|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
All posts by Loretta George
Agenda Packet of the FSCC Trustees Meeting on Dec. 15
To view the entire packet:
December 15, 2025
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday,
December 15, 2025. The meeting will be held in Cleaver-Boileau-Burris Hall at Fort Scott
Community College.
5:30 p.m. Regular monthly Board meeting
THE AGENDA
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
BOARD PRAYER
MISSION STATEMENT
Fort Scott Community College is an institution of higher learning with a long history of culture and diversity that
provides affordable academic, technical and occupational programs to meet student needs while fostering a
mutually supportive relationship between the college and its communities.
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
C. Recognitions and Retirements, 4
PROGRAM REVIEW AND ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 8
A. Approval of Agenda, 8
Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on November 17, 2025 and
Special Meeting conducted November 14, 2025, 9
B. Approval Treasurer’s Report, 12
C. Approval of Personnel Actions, 8
DISCUSSION ITEMS, 18
A. Inservice Agenda
B. Academic Advising Days on Calendar
C. Five-Year Enrollment Comparison
ACTION ITEMS, 21
CORRESPONDENCE AND TRUSTEE COMMENTS, 22
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 24
ADJOURNMENT, 25
UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
December 12, 2025 Board Workshop
December 15, 2025 Board Meeting
January 23, 2026 Board Workshop
January 26, 2026 (Changed from January 19 due to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) Board Meeting
February 13, 2026 Board Workshop
February 16, 2026 Board Meeting
March 13, 2026* adjusted for spring break Board Workshop
March 23, 2026 (Changed from March 16 due to spring break) Board Meeting
April 17, 2026 Board Workshop
April 20, 2026 Board Meeting
May 14, 2026* adjusted for graduation Board Workshop
May 18, 2026 Board Meeting
June 11, 2026* adjusted for summer schedule Board Workshop
June 15, 2026 Board Meeting
Sincerely,
Bryan Holt, Chair
Dr. Jack Welch, President
FSCC’s vision for the future is to support “Students First, Community Always” through a
central focus on teaching and learning; advancing strong, innovative programs and
departments; maximizing and leveraging opportunities; initiating efficient and effective
processes; and developing the region’s workforce.
ROLL CALL
_____ Ronda Bailey
_____ John Bartelsmeyer
_____ Jim Fewins
_____ Bryan Holt
_____ Chad McKinnis
_____ Doug Ropp
CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
C. RECOGNITIONS AND RETIREMENTS
Outgoing Board Members
John Bartelsmeyer
Jim Fewins
Bryan Holt
PROGRAM REVIEW AND ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
A. JOHN DEERE PROGRAM
Gordon Parks Museum
Monthly Report Update/Events Sept 2025
Please Note: This report does not include all-current job duties, projects. meetings, and events.
• Work on Archives and Collections.
• Work on Planning for Gordon Parks Celebration, Oct 2-4, 2025. The honorees are Michael Cheers, Carol
Friedman and Jason Miccolo Johnson. The Learning Tree Award recipient is Robert Nelson.
• Gordon Parks Museum Board met on Sept 9, 2025.
• Worked on Kansas Arts Commission Mural Grant Project. Provided Presentation at the Design and
Review Board and City Commission
• Worked on the Commemorative Park at the Wayman AME Church property location and Kansas Grant.
The Park has had over 20 people visit this month.
• Worked on Gordon Parks Mural and Dedication Event
• Worked on Fort Scott Stories Project for a Book and full feature film documentary project with Prof.
Michael Cheers. Filming continues on Sept 28 – Oct 4, 2025.
• Working with Photographers for Photo Auction Fundraiser Event and Online Photo Sales.
• Provided a presentation with an updated of the Gordon Parks Museum Projects and the 2025 Annual
Celebration to Lady Kiwanis on Sept 4.
• Provided a presentation with an updated of the Gordon Parks Museum Projects and the 2025 Annual
Celebration to FSCC Board on Sept 22
• Completed new Museum Rack Card
*We had 54 visitors walk in and with a combination of tours, presentations, Wayman Chapel AME Commemorative Park
and any other events, we had 85 visitors from all over the nation and the world in September.
