U234 Board of Education Met Last Evening

Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

 
 

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, September 09, 2024

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 09, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

The Revenue Neutral Hearing was held at 5:30 PM, none were present during public forum.

The Budget Hearing was held at 5:45 PM, none were present during public forum.

The Board approved –

Resolution 24-08- Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate

Resolution 24-09- Make a local option percentage in an among of 33% for the 24-25 school year.

The Board approved the 2024-25 Budget with consideration of the Needs Assessment.

 

The board approved the official agenda and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

  1.       08/12/24 Minutes

Financials – Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – August 20, 2024 – $1,872,640.99

Activity Funds Accounts

USD 234 Gifts

KASB August Update

KASB Voting Delegate 2024-25 – David Stewart

MOU with SEK Mental Health for Mental Health Intervention Program

MOU with Community Health Center of SEK for random drug screening of students

 

The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

Tiger of Members of the month were Jannah Farrington and Billi Jo Shoemaker. Jannah is in her 14th year of teaching and Billi Jo is in her second with SPED and 23rd year with the district. Both were recognized for their hard work during the ESY summer program. Jannah was the coordinator and Billi Jo helped with the elementary students. Both were a key part in the success of this summer program in which the children had a wonderful experience.

 

Superintendent Destry Brown reported on an upcoming Board Member training to be held later this month.

 

Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided the Board with a shared sheet.

 

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, updated the Board on several training opportunities that will be coming soon. She also commended the SPED staff for their accomplishment with Indicator 11 and informed about the evaluations last year and number of IEP placements.

 

Danny Brown, Board Member, adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED

September 09, 2024

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

Craig, Alicia – Van Driver Resignation

Hensley, Charlie – Resignation – Transportation Director

Lopp, Kylie – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware

Mishler, Kelsei – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Middle School

Stepps, Abby – Supplemental Resignation – Leadership Club

 

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

 

Mills, Lacy

 

EMPLOYMENT:

 

Classified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

 

Heenan, Kristen – Paraprofessional – High School

Newman, Ronna – Substitute Paraprofessional – High School

Skaggs, Gwen – Paraprofessional – Middle School

 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

 

Corbitt, Cheyenne – Intramural Supplemental

Dennigan, Dennis – Morning Gym Supervision

Jones, Taylor – Musical Music Director

Nelson, Andrew – Guided Coalition

Oxholm, Chris – Assistant Wrestling

Spears, Tiffinie – Leadership Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott City Commission Minutes of Sept. 3

CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

 

Minutes of September 3, 2024                                                                      Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 3, 2024, at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. Meeting available on City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel. Time stamps according to recording.

 

Meeting called to order at 6:00PM. Commissioners Tim VanHoecke, Dyllon Olson, Matthew Wells and Kathryn Salsbury were present with Mayor Tracy Dancer.

 

Audience in AttendanceBrad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Police Chief, , Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement, Devin Tally/City Finance Manager, Ben Hart/Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, Jessica Oliphant/Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, Garth Herrmann, Esq./Gilmore & Bell, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Cory Bryars, Don Tucker, Jean Tucker, Richard Clark, Dana Davis, Janet Davis, Diane Striler, Colleen Quick, Lindsay Madison, David Lipe, Roger Harris, John Schwartz, Kathy Schwartz, Kevin Allen and Bob Talbot.

 

  1. Dancer led the Pledge of Allegiance and said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

 

Approval of Agenda(Time stamp 2:49)

MOTIONM. Wells moved to approve the agenda as presented.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Approval of Consent Agenda(Time stamp 2:56)

Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1367-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of August 15, 2024 – August 2024$1,831,904.90

 

Approval of Minutes for August 6, 2024, Regular Meeting – August 20, 2024, Regular Meeting.

