TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has released the September 2025 Kansas Labor Report. The full report can be accessed here: September 2025 Kansas Labor Report.
Due to the lapse in federal funding during the federal government shutdown, all Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) operations were suspended from Oct. 1, 2025, through Nov. 12, 2025. As a result, KDOL will not publish a separate report for the October 2025 Kansas Labor Report. Establishment survey data from the Current Employment Statistics program for October 2025 will be published with the November 2025 data. Household survey data from the Current Population Survey, which serve as the primary input to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics models, were not collected for the October 2025 reference period due to a lapse in appropriations and will not be collected retroactively.
The November 2025 Kansas Labor Report will be released January 7, 2026. The release schedule for December 2025 has not yet been finalized. We will communicate the date when it becomes available.
Barbara Lou Haggard, age 76, resident of Pittsburg, KS passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO. She was born January 27, 1949, in Wichita, KS the daughter of Myrle and Helen Walker White. Barb graduated from Friend’s University with her bachelor’s degree. She married John Haggard on August 10, 1968, in El Dorado, Kansas. He preceded her in death on October 28, 2021. Barb worked in Montana as a waitress while living there. Upon relocating to Fort Scott, KS she worked various jobs including American States Insurance and at Presbyterian Village. She enjoyed animals, especially rabbits. She loved reading, having quite the book collection.
Survivors include her son John Haggard, Pittsburg, KS; a sister, Bonnie Quick, Fort Scott, KS; 3 nephews, Mike Quick, Wichita, KS, Matt Quick (Colleen) Fort Scott, and Matt Quick (Suzanne) Fort Scott; and 2 great nephews, Peyton and Grayson Quick. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
There was cremation. Interment will take place at a later date in the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS. Memorials are suggested to the Barbara Haggard Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Darlene Jo Doherty, 81, of Fort Scott, passed away Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Freeman Hospital of Fort Scott. She was born on June 25, 1944, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the daughter of Brenard J. and Delores G. Walker Doherty.
Darlene was a registered nurse having graduated from St. Mary’s College and getting her Nursing Degree from L.S.U., and retired from Tulane Medical Center after 20 years, she lived in New Orleans for over 40 years. She traveled all over the world working in Missions in Hong Kong, and several African countries. She moved back to Fort Scott, after Hurricane Katrina.
She is survived by 5 sisters, Judith and Larry Maura of Nassau, Bahamas, Margaret and Merl Humphrey, of Fort Scott, Barbara Woodward, of Fort Scott, Denise and Dave Brezik of Fort Scott, Michelle Youngdoff of Overland Park, Kansas, 3 brothers, Dan and Marie Doherty, of Fort Scott, Don and Roxie Doherty of Fort Scott, and Brian Doherty of Fort Scott. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Edward Doherty and Steve Doherty, 3 nephews, Todd Woodward, Gabriel Stinson and Elijah Doherty, and 2 nieces, Maggie and Jules Daly.
The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Father Yancey Burgess as Celebrant. The Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 pm, Friday, December 12, 2025, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with Visitation following from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
Memorials may be made to either the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, the St. Mary’s Catholic School or Care 2 Share and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, December 11th, at 8am hosted by Kansas Renewal Institute (KRI), 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to win a door prize drawing.
Chamber Champion Member, KRI, which opened in April 2024 in the former Mercy Hospital building, is a behavioral-health treatment center specializing in psychiatric residential care for youth ages 6–21. KRI provides a comprehensive range of mental-health services, including cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused therapy, family therapy, and creative therapies such as art and music, all centered on helping individuals renew their lives and build long-term well-being. As a growing provider in the region, KRI has brought new jobs, expanded mental-health resources, and strengthened community support in Fort Scott.
For more information, contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566. Visit the Events Calendar on fortscott.com and click on the “Chamber Coffees” category for upcoming hosts and locations.
One or more commissioners plan to attend the Wreaths Across America on 12/13/25 at 10 AM at the National Cemetery. No County Business will be conducted.
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 08, 2025, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
David Stewart thanked the Board Members that are finishing their term for their time and effort in collaborating with the school district.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
11-10-25
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – November 20, 2025 – $1,830,914.79
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
December 2025 KASB Policy Updates
FSHS Baseball Fundraising
Superintendent Destry Brown informed the Board on current enrollment in the district. An update for Tiger Academy was given with a start date of January 6, 2026. The district is also working on a Farm to School grant that will include local products that can be included into the school’s lunch program. Mr. Brown also informed Board Members and new members they will be meeting soon.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided a shared document. He was able to share a report that included the City/School IT ticket numbers. The Preschool building has been given a tentative timeline.
Assistant Superintendent Zach Johnson updated the Board on winter iReady testing scores on Math & ELA. Results for testing will be shared with parents soon. He thanked the staff and students involved in the Christmas Parade this past week.
Special Education Director Tonya Barnes provided a shared document.
Superintendent Brown thanked the District’s Counselors for their Kansas Star Recognition Award. Jane Krone and Josh Messer were present. This was a district wide award for Social Emotional Learning. Jane Krone was responsible for submitting the paperwork for the grant. She explained how much the students benefit from the curriculum. This is an extremely exciting recognition for the district.