City and State where some of the Sept visitors come from
Fort Scott, KS
New York City, NY
Los Angeles, CA
Seneca, KS
Pittsburg, KS
Frontenac, KS
Milwaukee, WI
Olathe, KS
Monitoba, Canada `
Phillipines
Cattors, France
Nepaul
Harare. Zimbabwe
Perros Guinec, France
Hishiro, Japan
Lee Summit, MO
Saginaw, MI
Flora, IL
Altamont, KS
Conroe, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Wichita, KS
Others did not list where they were from.
Gordon Parks Museum
CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on November 17, 2025 and Special
Meeting conducted November 14, 2025
C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT AND CHECKS
Attached are the Treasurer’s Report, Financial Report, and Checks Written, Cleared, or Voided
D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
Additions
1) Tayler Yackle, Nursing Instructor, effective January 5, 2026
Separations
1) Carolyn Smith, Foundation Administrative Assistant, effective November 20, 2025
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as presented.
BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____
DISCUSSION:
VOTE: Bailey Bartelsmeyer Fewins
Holt McKinnis Ropp
KanDrive Road/Weather Website Gets Improved Enhancements
KDOT announces continued KanDrive updates
to assist Kansas motorists
The Kansas Department of Transportation has continued to improve enhancements to its KanDrive road and weather website/mobile app. KanDrive is a one-stop gateway for current highway and weather conditions that are available 24/7.
“Informed drivers can make better decisions about which routes are best for them,” said Shari Hilliard, KDOT Project Manager. “Upgrades to the KanDrive app, such as sending and receiving alerts hands-free, are timely and useful benefits for travelers as we head into winter and the holiday season.”
The KanDrive features were first introduced in 2024 and have been fine-tuned for a better user experience. They were developed as part of the U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project, which extends from the southern Finney County line to the northern Thomas County line. While some KanDrive enhancements are corridor-specific to U.S. 83, most are available for use statewide.
Some of the new features include:
- Ability to report incidents in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Hands-free voice incident reporting through Apple CarPlay
- High wind/weather and slow-moving vehicle alerts
- Expanded work zone updates
- Enhanced detour information
- Integration with Alexa-enabled devices
- Oversized truck location mapping (U.S. 83 Corridor only)
The KanDrive website has served motorists since 2009. It provides real-time travel information such as road conditions, closures, construction updates, camera/video feeds and detour information.
Since the first round of enhancements were released in December of 2024, KanDrive has logged 3.7 million sessions and nearly 75,000 app downloads on iOS and Android.
For more information about the new KanDrive features and the U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project, visit https://www.ksdot.gov/us-83-
KDOT encourages motorists to plan ahead and “know before you go,” by visiting the KanDrive website at KanDrive.gov or downloading the app in the App Store or Google Play.
###
The Niece’s New Businesses Are About to Open
Al and Luanna Niece purchased the vacant building at the corner of 6th and Main Street in July 2023 and will open one of the new businesses housed in it this week.
Eventually, they will have several businesses in the circa 1889 building.
Lu’s Ice Cream shop will open on December 5 with flexible hours.
Ice cream, sundaes, malts, coffee, hot chocolate and eventually, when the kitchen is totally completed, sandwiches and soups will be served.
“The hours are…going to be flexible because of the weather, and it’s December, a cold time of the year, so probably from 4 to 8 p.m.,” Lu said.
No strangers to the community, Al owns Niece Products of Kansas, located in the Fort Scott Industrial Park on Hwy. 69, south of the city.
“Al has an existing business here, Niece Products of Kansas, that has been running for over ten years, so we have quite a bit invested in this town,” she said. “When we are here, we have become accustomed to Fort Scott in the way of living. We love it here, and we want to be part of the community.” They have a primary home in Texas.
Their original plans were for an ice cream shop on the first floor, two loft apartments on the second floor, and a “man cave” on the ground level.
“We are going to continue with the original plan to have two loft apartments on the second floor. One is going to be for us when we are here in Kansas, the other is going to be a rental.”
Lu’s Ice Cream Shop will have the entrance on 6th Street, under the red-striped awning. Additional parking will also be available in the rear of the building upon completion.
Nikki Regan is the manager of the ice cream shop, which will have eight flavors of Blue Bell Ice Cream, made in Texas. The Nieces have a home and business in Austin, Texas.
Lu’s Ice Cream Shop and the apartments are all complete.
The “man cave” is still under construction, with the hope of being completed by the end of 2026.
