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Category Archives: Schools
New U234 Board Clerk: Candace Jobe
Candace Jobe. Submitted photo.
Candace Jobe, 37, has been the new MIS Clerk, Special Education Assistant, and U234 Board Clerk, since July 17.
“MIS and Special Education Assistant are the same thing,” she said. “I will be taking care of Paras and tracking training hours for them and helping our Special Education Teachers with various duties. Also, working in our Special Education Reporting Systems as well as assisting our Director, Tonya Barnes (she’s AMAZING) with any other tasks she has.”
“For Board Clerk I will be attending all board meetings, working with the Superintendent and Board President, recording minutes from board meetings, acting as custodian of records, and other duties as assigned to the clerk,” she said.
She grew up in Uniontown, school K-12, and graduated in 2005. “Being a part of a school has been my whole life with my Mom, Rolene Lowry, being West Bourbon Elementary School Secretary for 31 years and my Dad, Leon Lowry, as a Bus Driver/Custodian for 38 years,” she said. “I had the best of both worlds, working parents and stay-at-home parents. My brother also worked for the school district for over 10 years.”
After high school, she attended college in Oklahoma City and worked at the Bank of Oklahoma as a teller and then later in bond trading.
“We moved back closer to family and I worked at West Bourbon Elementary for the past nine years,” she said.
She and her husband, Joel, have two dogs, one of whom, Molly, gets to come to work with her every day.
“We are working towards her certification as a therapy dog and will be in the middle/high school to assist students and staff in any way needed,” she said.
“Being able to combine two things that I am VERY passionate about (kids and dogs) is something I can’t believe I get to do every day!”
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to work for USD 234,” she said. “Everyone has made me feel so welcomed and appreciated already. I don’t think any of the staff will ever know how much that has meant to me.”
New WBE Part-Time Principal: Anita Lightcap
Anita Lightcap is the new part-time West Bourbon Elementary School Principal in Uniontown.
“I started at WBE the first week of August,” she said. “I work Thursday and Friday and every other Wednesday. Mr. Tracy Smith works Monday and Tuesday and every other Wednesday.”
She retired in July 2021 from Tahlequah Public Schools in Tahlequah, Oklahoma as the Executive Director of Elementary Education. Tahlequah is a 6A school district and home to the Cherokee Nation.
Lightcap received her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City and a master’s from Arkansas State University.
She taught school in Dodge City USD 443 at the high school level and the elementary level before returning to her hometown of Tahlequah to finish her career.
“I believe the best thing about a career in education is knowing that you are helping educate the leaders of tomorrow,” she said. “Few things in life compare to seeing a child’s eyes light up in that moment that they understand a concept that’s being taught.”
Another great thing is “helping students see themselves as learners and having a growth mindset, believing that they can improve through effort and persistence,” she said.
The greatest challenge in education is meeting the needs of all students with the available resources, she said.
Lightcap lives just outside Kincaid.
U234 Board Meeting Agenda for September 11
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
4.1 Board Minutes
- 08/14/2023 Regular Meeting
- 08/28/2023 Special Meeting – Revenue Neutral Hearing
- 08/28/2023 Special Meeting – Budget Hearing
4.2 Financials-Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – August 20, 2023 – $1,437,854.99
4.5 Activity Fund accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 SITE Council Dates
FSHS
FSMS
Eugene Ware
Winfield Scott
4.8 MOU with SEK Mental Health for Mental Health Intervention Program
4.9 Resolution 23-08: Banking Account Signers
4.10 Investment of Funds Ratification
4.11 Resolution 23-09: KMIP User Changes
4.12 Update Officers
5.0 Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)
5.1 Student Recognition
5.2 Employee Recognition
6.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
6.1 Superintendent’s Report
6.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
6.3 Special Education Director’s Report
6.4 Finance Director’s Report
7.0 Old Business
8.0 New Business
8.1 Board Vacancy (Discussion Item)
8.2 TBS Electronics – Radios (Action Item)
8.3 Patterson Family Foundation Grant (Action Item)
8.4 KDHE Test-To-Stay Grant (Action Item)
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
10.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
10.2 Exit Executive Session
10.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
11.0 Adjourn Meeting David Stewart, President
The U235 Board of Education Agenda for Sept. 11 and the Prior Meeting Minutes
FSHS Tiger Newsletter
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Tiger Cheer! |
