Megan Moser

USD 383’s total enrollment is down 310 students this year, the second year in a row for a decline, according to a report at Wednesday’s school board meeting. The total number of students enrolled from kindergarten to grade 12 is 6,155, Manhattan-Ogden assistant superintendent Nathan Downs said. The district takes an official headcount each fall [...]

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The Riley County Police Department paid Flock Safety $33,000 this year for access to its 11 surveillance cameras around town, according to documents obtained by The Mercury. The police department in 2023 made an agreement with the company, which makes high-speed, computer-controlled cameras that capture license plate and vehicle information for investigations. The Mercury obtained [...]

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The Manhattan-Ogden school board on Wednesday night approved new paint and flooring at Marlatt Elementary. The update includes $34,795 for a planned painting and flooring replacement project. The board gave final approval to a proposal from Anderson Knight Architects of Manhattan for the project. The motion passed 6-0, with board member Kristin Brighton not present. [...]

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A woman is suing a former Manhattan priest, Seven Dolors Catholic Church and its parent organizations because she said the priest made “unwanted sexual contact,” coerced and sexually harassed her. She says the church failed to protect her from the man after she reported his abuse. The priest, Ryan Anthony McCandless, 44, was arrested in [...]

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MHS principal Mike Dorst announced Tuesday his plans to retire effective this summer. Dorst, 54, said in a statement that at the end of June he will have completed his 31st year in education, 21st as an administrator, 19th year as an administrator with MHS/USD 383, and eighth year as principal of Manhattan High School. [...]

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The school board approved a $20,000 proposal for design services for a backup generator at Marlatt Elementary during its meeting Wednesday. Board member Greg Hoyt moved to give final approval to a proposal submitted by LST Consulting Engineers of Manhattan for the Marlatt backup generator project. During discussion, board member Curt Herrman explained that Marlatt [...]

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Homeowners will see an average increase of almost 8% in USD 383 property taxes next year. The Manhattan-Ogden school board approved a plan Wednesday that includes a budget increase of 21%, from $125.4 million in 2025-26 to $152.1 million in 2026-27. That’s an increase of $26.7 million. During the meeting, board members defended the district’s [...]

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The husband of a fired elementary principal went before the USD 383 school board Wednesday and demanded an investigation into the district’s treatment of alleged violations at other schools. Dan Henke, who is married to former Marlatt Elementary principal Sheila Henke, spoke during public comment at the board meeting. The district terminated Sheila Henke in [...]

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Ahead of the recent primary election, Kansas House of Representatives hopeful Stacy Kohlmeier, a Republican running for the 67th district, raised the most money with $45,537. Kohlmeier beat her opponent, Kaleb James, who reported just $120 for the period, which ended July 23. James gave the $120 to his own campaign. The Democratic candidate for [...]

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The USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden school board on Thursday voted to uphold the firing of Marlatt Elementary School principal Sheila Henke. The board in July had begun the process of terminating Henke’s contracts, citing violations of board policy and failure to perform contractual duties. District officials did not give additional details about the violations because it [...]

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