilty of vehicular homicide on June 16 related to an automobile accident which occurred Oct . 16 , 2012 , in which Harrison , a 59-year-old Madison man , died .

“ I apologize for the events that occurred that day ,” Pettigrew said . “ I apologize to the Harrison family for the pain and suffering I caused . Not a day goes by that I don ’ t think of that day , the accident and what happened . My goal is to now help others .”

Pettigrew was sentenced to a year in custody of the Lyon County Sheriff ’ s Office . After serving six months , the remainder of the sentence is to be probation with all the usual conditions for a period of one year . Pettigrew cannot drive a motor vehicle and has been ordered to do 100 hours of community service .

According to Kansas law , vehicular homicide is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 12 months in custody .

Eighth Judicial District Judge Steven Hornbaker was emotional in delivering the sentence .

“ This is emotional and I apologize if I am emotional ,” Hornbaker said . “ I have a son your age , Tyler . This is difficult for me and I wish I was anywhere else but here . You violated the law . I believe jail is beneficial to all those involved , so the community can understand what a problem this is .

“ You should have known better than anyone , being a member of law enforcement . You will be a better

Please see Pettigrew , Page 3

By Regina Murphy regina @ emporia . com

The Lyon County Fair is bringing back another bigname country star in 2016 .

Country music hitmaker Phil Vassar is playing the Lyon County Fair Saturday . A “ piano-pounding powerhouse ,” Vassar has 10 No . 1 singles and 26 Top 40 hits , including “ Carlene ,” “ Just Another Day in Paradise ,” “ Six- Pack Summer ,” “ That ’ s When I Love You ” and many more .

Vassar has released six albums and received two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year trophies , ACM ’ s Top New Male Vocalist Award and was named ASCAP ’ s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1999 .

President of the Lyon County Fair Board Ken Duft is ready .

“ We won ’ t have the electrical issues we had last year ,” he said . “ It ’ s a big show , fun for all . He ( Phil Vassar ) puts on a good concert . Everybody should have a good time .”

VOL . 125 , NO . 27

Opening for Vassar is Jane McCoy and Just Passin ’ Through . The doors to the grandstand open at 6 p . m . and with a 9 p . m . start scheduled for Vassar ’ s show .

“ This is our third year producing a concert show for the Lyon County Fair ,” Hitt Entertainment Owner Travis Hitt said . “ Each year , we ’ ve kind of doubled down , securing a bigger-named artist and bolstering the production elements . We are very grateful to the fans who keep coming out to support live entertainment ”

Vassar comes to Emporia after a show in Oregon and then will play several dates in Texas . The musician is the main attraction on the cover of the July 2016 Up Country magazine , a British publication .

Contemplating his songwriting style , he told the interviewer Alan Perkins : “ It ’ s all about making the listener want to hear what you are putting in your songs and making them feel something .”

Vassar discovered he liked playing piano early on and cut his chops playing bars and clubs . He then

Phil Vassar Tickets

Last day for advance ticket sales ! $ 20 : Until the end of the day today , buy your advance tickets from any 4Her or at the Extension Office by calling 341-3220 .

$ 30 : Available at Brickyard 20 Alehouse or William ’ s Automotive .

$ 35 : Day of the concert at the gates .

picked up bass and started incorporating that style into his piano playing to create a fuller sound . He also treats the piano like the percussion instrument it is ; something he acknowledges : “ My pianos take a real beating from me ,” he said .

Vassar credits watching Jerry Lee Lewis as an inspiration for being more than a balladeer , for being willing to be more dynamic on stage and in his writing .

He also draws upon real life , stories form friends and family , for his songwriting .

Please see Vassar Page 3

Courtesy photo

Country music star Phil Vassar performs at the Lyon County Fairgrounds grandstand Aug . 6 . Local groups Jane McCoy and Just Passin ’ Through open at 7 p . m .