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Front Row, sitting, from left: Ava Johnson; Katlyn Parker; Julia Maloun; Kinley Dillow; Jerri Smith Middle Row, kneeling, from left: Camrie Hunziker; Sadie Claypool; Emilly Moore; Jaidyn Crumby; Anna Farrington; Molly Claypool Back Row, from left: Elsa Bishop; Maddi Cook; Jocelyn Fess; Carsen Allen; Mesa Casper; Cadence Hunziker; Emersyn Logue; Gabbi Majors |
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Front Row: Assistant Coaches Brennen Feeback; Josh Messer; Alvin Metcalf; Jared Martin Back Row: Assistant Coach Adam Clements; Head Coach Bo Graham; Assistant Coach Matt Glades |
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Front Row, from left: Lennox Vann; Ty Marbery; Caden Bradley; Chase Hyer; Jasper Allison; Jacob Snyder; Cal Cosens; Cedrik Martin; Dub Chipman; Colton Rogers Second Row, from left: J.C. Gross; Morgan Shaw; Brody Gomez; Luke Harris; Jaden Garcia; Peyton Stowell; Eli Martin; Brady Messer; Malaki Cady; Nolan Madison; Landon Hill Third Row, from left: Donald Morris; Ryder Newton; Adam Wright; Chandler Bybee; Terrance Lee; Trace Metcalf; Dexter Williams; Wesley Cox; Blake Tomasi; Chris Belcher; Dayton Fly Middle Row, from left: Noah Miles; Mason Crume; Jacob Adams; Kaden Cannon; Gavin Miles; Maddox Robinson; Drayke Wood; Mason Smith; Teegan Stiles; Jacob Olive; Kassen Woods; Grace Anderson, manager Fifth Row, from left: Cooper Wilson; Cohen Bradley; Ostin Harrington; Gavin Griffiths; Daymeion Anderson; Treyton Valentine; Matt Weston; Shai Kennedy; Cohen Glessner; Maverick Cooper; Kaylee Coover, manager Sixth Row, from left: Sullivan Gonzalez; Lane Laird; Colson Gulager; Paxton Allen; Eli Lindo; Malike Bassett; Anthony Mitchell; Joseph Moberg; Skyler Goodbody; Aubrey Martin, manager |
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Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball! |
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Front Row, kneeling from left: Eden Haught; Hadlee Tuck; Hadley Forester; Raveyn Kegler; Avery Stewart Back Row: Head Coach Terra Kegler; Dakota Hazelbaker; Keegan Yarick; Kylee Comstock; Sydney Pruitt; Brylie Shaub; Assistant Coach Kevin Flanner |
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Junior Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball! |
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Front row, kneeling from left: Anna Farrington; Jillian Belcher; Kynlee Hampton; Mallorie Hall; Molly Hoyt; Gracin Pitts; Raylee Cowan Back row, standing from left: Rhyla Lewis; Jacee Rogers; Makayna Woody; Tuesday Glessner; Kinsey Simons; Aubrey Yarick; Simran Caldwell; Sadie Claypool; JV Coach Selena Alvarado |
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Front Row, sitting from left: manager Gabby Rusk; Brodie Wright; Deven Coulter; Maxi Leon; Junior Montanez; Andrew Lyon; Malachi Larsen; Tekoah Russell; Nicole Layton; managers Kenna Miles and Cadence Hull Second Row, kneeling from left: manager Lauren Hull; Aidan Tate; Alexis Daly; Addisyn Coon; Kaydan Russell; Nate Mintz; Bryson Bassett; Otto Voller; Joseph Joyce; Levi Fairchild; Jacob Eisenbrandt; manager JoDee Pollock Standing, from left: Raj Gugnani; Zaida Summers; Daxton Wyatt; Vladimir Clark; Aden Koppa; Kellen Pool; Lizzy Fairchild; Gabby Judson; Rayne Soverns; April Mayes; Ella Moore; Assistant Coach Shaunn Pytlowany and Head Coach Gary Floyd II |
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Tiger Cross Country! |
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Front Row, seated from left: Jessie Harper; Alyssa Popp; Sofeea Anderson; Jocelyn Fess; Kodi Casper Middle Row, kneeling from left: Mason Mumbower; Josh Woellhof; Gavin Catalano; Jaxson Schafer; Landon McDaniel Back Row, standing: Abigail Eastwood, manager; Mesa Casper; Cody Geiger; Ben Davenport; Hunter Harrington; Trevin Worthing; Carsen Allen; Hannah Peck, manager |
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Lady Tiger Golf! |
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Front Row, from left: Emma Martin; Riley Findley Middle, from left: Luci Dunkeson; Lillian Jackson; Alyssa Hunt Standing in the back: Head Coach Julie Heatherly and Assistant Coach Jon Barnes |
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JUNIORS HOST PROM!Each member of the Class of 2025 received the following email: “Please fill out the attached form to indicate if you plan to just pay for prom or if you are willing to help fundraise for prom. https://forms.gle/ Please encourage your student to respond. |
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Front Row, from left: Band Assistant Theresa Buntain; Rayne Soverns; Madalyn Ballou; Jaleigh-Auna Robinson; Julieanna Dixon; Drum Major Casey Gomez; Band Director Justin Robinson Second Row, from left: Milo Donnelly; Bryana Weber; Jayden Newman; April Mayes; Peighton Head; Jace Anderson Middle Row, from left: Dimple Williams; Kaiden Clary; Garrett Arvidson; Xandria Fowler; Ben Phillips Fourth Row, from left: Peighton Brown; Savanna Cunningham; Maya Ethridge; Finnegan Magee; Declan McHenry; Bradley Hicks; Chrislen Newman Back Row, from left: Gavin Griffiths; Canton Dean; Devlin Cole; Tayton Allen; Jonathan Wilkinson; Levi Holt; Dave Smith |
