All posts by Loretta George

Fort Scott, Schools

New Teachers at Winfield Scott: Suzan Durnell and Vangie Korinke

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This is part of a series featuring the 26 new educators in USD 234. The first day of classes is August 18.

Suzan Durnell. Submitted photo.

Suzan Durnell, 53, is a new elementary instructional coach who works with teachers and students at both Winfield Scott and Eugene Ware Elementary Schools in Fort Scott.

She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from College of the Ozarks, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Missouri State University, and a Master’s Degree in Library Science and Information Services from University of Central Missouri.

Durnell taught fifth and sixth grades in Galena, MO, second grade in Aurora, MO, then third, second,  and K-5th library skills (including reading and technology). In her 30 years of teaching she worked as a trainer for the Missouri Reading Initiative providing professional development and instructional coaching.

“I was raised in Vandalia, Missouri, graduated from Greenfield, Missouri, and have raised my own family in El Dorado Springs, Missouri. I claim each of these places as a hometown!”

Her husband, Mike will be teaching high school math at Fort Scott High School. They have been married for 31 years and recently moved to Nevada. They have two grown daughters. Jenna and her husband Quade live in Nixa, Missouri, where she works as a CPA, and Quade works as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Springfield, Missouri. Tessa and her husband, Kip, live in Hays, Kansas, where she works as an autism specialist and Kip teaches and coaches at Hays High School.

“My passion is education,” she said. “I have been fortunate to work in a field I love for all these years. I’m excited to extend my career in Fort Scott.”

“My father (a teacher, coach, principal, then superintendent) inspired my love of school,” she said. “My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Forgy, made teaching something I aspired to do.”

“The best part of teaching is the joy,” she said. “It might be joy in teaching a fun topic, joy in watching a student grasp a concept, joy in creating a community of learners, joy in play, or joy in working with talented colleagues. There’s always something that reminds me how very important the field of education is every day.”

“For me, it is a challenge to remain knowledgeable about how kids learn best. We’re learning more and more about the developing brain and how best to approach teaching. To make that even more challenging, kids’ brains are changing as they’re exposed to more technology than ever before. I feel responsible to stay on top of the most recent developments, and that’s hard to do.”

Vangie Korinke. Submitted photo.
Vangie Korinke, 40, is a new first-grade teacher at Winfield Scott.
She earned her Bachelors of Science in Sociology and Master of Arts in Teaching.
She has been a substitute teacher, and paraprofessional.  This will be her first year as a classroom teacher.
Her hometown was Pleasanton, Kansas until she was 14 and Bethany, Oklahoma following that.
She has been married to husband Matt for 17 years, and they have three kids Dawson (15), Brody(13), and Lila (9).

Outside of teaching she loves baking, shopping, coffee with friends, walking, and family time.  And she said her family enjoys being involved in their church, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.

“Teaching is actually my second career to pursue,” she said.  “I was an adoption specialist after receiving my bachelors in sociology in 2004.  As a mom of school ages kids, I saw firsthand what a difference teachers can make in children’s lives.  My kids had some great teachers who really inspired me to want to be that difference for other students.  I’ve always admired my sister-in-law, Cristin Stark who has been an elementary teacher for years.  I started sharing this new dream with her and she was a huge support during my journey to get here.”

“Several  people have inspired me along my journey of becoming a teacher, she said.  “But there are two people in particular who influenced me the most.  My dad always saw the good in everyone and insisted there was always hope.  I have seen seen so many students struggle in different ways.  My dad inspired me to want to help others believe in themselves and this is true with students as well. The second person who strongly influenced me was my son’s second grade teacher, Kirstie (Cox) Dwyer.  She has a gift and made my son believe he could, and so he did. It completely changed his path academically.”
The best part of teaching for her is encouraging students and cheering them on until they too believe in themselves. “And obviously it is amazing to be a part of helping them make gains and witnessing their growth,” she said. One of the challenges of teaching is finding ways to reach students with different learning styles and needs.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

New Teachers at Winfield Scott Elementary: Sydney Crapson, Sierra Sprague

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This is part of a series of features on the 26 new educators in USD 234. School starts on August 18 for Fort Scott schools.

Sydney Crapson. Submitted photo.

