The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19.
The SPARK Executive and Steering Committees, in conjunction with the Office of Recovery team, are responsible for the statewide distribution of the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
The following is an update from Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Development Director:
The Bourbon County SPARK Program has reached a number of milestones to this date. All applications have been reviewed in each of the established categories. In addition, a Business/Not for Profit grant program has been completed. The Bourbon County Commission has tentatively approved applications after a vetting process.
The Kansas Office of Recovery has reviewed the plan and has requested additional information. A Technical Assistance Advisor has also been assigned to the County as part of the approval process.
It is the goal of the Commissioners to have full approval of the County Plan no later than September 25, 2020. At that time all recipients will be notified of their award along with a Memorandum of Agreement which articulates the terms and conditions of the awards. Checks will be issued by the County upon receipt of the Agreements.
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Training
August 10, 2020
PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Jim Fewins, Dave Elliott, Kirk Hart, Bill Meyer, and Robert Nelson
ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, staff, and community
members.
Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Chairman Bartelsmeyer thanked the Board for their re-election of him to
chairman.
BUDGET HEARING: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to
adopt the 2020-2021 budget as presented.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the consent agenda.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. A motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the policies
for the Gordon Parks Museum as provided.
B. President Johnston reviewed SPARK grant funding applications for reimbursement and direct aid with the
Board.
REPORTS:
A. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed a report from the Gordon Parks Museum and
heard reports from Student Services, Student Affairs and Athletics, Instruction, Finance and Operations,
and the President.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
6:08 p.m. by Meyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote.
Chairman Clerk
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The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday,
September 21, 2020. The meeting will be held in the Cleaver-Boileau-Burris Agriculture Hall
at Fort Scott Community College.
5:00 p.m. Dinner in the Cleaver-Boileau-Burris Agriculture Hall at 5:00 p.m. followed by the
regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m.
THE AGENDA
5:00 DINNER
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on August 10, 2020,
6
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 8
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 49
A. Consideration of Nursing Simulator Purchase, 49
B. Consideration of Digital Marketing Bids, 60
C. Approval of Disposal of Property – SawStop Table Saw, 65
D. Approval of Revised Academic Calendars, 66
E. Consideration of Microsoft License Renewal, 70
ITEMS FOR REVIEW, 71
REPORTS, 73
A. Administrative Updates, 74
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 84
ADJOURNMENT, 85
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UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• September 21, 2020: Board Meeting
• October 19, 2020: Board Meeting
• November 16, 2020: Board Meeting
• November 19-24, 2020: Finals
• November 21, 2020: Graduation
• November 25 – 27, 2020: Thanksgiving Break – Campus Closed
• December 14, 2020: Board Meeting
• December 16, 2020 – January 4, 2021: Winter Break – Campus Closed
• January 25, 2021: Board Meeting
• February 15, 2021: Board Meeting
• March 22, 2021: Board Meeting
• April 19, 2021: Board Meeting
• May 17, 2021: Board Meeting
• June 21, 2021: Board Meeting
Sincerely,
John Bartelsmeyer, Chair
Alysia Johnston, President
FSCC’s
CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1) Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on August 10,
2020.
C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT, BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Treasurer’s Report and the Bills and Claims Report.
D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Additions
a) Jonathan Allen, Assistant Golf Coach, effective August 1, 2020
b) Dametrius Walker, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, effective August 15,
2020
c) John Giffin, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, effective August 15, 2020
d) Tawny Anderson, Residence Hall Housekeeper, effective August 15, 2020
e) Lance Coulter, Residence Hall Housekeeper, effective August 17, 2020
f) Caitlyn Wiswell, Arena Coordinator/Assistant Rodeo Coach, effective
September 17
2) Separations
a) Baleigh Murphy, Assistant Volleyball Coach, effective August 11, 2020
b) Nathaniel Collins, Security Officer, effective August 18, 2020
c) Amir Gant, Assistant Football Coach, effective September 9, 2020
d) Russell Souza, Director of Advising/Retention, effective September 24,
2020
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.
BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____
DISCUSSION:
VOTE: Bartelsmeyer Elliott Fewins Hart Meyer Nelson
Bonnie Sue Taylor, 80, of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Thursday afternoon September 17, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She was born November 15, 1939, in Coffeyville, Kansas, the daughter of Raymond Samuel and Florence Rhoda (Wyckoff) Mason. She married Ronald “Ronnie” Fred Taylor on May 31, 1959, in Fort Scott, and he survives of the home.
Bonnie was the office supervisor at Newman Young Clinic from 1957 until she retired in 1996. Bonnie attended Xenia Baptist Church. Her family was the light of her life.
In addition to her husband Ronnie, Bonnie is survived by son Raymond Taylor, of Bronson; a sister, Peggy Davis of Fort Scott; three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Samuel Mason, and a son, Brad Taylor, April 3, 2001.
