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Area News

2024 CFSEK General Funds Grant Applications Now Available!

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The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is pleased to announce that the CFSEK General Funds Grant Cycle is now open!

Every year in the summer, the Community Foundation’s Grant Review Committee funds programs focusing on Basic Human Needs, Youth Activities, and Arts & Culture. Since 2004, the funds directly managed by the Community Foundation have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to many Southeast Kansas nonprofit projects. General funds grant applications are typically available during June.

In 2023, the Community Foundation awarded $160,000 to 43 recipients in its General Funds grant cycle. These organizations represented 29 Southeast Kansas communities and 15 counties.

Learn more about the General Funds Grant history with CFSEK here.

 

Contact Kara Mishmash at SoutheastKansas.org/contact/Kara with any questions as you work on your proposal.

 

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Lowell Milken Center Unveils New Exhibit Panels

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The Lowell Milken Center is located at the corner of First and Wall Streets.

 

On June 26, 2024, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes will be unveiling exhibit panels featuring two new Unsung Heroes. The ceremony will begin at 3:00 p.m. inside the Center’s Hall of Heroes, revealing new exhibits honoring Dr. Christine Grant, the University of Iowa’s first director of women’s intercollegiate athletics. She was a national pioneer and voice in the fight for gender equity in athletics, significantly impacting the implementation of Title IX. The second honoree will be Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American doctor in the United States, a champion for her people’s well-being, and a powerful role model for Native Americans and women in medicine.

 

Featured VIPs will include nationally recognized teachers and their students, whose award-winning projects share the stories of these heroes. Suzy Turner, teacher and 2022 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow from Iowa, and Kadence Huck, one of the three students whose research uncovered the story of Unsung Hero Dr. Christine Grant, will be present to reveal their project. Those attending who researched and discovered Unsung Hero Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte will be student Madison Glidden and her teacher, 2021 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow Megan Helberg from Nebraska.

 

Additional VIP guests will be Susan Picotte, the great-granddaughter of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, and Susan’s niece, Holly. Honored VIPs representing Dr. Christine Grant will be her niece, Andrea Weiss, and Grant’s best friend and former colleague from the University of Iowa, Peg Burke. Other honored guests will include the new 2024 Lowell Milken Center National Fellowship members, former National Lowell Milken Center Fellows Carly Bowden and Jennifer Farr, as well as family members and guests of the award-winning students and teachers.

 

Everyone interested is invited to join us on June 26th at 3:00 p.m. to celebrate the extraordinary lives of our two new unsung heroes, who have profoundly impacted history.

 

These new exhibits are made possible through a 2024 Attraction Development Grant awarded to the Lowell Milken Center from Kansas Tourism. The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 © (3) that works with students and educators within diverse academic disciplines to develop projects focused on unsung heroes.

 

 

Entertainment, Fort Scott

A Long-Standing Neighborhood Tradition: 42nd Annual Burke Street 4th of July Parade

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Submitted photo.

 Come One, Come All, Let Freedom Ring!  It is once again time to celebrate U.S.A.’s 248th Independence Day with a neighborhood parade on Fort Scott’s “Tower Hill,” better known as Burke Street on the Fourth of July.

Submitted photo. Burke Street 4th of July Parade.

Following patriotic songs by “Kids on Burke” led by two of the parade founders:  Jill Gorman and Susan Foster; the parade will depart at 10:00 AM from Tenth and Burke going south around the Marblecrest Triangle and returning north to the point of origin.  Cheering spectators, who are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and dress in red, white, and blue, will line the parade route with family and friends.

Post-parade refreshments will be served and ALL ARE WELCOME to the corner of Ninth and Burke.   Neighbors and friends-of-the-parade donate the cookies and drinks are provided by this year’s hosts Matthew and Lisa Cady.

Burke Street 4th of July Parade. Submitted photo.

A severe storm or lightning cancels the parade and there are no large vehicles allowed due to the many children participating in the festivities.

Parade questions can be answered by Margaret Humphrey 620-223-0388 –- 620-224-7388 or Theresa Bahr 620-215-2889.

 

 

Entertainment, Kansas

2024 Kansas Most Notable Books

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The State Library of Kansas Announces the 2024 Kansas Notable Books


TOPEKA –This year’s list of Kansas Notable Books continues the tradition of celebrating the rich stories and culture of Kansas.