Sydney Crapson, 22, is a new first-grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott.

She attended Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University graduating in May of 2022 with an Elementary Education Unified degree.

She is a first generation college graduate, and this is her first year of teaching.

“I have spent my entire life around children and have always loved being with them!,” she said.

Her hometown is Walnut.

Her mother, Karen, is a para educator at Girard High School. Her dad, Brian, does body work on cars and is a part-time farmer.

“I have an older brother named Bailey who is a ranch hand and lives with me in Fort Scott,” she said. “They have been my biggest supporters and I am so thankful for them!”

In her spare time she loves to read and collect books, fish, golf and sew.

“I also love animals and spend most of my evenings walking my dog,” she said. “I have lived in this community for four years and have worked at a local small business for the majority of that time.”

“Growing up, I had many amazing teachers,” she said. “All of the good ones that stick out to me made sure to take the extra time to get to know me as a person rather than just another student. Because of that relationship, they had such a strong and positive impact on my life and I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else.”

“My third-grade teacher is the main person who inspired me to become a teacher myself,” she said. “She took the time to really notice me as a person and helped me through a very difficult year when I felt like I had no one. I will forever be grateful to her.”

“The best part of teaching for me is being able to see my students grow. The excitement on their face when they finally understand or have discovered something new is heartwarming!”

“I think the most challenging part of teaching for me is spending almost an entire year with the same students and then having to let them go in May,” she said.

 

Sierra Sprague. Submitted.
Sierra Sprague, 24, is a new K-2nd Grade Low Incident Special Education Teacher, who will be at Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott.
Sprague earned a Bachelor in Sports Management with an emphasis in business and a minor in marketing then went back and earned a masters in Elementary Education Unified degree.
Last year she was a 4th-5th Grade Resource teacher in De Soto. Her hometown is Olathe, and she is married to Nick Sprague.
In her spare time she loves to find new books and explore coffee shops.
 “My husband is the Family Pastor at Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, so I do a lot of activities there for the youth,” she said.
“Growing up my mom was a counselor in the school district, so I grew up at the school many nights and summer days,” she said. “In kindergarten we had a kinder city and that is where my love for teaching started.”
However, she started her college major in business, but changed to teaching, she said.
“A lot of my teachers had a part in making me want to teach.They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. One teacher I remember was Ms. White, in 6th grade she told me that I could be whatever I wanted but I had to be willing to work for it and be ready for any obstacles that came.”
“The best part of teaching is seeing the smiles of kids, when they just figured out something that they were struggling with”
Bourbon County, Business, Food

New Grocery Store Opens in Bronson

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Kelly and Thaddeus Perry.

Kelly and Thaddeus Perry opened their store, Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store on July 31 in Bronson, Kansas-population 309.

The store is located right on Highway 54 that runs through the town.

Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store, Bronson.

The mom and pop operation has people sign a guest book when they come in. “This is for Kansas Tourism,” Kelly said. “There have been a ton of people coming in.”

“We sold over 200 pounds of (her homemade) fudge in the first three days we were open,” she said.

Kelly Perry runs the cash register at the store.

Mama K’s fudge, made by Kelly Perry on site, has the capability of making 200 flavors of fudge.

“The fudge takes two hours to make with real cream and butter,” she said. “It’s from the same company that made Ozark Land and Silver Dollar City fudge.”

“We are wholesaling fudge and doing fundraisers (for community organizations),” Kelly said.

Their best seller at the store is their pork rinds, which along with the fudge is made in the back of the store.

Thaddeus said to make the pork rinds they order from a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture site.

“Then it’s cooked until done, then seasoned, then cooled and then bagged,” he said.

“It took two-and-a-half years to get to produce rinds and fudge on site,” Thaddeus said. “People have been asking  us for six to eight months when we were going to open.”

Store items and freezer storage for milk, eggs and more,  in Perry’s Pork Rinds and Country Store.

In addition to their signature products,  “We now carry milk and eggs, that will be from local vendors,” Kelly said. “We will be getting eggs and frozen chickens from Freedom Farms ( a Bourbon County farm) and all our ground beef, brats, hot dogs and bacon are from Bronson  (Meat)  Locker.”

Fresh produce stands are front and center in the country store.

