From balancing a $35 million budget to tackling everything from bus routes to vape detectors, the Iola USD 257 Board of Education covered a range of decisions at its Monday night meeting.  The evening began…

For many families, the school bus is a lifeline that makes daily schedules possible. But for Stacie Smail, the long ride her 4-year-old son Porter faces each afternoon has turned into a source of stress.…

As Iola-area students begin to refocus on school, USD 257 officials are wrapping up an array of summer projects aimed at improving facilities across the district. From flooring and lighting to HVAC maintenance and landscaping,…

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the Bowlus Fine Arts Center will assume control of the Flewharty House from the Iola Public Library.  The decision has yet to be approved…

“Is it running?” USD 257 Transportation Director Aaron Cole says this is a frequent question when people first see the district’s new electric buses in action. “They are very quiet,” he said, compared to the…

School board members agreed to explore options to build a new maintenance building near Iola High School. Maintenance Director Aaron Cole presented preliminary estimates to build an 80-foot by 50-foot structure, divided in half between…

It’s been a busy summer for the Iola school district’s maintenance crew. They moved out of four buildings — three elementary schools and fifth grade at the middle school — and into one new building…

Cole’s first day was Jan 31. Starting Feb. 6, an ice storm led to cancelation of three days of classes. Then, a water main broke at Jefferson Elementary School.  “It kind of seems like I…