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USD 234 school lunch menus can be found on our website at usd234.org; through the Nutrislice school lunch app; or this link: Each student gets one free breakfast and one free lunch. Extra meals: $2.65 for an additional breakfast, $4.70 for an additional lunch |
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Katelyn earned this academic honor because of her GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 and/or AP Exams. She is being recognized as part of the National Rural/Small Town Recognition Program. Award winners are given the opportunity to include this academic honor on their college applications and many colleges intentionally recruit awardees through College Board’s Student Search Service. Congratulations Katelyn and keep up the good work! |
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Special U234 Board Meetings Last Evening
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, August 28, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, for two special board meetings at the board office.
Vice-President James Wood opened the 5:30 p.m. meeting.
The board opened the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing. Superintendent Destry Brown reviewed the code 99 and discussed the mill levy. There were no comments from patrons. The board closed the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing.
The board approved the following item and then adjourned the meeting:
- Resolution 23-06: Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for financing the annual budget for 2023-24 by roll call vote.
President David Stewart opened the 5:45 p.m. meeting. The board opened the Budget Hearing. Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith reviewed the Needs Assessment with the board. Mrs. Smith noted information shared with the board on State Assessments. There were no comments from patrons. The board closed the Budget Hearing.
The board approved the following items:
- Resolution 23-07: Make a Local Option Percentage in an amount of 31.6 percent for the 2023-24 school year.
- Approval of the 2023-24 Budget with consideration of the Needs Assessment and State Assessments which were provided to the USD 234 Board of Education, evaluated by the Board, and were used as a part of the budget approval process. It was noted that the board adopted by roll call vote Resolution 23-06 to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate by roll call vote.
- Personnel Report following
The board went into executive sessions for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT
August 28, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Weaver, Mark – Resignation – Fort Scott High School Special Education Teacher
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Classified:
- Pitts, Belinda – from Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional to Mental Health Intervention Team Liaison- effective 09/05/23
- O’Bryan, Carolina – Leave of Absence
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Reichard, Elizabeth (Betsy) – Fort Scott High School Special Education Teacher
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Beyer, Amy – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
- Bratton, Ashley – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional
- Brown, Tina – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
- Lord, McKenna – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
- Ogle, Kathryn – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Magathan-Krone, Jane – Eugene Ware Elementary Guiding Coalition
- Laubenstein, Michelle – Fort Scott High School Newspaper
- ASCC Recommendations
- FSHS AP Teachers
Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing is August 28 for U234
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 28, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY PUBLIC
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing
3.1 Open Hearing (Action Item)
3.2 Hear from Patrons
3.3 Close Hearing (Action Item)
4.0 Resolution 23-06: Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for financing the annual budget for 2023-24 by Roll Call Vote (Action Item)
5.0 Adjourn Meeting
Agenda for U234 Board Meeting on August 28
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 28, 2023 – 5:45 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY PUBLIC
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Budget Hearing – Review Code 99
3.1 Open Hearing (Action Item)
3.2 Hear from Patrons
3.3 Close Hearing (Action Item)
4.0 Resolution 23-07: Make a Local Option Percentage in an amount of 31.6 percent for the 2023-24 school year (Action Item)
5.0 Approval of the 2023-24 Budget with Consideration of the Needs Assessment and State Assessments (Action Item)
6.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
6.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
6.2 Exit Executive Session
6.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
7.0 Adjourn Meeting
President
2023 College Board National Recognition Awardee: Katelyn Dancer
Congratulations to Fort Scott High School Senior Katelyn Dancer on being named a 2023 College Board National Recognition Program Awardee!