And important to locals and those passing by, is the ability to purchase local fruits and vegetables.

“The first weekend we sold 28 watermelons and 60 pounds of tomatoes,” she said.

A white board lists the meals served each week at the store. This was last week’s offerings.

A hot meal is also served everyday from 11 a.m. “until it’s gone,” she said. A list of the week’s offerings are on a whiteboard near the inside door of the store.

The Perry’s have eight employees, some part-time and some full-time.

“We just hired three new employees for the front store,” Thaddeus said.

The store is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

To contact the store:  620.224.2052.

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

New FSHS Educators: Mike Durnell and Christie Smith

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This is part of a series featuring the 26 new Fort Scott educators.
USD 234 students first day is August 18.
Mike Durnell. Submitted photo.
Mike Durnell, 54, is a new math teacher at Fort Scott High School.
His hometown is Moundville, MO.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in education from College of the Ozarks, a Master’s Degree in education from Missouri State University, and a Specialist’s Degree in Education from William Woods University.
He has taught for 31 years.
Durnell began teaching high school math in LaMonte, Missouri, then taught math in Billings, Missouri and Aurora, Missouri at the middle and high school levels, then junior high math in El Dorado Springs, for many years before serving as the Activities Director. Most recently, he have taught junior high math in Uniontown.
He is married to Suzan and has two grown daughters, Jenna and Tessa. “Suzan will be working in the elementary schools in Fort Scott this coming school year, my daughters are married, working, and making the world a better place,” he said.
Outside of the classroom he enjoys hunting and fishing.

Durnell was influenced to teach by his high school teacher and coach, Randy Robertson, he said.

Students are the best part of teaching for Durnell, although there are some challenges.

“In teaching, we are faced with students being more distracted than ever,” he said. “It is a challenge to keep things interesting for them.”

 

Christie Smith with her family. Submitted photo.

Christie Lutter Smith, 48 is the Speech Language Pathologist for Eugene Ware Elementary, Fort Scott High, St. Mary’s Elementary, Christian Heights and Christian Learning Center all in Fort Scott.

“I am really looking forward to being a part of the Fort Scott School District,” she said.  “I am looking forward to the upcoming school year and can’t wait to work with the kids and their families.”

Smith earned a Bachelor’s in Communication Disorders (Speech Language Pathology), then a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education, taught school, then earned a Master’s in Communication Disorders.

“I have been a speech therapist for over 20 years and have practiced in a variety of settings: schools, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. I love them all and feel blessed to love what I do.”

She and husband Dallas have been married 25 years and have three girls: Meg, 22, is getting married this fall; Ellie,17 will be a senior and “can’t wait for basketball season, and Cate,10a, ttends Saint Mary’s and pretty much loves everyone,” she said.

In her spare time she loves to travel, read,  and has hobbbies of photography, music and art.

 Smith’s other involvements in the community: Catholic High School Youth Leader, past Mercy Hospital Foundation Board member, a nursing home volunteer, Parent Teacher Organization, past board member of Mother to Mother Ministry, Relay for Life, PEO, and Magazine Club.

“I started college as a pre-med student; however, after taking a few classes in speech pathology I fell in love. Probably because I love to talk! As my classes went along I also fell in love with the special education field and became actively involved in the Special Olympics. All these exposures and experiences have aided me throughout my career.”

“Some of the greatest challenges I have faced in my career and continue to face is finding the resources our families need in Southeast Kansas.  It may not be easy to find but there are amazing people and companies out there, a lot of them in our community.”

 

Bourbon County, Elections, Government

Nelson Blythe Selected to Fill District 1 Commissioner Position

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Nelson and Euna Blythe.
A convention of the Bourbon County Republican party committee members was held on August 4 to decide  who would fill Lynne Oharah’s Bourbon County Commissioner District 1 position.
To view a prior story on Oharah’s resignation:
After the rules of selection were explained, the Republican committee had two individuals who asked to be considered:  Donald Coffman and Nelson Blythe.
Mark McCoy. Submitted photo.
“Each candidate was given three minutes to address our meeting, after this portion, the candidate and any of the public were asked to leave,” said Chairman Mark McCoy. “Much discussion took place amongst us. A motion was made to appoint Mr. Blythe by an acclamation motion, it was seconded, and all in attendance answered  in the affirmative.”
The required state form was sent certified mail on Friday, August 5 to the governor’s office, McCoy said.
“In my experience, the governor will notify our county clerk within 10 days,” he said.
Nelson Blythe will start mid-August as the new commissioner.
Nelson Blythe

Nelson Blythe, 28, worked as a deputy for the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for approximately four years. Since 2021, he has worked as a deputy for the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff in Linn County is flexible in scheduling personnel, he said, and that will allow him to be present at the commission meetings, which typically meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays at the courthouse.

