I applaud the Iola-USD 257 school board for their willingness to rethink its laptop policy at the high school. Change is easy to criticize; as an elected official, it’s often easier to just leave things…

Construction crews began work Wednesday on the installation of artificial turf at the Riverside Park football field, launching a $1.2 million improvement project approved by the USD 257 Board of Education in March. Double E…

Efforts to transform two of Iola’s former elementary schools into much-needed housing continue to advance, though construction remains at least several months away. USD 257 Superintendent Stacey Fager said BNIM, the Kansas City-based architecture and…

The SAFE BASE summer program kicked off Monday, welcoming students for another season of learning, recreation and adventure.  The free program, available to all K-8th grade students who live within USD 257, provides a chance…

The possibility of expanding college opportunities for Iola High School students and continued support for early childhood education were discussed at Tuesday’s USD 257 Board of Education meeting. Dana Daugharthy, IHS career counselor and the…

A new indoor multipurpose facility continues to take shape and promises to provide year-round practice space for a variety of USD 257 student-athletes. Located just north of the high school, the building measures 6,000 square…

Rising fuel prices across the country are putting pressure on schools, businesses and families alike.  At USD 257, the bad news is tempered by the fact the school year has ended before the costs go…

Results from a recent survey show USD 257 teachers feel good about their work and their colleagues, and intend to stay put. Curriculum director Jenna Higginbotham shared the findings of the Kansas Teacher Retention Survey…

USD 257 school board members gave the green light to replace the high school’s aging fire alarm system at a cost of $237,453 during Monday evening’s meeting. The project had been identified as a priority…

A little extra boost for student health is making its way through USD 257. Each of Iola’s three schools recently received $2,000 in grant funding to support physical activity and wellness programs, thanks to the…