Business officials from schools large, small make connections in Hays
By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN
Rob Balsters divides school districts into two basic groups -- the education side and the support side.
Those that make up the support group are meeting in Hays this week at the 45th annual state convention of the Kansas Association of Business Officials.
Earlier this decade, as many as 500 people would attend the convention.
Balsters and KASBO Executive Director Karen Schadel blame the current economic state -- as well as state budget cuts -- for smaller numbers than usual.
But, Schadel assured, the nearly 200 people from throughout the state attending the convention won't be disappointed.
There are workshops and presentations, and speakers and entertainment.
Plus, Schadel added, it's just good to get together once a year to network with others in your profession.
"When money is tight, that is when you need your best-informed people in the business office," said Schadel, who lives on a farm south of Alexander across the county line in Pawnee County.
Balsters, deputy superintendent for the Seaman school district in Topeka, agreed.
"I find something new every time I come to this," he said. "This is my 20th year, and I always learn something."
Schadel said everyone seems generally pleased with the generosity they have received in Hays.
It's been 20 years since the KASBO convention has been in Hays. It's usually in larger cities such as Wichita, Topeka, Hutchinson or the Kansas City area.
The weather sure hasn't hurt the city's promotion.
On a near-perfect spring day, about 30 people played in a golf tournament Wednesday morning and nearly 25 more in a bowling event.
Later that night, they were treated to a little western Kansas history featuring visits from "Wild Bill Hickok" and "Calamity Jane" during a dinner at Fanchon Ballroom.
At a time to relax and unwind after a full day of workshops, Schadel was the first to ride a mechanical bull.
"It was lots of fun, and it was busy for most of the night," Schadel said of the bull. "In Hays, it went over pretty well. In Overland Park, it wouldn't have been that good."
Schadel said the nighttime impromptu get-togethers are just as valuable at this type of event as are the scheduled activities during the day.
"It gives people a chance to visit," she said, "renew some old friendships and develop some new ones."
Those attending the 2009 convention are from some of the largest school districts in Kansas, such as Shawnee Mission and Mission to the smallest such as Bucklin.
"It's a good change for the smaller ones to listen to what the larger ones do and manipulate and make it fit their district," Schadel said.
This morning, convention participants were to hear from Brad Neuenswander, director of school finance with the Kansas State Department of Education in Topeka, and get a legislative update.
After another full schedule of meetings today, they will enjoy an evening at Fox Pavilion in downtown Hays before wrapping up the convention with more meetings Friday morning.