Today's Feature

Changes For IDEA.

News release

Washington, DC — Seventh District Congressman and House Majority Whip Roy Blunt sent letters to every school superintendent in Southwest Missouri detailing fundamental changes in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The reforms were approved with overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses of Congress in November.

"I firmly believe that the reforms in this act will help you ensure that every student in your district with disabilities receives a quality education," Congressman Blunt wrote.

Added Blunt in his letter: "From now on, parents and schools will be allowed to change a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) without holding a formal IEP meeting, making it easier to make changes without contending with unnecessary bureaucratic requirements.

"The act also gives teachers and schools more freedom to exercise reasonable discipline. To keep schools safe for all students, and hold students accountable for their actions, the bill will hopefully restore common sense to school discipline. Students will have the same punishment for the same infraction, unless the discipline problem is the direct result of a child’s disability."

"The act shifts the emphasis from compliance with burdensome and bureaucratic red tape to educational results for students. The act also includes strong steps to reduce unnecessary and costly litigation. As you know, the threat of litigation has in the past too often forced schools to worry about technical compliance when they would prefer to be concentrating on truly educating students with disabilities. The legal climate has made it more difficult for parents and schools to work together to do what is best for students. Worse still, parents have sometimes been manipulated into complex legal proceedings by lawyers who have their own best interests in mind, rather than the best interest of students with disabilities. The bill will work to restore trust between parents and schools by creating opportunities for early resolution of problems before they escalate, and by holding attorneys liable for frivolous lawsuits."

Blunt said IDEA has been the most mentioned topic of discussion with school superintendents when it comes to federal programs. Created 30 years ago, the federal government promised then to underwrite 40 percent of the program’s costs. The bill approved in November puts the federal government on a six-year glide path to reaching that goal. Over the last decade, Congress has increased funding for special education grants to states by 383 percent. The $11.1 billion appropriated this year is IDEA’s highest level of funding in history.

Other key elements of IDEA reform:

• Parents and schools will be allowed to change a student’s Individualize Education Program without a formal series of meetings and hearings.

• The bill restores common sense to school discipline. Students will have the same punishment for the same infraction, unless the discipline problem is the result of a child’s disability.

• Schools will have more funding and more control over special education money from the federal government.
· A shift in emphasis from compliance with burdensome bureaucratic red tape to education results for students.

• Strong steps to reduce unnecessary and costly litigation and resolve problems before they escalate.

If ya haven’t yet got in the spirit, the Christmas parade this evenin’ may do the trick. Santa will be available for free pictures with kids startin’ at four in the afternoon at Private Events on the south side of the Square and the Courthouse and Square will be decked out.

This time a year I always recollect the few I have known that do their shoppin’ in July for Christmas. By Thanksgivin’ they have ever’thing wrapped and tagged and ready to go. Some of course do better than that. They shop the after Christmas sales for the upcomin’ year.

Then there’s the gal who’s boyfriend was expressin’ what a great time they had last Christmas.

"Let’s not talk about the past," she replied. "Let’s talk about my present."

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Toilet Won't Stop Running

Q: Can you help me fix my toilet? Water is running constantly, which is very annoying. I checked the valve at the bottom of the tank, but it is fine. -- Seymour C., White Plains, N.Y.

A: If the flapper valve at the bottom of the tank isn't leaking, that's great -- but several other items need to be checked and, if necessary, repaired. The flush mechanism has numerous parts that, over time, need adjustment.

The first part to check and adjust is the float ball and its lift wires. The float ball sits on top of the water in the holding tank, rising and falling with the changing water levels between flushes. It is attached to lift wires, which control how and where water flows into or out of the tank.If the float ball is too low or too high in the water, you will likely hear water running constantly. Too low: the weight of the float will raise the lift wire controlling the flapper valve, causing water to flow into the toilet bowl constantly. Too high, and the tank overfills, so that you hear the sound of water flowing into the overflow pipe either intermittently or constantly.

Check the float ball to make sure it's not leaking. Lift it out of the water and visually inspect it for cracks or deterioration. If it looks fine, place it back on the surface of the water and check the lift wires. They should all be securely attached at the fulcrum points. Flush the toilet once with the tank lid off and watch the behavior of the lift wires. Note if any are too short or long, and either bend the wires slightly or lift the chain (if there is one) up a couple of links. This will adjust the point where the water shuts off and could fix the running problem.

Next, inspect the ballcock (the water-supply valve). If it is badly worn or water continues running constantly after the above repairs, it's time to replace it. Shut off the water valve (near the wall, beneath the toilet tank) and flush the toilet to drain the tank. Then disconnect the water supply tube underneath the tank from the ballcock mounting nut and lift out the old ballcock.To the new ballcock, attach a cone-shaped washer (often available with the kit) to the tailpiece (the threaded end) and insert that end through the tank opening. Line up the float-arm socket so that the float arm will pass behind the overflow pipe, and then screw the float arm onto the ballcock assembly. Clip or bend the refill tube (provided) so that the tip is inside the overflow pipe. Then reattach the water supply tube to the ballcock. Turn on the water and check for leaks -- you may need to adjust the tube's connection a bit, being careful not to overtighten the nut, as this could crack the tank.

Once the new ballcock is in place and working, test it by filling the tank and flushing. Adjust the ballcock so that the water level rises to only about half an inch below the overflow pipe.