The Board approved the following:
CTE Equipment for Patterson Grant
Welding Booth Bid Proposals – $73,458
Welder Proposals – $8,970
CNC Plasma Table Bid Proposals – $45,767.52
Mini Mill Bid Proposals – $84,030.95
Desktop Lathe Bid Proposals – $14,850
Architect Services Agreement – Hight Jackson Associates
Pre-School Playground Project Bid Proposals
Heavy Duty Work Truck Bids
Contingency Approval
Community Green Farms MOU
Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Agreement (2026-2030)
There were none present for public forum.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
December 08, 2025
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Bradbury, Luke – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
DeLaTorre, Jeff – Retirement – Athletic/Activities Director – High School
Gilmore, Nicole – Resignation – Assistant Principal – Winfield Scott
Regan, Nikki – Resignation – SPED Teacher – High School
Rienbolt, Katren – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
Cox, Johnna – January 05-February 13
TRANSFER:
Avery, Michael – Grounds/Maintenance II to Maintenance I
Budd, Wendy – Paraprofessional Winfield Scott to Paraprofessional Alternative School
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for 2026-27 School year:
Johnson, Zach – Superintendent
Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year:
Kitsmiller, Natalie – Paraprofessional – Alternative School
Lee, David – Custodian – Winfield Scott
Miller, Kaylie – Paraprofessional – Alternative School
Pinkerton, Samantha – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Tate, Madalynn – Paraprofessional – Preschool
Weber, Betty – Paraprofessional – KRI
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
Corbitt, Cheyenne – 3rd Session of Intramurals
Fountain, Justin – Scholars Bowl Sponsor – Middle School
Nickelson, Aaron – Assistant Boys Basketball – Middle School
Still Time to Join! Storytelling through Art
Wed. December 10, 2025
4:00-5:15PM Pacific Time
All educators are invited to Storytelling through Art, an interactive and engaging session with teachers participating from across the nation. Brad LeDuc will model a step-by-step process that guides students through novel and effective approaches to visual storytelling about the inspiring stories of Unsung Heroes from history. Various visual analyzing tools, classroom resources, and lesson plan will be provided.
ARTEFFECT online sessions are free to join and registration is required. All registrants receive a session recording and lesson plan. Certificate of Participation available for session attendees.
2026 ARTEFFECT Competition Resources
The 2026 ARTEFFECT competition open through April 21, 2026 invites submissions from all students in grades 6-12 interested in making a positive impact through their art. Students creatively interpret the story of an Unsung Hero by creating an original visual artwork, accompanied by a written Impact Statement. Various awards are available including the Spotlight Prizes. Learn more about the 2026 ARTEFFECT Competition.
Download the 2026 ARTEFFECT Competition Poster to share with your classroom and communities!
View the approved list of Unsung Heroes for the 2026 ARTEFFECT competition using the online directory. The Unsung Heroes Directory includes profiles over 130 diverse and inspiring stories of individuals who made a positive and profound impact on the course of history.
You can also download an interactive PDF as a classroom resource to support students in selecting their Unsung Heroes as role models for their ARTEFFECT projects. The ARTEFFECT website now features new interactive and choice-based sorting tools such as the Unsung Heroes Timeline, Role Models, and Pictographs. Check out these resources below:
2025 Exemplary Programs Award Recipient CAEA Southern Region
ARTEFFECT received the 2025 Exemplary Programs Award from the California Art Educators Association last month! This significant recognition is a direct result of the engagement and contributions from our extended ARTEFFECT community of learners. Congratulations to all 2025 Professional Award Recipients!
Ambassadors in Action!
Meet our 2024-2025 Ambassador Dr. Stephen Newbold, Jr., a Digital Arts and Design/Photography Teacher at MacArthur High School in Washington, DC
Each ARTEFFECT Ambassador culminates their visual arts online fellowship with a capstone project that brings the inspiring stories of the LMC Unsung Heroes into their classrooms and communities. Here is an excerpt from Stevie multifaceted Capstone Project report:
“Students then use digital photography, photo manipulation, and graphic design tools to reimagine and represent the Unsung Heroes in ways that bridge past and present—such as through composite portraits, symbolic imagery, and narrative photo essays. Each project is accompanied by a written or recorded artist’s Impact Statement, where students articulate how the chosen hero’s legacy inspires their vision for their own future.”
Congratulations to Stevie and his students at MacArthur High School for their incredible ARTEFFECT projects!
Sue Ellen Hoskin, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Olathe, Kansas passed away Thursday, Dec. 4 at Olathe Medical Center surrounded by loved ones. She was born on Feb. 28, 1941, to Jessie Ellen Ford Harris and James Harris in Greenfield, Missouri. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Ft. Scott, Kansas where she lived the majority of her life. Sue was the youngest of six children and the first in her family to graduate from high school. She graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1959. Sue valued education but more than that she strived to reach the goals she set for herself. She passed on this combination of moxie and grit to her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a teenager, Sue met and fell in love with David Hoskin, of Ft. Scott. They married on Oct. 7, 1961, after he returned to the United States from service abroad in the Army.
Sue and David had four daughters, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Her family was the most important thing in her life. Sue worked at The Western, Whitesides East, and Ace Hardware before retiring at age 65. Later in life she discovered a love of travel taking trips with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Sue also loved to play cards, bake pumpkin bread, and find discounts. She was an avid reader. Faith was an important part of Sue’s life. She and David were charter members of West Park Church of the Nazarene and the two later attended the First Baptist Church. Sue carried her faith with her until the end.
Survivors include three daughters, Shelly Henry (Larry) and Melissa Hoskin, all of Olathe, Kansas, and Marla Miller (Kirk) of Nevada, Missouri. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Lerin Combs, Taylor Rodriguez, Arley Hoskin, Tempest Lane, Breanna Morrison, Amory Maley, Payton Miller, and Jansen Lang, and nine great-grandchildren, Aidan, Tristan, Landon, Brynlee, Halle, Roman, Althea, Ryder, and Breckan. Sue was preceded in death by a daughter Micah Denise Hoskin, her husband David Hoskin, as well as her parents and siblings David Harris, Leroy Harris, John Harris, Emma Hall, and Katherine Rector.
There was cremation. Chaplain Dave Armstrong will conduct a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12 at Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the funeral service starts. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