One thing that motivated him to run for the commissioner position was being involved in Bourbon County.

“When I went to Linn County, I didn’t like missing out on what is going in Bourbon County,” he said.

“I maintained good working relationships with most of the people who work in the court house, especially in the county attorney’s office,” according to a press release from Blythe. “I believe that my professional relationship with the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office will help smooth the sometimes rocky relationship with the commission.”

Additionally,  Blythe said he is glad he will be “in a position to defend our rights from state and federal governance.”

“Local elected officials need to be willing to stand up to state and federal authorities that violate the Constitution,” he said. “This isn’t an extreme view. It is a methodical, constitutional, conservative, law-abiding, Christian mindset.”

Blythe has been married to Euna for six years.

He is the son of Bud and Lee Belle Blythe of rural Uniontown. He lives on part of the farm that has been handed down in his family for over 150 years.  His grandparents were Kaley and Julia Blythe.

He is the youngest of Bud and Lee Belle’s five children and one of the three triplets. His older brother, Paden, works for the Fort Scott Police Department; his older sister, Katie Dyastra lives with her husband and three children in Fort Scott, and his sister, Hannah Stark and husband live in Fort Scott.

His identical twin brother, Kaley, is married to Kelsey and they have one child. He also lives on a part of the Blythe family farm.

Blythe earned a bachelors of science degree from Pittsburg State University in business administration.

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

New FSHS Teachers: Jon Barnes and Mike Krull

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This is part of a series featuring the new educators in Bourbon County. There are 26 new educators in USD 234.

Jon Barnes. Submitted.

Jon Barnes, 23, is the new Fort Scott High School American Government and American History teacher.

Barnes graduated from Fort Scott Community College with an Associates of Science and from Pittsburg State University he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education.

He is a first year teacher.

Barnes comes from Yates Center. His family:  mom Tonya Billiard Barnes  of Fort Scott, dad is Kevin Barnes of Mound City.

In his spare time he enjoys walking his dog, lifting weights, playing golf, basketball, watching movies, playing video games, hunting/fishing, and is involved at the  Fort Scott Church of  the Nazarene.

“I decided to become a teacher after working as a tutor my second year at FSCC,” he said. “Both my parents are in education and they certainly inspired me, as well as my fourth grade teacher and high school cross country coach, Rex McVey.”

“The part of teaching I’m most excited about is getting to work with my students,” he said. “I’m in it for the kids, I love building relationships and being a positive influence on the next generation.”

“As a first year teacher, I’m sure I will find the challenges when we get rolling, but I look forward to working through them,” he said.

Mike Krull. Submitted photo.

Mike Krull, 56, is the new Fort Scott High School Physical Education Teacher and head boys basketball coach.

He has a Bachelors of Science in Education Degree from Pittsburg State University, with emphasis in physical education and social studies.

Krull taught at Louisburg, from 1991-1998 Frankfort, from 1998-2000, Yates Center, from 2000-2002, and Parsons from 2002-2022.

He grew up in Girard, Kansas.

His wife’s name is Misty and together they have five children.

“Three are mine and two are hers,” Krull said. “One son shy of Brady Bunch. I have a son Wesley, who is a teacher at Parsons and two daughters, Kaylee, a teacher at Pittsburg, and Sydney, a  senior at PSU. I have a step-daugher, McCarly, a nurse/RN in Pittsburg and a step-son, McCade, an independent contractor in SEK.”

Some of his interests outside of school are  “obviously basketball / sports, learning new cultures around the world, traveling / cruising, grandchildren Rip and Myla,” he said.