Rev. Randy Smith will conduct graveside services at 10:00 a.m. Monday September 21, 2020, at the Bronson Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com
KDHE shares steps to protect health amid potential
air quality impacts from wildfires
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) wants to alert Kansans to potential air quality impacts from Western wildfire smoke. Ongoing wildfires across the Western U.S. continues to produce dense smoke that is being transported into Kansas by the atmospheric winds. While a majority of this smoke is remaining high in the atmosphere there are times when this smoke is being observed at the surface and impacting air quality. These air quality impacts may continue to be seen as long as the Western U.S. wildfires continue to burn.
Smoke can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly may experience worse symptoms.
Steps to protect your health on days when particulate matter is present in your community include:
Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
People with respiratory or heart-related illness should remain indoors.
People who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms in particular respiratory or heart-related symptoms, who are currently infected or recently recovered, should remain indoors.
Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running the air conditioners with air filters.
Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.
Fort Cinema is located at 224 W. 18th. Submitted photo.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on movie theaters throughout the nation.
It has also impacted Fort Cinema, located at 224 W. 18th.
“We have lost 70% of our revenue during the same time frame from a year ago,” Brent Cavin, who has worked and managed the theater since 2007, said. “Blockbuster movies continue to be pushed back by studios.”
In spite of this, the cinema owners have had community support.
“The community has been great about supporting us with purchasing of concessions and gift cards. We take it as a sign that our citizens want to make sure the theater remains in Fort Scott.”
Cavin is co-owner of Anderson and Cavin LLC, with his brother-in-law, Chris Anderson, and they have been in talks with the current theater owners, Des and Amanda Hale, about purchasing the theater, he said.
Recently they introduced video game rentals on the big screen.
“It is $100 for two hours, $50 per additional hour,” Cavin said.
Participants must bring in a console that has wireless control to use on the big screen.
“We’ve hosted multiple parties already for: MarioKart, FortNite and Super Smash Brothers,” he said. “The parties are a great way to gather with family and friends.”
MarioKart, a video game, can now be viewed on the big screen at Fort Cinema. Submitted photo.
The business has been practicing measures to ensure safety for its customers.
The theater requires employees to wear masks during customer interaction, they have put seating gaps in the viewing parties and they “deep sanitize” all heavy traffic areas in-between shows and while open, he said.
“The (gaming) initiative was created as a means to provide a safe environment to gather and have fun during a pandemic,” he said. ” We have had a few parties already that asked privately if they could connect a console to our projectors. When we realized that the content looked incredible on our screen we decided to go public with the idea. We have had a lot of success with opening our theater to private movie parties in the last few months and wanted to expand upon that premise.”
Rentals take place outside of normal business hours, Monday through Thursday. A theater can be rented anytime before 4 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m. On Friday through Sunday, they can be rented anytime before 1:30 p.m. or after 8:30 p.m.
Video game rental prices are $100 for two hours, with additional hours at $50 an hour.
Any wireless controller console can work, and WiFi is available for online gaming.
The cinema also offers theater rentals for movies: Classic movies are $100, new releases are $200.
“I would also like the public to know that we are open every day of the week with new movies again,” Cavin said.
Contact on Fort Cinema Facebook page via Messenger, or call (620) 223-3366 during the business hours of 6:00 to 9:00 nightly.
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta members will be threshing oats and baling hay on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. for the public to view some past farming practices in the county.
“This was meant to be done during the now-cancelled (Pioneer Harvest Fiesta) show. Anyone wanting to see how it was done in the past, or better yet, wanting to assist in threshing the oats, is welcome,” said Jim Kemmerer, a spokesman said. “We expect to be done by or before 11 AM.”
The PHF was canceled due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Please use the north entrance by Rogers Body Shop on west 19th Street.
Due to the 2020 Pioneer Harvest Fiesta celebration being canceled, Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is selling the 2020 T-shirts and hats that were printed for the show at a discount. $15.00 gets you both a shirt and a hat.
State Finance Council approves $290 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds for Child Supervision, Public Health, Other Essential Services
TOPEKA – The State Finance Council (SFC) today unanimously approved a total of $290 million for the public health, essential needs and services, and business resiliency and workforce development programs previously recommended by the Executive Committee of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce.
“These funds will provide child supervision for parents with school-age children to ensure they can keep working, reduce evictions, and provide tools to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I commend the SPARK taskforce and the State Finance Council, who crafted and approved these recommendations that will strongly support Kansans’ health and keep our state on the path economic recovery.”
Recognizing the constantly evolving health and economic needs created by the pandemic, the recommendations do not allocate all the funds immediately. Rather, the Office of Recovery will monitor demand for the funds from approved programs and submit additional allocations to the State Finance Council for approval. Each program requires a minimum be invested in an area of emphasis, which include COVID-19 testing, housing stability, and remote learning centers for school-age children. If those areas of emphasis do not require more funding, the remaining dollars in the reserve fund can be allocated to previous programs approved by the SFC in round 2.
“It was important to the SPARK taskforce to ensure there was flexibility and to not overcommit funds too early and be unable to respond should needs shift again this fall,” SPARK Chairman Lyle Butler said. “I want to thank SFC for sharing this concern and supporting a dynamic approach that will serve Kansas well.”
The $290 million approved today is for the third and final round of funding of the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which is part of the federal CARES Act. Previously, SFC approved $400 million to Kansas counties (round 1) and $314 million for statewide priorities of public health, education, economic development, and connectivity (round 2).
“I want to thank both SPARK and the State Finance Council for providing the flexibility to deliver timely investments and ability to respond to shifting needs,” Recovery Office Executive Director Julie Lorenz said. “With flexibility comes an even greater need for transparency and accountability for how these funds are utilized and we remain committed to reporting our progress to SPARK, SFC, and Kansans so they can see how their tax dollars are being spent.”
Below is a breakdown of the minimum investment requirements and allocations approved for each program.
FORT SCOTT, KS, (September 16, 2020) – Washburn Rural Middle School student Allison Reed just learned via Zoom that she is the $6,000 Grand Prize winner of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes’ annual Discovery Award competition. Through research and a compelling documentary, Reed’s entry “All the World Loves a Baby” explores the actions of Martin Couney, who in 1920 determined to save premature babies, assumed by the medical establishment to be a lost cause. By placing the tiny infants in incubators displayed in carnival sideshows to fund the effort, Couney saved thousands of lives. Hospitals eventually followed suit.
According to Norm Conard, executive director of the Lowell Milken Center (LMC), All the World Loves a Baby is an exceptional project in every way. Allison Reed has assembled a documentary which shows a brilliant quality of work. The story of Martin Couney is unique, unsung and inspirational. We look forward to expanding this story in an exhibit for our Hall of Unsung Heroes.” Conard also congratulated Reed’s teachers Lindsey Dowell and Alice Bertels.
From its base in Fort Scott, Kansas, LMC has awarded elementary, middle and high school students $13,000 in cash prizes in its 2019-20 Discovery Award competition. The international competition is designed to inspire students by prompting them to conduct primary and secondary research projects on unsung heroes from history whose accomplishments remain largely unknown to the public.
The $2,000 Second Place award has gone to Elaine Jiao, Dayoung (Grace) Lee, and Zara Qizilbash from Jericho High School in Jericho, New York. The students combed through court case literature, utilized book research, conducted interviews and created a documentary to tell the story of unsung hero Ann Hopkins in their entry Ann Hopkins: Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Employment. Hopkins was denied partnership at the accounting firm Price Waterhouse for not dressing or acting feminine enough. In 1982, she sued and her case made it to the Supreme Court, where it was settled in her favor establishing a precedent for discrimination in the workplace. [Teacher Valerie Conklin.]
The $2,000 Outstanding High School Project award has gone to Megan Allacher, a Seaman High School student in Topeka, KS. Allacher utilized Internet research and created a website to tell the story of unsung hero Jackie Ormes in her entry Jackie Ormes: First African American Female Cartoonist. Through her art, Ormes portrayed real-life issues African Americans faced and was an activist for racial as well as gender equality. [Teachers Nathan McAlister and Susan Sittenauer.]
The $2,000 Outstanding Middle School Project award has gone to Jericho Middle School student Kaitlyn Choi in Jericho, NY. Conducting research and interviews, Choi developed a website to tell the story of unsung hero James Reese Europe: The Jazz Lieutenant. Europe not only was the first African American officer to lead troops in World War I, he was also a composer, conductor and organizer who created a labor union and contracting agency for African American entertainers. Leading a wartime brass band in France, he introduced jazz to the European continent. [Teacher Konstantine Kovoros.]
The $1,000 Outstanding Elementary School Project award has gone to Nicholas Turco, a Carolina Park Elementary School student in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Turco’s research led to his documentary Discoveries for the Centuries, sharing the struggles and achievements of unsung hero Mary Anning. Anning defied sexism in the scientific community as a successful fossil collector and paleontologist who made several discoveries that changed paleontology forever. [Teacher Mary Huffman.]
The $13,000 in cash prizes can be used in any way students see fit. Due to COVID-19, students were notified about their winnings via video call.
LMC’s Discovery Award provides U.S. and international students in grades 4 through 12 a unique opportunity to use their artistic talents to develop projects that showcase the power one person has to make positive change in the world. Projects can take the form of documentary/multimedia, performance or website and require robust research, an annotated bibliography and a process paper. The unsung heroes’ stories must show potential for life beyond the development of the project, and an ability to inspire students and others to take sustainable actions that carry out the legacies of their subjects.
“Real heroes tower and guide,” said LMC Founder Lowell Milken. “But their stories need to be discovered and heard. And when we do, we have the opportunity to motivate new generations to aspire to values that are essential during the challenging times we face individually, as a nation and as a world community.”
Submissions for the next competition season will open mid-2021.
Established in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC) discovers, develops and communicates the stories of unsung heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on history, yet are largely unrecognized by contemporary generations. LMC has reached over 2,000,000 students and 11,000 schools in all 50 states and countries around the world. Learn more about LMC and the Discovery Award. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The Fort Scott City Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday September 21st, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