“We did a complete renovation (of the whole building). The only thing that was left was the four exterior walls, so basically, we had an open shell once we cleaned everything out. New roofs, new floors, new plumbing, new electric, new windows, and, really, just a whole new design to the building inside that’s more industrial modern.”
“It was a long haul, lots of very trying moments for all involved, but thanks to Koehn Construction, neighbors, workers, Niece employees, and Fort Scott, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Shultz-Payne Building was originally a publishing business of A.B. Payne, a writer, who at one time printed the biography of Mark Twain, and they “ended up being buddies,” Lu said.
To see the prior story on the build:
https://fortscott.biz/news/nieces-are-working-to-renovate-the-payne-building-at-6th-and-main
Meet The New Owners of Hedgehog Bookstore
Janet and Tim Miller purchased the Hedgehog INK Bookstore at 16 S. Main on December 1.
Even though they both have full-time jobs, Janet works for Network Kansas as a Community Entrepreneurship Manager serving Southeast Kansas, and Tim works as a history professor at Labette Community College, they decided to start the venture of owning a bookstore.
” We both love to read and enjoy stopping in bookstores anywhere we go – whether in a neighboring town or around the world.
“Hedgehog.INK has been a favorite, so we’re thrilled to take over ownership. And, we’re very thankful to Randi Witt and her family for entrusting us with the store moving forward!,” Janet said.
“We love the store and won’t be making any significant changes. In fact, the only changes you’ll see immediately are the faces at the counter and the business name, which we are changing slightly to Hedgehog Books.”
They are seeking individuals interested in employment at the store.
“We will be in the store a good deal; we will need some help running it day-to-day. If you or someone you know would be interested, please stop by or message us.”
Hours will remain 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, but will have extended hours several days this week for Christmas on the Bricks.
The store’s phone number is 620-670-2752, and the business email is [email protected].
Hours for this week, in conjunction with the Third Annual Christmas on the Bricks this weekend, are:
Tuesday, December 2nd – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3rd – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, December 4th – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (start of parade)
Friday, December 5th – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Santa will be on hand from 5 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 6th – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Santa will be on hand from 12 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., and the Grinch will do storytime from 2 to 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 7th – 12 to 4 p.m.
Final Results of the November 4 Election
The Bourbon County election results a re finalized and some of the winners of the November 4 election are listed below:
Fort Scott City Commission Tim Van Hoecke, Julie Buchta, Kathryn Salisbury.
The Fort Scott Tax question received over 57% yes votes.
The Bourbon County Commission results are Greg Motley for District 4 and Mika Milburn Kee for District 5.
Winners of the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees are Chad Cosens, Destry Brown and Marilyn Hoyt.
To view the entire document of the election results provided by Amber Page, Bourbon County Accounts Payable/Deputy Election Clerk:
New Businesses Open On East Wall
Julie and Brian Thurston had a shirt-making home business, and were asked to come to rodeos to sell their wares.
This, along with living in a rural community and having a local college with a rodeo program, prompted their newest venture, Grits & Grace Mercantile at 323 E. Wall.
They thought that with the many local rural communities, and rodeos ( a big fashion/decor trend) they would step out in this venture. Julie previously had designed decor for weddings.
Their boutique sells Western clothing for men, women and children, along with decor and furniture.
“A little something for everyone,” Julie said.
Julie said her husband’s brother has a funnel cake truck and they are hoping to have him at the business site during the upcoming Christmas on the Bricks festival, Dec. 4-7.
The Rest of the Building
They closed on the purchase of the two-story building, circa 1911, on October 24. Thurston said she heard that at one time there was a candy factory in the building and most recently, a rural real estate agent office.
Their storefront neighbor, Dr. Erin Crank, will continue her chiropractic business in the building.
Upstairs, they have been readying two living spaces for use as short-term vacation rentals.
There are two apartments: a two-bedroom, one-bathroom living space and a one-bedroom, one-bathroom living space.
She said they hope to have the rentals available by the holidays.
For more information:
Website: gritgracemercantile.com
The store is open Wednesday thru Saturday 10:00 AM — 7:00 PM
Phone: 620.215.4999
New Businesses Start on East Wall In Fort Scott
Julie and Brian Thurston had a shirt-making home business, and were asked to come to rodeos to sell their wares.
This, along with living in a rural community and having a local college with a rodeo program, prompted their newest venture, Grit & Grace Mercantile at 323 E. Wall.