“The 2024 Kansas Notable Books list recognizes 15 books written by Kansans or about Kansas,” said Ray Walling, State Librarian. “ From historical figures like abolitionist James Montgomery, to the remarkably resilient residents of Udall, to people reflecting on grief and personal struggles through poetry, the authors introduce readers to a variety of Kansans. The selections also take readers on a geology field trip across the state, to Kansas City’s Montgall Avenue, into a classroom as seen through the eyes of a child on the autism spectrum, inside a murder mystery, and beyond to other worlds. With something for everyone, I hope all Kansans will visit their local public library to check out these wonderful titles.”

Each year, the Kansas Notable Books list features 15 books, published during the previous calendar year, which are about or set in Kansas, or written by a Kansas author. This year’s selection committee includes representatives of public, university, and regional libraries, academics, and writers.

Kansas Notable Books authors will be awarded their medals at the Kansas Book Festival on September 27 at Washburn University.

Kansas Notable Books is a project of the Kansas Center for the Book, a program at the State Library of Kansas which is the state affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book. The mission of the Kansas Center for the Book is to highlight the state’s literary heritage and foster an interest in books, reading, and libraries.

For more information or questions about Kansas Notable Books program, visit kslib.info/notablebooks or contact the State Library of Kansas at 785-296-3296 or email [email protected].

2024 Kansas Notable Books

Abolitionist of the Most Dangerous Kind: James Montgomery and His War on Slavery, by Todd Mildfelt and David Schafer, University of Oklahoma Press

Daughter of Chaos, by Sarah Edgerton (Tonganoxie), Elizabeth Hawk Publishing

Doomed by Blooms, by Anna St. John (Haysville), Level Best Books

Grief Said “Have a Seat”, by Amanda G. Elsbury (Wichita), Elite Publications

Henry, Like Always, by Jenn Bailey (Leawood), Chronicle Books

I’ve Been Fighting This War Within Myself, by Antonio Sanchez-Day (Topeka) and edited by Brian Daldorph (Lawrence), Meadowlark Poetry Press

Into the Sunset: Emmett Dalton and the End of the Dalton Gang, by Ian Shaw, University Press of Kansas

The Jayhawk: The Story of the University of Kansas’s Beloved Mascot, by Rebecca Ozier Schulte (Lawrence), University Press of Kansas

Kansas City’s Montgall Avenue: Black Leaders and the Street They Called Home, by Margie Carr (Lawrence), University Press of Kansas

Orion O’Brien and the Spirit of Quindaro, by Fran Borin (Mission Hills), Mission Point Press

Proclaiming the Good News: Mennonite Women’s Voices, 1972-2006, by Lois Y. Barrett and Dorothy Nickel Friesen, Institute of Mennonite Studies

Red Rabbit, by Alex Grecian (Topeka), Tor Nightfire

Roadside Geology of Kansas, by James S Aber (Emporia), Susan E. W. Aber (Emporia), and Michael J. Everhart (Derby), Mountain Press

We’re Safe When We’re Alone, by Nghiem Tran (Wichita), Coffee House Press

Without Warning: The Tornado of Udall, Kansas, by Jim Minick, Bison Books

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Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Minutes of June 4

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

Minutes of June 4, 2024  Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held June 4, 2024, at 6:00PM (Time stamp: 0:010) in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. (Time stamps according to YouTube recording of meeting).

 

Roll Call

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

 

Audience in Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Chief of Police, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Tom Coffman/Public Works Manager, Bill Lemke/Water Distribution & Wastewater Collections Supervisor, Jessica Oliphant/BakerTilly (via telephone), Amanda Lancaster/Diehl, Banwart & Bolton, Jason Silvers/Fort Scott Tribune, Michael Hoyt, Mark Hall, Kathryn Salsbury, Cole Jones and Charles Gentry.

 

Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

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

 

Approval of Agenda (Time stamp 1:15)

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to amend the agenda to remove Robert Harrington from Appearances. He is unable to attend and will appear at the next meeting. M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.

 

ACTION:  D. Olson requested that R. Harrington be informed of what is expected from his appearance.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the agenda with the amendment.  M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.