He became a teacher because he enjoyed school, he said. “I was always around the school environment with my mother, a secretary, and father, a teacher. I went to Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University for my formal training, and really enjoy being around the environment.”

“No one person really inspired me to be a teacher, but really a combination of the overall experience. My mother, father, coaches, my high school teachers, and my college teachers,” he said.

“The best part of teaching is probably knowing that other teachers go through the same thing you go through with students and also the bonds that are made with students and their families and the bond with other faculty members,” Krull said.

“Probably the biggest challenge is knowing that each day will be different, good or bad, from the previous days,” he said.

 

 

Bourbon County, Schools

New Uniontown High School Teachers: Morgan Egidy and Breanna Taylor

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Morgan Egidy. Submitted photo.
Morgan Egidy, 24, is a new instrumental/vocal teacher at Uniontown Junior/Senior High School.
Her hometown is Greeley.
She earned a bachelor degree in music education from Kansas State University and taught one year preciously at Council Grove Jr/Sr High School
“I also have judged music for 4-H Club days in multiple counties across Kansas and the North Central District Band Auditions. I have taught private lessons for all instruments, including guitar for seven years now.”
She has a son named London who will start kindergarten.
Outside of school she loves riding horses, photography, farming, plants, playing guitar/saxophone/clarinet, and composing/arranging music.
“I am very involved in my home community of Anderson County where I volunteer helping at the county fair, judging photography for them and surrounding counties, and I am active within my home church, The Garnett Church of the Nazarene.”
Egidy was very involved in band in all through her schooling and in her junior year was selected to  travel to seven countries across Europe to perform. She received scholarships from both Pitt State University and Kansas State University but accepted the K.S.U. one and was very active in marching band, pep band, quartets,concert ensembles, and solo performing, graduating  in May 2021.
 
She was inspired to teach by several people.
“Mr. Jeff Russell, my high school band director, and Mrs. Bonnie Kubacka, my elementary music teacher, were my biggest inspiration and a good friend who helped me realize how passionate I was about music.”
 
For her, seeing the light bulb moment happen for a student when they finally are able to do or understand something that was once difficult for them is the best part. “Also, the connections you make with students are so special.”
 
Teaching music has its challenges.
“Getting students in a music class in the first place is definitely a big challenge,” she said. “However, there is so much music has to offer: it greatly improves brain development, teaches life long skills such as work ethic, motivation, commitment, team work, and so much more.”
Breanna Taylor. Submitted.
Breanna Taylor, 23, is a new 8th, 9th, and 10th grade English teacher at Uniontown High School.
Her hometown is Uniontown and she is looking forward to teaching there.
This is Taylor’s first teaching job.
She earned a degree in English Education and Spanish Language and Culture from Pittsburg State University in May 2022.
She  married  Dakota on May 29, 2021, and they had a son, Greyson, born on April 20,2022.

Outside of teaching she loves to spend time with her family, shop, travel, and support small businesses.

“While at PSU, I did a solo study abroad experience for a semester in Salamanca, Spain,” she said. “I lived in a dorm ran by nuns! It was such a rich experience. I made friends from all over the world, went to places all over Europe like: Ireland, Portugal, and London, and gained a new level of independence.”
 “I have been focusing on motherhood, but I plan to get very involved in both the Fort Scott and Uniontown community,” she said. “My goal is to one day have a scholarship program in the community for students, like me, that come from low-income single parent homes.”
“I had the idea of becoming a teacher my senior year of high school, and the idea became my reality,” she said. “I was heavily inspired by my high school English teacher, Alicia Jackson. I grew up wishing to be just like her. She is so strong, smart, and wears the BEST high heels. I hated English, but she allowed me to grow a passion for it”.
“I think one of the many best parts of teaching in having a role in students’ lives!,” she said.  “I love helping students find what they are passionate about, what allows them to reach personal success, and what helps them grow to be the person they wish to be in life. “
 “I think the biggest challenge in today’s world is teachers not truly understanding what our students are going through in their lives in and outside of the hallways,” she said. “Mental health has become a huge issue in our schools- for both teachers and students. This is why my classroom will always be a welcoming room for any and all students to be their authentic selves, be kind, and discuss their mental health.”
Fort Scott

549 Fort Scott Residents Had No Power Following Storm Last Evening

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Fort Scott substation on fire on August 3, 2022. Taken from Fort Scott Commissioner Tim Van Hoecke’s Facebook page.

