12 new teachers start at Canton-Galva, Centre, Goessel and Hillsboro districts

Written by Aleen Ratzlaff Tuesday, 21 August 2012 13:27

The Canton-Galva, Centre, Goessel and Hillsboro school districts have 12 new faculty working with students as classes begin this fall.

They join the 14 new teachers at Marion-Florence, Peabody-Burns and the Marion County Special Education Cooperative who were highlighted in the Aug. 15 issue of the Free Press.

USD 419, Canton-Galva


Tim Blankenship


Vickie Brubacher


Bethany Lewis


Shane Duncan


Adam North


Jeff Savage


Mallory Jacobs

Jackie Ingram

Brittany Hiebert


Allison Krehbiel


Becky Freeman


Lance Sawyer

• Tim Blankenship will be teaching science for students in the seventh through ninth grades. Last year he taught similar classes at Chetopa middle and high schools and has 17 years of teaching...

Read more: 12 new teachers start at Canton-Galva, Centre, Goessel and Hillsboro districts

USD 410 board OKs tax increase for next budget

Written by Aleen Ratzlaff Tuesday, 21 August 2012 13:26

Unified School District 410 Board of Education unanimously approved a mill increase of 1.177 for the 2012-13 budget at its Aug. 13 meeting.

The board made its decision after discussing Superintendent Steve Noble’s recommendation of a 2.138 mill increase from the previous fiscal year.

Noble said he based his recommendation on the negative impact on the district’s capital outlay funds caused by reductions in base state aid per pupil over past years.

Board president Eddie Weber questioned whether the mill increase was necessary.

“I lean toward the status quo (of not raising the mill levy),” Weber said, knowing many people have faced financial challenges.

Agreeing with Weber, board member Deb Geis said, “Farmers aren’t...

Read more: USD 410 board OKs tax increase for next budget

Goessel board hears from local foundation

Written by Cynthia Goerzen Tuesday, 21 August 2012 13:26

Cindy Wiens, chair of the Goessel Community Foundation, told the Goessel school board at its Aug. 13 meeting how donors can fulfill their charitable wishes and benefit the community.

Wiens, an attorney with expertise in estates and trusts, said wealth in the past stayed in a community after the last parent died, but that does not happen as much any more.

“Now, once the wealth leaves, it won’t come back,” she said, especially if no other family members continue to live in the community.

Through the new Goessel Community Foundation, she said, residents can leave a legacy in the community.

Wiens was accompanied by fellow board members Myron Schmidt, Anita Goertzen, Peggy Jay, Patsy Dirksen, Linda Peters, Karen Dalke and John...

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Tabor music prof has first original song published

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 21 August 2012 13:24

Bradley Vogel holds a copy of the sheet music for his original song, “Cantate Domino, Canticum Novum,” which is Latin for “Sing to the Lord a New Song.” The piece was published recently by Imagine Music Publishing. For nearly three decades, Bradley Vogel has drawn upon the music of other composers to showcase the talents of his choral groups.

Now, with the recent release of his first original piece, the Tabor College professor of choral music has something unique to offer his fellow directors.

The title, “Cantate Domino, Canticum Novum,” may not roll off the tongue of the average music fan, but Vogel is hoping the Latin setting of Psalm 96 should appeal to directors, choral groups and audiences through its English title, “Sing to the Lord a New Song.”

“It’s exciting,” Vogel said about Imagine Music Publish­ings’ decision to produce the piece.

“Cantate Domino, Canticum Novum” made its public debut as a published piece...

Read more: Tabor music prof has first original song published