Monthly Archives: January 2023
Obituary of Anna Mae Smith
Anna Mae Smith, age 92, resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott. She was born May 15, 1930, in Hiattville, KS, the daughter of Albert and Sarah Hixon Powell. She graduated from Hepler, KS High School. She married Neil Smith on April 1, 1951, in Eureka Springs, AR. He preceded her in death in 1992. Anna worked for Key Industries for over 25 years until her retirement. She enjoyed quilting, reading, traveling, collecting magazines and books, bird watching and attending auctions. She took care of her family, making sure all needs were met. She especially loved weekends spoiling the grandchildren. She was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Survivors include a sister, Mary Estenson; 3 grandchildren Jeff Parker (Kim), Kimberly Phillips (Adam), and Beth Parker; 5 great grandchildren Gabe Parker, Conner Parker (Alyssa), Marra Holt (Gabe), Keira Phillips, and Benjamin Phillips; a son-in-law, Ron Parker; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Deborah Parker; and 5 brothers, Tom, George, Wayne, Don, and Joe Powell.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 Tuesday, January 17th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place at the U. S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:30 Tuesday morning at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Obituary of Eleanor Rogers
Eleanor Faye Rogers, age 88, resident of Mapleton, KS, died Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott, KS. She was born on February 1, 1934, in Blue Mound, KS, the daughter of Glenn and Reta Dizmang McGee. She married Harold Rogers on May 18, 1952. He preceded her in death on December 4, 2001. Eleanor enjoyed growing flowers, especially roses. She served many years working for the Bourbon County Democrats. She was a 60-year member of Eastern Star. She was a member of the Mapleton Methodist Church.
Survivors include a son Tim Rogers (Liza), Jacksonville, FL; 2 daughters Susan Smith, Belton, TX, and Karen Rogers, Ft. Scott; a sister-in-law Carolyn McGee, Blue Mound, KS; 7 grandchildren, Steven Rogers (Wendy), Elizabeth Richter (Matt), Sam Smith (Jennifer), Ted Smith (Allison), Lattica Foster (Dan), Robbie Hall, and Jerried Hall; 14 great grandchildren Madison Reynolds, Jaycek and Adalyn Rogers, Cooper Smith, Avery and Natalie Smith, Tanner and Hayden Foster, Madisyn, Tucker, Baylee, and Jonah Hall, and Bennett and Corbin Richter; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Charles McGee, and her parents.
Rev. Connie Edgerton will conduct funeral services at 3:00 PM Sunday, January 15th, at the Mapleton Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Mapleton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 Sunday afternoon at the Church. Memorials are suggested to either Mapleton Fire Department or Paws and Claws and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Uniontown Jr/Sr High School Honor Roll
FSHS Thespian Troupe #7365 Receives State Honors
The Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 attended the KS State Thespian Festival on Jan. 5-7 in Wichita, KS and received a number of honors.
The troupe received the highest honor a troupe can receive, the Gold Honor Troupe Award, for the seventh consecutive year. The honor reflects the performances, community involvement, student leadership, and high standards a troupe achieves throughout the year. Troupe Historian Cooper George, a sophomore, created the honor troupe presentation that earned the award.
Senior Kinsley Davis and Junior Regen Wells both received a Superior rating on their Monologue performances. This qualifies them to compete in the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University in June. Other students who competed in Individual Thespy Performance events include: sophomores Mykael Lewis and Kaiden Clary in Duet Acting, senior Karen Primeaux and junior Josiah Eisenbrandt in Duet Acting, freshman Chris Newman with Monologue, freshman Junie Fisher in Vocal Solo, juniors Lexi Hill and Casey Gomez in Vocal Solo, sophomore Emma Guns and junior Jaedyn Lewis in Duet Acting, sophomore Alyssa Popp in Playwriting, senior Luke Majors in Vocal Solo, and junior Jericho Jones with Monologue.
For the second year in a row, FSHS had a team advance to the Finals Round of Competitive Improvisational Acting. The team included Majors, Hill, Wells, Eisenbrandt, and Mykael Lewis.
The Advanced Drama class competed in the One-Act Play category with the play “There is No Play” by Arthur M. Jolly. The performance was the world premiere of the one-act and the class was able to video conference with Jolly from Los Angeles and workshop the play as they rehearsed. This original cast will be published in the printed version of the script set for publication in the near future.
In addition to performing, the troupe experienced three days of workshops with professional actors and theatre technicians, main stage musical and play performances, meetings with colleges and performing arts conservatories, and fellowship with Thespians from schools across the state.
