Monthly Archives: July 2025
Agenda for USD234 for July 14
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
July 14, 2025 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY WITH COMMENTARY
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Reorganization of New Board (Action)
5.0 Financial Audit Review
6.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
6.1 Board Minutes
06-09-2025
06-13-2025
6.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
6.3 Check Register
6.4 Payroll – June 20, 2025 – $2,017,520.07
6.5 Activity Funds Accounts
6.6 USD 234 Gifts
6.7 June KASB Policy Updates
6.8 Extended Trips 2025-26
6.9 Fundraising Applications 2025-26
6.10 Resolution 25-01 Destructions of Records
6.11 Resolution 25-02 Waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
6.12 Resolution 25-03 Rescinding Policy Statements found in Board Minutes
6.13 Resolution 25-04 Establish Home Rule by Board of Education
6.14 Designation of Banks for deposit of school funds
6.15 Set fees for copying records
6.16 Mileage reimbursement – current state mileage rate
6.17 2025-26 School Fees
6.18 Recreation Commission Board Member Term
6.19 Designation of newspaper for official school publications
6.20 Offices for the 2025-26 School Year
6.21 Resolution 25-05 KMIP Signers
7.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
8.0 New Business
8.1 2025-26 District Handbooks (Action)
8.2 2025-26 Emergency Operations Procedures (Action)
8.3 Set Dates for Budget Presentation, Revenue Neutral Hearing and Budget Hearing (Action)
8.4 Revenue Neutral Declaration to the Bourbon County Clerk (Action)
Resolution 25-06
8.5 Resolution 25-07 Supplemental General Budget Percentage (Action)
8.6 iReady Subscription Renewal (Action)
8.7 Edgenuity License Renewal (Action)
8.8 2025-26 KASB Workers’ Compensation Renewal (Action)
8.9 Preschool Gym Heater Bids (Action)
8.10 Eugene Ware & Winfield Scott Rooftop Unit Replacement (Action)
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________
11.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
Obituary of Donald Ray Barnard
Donald Ray Barnard, age 85, known affectionately as Don to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at his home in Pittsburg, Kansas. Born on October 12, 1939, in the small town of Arcadia, Kansas, Don’s life was a testament to his enduring spirit, and his love for his family. After graduating from Pittsburg High School, Don began what would become a distinguished thirty-three-year career as an engineering technician and maintenance supervisor with the Kansas Department of Transportation. He was also dedicated to the Masonic fraternity. A respected member of the Arcadia Masonic Lodge, which later merged with the Girard Masonic Lodge, Don served with distinction as a Past Master, providing leadership and guidance to his fellow
Masons. In 1957, Don was united in marriage to the love of his life, Barbara J. Pummill. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared adventures. As a couple, Don and Barbara ventured to the warmer climates of South Texas for about twenty years, where they cherished the sunshine and the vibrant community they found there. Don’s Christian faith was a cornerstone of his life, providing him with strength and comfort throughout his years. He lived his life as an example of kindness, generosity, and faith. A man of many talents and interests, Don had a passion for music that was as deep as it was infectious.
Whether strumming his guitar with local bands in Texas or serenading his loved ones at home, his music brought joy to all who listened. His love for the outdoors was evident in the care he took in maintaining his garden and the patience he showed during his fishing excursions, both activities that allowed him to appreciate
the beauty of nature.
Don’s legacy is carried on by his beloved wife, Barbara, of the home in Pittsburg, his four children, Scheryll Hodges (David) of Lonoke, Arkansas, Richard Barnard (Connie) and Robert Barnard all of Arcadia, Kansas and Joeseph Barnard (Jody Lea) of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, Wayne Barnard of
Burlingame, Kansas and two sisters, Sharon Foster of Pittsburg, Kansas and Linda Turner of Ft. Scott. Don was preceded in death by his son, Donald Barnard, Jr. and two granddaughters, Andrea and Jennifer. He will be remembered as a loving husband, a devoted father, and a loyal friend. As we bid farewell to Donald Ray
Barnard, we celebrate a life well-lived, a journey well-traveled, and a soul that has truly made a lasting impact on this world. His memory will continue to inspire those who knew him, and his spirit will live on in the hearts of his loved ones forever.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 14 th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Private burial will take place at the Sheffield Cemetery near Arcadia, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 P.M. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott July 10 Edition
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Grab your flock and come shop at participating stores Downtown & Around, Fort Scott!
Early bird gets the worm & deals! 
Shop $5+ in at least THREE stores for a chance to win $50 Chamber Bucks!
Look for the bright pink flamingos out front! 