 

Request to Pay – Earles Engineering, Inc. – Invoice No. 17444 – Project No. 24-414 – Horton St. & 6th St. Improvements$33,805.45

 

Request to Pay – Heck & Wicker, Inc. – Payment No. 2$282,995.42

 

Request to Pay – Olsson – Project #021-06610 Fort Scott KS Rehabilitate Runway and Taxiway – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-021 (Design) AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-023 (Construction) Summary No. 17 – Professional Services rendered through May 4, 2024 – Invoice No. 497880$5,735.07

 

 

 

 

Request to Pay – Olsson – Project #021-06610 Fort Scott KS Rehabilitate Runway and Taxiway – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-021 (Design) AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-023 (Construction) Summary No. 18 – Professional Services rendered through June 8, 2024 – Invoice No. 501825-Final$16,815.60

 

Request to Pay – Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. – Project #021-06610 Fort Scott KS Rehabilitate Runway 18/36 and Taxiways (Asphalt Overlay) – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-023 (Construction) – Invoice No. 4 – Work Completed through May 3, 2024$154,949.84

 

MOTIONM. Wells moved to approve all Items A through G in toto for the Consent Agenda.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Cory Bryars – (Time stamp 5:27) – addressed the Commission to remind everyone about the upcoming Fort Fest 24 at Riverfront Park.

 

James Wood/Owner of Holmtown Pub – (Time stamp 7:13) – (Cory Bryars spoke in his absence) – 206 N. National – Temporary Street Closure –September 9, 2024 – 4:00PM to 9:00PM – Pine Street from National to alley Special Event: ‘Straight Outta Clarksdale’.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the street closure request. D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Diane Striler – Update on Downtown Ice Rink MOU – (Time stamp 9:49) – appeared before the Commission to present the updated MOU which named the (2) parties of the Memorandum of Understanding to be between the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Area Chamber Committee and the timeline will be from the week of Thanksgiving through the first weekend of January.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the MOU for the Fort Scott Downtown Seasonal Skating Rink.  M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration to Approve Ordinance No. 3770 – Land Bank Board of Trustees – Appointment – Terms – Dissolution Tabled from August 20, 2024 – D. Olson

 

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve Ordinance No. 3770 reducing the number of board members to five (5).  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Update of 118 E. Wall(Time stamp 20:58) – L. Kruger addressed the Commission to request a Special Commission Meeting to accommodate the owner of 118 E. Wall. The Special Commission Meeting will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, 6:00PM at City Hall.

 

A discussion was had regarding the status of the situation, the Commission’s intentions for the meeting and the potential outcome.

 

  1. Famer requested to move Item H up in the agenda.

 

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to amend the agenda and bring Item H and Item K to the next order of business.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 25-2024 – RHID – Housing Needs Resolution – A RESOLUTION MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS AS TO THE NEED FOR HOUSING WITHIN THE CITY FOR FORT SCOTT, KANSAS AND SETTING FORTH THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF REAL PROPERTY PROPOSED TO BE DESIGNATED AS ONE OR MORE REINVESTMENT HOUSING INCENTIVE DISTRICTS WITHIN THE CITY(Time stamp 34:05) – G. Herrmann appeared before the Commission to present the resolution requested for a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District of three (3) tracts of land.

 

Discussion was had about including the second story downtown district and others who have expressed interest in the RHID.

 

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to approve Resolution No. 25-2024 as presented.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

 

Consideration to research legal requirements and estimated legal costs for the City of Fort Scott to annex southward from the currently southernmost City limits along Jayhawk Road and eastward to envelop the Fort Scott Municipal Airport, Lake Fort Scott, and City-owned land adjacent to Lake Fort Scott – (Time stamp 45:26) – It was explained that this agenda item is intended to research the legal requirements and costs to annex properties, squaring the boundaries of the City, and the potential tax income. No action was to be taken at this meeting.

ACTIONB. Farmer is directed to research the topic for consideration.

 

Several residents wished to address the Commission regarding annexation.