They thought that with the many local rural communities, and rodeos ( a big fashion/decor trend, she said) they would step out in this venture. Julie previously had designed decor for weddings.
Their boutique sells Western clothing for men, women and children, along with decor and furniture.
“A little something for everyone,” Julie said.
Julie said her husband’s brother has a funnel cake truck and they are hoping to have him at the business site during the upcoming Christmas on the Bricks festival, Dec. 4-7.
The Rest of the Building
They closed on the purchase of the two-story building, circa 1911, on October 24. Thurston said she heard that at one time there was a candy factory in the building and, most recently, a rural real estate agent’s office.
Their storefront neighbor, Dr. Erin Crank, will continue her chiropractic business in the building.
Upstairs, they have been readying two living spaces for use as short-term vacation rentals.
There are two apartments: a two-bedroom, one-bathroom living space and a one-bedroom, one-bathroom living space.
She said they hope to have the rentals available by the holidays.
For more information:
Website: gritgracemercantile.com
The store is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 AM — 7 PM
Phone: 620.215.4999
Downtown: New Signs Bring Color
A new sign brings life to the wall next to Sunshine Boutique in downtown Fort Scott depicting hometown legend Gordon Parks.
The sign was created by artist Cbabi Bayoc in honor of Parks and presented to the community during the Gordon Parks Celebration in October 2025.
Also new are the seasonal holiday signs installed by the Fort Scott Public Works Department on November 13.
Skating Rink Is Prepared For Christmas on the Bricks
The skate rink in downtown Fort Scott will soon be ready for the December 5 opening.
The Glide Fort Scott is a 48-by-28-foot synthetic ice skating rink located under the Gathering Square Pavilion, just west of the Fort Scott National Historic Site. across from Brickstreet BBQ Restaurant.
Volunteers Craig Campbell, Jared Weaver and Matthew Wells , along with some inmates from the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, were assembling the flooring on November 13 on a mild fall day.
Campbell, Weaver, and Wells volunteered last year also on the project, which was disassembled and stored until the annual Christmas on the Bricks weekend this December. Robert Coon also volunteered to use his skid steer to move all the materials from storage to the rink site. The flooring materials were made last year and stored, and are now reused for the project.
Once the flooring was finished, the next step was the railing around the perimeter of the rink, then the Christmas lights.
For more information:
(620) 223-3566
Confirmed link
fortscott.com/the-glide-fort-scott
Brenda Stokes Named V.P of CHC/SEK Nursing and Quality
CHC/SEK Names Vice President of Nursing and Quality
PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is pleased to announce Brenda Stokes, RN, BSN, has been named Vice President of Nursing and Quality.
Stokes joined the CHC/SEK team in 2020 as the Vice President of Quality Improvement, overseeing quality initiatives and regulatory compliance. She has more than 18 years of experience in quality improvement and has served for more than 30 years in the healthcare industry working at local hospitals and nursing homes. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pittsburg State University and is also a certified professional coder.
Under her leadership, CHC/SEK received several recognition badges from the Health Resources and Services Administration, acknowledging high performance in a variety of clinical areas. Stokes has also ensured CHC/SEK maintains its status as a National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home, a care model that centers around each patient and their individual needs.
“Brenda has continually demonstrated the ability to translate concept into reality and, as a result, CHC/SEK has earned national recognition in its management of chronic disease and in preventative health promotion,” said Krista Postai, CHC/SEK Chief Executive Officer. “She’s done an incredible job of integrating quality into our nursing operations, and we are extremely lucky to have her.”
In her new role, Stokes will lead the nursing team in addition to the quality department, ensuring quality care for the patients and communities CHC/SEK serves.
“I’m very excited to continue working with the Quality team and to take on this larger role within our clinical operations,” said Stokes. “We have a great nursing staff, and I look forward to supporting them in the incredible work they do every day.”
###
About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) serves as a healthcare hub for communities in Kansas and Oklahoma. CHC/SEK delivers quality, integrated care to nearly 90,000 patients each year with a goal of improving health, sustaining rural communities, and providing purpose-driven work to 950 staff members. Beyond healthcare, CHC/SEK finds innovative ways to improve lives by focusing on education, housing, and transportation. Regardless of income or insurance status, CHC/SEK ensures everyone receives the care they need. For more information, visit chcsek.org.