Tiger Ice
OffShore Tropix
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ArtEffects 2025 Spotlight Prize Awardees Highlighted
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Revised Agenda for the Bo Co Commission Meeting at 4:30 p.m. July 10
Mapleton Residents Invited to Community Forum on Town Improvements
City of Mapleton Invites Community to Share Input on Park and Ballfield Improvements
MAPLETON, KS — The City of Mapleton, in partnership with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT), invites all residents to a Community Forum on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM at 565 Eldora Street, Mapleton, KS.
This forum is part of a broader effort supported through Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas® (BCBSKS) initiative. With Pathways funding, HBCAT and the City of Mapleton are working to extend sidewalks around Mapleton City Park and renovate the Mapleton Ball Park to support physical activity, community connection, and quality of life.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life in Bourbon County. HBCAT works to increase access to physical activity, healthy food, promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance quality of life, and encourage economic growth. Its community-driven approach helps create a healthier, more vibrant region for all.
The event will feature a short presentation, a brief survey, and small group discussions. Residents will have the opportunity to share their ideas, concerns, and vision for improvements to Mapleton’s public spaces.
“Your input is vital to ensure these projects reflect what Mapleton residents truly want and need,” said Jody Love, President and CEO of HBCAT. “Whether it’s better lighting, more seating, or ballfield upgrades, this is your chance to be heard.”
Residents are encouraged to complete the survey ahead of time at: https://forms.gle/1h7w3xFLv18QxUFc6. All survey participants will be entered into a raffle for a $100 gift card.
Refreshments will be provided. Families are welcome. For more information, visit the City of Mapleton website or contact Jenny Layes at [email protected].
About Pathways to a Healthy Kansas
Pathways to a Healthy Kansas is the largest community grant program ever funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. The Pathways program provides community coalitions with the tools and resources needed to remove barriers and engage their communities in ways that improve active living, healthy eating, behavioral health and commercial tobacco prevention. For more information, visit bcbsks.com/pathways.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BLUE CROSS®, BLUE SHIELD® and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
About the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT)
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life in Bourbon County, Kansas. Through a collaborative, equity-centered approach, HBCAT works to increase access to physical activity, healthy food, promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance quality of life, and foster economic growth. By building strong partnerships with residents, community groups, and local governments, HBCAT is helping to create a healthier, more vibrant region for all.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BLUE CROSS®, BLUE SHIELD® and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. HBCAT is leading the Pathways initiative in Bourbon County and is not affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports July 10
Sen. Moran Holds Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Budget Reconciliation Bill
Senator Jerry Moran Convenes Town Hall with Hospital Leaders
Kansas hospital leaders ask their questions and learn more about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that passed the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.
(July 3, 2025) – Kansas hospitals appreciated the invitation from Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to join a virtual
town hall to discuss the Budget Reconciliation Bill. The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives passed
the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is now headed to President Trump for his signature.
This afternoon, more than 100 hospital leaders were able to join the virtual town hall. Senator Moran was able
to highlight several challenges in the original Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that were
mitigated. Kansas hospitals on the call were able to ask questions, share concerns and thank the Senator for
his leadership and advocating for Kansas and Kansas hospitals.
Specific issues discussed included how the bill maintains language grandfathering Kansas’ provider assessment
and state directed payment rates, including language protecting the enhanced support for Critical Access
Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals approved by the Kansas legislature earlier this year. Sen Moran
highlighted the Rural Health Transformation Fund. This Fund was increased to $50 billion ($10 billion per year
for five years). He also discussed delaying the wind down of the Medicaid state directed payments for an
additional year which will be a benefit to Kansas hospitals.
Kansas hospitals are appreciative of Sen. Moran’s work to ensure hospitals will continue to be eligible to
receive up to $5 billion in additional Medicaid payments over the next 10 years through the Kansas provider
assessment and state directed payment programs. This funding was in jeopardy with the original Senate
language in the bill. Kansas will now be able to proceed with the provider assessment that was approved by
the Kansas legislature earlier this year.
At the conclusion of the town hall, Sen. Moran discussed his commitment to continue supporting Kansas
hospitals, including efforts on the 340B Program and Medicare Advantage.
KS June Tax Collections Above Estimate
June Total Tax Collections at $1.06 Billion;
7.4% Above Estimate
TOPEKA – The State of Kansas ends June 2025 with total tax collections at $1.06 billion. That is $72.6 million, or 7.4%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were up 3.2% from June 2024.
“While this month’s stronger-than-expected revenues are a welcome sign, it does not alleviate my concern that the state legislature’s budget will put Kansas in the red by over $375 million by 2029,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Even with current revenues exceeding the forecast, the budget created by the state legislature still has us spending $300 to $700 million more than we receive each year for the foreseeable future, jeopardizing the long-term fiscal health of the state, which I have prioritized as governor.”