Katelyn earned this academic honor because of her GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and/or AP Exams. She is being recognized as part of the National Rural/Small Town Recognition Program. Award winners are given the opportunity to include this academic honor on their college applications, and many colleges intentionally recruit awardees through College Board’s Student Search Service.
Congratulations Katelyn and keep up the good work!
— Submitted by
Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School
New FS Educators: Self and Forkner
This is part of a series featuring the new teachers at Fort Scott’s School District.
There are 20 new teachers this year.
Karen Self, 56, is a new English teacher at Fort Scott High School.
“As a child we had a basement that had a chalkboard and desks that we purchased from the three-room grade school that had closed its doors in our rural neighborhood,” she said. “Mrs. Green…. my 5th grade teacher, let me choose anything I wanted from the pile of going-to-be-thrown-away textbooks. I took those books home and devoured them. I played teacher…for hours at a time, reading and exploring these old textbooks and trying to get my siblings to play along. Today, I am taking that next step into my childhood dream.
Creating an atmosphere of safety and peace when chaos abounds, like so many incredible educators did for me throughout my school years, is a passion for me.”
“I have substituted in USD 234 in the last few years, but most of my experience comes from raising, nurturing and advocating for my children,” Self said. “I also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care for 6 years.”
For her education she attended Missouri Southern State University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Butler County Community College, and finished her secondary education degree taking night classes at Newman University, Wichita.
She has 10 children ranging from 16-35 years of age and 6 grandchildren, 6 months to 13 years of age.
In her spare time she loves to read and write, among other interests.
“I am fascinated by British TV, British accents and London,” she said. “For the last decade I have explored writing and hope to one day write a book about the beautiful life lived by my lovely daughter, P.J., who succumbed to the ravages of muscular dystrophy and left this earth in 2011. My favorite pastime of all time is spending time with my children and grandchildren.”
“I love that moment when the look of confusion or frustration on a student’s face is replaced with the ‘aha’ delight of catching the inspiration of learning something for the first time,” she said.
Julie Forkner, is a new Fort Scott Preschool Interventionist.
She earned a BS in Elementary Education and Early Childhood and has taught for 38 years.
“I enjoy small children and building relationships with families and helping shape the future and making a positive difference in kid’s life’s!” she said. She also enjoys getting to know other teachers, too.
A challenge for her will be starting in a new district and a new environment and learning how things work, she said.
She has two children: a daughter, Mandy married to Steven, is a Kindergarten teacher in Exeter, MO. She has two grandchildren: Kaylor, 5-years-old and Kruz, 1 1/2. Her son Austin is a professional motocross racer in Murrieta CA. and will get married in October to Rylee.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her grandkids, traveling, watching her son race.
Her hometown is Moundville, MO.
FSHS Performing Arts: Finalist For Excellence Award
Congratulations to the Fort Scott High School Performing Arts Program on being named a Finalist for the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence Award for the 2022-23 school year!
A total of 18 Kansas High Schools will receive recognition by the Kansas State High School Activities Association for outstanding performing arts programs. Schools were selected from a committee formed from the following associations: Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), Kansas Speech Communication Association (KSCA), and the Kansas Thespians (Theater). Schools selected were chosen for scoring exceptionally high in Debate, Speech, Music, and Theater during the 2022-23 school year.
DeSoto High School was selected as the Award winner. Fort Scott High School was named a finalist along with Lansing, Lawrence-Free State, Pittsburg, Shawnee Mission South, and Sterling. Schools commended include Emporia, Maize, McPherson, Blue Valley West, Paola, Pretty Prairie, Rock Creek, Bishop Miege, Sylvan-Lucas, Washburn Rural, and Wichita Collegiate.
Special congratulations to our FSHS Performing Arts coaches and sponsors:
Band – Justin Robinson
Choir – Whitley Chesney
Orchestra – Carson Felt
Debate/Forensics – Tyler Slinkard
Theater/Drama – Angie Bin
Fort Scott High School was named a finalist for this award one previous time, following the 2018-19 school. We were also on the commended list for the 2020-21 school year.
Congratulations again to our sponsors and all of our students involved in these programs! Outstanding job!
— Submitted by
Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School