 

  1. Allen(Time stamp 50:25) stated that the City needs to address current problems in the City before moving toward annexation.

 

Unidentified Citizen No. 1(Time stamp 52:07) – stated the land description for the item should be west/westward and not east/eastward. The correction was accepted by the Mayor.

 

Unidentified Citizen No. 2(Time stamp 52:21) – questioned the reason for annexation, agreement that the lake is primarily the drinking water resource and concerns about the lack of enforcement at the lake.

 

Dana Davis(Time stamp 59:47) – addressed the Commission regarding lost revenue due to lack of boat permit enforcement especially to non-residents.

 

Harold Martin(Time stamp 1:05:30) – addressed the Commission regarding the dissolution of the Lake Advisory Board and his previous appearances.

 

Consideration of Proposed Change of Zoning Regulations – Article 20: Supplemental District Regulations – Section 7: Accessory Uses – Storage Containers(Time stamp 1:10:41) – L. Kruger was directed by B. Matkin to research what other cities do regarding the use of Connex boxes due to popularity. He provided the information to the Commission. He stated that the wording of the current zoning regulation needs to be amended in order to enforce the regulation.

 

ACTION:  L. Kruger and B. Matkin were directed to research enforceable ordinances regarding this type of storage with one coming from Kansas City.

 

 

 

  1. Madison (Time stamp 1:22:48) – asked for clarification regarding this type of storage in the historic district. She is concerned about the ones she currently sees downtown.

 

  1. Matkin left the meeting (Time stamp 1:24:15)

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 19-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 1721 E. Wall(Time stamp 1:22:34)

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 19-2024.

  1. Salsbury seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 20-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 323 W. Wall(Time stamp 1:25:56)

 

  1. Matkin returned to the meeting (Time stamp 1:26:36).

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 20-2024.  D. Olson seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson and T. Dancer voted yes.  M. Wells voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 21-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 1619 E. Pine – (Time stamp 1:27:10)

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 21-2024.  D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 22-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 1105 Scott  (Time stamp 1:28:14)

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 22-2024.  D. Olson seconded the motion.  D. Olson, T. VanHoecke, and T. Dancer voted yes.           M. Wells and K. Salsbury voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.

 

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 23-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 402 S. Lowman (Time stamp 1:29:57)

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 23-2024.  M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 24-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 418 S. Couch(Time stamp 1:31:34)

 

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to approve Resolution No. 24-2024.  K. Salsbury seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson and T. Dancer voted yes.  M. Wells voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Change Order No. 1 – Project No. 22049 Horton St. & 6th St. Improvements – Contract No. 6 U-2455-01 – Heck & Wicker, Inc.-Additional Inlet Protection, Concrete Pipe Encasement, Sanitary Sewer Service, Extra Pothole Work at 8th & Horton, Tree Removal at 7th & Horton$4,810.00 (Time stamp 1:34:25)- J. Dickman

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve Change Order No. 1 for Project No. 6 U-2455-01 for $4,810.00.  K. Salsbury seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Brick Street Policy Revisions Discussion – (Time stamp 1:36:20) – B. Matkin explained that the proposal to concrete the intersections of the brick streets was not in the current policy and would need to be amended if approved.

 

  1. VanHoecke left the meeting (Time stamp 1:36:43)

 

  1. Wells explained the benefit to concreting the intersections and how it would be completed.

 

  1. VanHoecke returned to the meeting (Time stamp 1:38:08)

 

Further discussion was had about the proposed amendment to the policy.

 

 

 

(Time stamp 1:45:11) – B. Talbott was recognized to address the Commission to suggest an aerator for the rearing pond at the lake to conserve water.

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin will provide the list of questionable intersections for the Commission’s consideration.  M. Wells stated that according to Item B of Amendment No. 1 of the Brick Street Policy, the intersection is allowed if it is deemed necessary.

