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Monthly Archives: December 2025
KS November Total Tax Collections Below the Estimate
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From the Bleachers by Dr. Jack Welch
Honor the Contract or Change the System?
In college athletics, few debates stir up as much passion as whether administrators should honor the full length of a coach’s contract. Every hire is a gamble. Some coaches arrive with little proven success at the level they’re stepping into. Others come with résumés full of championships, rebuilds, and turnarounds. Yet in every case, everyone, the administration made the choice. They believed the coach was the right person for the job, or they never would have signed their name on the contract.
A contract, after all, is not a suggestion. It’s a roadmap. When a coach is hired on a three-, five-, or seven-year deal, that length isn’t arbitrary. It represents the time needed to recruit players, build a system, implement a culture, and create the foundation for long-term success. No coach worth their whistle expects instant magic. They build a plan aligned with the years they were promised, or did they? Maybe the administration expected immediate results. Maybe the administration realizes they made a big mistake.
In today’s impatient sports world, many coaches never get the chance to finish what they started. A season and a half in, maybe two years at most, administrators decide that the win-loss record isn’t good enough, the crowd size isn’t big enough, or the social media noise is too loud. So, the coach is dismissed, sometimes with one, two, or even three years left on the contract. If both sides truly agreed on the plan from the start, shouldn’t the coach be allowed to execute it? Unless the coach is failing according to the agreed upon plan.
Legally, the structure is clear. Coaching contracts often include clauses allowing institutions to terminate the agreement without cause, if they pay the agreed-upon buyout. Contracts also outline “for-cause” conditions, major misconduct, violations, or ethical breaches, which allow a school to sever ties without further obligation. Most dismissals fall under the former, not the latter. Consequently, the college writes the check, honors the buyout, and moves on. Reassignment is another option.
Honoring the dollars isn’t the same as honoring the contract. Paying someone to go away may satisfy the legal requirement, but it doesn’t satisfy the ethical one. It raises a bigger question: If a school hires a coach based on a vision that supposedly takes years to fulfill, why abandon the vision before the time is up? Or did they have an agreement to produce immediate results?
Some argue that administrators must react quickly when things go poorly. Others say you can’t preach commitment, stability, and trust to student-athletes while modeling the opposite at the administrative level.
Colleges have every right to make a change if they believe it’s needed. They also have a responsibility to ensure they’ve done their part: reviewing the plan thoroughly on the front end, providing the promised time and resources, and allowing the coach a real chance to succeed. Otherwise, we don’t just fail the coach, we fail the process.
Thought for the Week, “Commitment loses its meaning the moment convenience replaces conviction.” Jack Welch
Funeral Notice for Marlean J. Roberts
Marlean J. Roberts, age 66, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas passed away October 12, 2025. Her husband, Weldon B. Roberts preceded her in death on May 9, 2020. A memorial service for both Marlean and Weldon Roberts were held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 28th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas.
Applications for 2026 Boys State of Kansas Session Open
December 1, 2025 — The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is accepting applications for its 2026 session. The event is set to be held Sunday, May 31, through Saturday, June 6, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This will be the program’s 34th consecutive session at KSU and 88th overall.
Traditionally, Kansas Boys State has been for individuals who will complete their junior year of high school in the spring just prior to the start of each session. However, the ALBSK program will again expand the pool of applicants for this year’s session to also include those who will complete their sophomore year of high school this spring.
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas program provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government, and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
The cost to attend the Boys State of Kansas program is $375; however, in many instances, sponsors pay the majority of the fees, with the delegate or his family paying $50. Those wishing to attend the 2026 session should visit ksbstate.org to apply. The deadline to apply for the 2026 program is Thursday, April 30; applications are accepted after that date, but on a space-available basis. In addition, those who register by Saturday, Jan. 31, will receive a KBS sweatshirt or polo. Furthermore, delegates who are returning for a second year have the opportunity to attend the 2026 session for just $50 total, provided they get at least three people from their school (or another school) to attend.
Kansas Boys State attendees are eligible to receive a three-hour course credit (Introduction to Political Science [POLSC 110-C]) through Kansas State University at a 72% discount, as well as earn merit badges to attain the Eagle Scout rank through Boy Scouts of America. Additionally, attendees can apply to win a Samsung American Legion Scholarship. The American Legion Department of Kansas finalist is guaranteed a $1,250 scholarship, with the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 as a national scholar.
Potential sponsors, such as American Legion posts, civic organizations, businesses, clubs and interested individuals should visit ksbstate.org/sponsor. Questions? Contact the ALBSK at [email protected] or (785) 550-6492. For complete information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas program, visit ksbstate.org.
For information about the 2026 American Legion Auxiliary Sunflower Girls State, which will be held Sunday, May 31, through Friday, June 5, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, visit ksgirlsstate.org.
— #KSBoysState —
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, visit ksbstate.org.
Blythe Family Christmas Concert Is December 5
Everyone in the community is invited to Parkway Church of God Holiness this Friday, December 5 at 7 pm for a Christmas concert featuring the Blythe Family. The address for the church is 1111 State Street.
Submitted by Alex Arnold