 

Consent Agenda (Time stamp 2:21)

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1361-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates – May 15, 2024 – May 28, 2024 – $521,016.52
  2. Approval of Minutes for May 21, 2024
  3. Request to Pay – Hofer, Hofer & Associates – Application No. 2 – Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom – Amount Due – $20,561.40
  4. Request to Pay – Hofer, Hofer & Associates – Application No. 3 – Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom –Amount Due – $10,125.00
  5. Request to Pay – Earle’s Engineering & Inspection – Project No. 06 KA-6898-01 – Design Contracts – $25,947.45
  6. Request to Pay – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. – Invoice #7615 – Demolition of 10 S. National Ave. – $94,396.00

 

Items C & D:  The payment to Hofer, Hofer & Associates is approximately 90% complete.

Item F:  B. Matkin stated that there may be another charge for dump fees.

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin will let the Commission know if there are any additional charges for dump fees from Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. for the demolition of 10 S. National.

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.

 

New Business

 

Action Items:

Consideration of Letters of Interest for City Commissioner (Time stamp 4:05)

Each candidate gave an introductory statement and received questions from the Commissioners.

 

Mark Hall (Time stamp 4:51)

Kathryn Salsbury (Time stamp 12:08)

 

  1. Matkin left the meeting (Time stamp 14:30) and returned at (Time stamp 21:43)

 

Cole Jones (Time stamp 26:18)

Charles Gentry (Time stamp 39:50)

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to appoint Charles Gentry to the City Commission.

 

MOTION DIED DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to appoint Kathryn Salsbury.  D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.

 

Oath of Office for new Commissioner (Time stamp 1:04:28) Kathryn Salsbury was sworn in by the City Clerk and took her position at the Commissioner’s table.

 

Selection of President of Commission (Time stamp 1:05:56)

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to appoint D. Olson as President of the Commission. M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION APPROVED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Selection of Commission Representative of the HBCAT Health and All Policies Task Force vacated by the resignation of M. Guns.

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to nominate K. Salsbury as the representative. D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION APPROVED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Farmer left the meeting (Time stamp 1:07:32)

 

Consideration to purchase mower for the airport – Grasshopper Model 900D-1.3L for $21,124.95 (Time stamp 1:07:36)

  1. Coffman presented the request to the Commission. The reason for the purchase is as follows: 1) The current model has been discontinued; 2) parts are difficult to acquire; and 3) the mower is in constant need of repairs. This is an emergency purchase. It is State contract #53340 therefore it does not require the three (3) quotes required by the City’s Purchasing Policy. J. Oliphant verified that the money would come from reserves and will be replaced by anticipated interest earned on investments. This mower will be used at the lake and the airport.

 

  1. Farmer returned to the meeting at (Time stamp 1:09:18)

 

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to purchase the mower with half of the funds coming from the lake fund and the other half coming from reserves.

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

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.

 

Consideration to Purchase Jet-Foamer System – Wastewater Collections – Key Equipment & Supply Co. – $45,363.13 (Time stamp 1:15:33) – B. Lemke presented his request to the Commission explaining that the primary function is to treat sanitary sewer lines for root and grease control to keep lines open which is a huge problem for the City. Currently a powder dumped down a manhole which is flushed down the lines with water however it can only reach approximately 200 feet. The new jet foam system, in conjunction with the City’s vactor truck will be far more efficient and will treat the entire circumference of the affected pipes. This item will be purchased with reserves from wastewater utility. It was put in last year’s capital plan (2023-2027) under Wastewater Collections to be purchased in 2025. Purchasing it this year will drop it from the 2025 capital plan and will not have to be budgeted.

 

ACTION:  T. VanHoecke requested that J. Oliphant send a current Capital Plan for pending Capital Expenditures to the City Manager and the City Clerk via email in order that the Commission has an updated copy.  J. Oliphant agreed.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to purchase the Jet Foamer System.  D. Olson seconded the motion.

 

Discussion was had about the reserve fund, investments and upcoming obligations.

 

All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration to Purchase 2022 Ford F350 Service Truck – Water Distribution – Olathe Ford Commercial Sales Center – $65,350.00 (Time stamp 1:26:34) B. Matkin stated that the fleet is deteriorating, however they will look for used vehicles instead of requesting this new truck. He requested that consideration for this item be removed. Discussion was had about the process of purchasing used vehicles. The vehicle will be used for the Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection departments.