Public Hearing:  2025 Budget Hearing

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 7:50PM (Time stamp 1:50:50). M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Resolution No. 26-2024 – A RESOLUTION TO EXCEED THE REVENUE NEUTRAL RATE – Discussion was had regarding the decision.

 

There were no public comments.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to close the public hearing at 8:09PM (Time stamp 2:09:15).  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Wells left the meeting at Time stamp 2:11:23 and returned at 2:12:44.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 26-2024 – A Resolution to Exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate at 44.208 mills.  K. Salsbury seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted yes.  M. Wells and D. Olson voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.

 

  1. Farmer left the meeting at Time stamp 2:19:58 and returned at 2:22:12

 

PUBLIC HEARING:  Consideration to Adopt the 2025 BudgetB. Hart

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 8:23PM (Time stamp 2:23:16). M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

There were no public comments.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 8:24PM (Time stamp 2:24:50). M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to adopt the 2025 Budget as presented by Baker Tilly (Time stamp 2:2510). K. Salsbury seconded the motion.

  1. VanHoecke, K. Salsbury, and T. Dancer voted yes. M. Wells and D. Olson voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.

 

City Manager Comments(Time stamp 2:26:19)

  • Memorial Hall repairs
  • IT Support options
  • Dispatch concerns
  • Cape Seal pre-construction meeting

 

Engineering Comments(Time stamp 2:32:17)

  • Horton Street Project update
  • CCLIP next phase

 

Commissioners Comments

  1. Wells – (Time stamp 2:34:35) – Budget comments

 

  1. VanHoecke – (Time stamp 2:36:26) – Budget comments

 

  1. Olson – (Time stamp 2:38:44) – No comment

 

  1. Salsbury – (Time stamp 2:38:46) – Budget comments, lake lot encroachments

 

  1. Dancer – (Time stamp 2:44:57) – Meeting take aways and suggestions for future discussions for Commission.

 

Special Meeting set for Monday, September 9, 2024, at 6:00PM for the purpose of discussing 118 E. Wall Street building status.

 

 

 

 

 

City Attorney Comments(Time stamp 2:50:14) – No comment

 

MOTION: – T. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50PM – (Time stamp 2:50:43) – D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:50PM.

 

 

 

 

NEXT MEETING:  MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024, 6:00PM AT CITY HALL

 

_______________________________________________________________________

Submitted by:

Lisa A. Lewis

Amended Bourbon County Commission Meeting Agenda for Sept. 9

 

 

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

September 9, 2024 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 8/26/2024 and 8/30/2024
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $292,060.51
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $568,222.20
    4. Approval of July Financials
  1. Public Comments
  2. David Saker/Casey Johnson/Greg Post/Greg Schick-Towing Policy
  3. Work Session Regarding Solar Panel Setbacks
  • Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(2)
  • Commission Comments
  1. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Be the Light Boutique Creates More Space at 12 N. Main

 

Susan Townley in front of Be The Light Boutique, 12 N. Main,  that she and her husband, Eddie, own and operate.

 

Susan and Eddie Townley opened Be The Light Boutique in November 2022, after several years of selling antiques, vintage finds, and home decor in the Kansas City area.

12 N. Main was the former Country Cupboard, an anchor store in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District for decades.

Recently the Townleys have been painting the facade of the building,  removing a temporary wall in the back to extend the showroom to the back door and remodeling an existing bathroom.

Ora Et Lobora painters work on the front of Be The Light Boutique. 12 N. Main last week.

“The wall came down in the back, which opened the view front to back, the way Country Cupboard was,” Susan said. Out the back door, there is more parking for downtown businesses.

View to the back door. Recently the Townleys have removed a temporary wall that expanded the showroom.

“We added 400 square feet, with a total of 4,000 square feet,” she said. They remodeled a bathroom,  put down new carpet, and painted.

The exterior is also getting painted, last week the front of the building, and this week the back.

