'Antiquing hub' growing rapidly

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 11, 2001 by Capital-Journal

The types of business in Riley shifted. More and more, the town became known as the "antiquing hub of Mid America" as other retail and service businesses became displaced. In recent years, the city lost its grocery store, drug store with a soda fountain, and barber shop. The last car dealership closed in 1989. Riley Cafe was sold after 52 years. The hardware store, flower shop and recreation hall closed.

However, businesses still serve the community. Riley Elevator is owned by Bob Buchanan and operated by Dan and Debbie Higgins. Schurle signs is owned by Richard and Janet Schurle. Holmes-Pfeifley Funeral Home is owned by Phil Pfeifley. The downtown Calico Inn, a unique cafe with creative decor, is a tiny gathering place operated by Trix Fasse.

The biggest employer in town, however, is the school district, Riley County Unified School District 378. USD 378 operates a grade school in Riley from preschool through eighth grade for students from Riley and neighboring Leonardville and Keats. That building has a grade school and middle school principal. The district also operates the ninth- through 12th-grade Riley County High School, two miles north of Riley along US-24.

USD 378, with offices in Riley, has 100 employees and 605 students.

During the past school year, district patrons approved a $2.25 million bond issue to fund a three-fold program: to build a new agricultural science building and remodel the existing building; to build a new all-weather track and stadium; and to improve the technological infrastructure with wiring for high-speed Internet lines and a state-of-the-art network.

"I am grateful that all of those items are in place at this time," said Dr. Larry Bowers, superintendent.

The ag building cost about $985,000. The track bond didn't cover the cost of the track and stadium, but the district had set aside about $485,000 for those items. The district spent about $100,000 on computer wiring.

Along with those changes in facilities came a change in curriculum direction.

"We never dreamed of the scope it would develop," Bowers said.

Taking one high school subject at a time, a curriculum audit was conducted among teachers to determine what was being done and how it could be improved by the new technology.

"Curricular audit has revolutionized our curriculum," Bowers said.

Some changes will require more money, as that comes available. The availability depends partly upon board/teacher negotiations. Some electives don't require more money, just rearrangements, Bowers said.

Priorities that have been developed from the audit include: a new science curriculum for K-12, requiring one more full-time teacher for kindergarten; a third music teacher, one who is certified for both vocal and instrumental music, for K-12; and one K-8 art teacher. A grade school computer science teacher will be hired, if money is available.

The audit recommended a laboratory with 24 computers and a computer technology teacher to teach K-8 in the lab. A computer fine arts program will be developed as well.