 

ACTION:  The immediate need is one (1) vehicle. The limit is set at $35,000.00 for the City Manager to sign off on the purchase.  The Commission directed B. Matkin them updated and call a Special Meeting if necessary.

 

Consideration of bids for 2024 Hay Rights at Fort Scott Municipal Airport (Time stamp 1:33:24) Four (4) bids were received: 1) Tippin T Cattle ($15,265.00); 2) KW Cattle ($12,750.00); 3) Ricky Kellenberger ($10,601.00) and 4) Crystal Livestock Express LLC ($6,045.00).

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to accept the bid of $15,265.00 from Tippin T Cattle for the 2024 Hay Rights at Fort Scott Municipal Airport.  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Certificate of Appropriateness for 124 E. Wall Street – Hole in the Wall Liquor (Time stamp 1:35:13) The request by applicant Roy Hoehner to install solar panels on the roof and east-facing awning of the building within the Historic District was recommended by the Design Review Board on May 29, 2024. Discussion was had about the panels on the awning.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the request based on the recommendation of the Design Review Board.  T. Dancer seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted yes.  M. Wells and D. Olson voted no.

 

MOTION PASSED BY A 3-2 VOTE.

 

Certificate of Appropriateness for 110 South Main LLC – 110 S. Main Street (Time stamp 1:52:11) The request by applicant Kathy Dancer to replace façade lettering, placement of exterior heat pump condenser in south window bay but enclosed with period appropriate custom screen, replacement of 2nd floor windows with decorative mullions and replace blocked in arch walls with storefronts in tow central bays and compliant doors was recommended by the Design Review Board on May 29, 2024.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the application for the Certificate of Appropriateness for 110 South Main LLC.  D. Olson seconded the motion.

  1. Wells, D. Olson, T. VanHoecke and K. Salsbury voted yes. T. Dancer abstained.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Request for a New City License to Serve Alcoholic Liquor and Cereal Malt Beverages for Consumption On The Premises – Mi Ranchito – 17 S. Main Street

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the new City License for MiRanchito at 17 S. Main Street.  D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Public Comment (Time Stamp 1:59:46)

Michael Hoyt addressed a public notice from KDHE that was presented at County Commission meeting the night before, would also like to be read into the budget process and had a question regarding the approved the jet foam treatment for the sanitary sewers.

 

  1. VanHoecke left the meeting (Time stamp 2:04:02) and returned to the meeting (Time stamp 2:05:52).

 

Appearances

Amanda Lancaster/Diehl, Banwart & Bolton appeared by request and addressed the Commission regarding the expectations of the Single Audit vs. Regular Audit.

 

  1. Farmer left the meeting (Time stamp 2:08:36).
  2. Matkin left the meeting (Time stamp 2:09:11).
  3. Farmer returned to the meeting (Time stamp 2:10:11).
  4. Matkin returned to the meeting (Time stamp 2:13:07).

 

Reports and Comments

  1. City Manager Comments (Time stamp 2:22:00)

–  Approval to proceed with equipment auction

ACTION:  B. Matkin will get a date for the auction and D. Olson requested a list of equipment inventory.

–  Summer Collegiate Baseball league

–  Memorial Hall Request for Proposals to repair façade – will bring to                        Commission if they come in over $10,000.00

–  Want to explore current regulations for shipping containers

ACTION:  B. Matkin will bring information for discussion about shipping containers to the next Commission meeting

 

  1. Engineering Comments (Time stamp 2:30:12)

–  Update on Horton & 6th Street Project – start date is July 8th, 2024, and is                          expected to be a 230-day project.

–  Rerouting to be done with signage to adjacent side streets.

 

  1. Commissioners Comments

     –  K. Salsbury (Time stamp 2:33:35)

     –  M. Wells (Time stamp 2:33:47)

     –  T. VanHoecke (Time stamp 2:34:30)

     –  D. Olson (Time stamp 2:36:50)

     –  T. Dancer (Time stamp 2:36:56)

 

  1. City Attorney Comments (Time stamp 2:38:42)

 

MOTION: (Time stamp 2:39:28) – T. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:39PM.  K. Salsbury seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

JUNE 4, 2024, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:39PM

 

_______________________________________________________________________

Submitted by:

Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee at 110 S. Main on June 13

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Join us for Chamber Coffee!

Thursday, June 13th, 8am
Hosted by Cohn’s Cafe & 110 South Main Mercantile

110 South Main
Cohn’s Cafe & 110 South Main Mercantile are located in the former Scottish Rite Building on Main Street in the Historic Downtown Fort Scott.

* 110 South Main Mercantile offers a variety of Kansas made gift and decor items.

* Cohn’s Cafe partners with local producers to use fresh, local ingredients in nearly every dish.

Thank you Kathy and Tracy Dancer for being Chamber Members!

Join us for coffee, juice, light refreshments and door prizes this Thursday at Cohn’s Cafe & 110 South Main Mercantile!

Click here to check out 110 South Main’s Facebook page!

Click here to check out Cohn’s Cafe’s Facebook page!

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment

Bourbon County Community Theatre Announces Play Auditions

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The newly formed Bourbon County Community Theatre is holding auditions for the first show of the season.

 

Auditions for Holy Mother of Bingo! by Patrick Walsh are from 7-8:30 p.m., June 17 or 18 in the Ellis Performing Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. Auditions for the interactive comedy murder mystery show are open to adults and teens and no preparation is necessary.

 

Pioneer Drama describes the show this way, “An innocent bingo fundraiser at the Our Mother of Mercy church goes awry when parishioners mysteriously drop dead!  The evidence suggests well-calculated murders, but who is to blame?  Tensions rise as everyone begins identifying suspects.  Past feuds rear their heads as the members of the parish try to state their innocence one by one.  Who could be behind the elaborate spree?  The disgruntled choir director?  The magician turned youth minister?  The ex-convict that has recently turned to the power of prayer?  It couldn’t be one of the Cookie Cadets selling their beloved cookies!  Everyone’s a suspect…  even the audience in the zany comedy that takes interactive theatre to a whole new level!”

 

Performances of the show are Aug. 2 and 3 and rehearsals are approximately Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30-9 p.m.

 

More information can be found on the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page or by contacting the Director, Angie Bin, at 620-719-9622 or at [email protected].

 

BBCO Community Theatre, LLC is a non-profit community organization formed last year whose mission is to bring education, community, and culture to southeast KS through threatre.

 

Anyone who would like to join the community theatre or assist with the technical aspects of the play can fill out an interest form on the Facebook page or at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScExqinRjOkAVdLBVFUNDFR5q_OJG_XWlwnPbjnMApAsIAb7Q/viewform

 

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Bourbon County, Youth

Barnstormers 4H Club Met May 8

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May 8, 2024

 

At 6:31 p.m. the Barnstormers 4-H meeting was called to order at the Hubenette Pavilion.

The roll call was, “What are your summer plans?” 18 members and 12 parents were present.

Next the Treasurer’s report and Secretary minutes were read and unanimously approved.

The 2024 Fair newspaper was passed out to all families.

Cannon O’Brien came forward to give a talk on gun safety. After a very informed talk and many questions. Jack Endicott made a motion and Cannon seconded to adjourn the club meeting. The time was 6:54 p.m. The next Barnstormers club meeting is June 12, 2024 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

Jewel Endicott
Barnstormers Secretary
Jack Endicott
Barnstormers Reporter

Obituary

Obituary of Carla Lowe

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Carla Dean Lowe, age 59, a resident of Neodesha, Kansas, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the Neodesha Care and Rehab Facility.  She was born October 3, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the daughter of Robert Eugene Lowe, Sr. and Wilma Dean Kepley Lowe.  She enjoyed collecting dream catchers.

 

Survivors include two sisters, Brenda Karns and Cheryl Reed, and two brothers, Glen Lowe and Robert Lowe, Jr.  Also surviving are her three children and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and many cousins.  Carla was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

 

There was cremation.  A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, June 14th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Private burial will take place in the Dayton Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Carla Lowe Memorial Fund 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.

Fort Scott, Schools

Report from the U234 Board of Education Meeting on June 10

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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, June 10, 2024

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

 

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

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

Board Minutes

05/13/24 Board Minutes

06/03/24 Work Session Minutes

Financials – Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – May 08, 2024 – $1,677,190.37

Activity Funds Accounts

USD 234 Gifts

Resolution 23-19 KMIP Signers

Belinda PItts and Cynthia Row. Submitted photo.

Belinda Pitts, mental health liaison, was recognized by Tonya Barnes and Destry Brown. She was thanked for her willingness to be involved and available to the students. Belinda has taken this newer roll and has really excelled. She started as a para and transferred to this position in September.

 

Cynthia Row, SEK Mental Health, along with her team (Malinda Bailey, Ashlee Reeder, and Angel Brazeal) were recognized by Tonya Barnes and Destry Brown. Cynthia is our “911 call” with some of our students. She was thanked for always being pleasant and easy to work with. Her and her team work throughout the district with students. We are extremely glad to be partnered with SEK Mental Health.

 

Destry Brown was recognized by staff for his support and help throughout this last year. The ESY students made him a poster of “what I love about Mr. Brown” that was presented to him by staff.

 

Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the budget for end of fiscal year. He also informed the Board about the EPA grant that the district will partner with that will help in the workforce development. There was a report from CHC and the services they provided to the students for the 2023-24 school year.

 

Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on iReady testing for the 2023-24 school year where there has been excellent improvement thanks to the hard work of the teachers and staff.

 

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, reported on Extended School Year being held in partnership with Summer Enrichment at Winfield Scott this summer. She explained about the final SPED payment for the fiscal year and gave a quick look at training for August with the SPED staff.

 

 

The board approved the following items:

  • iReady Testing Quote
  • TCI Social Studies Resource Quote
  • 2024-25 District Handbooks
  • Purchase of two vehicles
  • Resolution 23-20 – Hazard Mitigation Plan
  • Resolution 23-21 – Change Method of Election
  • District Cell Phone Policy

 

There was none present for public forum.

 

The board went into executive session for negotiations.

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED

June 10, 2024

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

Carter, Leah – Retirement – Physical Education Teacher – Middle School – May 28, 2024

Hall, Kathi- Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Softball – High School

Hoener, Rhonda – Resignation – Part Time School Psychologist Paraprofessional

Hull, Megan – Resignation – Paraprofessional – High School

King, Christina – Supplemental Resignation – Play Assistant (Fall Musical) – High School

Peterson, Emily – Resignation – Special Education Teacher – Preschool – May 17, 2024

Nance, Amy – Resignation – 1st Grade Teacher – Winfield Scott

Staton, Shanna – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Preschool – May 15, 2024

 

EMPLOYMENT:

Certified Recommendations for the 2024-35 school year:

Coen, Jessica – Special Education Teacher – Preschool

Cox, Kelly – Reading/Math Intervention Teacher – Preschool
Dunkeson, Lewis – Special Education Teacher – High School

Groll, Delaney – .6 Speech Pathologist

Holthaus, Danielle – Virtual Kansas Renewal Institute Teacher May 20 – July 31, 2024

Jones, Taylor – Spanish Teacher – High School

Lancaster, Bridgett – Girls Physical Education Teacher- Middle School

Russell, Heather – School Psychologist

Vincent, McKayla – 1st Grade Teacher – Winfield Scott

Classified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Guss, Stewart – Full Time Bus Driver

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Colvin, Crystal – Assistant Volleyball Coach – High School

Flanner, Kevin – From assistant to Head Volleyball Coach – High School

Gorman, Allie – Girls Summer Conditioning – High School

Homan, Tracy – STUCO & Yearbook Sponsor – Middle School

Martin, Jared – Girls Summer Conditioning – High School

Sprague, Nate – Assistant Summer Weights & Assistant Football Coach – Middle School

High School Supplemental Recommendations for the 2024-25 School year

Summer School Elementary 

Julie Forkner, Candy Turner, Sabrina Terry, Rhonda Hoener, Lindsey Gulager, Brooklyn Newell, Amy Nance, Vangie Korinke, Lindsey Davis, Moriah Dillow, Rhiannon Tuck, Katie McGee, Michelle Defebaugh, Tiffnie Spears, Darcy Workman, Caitlin Shrewsbury, Anna Kim, Kim Couch, Regina Cruse, Xoe Altic, Jenny Tourtillott, Linda Minor, Sarah Dunivan, Caleb Hendricks

Summer School Additional Paras

Samara Hernandez, Nancy Mincks

Summer School Preschool 

Andrea Heckman, Cynthia Hemphill-Witham, Mya Stewart, Shannah Staton, Natasha Lindo