Exterior painting was done by Ora Et Lobora  Painting LLC, carpeting by Ruddick’s Furniture, and plumbing by Frenchs Plumbing, all of Fort Scott.

Clothing in the Be The Light Boutique.

They are getting ready for the holiday season and the Fall Fest this week in Fort Scott this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Hours of operation of Be The Light Boutique are Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m.

A fall vignette on a dining table at Be The Light Boutique.
Coffee is for sale at the boutique.
Furniture is for sale at Be The Light Boutique, 12. N. Main.

Phone/Internet Services Assistance

Lifeline helps low-income Kansans stay connected

TOPEKA – Phone and internet services are vital to accessing healthcare and community services, finding employment, and calling for help in an emergency. However, the cost to stay connected is out of reach for many Kansans.

In observance of Lifeline Awareness Week, September 8-14, the Kansas Corporation Commission joins utility regulators nationwide in creating awareness of the Lifeline program and encourages those in need of assistance to apply.

Lifeline provides federal and state discounts of up to $17.02 per month to help pay for residential or wireless phone service, internet, or a bundled phone and internet plan. Subscribers living on tribal lands qualify for additional discounts. Currently, nearly 8 million Americans, including 23,000 in Kansas, are enrolled in the program.

Eligibility is based on income (at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) or participation in certain assistance programs such as:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA)
  • Veterans Pension & Survivors Pension Benefit
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • Head Start Tribal Programs (income based)
  • The Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands

More information on income eligibility, participating providers, and the enrollment process is available on the KCC’s website or by calling 800-662-0027.

###

Fort Scott National Historic Site Welcomes 200 New Citizens

Special Naturalization Ceremony

 

Fort Scott, Kan. – Friday, September 20, 2024, Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) and the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, for a Special Naturalization Ceremony of 202 new citizens from 57 countries. Check-in for new citizens begins at 9 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Honorable Teresa J. James, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, will preside over the proceedings on the historic fort Parade Ground.

The ceremony features musical performances from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra, with welcoming remarks by Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. A keynote address will be made by Angela Bates, founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum.

There will be seating for the applicants, but additional seating will be limited. Friends, family, guests, and the public are highly encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. In case of rain or inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.

Fort Scott is the story of the growth of our nation, and its fight for freedom. On the same parade ground that the very first African Americans were brought into the Northern Armies to openly fight for their freedom and a better life, these new citizens are starting down their own path of freedom and a better life.

September 17 to 23, the nation observes Constitution Week. The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, (Constitution Day), an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day,” and Citizenship Day that began in 1952 based on a law signed by President Harry Truman,

Each year, USCIS celebrates the connection between the Constitution and citizenship by reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country.

We encourage new citizens and guests to share their naturalization ceremony experiences and photos through social media, using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen #ConstitutionWeek, #FortScottNPS, and #FindYourPark.

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:

Fort Scott National Historic Site
1 Old Fort Blvd.
Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701

 

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, Naturalization Ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic Site.

 

Auditions for Voices From the Grave Are Sept. 19

Bourbon County Community Theatre Announces Auditions for Voices from the Grave 

 

Bourbon County Community Theatre is holding auditions for Voices from the Grave, an original production based on stories from Bourbon County’s history.

 

Auditions are 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 19 or 20 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. Those who audition must be age 14 or over and only need to attend one evening of auditions. Rehearsal times will be scheduled in small groups with the Director, Regen Wells.

 

Voices from the Grave takes place from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Riverfront Park in Fort Scott, KS. Guests will enjoy a guided walking tour of short acting vignettes centering around stories of murder and mayhem in Fort Scott. Scenes were written by the students in the Advanced Drama class at Fort Scott High School and are based off of stories from local author Brian Allen’s books about Fort Scott.

 

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available from bcct.ludus.com in Fort Scott. Tour times must be pre-scheduled and run every 15 minutes. Parents must accompany children under the age of 14.

 

More information can be found on the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page or by contacting Wells at 620-215-3510.