As of 7:30 a.m. August 4, there were 549 Fort Scott residents on the north side still without power, according to a  customer service representative at Evergy.

This follows a thunderstorm that swept through town on Wednesday evening.

To view the outage map:

https://outagemap.evergy.com/

At that time there was no estimated time to restore service yet, but a customer service agent at the Evergy phone number, said the outage was caused by a lightning strike, which caused a fire and that two substations are down.

They are in the process of delivering a mobile substation to Fort Scott, which will allow power on, but there is not estimated restore time, she said.

The agent said they are working as fast as they can to restore power.

One area where there was no power is from Pine Street on the north, to 8th Street on the south, from National Avenue diagonally to Short Street.

There was a smaller section just east of the substation just off of Old Fort Bvld. encompassing North Buchanan Street, and North Clark, Wilson and Hill Streets.

At 8 a.m. the City of Fort Scott posted this on its’ Facebook page:

“Power has been restored to most of those that lost electricity because of the substation fire (lightning strike) late yesterday, however, there are still some spotty areas that may still be without electricity. Buck Run Community Center is still available to those needing a place to cool off, rest (cots available), and to use medical equipment (such as oxygen concentrators). We appreciate everyone’s patience and support.”

Fort Scott, Schools

Nick Johnson: New Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal

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Nick Johnson, 35, is the new  principal at Fort Scott Preschool Center.
He is not new to the district school system, however.
“I have worked in the USD 234 school district for the last thirteen years,” Johnson said.  “I began my career teaching second grade at Eugene Ware Elementary. After the two elementary schools became attendance centers, I moved to Winfield Scott where I continued to teach second grade for nine more years.  For the last three years, I have been teaching English Language Arts and Social Studies at Fort Scott Middle School.”
Since graduating from Fort Scott High School in 2005, Johnson earned an associate’s degree from Fort Scott Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State University.
His hometown is Fort Scott.

His wife, Amanda, is also an educator who teaches elementary music at Jayhawk Elementary in Mound City.  They have two sons-  Leighton, 13, and Reid, 7.

When not teaching, he is involved in his children’s sports activities.

 “My boys enjoy sports, so when I’m not at school, I am often coaching youth football, basketball, or baseball,” he said.
How did you choose to become a  teacher?
“I worked part-time at The Keyhole Youth Center while attending FSCC.  I enjoyed getting to know the youth who frequented the center and being a positive influence in their lives.  That experience led me to explore the field of education.”
 
Is there someone who inspired you?
“While attending Fort Scott schools, I was fortunate to have many great teachers who influenced my career choice.”
 
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“The best part about being an educator is having the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of our youth.”
 
What are the challenges?
“The biggest challenge we are facing at the preschool is the lack of physical space to meet the current demand for early childhood education services.  We are looking forward to working with the district administration, school board, and community to develop a solution to meet the needs of our community.”
Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Government, Jobs

Update on Jail Staff Shortage

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Bob Reed is the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center Administrator. Taken from the jail’s website.

On June 16, 2022, Bourbon County Jail Administrator Bob Reed announced that inmates are being sent to other counties, because of staffing shortages.

On that day he announced that approximately 56 inmates out of 65 are being housed elsewhere, with a  cost to the county of $40 per day per inmate.

Reed said he and Sheriff Bill Martin are still working on the problem.

“As of 08-01-2022 we have 30 inmates (out of 54) being housed out,” Reed said. ” Depending on the county that is $35-45 per inmate per day.”

Currently, there are 24 being housed in Bourbon County with the rest in Allen, Cherokee, and Wilson County’s jails, according to the jail’s daily reports.

The Bourbon County Law Enforcement staff are still transporting inmates for hearings, etc.

“Some hearings are done by zoom and some are done in person,” Reed said.  ” The ones that are done in person are obviously transported here from the county they are being housed in and then transported back.”

“I currently have nine employees,” he said. “Three to five more will get us going.” Sixteen would make the jail fully staffed, he said.

“I have not been fully staffed for a long time,” he said.

Since June Sheriff Bill Martin and Reed have worked to raise the base pay from $12.50  an hour to $14.50 an hour, he said.