Keeping Kansas on the path of fiscal stability will require discipline in the coming years to prevent a return to four-day school weeks, crumbling roads and bridges, and a depleted rainy day fund.
Click here to view the June 2025 revenue numbers.
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Amended FSCC Trustees Special Meeting Today, July 10
The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting at noon on Thursday, July 10 in the Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall to address the RNR rate for the 2025-26 budget, approve personnel items, and meet in executive session to discuss personnel matters.
Commissioners Discuss Animal Control in July 7 Meeting
Bourbon County Commission Agenda
Public Hearing Plaster Road Vacation
The commissioners approved resolution 2325 vacating Plaster Road. No one came to the meeting to speak in the public hearing.
Old Business
Dissolution of Zoning Advisory Board
The bylaws of the board state that the committee will be dissolved after their presentation to the board of commissioners. Commissioner David Beerbower moved to approve resolution 2425 to dissolve the board. The motion passed.
Employee Benefit Committee
The commission approved resolution 2525, establishing a committee to assist in making decisions regarding the insurance provided to county employees. The committee will be made up of several county employees and some elected officials, and will meet with the county’s insurance broker quarterly. This resolution repeals resolution 1925.
Resolution 2625, appointing a parliamentarian appointed to fulfill resolutions 0925, 1025, and 1125 for the orderly and effective conduct of county commissioner meetings was also approved.
Animal Control
Beerbower looked into property owned by the county that could be used for animal control purposed. The commission discussed using a portion of the county’s property on Native Road, the former dump, near Oakgrove Cemetery. This was in response to a county citizen in a previous meeting saying she would be willing to apply for grants and work to get animal control up and running in Bourbon County. That person was not at the July 7 meeting.
Some audience members expressed concern about the landfill use time restriction. The project is awaiting legal counsel regarding the feasibility of using the proposed land, and a group to come forward to take on the project.
“There is definitely a need in this county, county-wide,” said Beerbower, since the county has no animal control and the city has no room to partner with the county to house homeless animals.
Milburn suggested a county effort to spay and neuter, possibly partnering with someone else on the job, but an audience member pointed out that one problem with that is proof of ownership for those animals brought in to receive such services.
Beerbower suggested using the county’s grant research people to look for more money to meet the need for animal control in the county.
Stronghold
Commissioner Mika Milburn, said that the county has an internal contract with Stronghold to service computer needs. They cover Fort Scott as well, and will be on site Mondays and Fridays to work out any kinks. There will be a meeting at 4:30 Thursday with Stronghold, the City of Fort Scott, and Bourbon County.
Cameras
Beerbower proposed a security camera use policy that he wants to incorporate into the employee handbook.
The county currently doesn’t have a camera policy and, “I think we need one…we face liability if we don’t have some type of policy in place,” said Beerbower.
The item was tabled to the 21st for time to gather information.
Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
Pete Owenby asked the commissioners about the hospital. Greg Motley came to the table to address the commission and answer questions. Motley serves on the Freeman Fort Scott Board of Directors.
He said that the construction is “virtually done.” They were held up by modifications needed on the proprietary fire suppression system, but that has been completed. The next step is approval from state and federal inspectors.
“Freeman has done everything they can,” said Motley. He is impressed with what he’s seen of Freeman personnel.
Legacy still owns the building behind the ambulance building. It has fallen off the radar since the previous county attorney left his position, but was supposed to be deeded back to the county.
The new attorney, Bill Johnson, will look into it.
New Business
Policy & Procedures
Beerbower proposed a memorandum for a temporary policy regarding hiring and terminating employment. There is no policy on hiring in the handbook at present. The termination policy is in the handbook as a disciplinary action. There is also no job performance evaluation policy in the handbook at this time. Beerbower’s proposed memorandum would be an interim set of guidelines until the policy handbook is complete.
“I’m astounded that this wasn’t in place previously,” said Commissioner Samuel Tran.
Milburn suggested consulting the HR firm that the county uses. Beerbower agreed and moved to table the item until July 21.
Commission Comments
Milburn received some hate mail this week and addressed the senders in a written statement.
Tran agreed with Milburn, saying that the executive sessions may seem frustrating, but there are rules they must follow.
“The three of us are doing the best that we can,” he said. “There’s a lot of people within this county that are doing a really, really good job.”
He thanked the clerk, treasurer, and others involved for their work on the budget.
“We’ll keep pushing,” and doing more for the county he said.
Beerbower said he supports freedom of speech, and said that, “As Americans we should have common respect for each other.”
Regarding litigation with solar, it’s common knowledge and public information that they are reaching a settlement. Once that’s complete and signed, the public will have access to the information. “There has been no deal made,” as of this time, he said.