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Get Involved In Fort Scott: Community Involvement Fair is Feb. 2
A local group recently formed to focus on the good and foster involvement in this community.
“Fort Scott Forward, Ltd. will provide support and create opportunities for citizens of Fort Scott, KS to identify their passions, talents and find areas where they can make a difference in their community,” said Rachel French, president of the board. “We will create opportunities for local projects to be completed for the betterment of our town.”
The specific objectives and purpose of this organization are
- to craft an image of Fort Scott that focuses on the beauty of our town;
- to build pride in our community and help locals recognize all the good and exciting things going on in our town;
- to foster involvement from local community members and help encourage them to be good stewards donating their time, talent and means;
- to spread awareness of the benefits of small-town living, and the importance of investing and purchasing from small businesses in the community.
Fort Scott Forward Board Members include: French, Angela Simon, Bailey Lyons, Craig Campbell, Matt Park, Kate and Trent Freeman.
The group has organized and is hosting an event Feb. 2, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Ellis Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
“Fort Scott Forward will host a Community Involvement Fair at The Ellis Fine Arts Center Lobby,” French said. “This event is geared at helping community members learn about the different non-profits, clubs, and organizations in Fort Scott that need volunteers throughout the year.”
“This event is for anyone in our community who is looking to give of their time or talents to make Fort Scott a better place.” she said. “This is the perfect opportunity for individuals or families to come out an learn about how they can get involved and help the community.”
“Local clubs, non-profits or organizations who need volunteers throughout the year can reserve their spot through this link https://form.jotform.com/230035194585052.,” French said. “Each exhibitor space will include a rectangle table, two chairs, and advertising for the event. There will be a fee of $25 to reserve an exhibitor spot.”
“There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be served,” she said. “Community members are encouraged to drop by as they have time.”
Governor Establishes Early Childhood Transition Task Force
Governor Kelly Signs First Executive Order of Second Term to Improve Early
Childhood Development
~~Establishes Task Force to Develop a Plan for a New Early Childhood-Focused State Agency~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed the first executive order of her second term, Executive Order 23-01, to establish the Early Childhood Transition Task Force. The Task Force is charged with reviewing Kansas’ early childhood programs and developing a roadmap for the creation of a new state, cabinet-level agency focused solely on supporting the success of our youngest Kansans.
“Yesterday, I laid out a vision for my next four years, to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family. Today we are taking a significant step forward in pursuit of that goal,” Governor Kelly said. “Giving Kansas kids the strongest start to life is the best possible investment we can make. This task force will determine how to make that investment most effectively.”
The task force will analyze the current early childhood system and how it is financed – focusing on gaps, inefficiencies, and redundancies. It will also conduct a series of stakeholder engagement opportunities and draft a transition plan for the new agency.
The task force will build on the Kelly Administration’s first term efforts around early childhood, which include investing more than $270 million to support child care providers and increasing access to reliable, affordable child care.
The task force will include representatives from state government, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, early childhood service providers, and advocacy organizations. Governor Kelly will also invite members of the Kansas Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives to be members of the task force.
The complete text of Executive Order #23-01 can be found here.
What they’re saying:
“Early childhood care and education is the cornerstone for a child’s well-being,” Secretary of the Department for Children and Families Laura Howard said. “I am excited to embark on this journey of collaboration, under the steady leadership of Governor Kelly, as we work to move early childhood policy forward to address the needs of Kansas families.”
“I applaud the Governor for having the vision to create this task force,” Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Janet Stanek said. “I look forward to collaborating with policy experts and others to align on early childhood policy development within a future agency that will bring greater efficiencies and eliminate structural barriers for families, communities, and businesses.”
“The work of this new task force represents a commitment to the transformational change needed to create an early childhood care and education system that works for all Kansas families,” Melissa Rooker, executive director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, said. “The pandemic revealed the challenges in our current system, and we are excited to go to work developing an action plan to address barriers, gaps, and opportunities to serve our youngest Kansans more effectively.”
“Governor Kelly is a champion for Kansas children who understands that high-quality early learning opportunities and family support programs are among the best investments we can make as a state,” John Wilson, President of Kansas Action for Children, said. “The best policies and proposals are those that have been shaped by diverse stakeholders, which is why I am excited for the work of this task force. It will build upon the strong, collaborative work that’s been happening across state agencies to improve the health and well-being of children and families.”
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Jan. 11
The FS Landmark Meeting is Jan. 16 at 4 p.m.
The Landbank will meet on Monday, January 16th, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will be made available via the City’s YouTube channel at City of Fort Scott.
The Bourbon County Commission Minutes Dec. 13, Jan. 3, Jan. 4
FS Parks Advisory Board Meets Jan. 12 at 4 p.m.
The Parks Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, January 12th, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will be made available via the City’s YouTube channel at City of Fort Scott.
U234 Board of Education News Release
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, January 9, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
- Minutes from December 12, 2022, Board of Education meeting
- Financials – Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – December 16, 2022 – $1,571,721.90
- Activity Fund accounts
- Second Semester Enrollment Count Report
- Board Policy Additions/Changes
- Resolution 22-10 – To Establish Election of School Board Officers
- Resolution 22-11 – To Establish Regular Meeting Dates
Shelly Charter, Winfield Scott Elementary principal, introduced two students from Winfield Scott. The first student recognized was Sadie Keylon who demonstrates mindfulness by being polite and helpful to friends. The second student was Megan Hunsaker who demonstrates mindfulness by being humble and leadership through leading by example. Megan was selected by Peerless Products to have a paint chip named after her.
Licensed Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Allison Gorman as the Licensed Tiger Team Member of the Month.
- Miss Gorman is a 7th grade math teacher at Fort Scott Middle School. She displays on a daily basis the excellence of teaching in our classrooms. She encourages students, teaches from the beginning of class to the end, and her students know they can be successful in her class. Miss Gorman has been with the district for 12 years.
Classified Tiger Team Members – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Shawn O’Brien and Alisha Watkins as the Classified Tiger Team Members of the Month.
- O’Brien is the payroll clerk for the district along with other payroll duties, helps employees upon hire, and schedules orientations. He also is active in the community with volunteering, as well as supporting our kids at school events. Mr. O’Brien has been with the district 3 years.
- Watkins is a custodian at both the board office and the middle school, and also fills in around the district when help is needed. She is always willing to do what can to help, fixes things without having to be asked, and responds in a positive manner. Mrs. Watkins has been with the district for 3 years.
Superintendent Brown reported to the board that 98 students were enrolled in 166 courses with Fort Scott Community College for dual credit while attending high school. Mr. Brown presented a preliminary 2023-24 calendar for the board to review based upon the feedback he received from parents and staff.
Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, provided an update to the board on professional development, PLC conversations, and results of those conversations. For example, the anticipation is that by this summer, the district will have standards published by grade level that would show parents what their students(s) should learn each school year. Mrs. Smith also provided an update on resource adoptions, resources needed in reading, and assessments.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, updated the board on the ESSER III application, the state audit, and salary schedule column advancement.
The board received an update from Superintendent Brown on the expansion of the Fort Scott Preschool Center to Woodland Hills Blvd. Mr. Brown presentation included information on why preschool should be expanded in the USD 234 school district and what that expansion would look like. There was discussion of funding, contracts, and alternative options. There was no action taken.
The board approved the following items:
- Communications Investment Proposal with Trajectory Strategies, in the amount of $15,660
- FSHS Course Additions for the 2023-24 school year
- Revised Classified Pay Schedule to amend the Activity Driver Pay
- Personnel Report – following
The board tabled a proposal for architectural and engineering design services for the preschool from h|d Architecture, LLC until more information was received. There was also discussion on a school district attorney.
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Michelle Martin – Retirement – FSHS Special Education teacher, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Carol Bingesser – Retirement – FSMS Science teacher, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Kelly Cox – Retirement – Winfield Scott Kindergarten teacher, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Cristin Stark – Resignation – Winfield Scott Kindergarten teacher, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Trent Johnson – Resignation – FSHS Agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor, effective December 19, 2022
- Mark Gorman – Leave of Absence – Bus Driver
- Connie Billionis – Leave of Absence – Deputy Clerk
- Sarah Hendricks – Leave of Absence – Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS – FOR THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
- Tonya Barnes – Special Education Director for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years
- Kyle Parks – Daily rate for the remainder of the semester as a FSHS Agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor
- Judy Welch – Regular Route Bus Driver (4-hours)
- Chelsea Killion – Winfield Scott 7.5-hour paraprofessional
- Jana Walker – Winfield Scott 7.5-hour paraprofessional
- Julius Hodges – Winfield Scott 7.5-hour paraprofessional
- Destry Brown – Superintendent – Contract extension