He said the county offers standard benefits of eye, health, dental, major medical insurance, sick time, and vacation.

Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin works at his desk at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, Fort Scott.

To view the prior story:

Bo Co Jail Inmates Moved to Other Counties

Bourbon County, Schools

Uniontown Schools Enroll Aug. 3-4

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The two school districts in Bourbon County are preparing to start classes this month.
In USD235, Uniontown, parents have an opportunity to enroll their students on Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon and Aug. 4 from noon to 7 p.m. The student’s first day is August 25. This district is welcoming two new principals, a new superintendent, and six new teachers.
Fort Scott’s school district has student enrollment today, August 1, with the first day of school on August 18.
See last Friday’s fortscott.biz feature to learn more about USD 234 enrollment:  Fort Scott’s USD 234 Enrolls Next Monday
Vance Eden. Submitted photo.
U235 is varying the times to best accommodate families’ schedules, Vance Eden, superintendent, said.
“Students aren’t required to attend the event, but a parent/guardian would need to come for all enrolling students unless other arrangements have been made,” he said.
Parents will go to their children’s respective schools to enroll their students.
“While students will be able to find out who their teachers are, teachers will not be working that day,” he said.
The district has one position that they were unable to fill, “but we have made the needed adjustments to respond to the shortage,” Eden said.
As far as COVID-19 plans: “The district will continue to receive guidance from the county health officer as appropriate,” Eden said. “With it now being treated as endemic, we do not anticipate any significant impact on the student experience.  We will continue to use appropriate cleaning and disinfecting practices to minimize the sharing of illness.”
Teachers will report on August 22, with students’ first day on August 25.
To view interviews with the administrators:
New teacher profiles will be featured in coming publications
“We are excited to get the school year going,” Eden said.  “Students won’t see any major changes to their experience on the first days.  That said, we will be reflecting on and making adjustments throughout the year to best meet student needs.”
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Fort Scott’s USD 234 Enrolls Next Monday

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USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

Fort Scott’s School District is  set to begin the new year and has 26 new teachers and five new administrators.

The district scheduled student enrollment for August 1, with the first day of school, August 18.

“USD 234 does still have paraprofessional, coaching, and HVAC positions open,” Dalaina Smith USD 234 Assistant Superintendent, said.

A series featuring the new teaching staff will be featured in the next few weeks on fortscott.biz.

New USD 234 Administrators  are Nick Johnson, Fort Scott Preschool Principal; Krystle Mayginnes, Winfield Scott Assistant Principal; Shelly Charter, WS Principal; Zach Johnson, Fort Scott Middle School Principal, and  Destry Brown, Superintendent.

To view prior profiles of these adminstrators:

Destry Brown: New USD 234 Superintendent

New School Administrator Series: Shelly Charter

New School Admin Series: Zach Johnson

Winfield Scott Assistant Principal: Krystle Mayginnes

Smith’s role as assistant superintendent is new, even though she is not new to the district.

Dalaina Smith began duties as assistant superintendent of USD234 on July 1. Submitted photo.

“At this time we don’t have an anticipated number of students,” she said.

USD 234, is anticipating operating a normal school year for 2022-23, “although…the district admin team will be working to ensure that there is a plan in place in an effort to be proactive,” regarding aCOVID-19 outbreak, she said.

USD 234 will be hosting in-person enrollment on Monday, August 1, 2022. 

Here is the process.

All new students will need to enroll in person at their school, according to information provided by Smith. Families having difficulty with online enrollment or internet access should also plan to attend.  Students who have enrolled online will not need to attend in-person enrollment.  
Families with multiple students will be able to enroll at a single location, but may need to visit with other buildings about specific needs.  Food service, transportation, and technology information will also be available during these times.


Building staff will be on-site to assist families with the enrollment process during the following times on Monday, August 1:

Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade will enroll from  7-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Fort Scott High School will enroll from 8 a.m. to noon  and 1-5 p.m.
For specific questions or concerns, please contact the building secretaries at:
Preschool Center – 620.223.8965
Winfield Scott – 620.223.0450
Eugene Ware – 620.223.3380
Middle School – 620.223.3262
High School – 620.223.0600
The following is the school district’s calendar: