The Budget Advisory Committee will meet at 4:30 PM on 06.18.25 in the commission chambers. Also, the Zoning Advisory Committee will meet at 6 PM on 06.18.25 in the commission chambers.
Susan E. Walker
Bourbon County Clerk
All posts by Submitted Story
Meredith Reid Named 2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow
This is part of a series on
2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellows.
FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2025 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Meredith Reid, a middle and high school choral music educator at Girard public schools in Girard, KS. Meredith will arrive in Fort Scott on June 22nd for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.
The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.
Meredith Reid, a choir teacher from Girard, KS, was recognized in January 2025 as a Kansas Milken Educator. The choir program was nearly non-existent when Meredith was a student at Girard High School. When she returned to her alma mater as an educator, she re-established the choir program, where students now have opportunities to succeed at state-level contests and are accepted into many different honor choirs.
Outside of her classroom, Meredith is an active member of her community, both locally and beyond. She serves as the Kansas Choral Directors Association Secretary and Kansas Music Educators Southeast District President-Elect. She is also an officer in the Girard P.E.O. chapter. In the last three years, she has developed a community choir, “Generations,” which reflects her goals of sustaining music as a lifelong passion for all ages.
LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Meredith has re-established and rebuilt the choral music program at Girard Middle and High Schools, making them both successful and award-winning programs. With her previous experience and knowledge of unsung heroes, she has begun plans for unique ways of developing projects with her students.”
While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.
The 2025 General Funds application is available until June 30th!
CFSEK Grantee Story Series:
Columbus Schools Park Elementary, Sensory Room Success
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to continue our series of articles highlighting the great work done by some of our grantees in Southeast Kansas communities. Our next grantee to highlight is Columbus USD 493 Park Elementary School, recipient of a 2024 General Funds grant focused on Youth Activities for their sensory room project.
Have you ever seen a space that just wasn’t put to full use? You don’t even have to have a plan for it; you just know that it isn’t being used to its full potential? Well, Park Elementary Special Edudation (SPED) teacher Rylee Crain saw an empty office space in her classroom and had an idea. Park Elementary had a “quiet room” for students who needed that space, but the data showed it wasn’t having the intended effect.
“I looked at this office turned storage room in my classroom and thought I could do something exciting,” Crain said. Crain went to her principal to share her idea for a sensory room in this space, and her principal was on board. “She really encouraged me to apply for grants and to move forward with the project.”
With grant funding, Crain was able to purchase a couch, a ball pit, soft lighting, and several other items that would have been hard to get without grant funding. All of these are tools to help children to re-regulate and work through their emotional state.
“This room allows kids to re-regulate their emotions, and work on strategies to help them self-regulate,” Crain said.
The data from kids using the quiet room showed repeated use with little to no improvement in behavior or academics, whereas data from usage of the sensory room showed progress in frequency and improved behavior and academics.
“There was a little boy that would use the sensory room early in the year, and we worked on strategies to help him self-regulate his emotions while in the sensory room,” Crain said. “Eventually, he didn’t need to use it. He came and saw me at the end of the year to thank me, and we had the biggest hug! I’ll never forget that!”
While the sensory room is located in the SPED classroom, Crain wanted to make the space available to everyone.
“I sent out a building-wide email saying that the space is open and available to every kid,” she said. “We want every child to have the tools they need to be successful, and the sensory room can and should be one of those tools!” Teachers can even use the space as a reward for their students. “I have seen so many relationships grow throughout the building because of this, and it makes it feel so worth it!”
Crain talked about improving the check-in/check-out system next year as well. “We want to add a folder system on the door so kids can identify how they are feeling and then have a list of tools they can use in the sensory room,” she said. “This lets each kid get what they need!”
Crain helped complete the project and is now moving to another school in the district for the upcoming year. “I won’t be teaching SPED next year, but I already plan to replicate this project in my new building because I’ve seen the results firsthand!”
Crain stressed that the grant funding received made this project possible. “While we had some funds, without this grant money, we would not have been able to have the completed room within the year. This gave kids the best opportunity to be successful all year long,” she said.
CFSEK’s 2025 General Funds grant cycle application is available until June 30th. More information about the General Funds cycle is available at SoutheastKansas.org/GF.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2024 and has facilitated over $25 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.
ArtEffect 2025 Winners
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Critical Shortage of Housing and Skilled Labor Response
FRAME Grant Land Donation
Request for Proposal
Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), in collaboration with The City of Fort Scott, is seeking proposals for the donation of land to support a new workforce training initiative under the FRAME Grant program.
The FRAME Grant was developed in response to a statewide housing study conducted by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. This study identified a critical shortage of both quality housing and skilled labor across Kansas. With current contractors operating at capacity, there is an urgent need to recruit and train a new generation of workers to ensure our communities can build, grow, and thrive.
As part of this initiative, FSCC is seeking the donation of at least 2 acres of land located within the City of Fort Scott. The proposed site will be used for the construction of two new residential homes, which will serve as part of FSCC’s hands-on training program for students entering skilled trades.
Proposals for land donation are now being accepted at the City of Fort Scott to advance this vital collaboration with Fort Scott Community College through the FRAME Grant program.
Submit proposals in writing no later than Monday, June 30, 2025. To Lisa Lewis, City Clerk, City Hall, 123 S. Main Street. Fort Scott KS 66701. For questions, please reach out to Lisa Dillon 620-223-0550 x 250 or [email protected].
The city reserves the right as judge of all values of selection.
2025 Lowell Milken Center Fellows Receive Keys to the City
Standing: Jay Weisman, Alex Lahasky. Submitted photo.
The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, has awarded its 2025 National Fellowship to 6 educators. As part of their week-long experience in Fort Scott, each of the six fellows for June 15 – 20 was given the key to the city on Tuesday, June 17th, by Lindsay Madison, Tourism and Chamber Director. (Six more Fellows will arrive on June 22nd.)
Upon presenting the keys, Madison said, “On behalf of the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, it is our honor to welcome you to our community. The tradition of presenting a key to a city represents the highest expression of civic gratitude and trust, honoring outstanding impact through leadership and service. As Lowell Milken Fellows, you are transforming lives into not just what students know but in who they become. Through Unsung Hero projects, you inspire students to gain purpose and vision to grow into stars of the future. May the key serve as a lasting reminder of Fort Scott’s appreciation for your dedication and impact.”
The Fellows honored this week were Theresa Cantwell from New York, Valerie Conklin from New York, Alex Lahasky from Kansas, Meghan Menchella from Missouri, Kelly Ryan from Louisiana, and Jay Weisman from Louisiana. LMC Director Norm Conard praised these outstanding individuals, saying, “It is an honor to be able to network and collaborate with these exceptional educators and provide this opportunity for them to reflect, reenergize, and strategize with each other as they seek new ways to inspire their students.”
Every summer, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes awards its Fellowship to national and international award-winning educators from America and around the world. As National LMC Fellows, they deepen their understanding of Unsung Heroes and project-based learning in preparation for developing Unsung Heroes projects with their students. They also learn the stories of powerful role models who have helped to change the world and can be life-changing examples for students today. Along with the time spent deepening their professional skills at the LMC, the Fellows enjoy visiting the Fort Scott area.
The Gordon Parks Museum: Extended Hours During FSHS All-Class Reunion Weekend
The Gordon Parks Museum Open with Extended Hours During
Fort Scott High School All-Class Reunion Weekend
FORT SCOTT, Kan. June. 17, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College will be open with extended hours during the Fort Scott High School Alumni Association All-Class Reunion, taking place the weekend of June 27–29, 2025.
The museum invites all returning alumni and visitors to stop by and experience the powerful legacy of Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, a trailblazing photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician.
Extended Museum Hours:
- Friday, June 27: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 28: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
This is a unique opportunity to learn more about Parks’ impact on American culture and civil rights, and to explore exhibits highlighting his career, from his early life in Fort Scott to his renowned work with LIFE Magazine and films.
In addition to museum exhibits, visitors are encouraged to take part in the Learning Tree Film Scene Sign Trail, a self-guided tour that highlighting key locations from the 1969 film The Learning Tree, directed by Gordon Parks and filmed in Fort Scott in 1968.
Trail brochures are available at:
- The Gordon Parks Museum
- Fort Scott Visitors Center / Chamber of Commerce
- Local area hotels
“We’re excited to welcome back so many Fort Scott alumni and visitors,” said Kirk Sharp, Executive Director of The Gordon Parks Museum. “This is a perfect time to reconnect not only with old classmates but also with the rich history and legacy of Gordon Parks.”
For more information, visit www.gordonparkscenter.org or follow The Gordon Parks Museum on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 17
Chamber Coffee Hosted by State Farm Insurance on June 19
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Jordann Lankford-Forster Named 2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow
This is part of a series of
2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellows.
FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2025 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in
Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious
Fellowship to Jordann Lankford-Forster (Bright Trail Woman), an Indigenous Education for All instructional coach and educator at Great Falls Public Schools in Great Falls, MT. Jordann will arrive in Fort Scott on June 22nd for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.
The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.
Jordann Lankford-Forster, an Indigenous Education for All instructional coach and teacher from Great Falls, MT, has been honored to receive the Montana Indigenous Teacher of the Year Award and named the 2022 Montana History Teacher of the Year. Due largely to Jordann’s leadership, American Indian Studies is a popular subject at Paris Gibson Education Center and encourages students to learn about historical, cultural, and contemporary information concerning American Indian people.
Jordann also assists other educators within her district and state in embedding cultural content into their classrooms and learning spaces. She serves as the Chairwoman of the Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education, the President of the Potlatch Fund, and a Montana representative for the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “We are so excited to have Jordann, our first Fellow from Montana, as part of the Lowell Milken Center Fellowship. As an award-winning instructional coach for Indigenous Education, she brings a unique cultural perspective and will be a valuable resource for the discovery of many new Unsung Heroes.”
While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.
A Father’s Influence by Carolyn Tucker
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
A Father’s Influence
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) made a thought-provoking statement when he said, “When the sun goes below the horizon he is not set; the heavens glow for a full hour after his departure. And when a great and good man sets, the sky of this world is luminous long after he is out of sight. Such a man cannot die out of this world. When he goes he leaves behind him much of himself. Being dead, he speaks.” My late husband was a gentle, kind-hearted, influential man who loved God. And I watched him be a good father to our son and daughter for 34 years; he left a goodly part of himself in each one.
Although Jimmy is gone from our children’s sight and touch, he continues to influence them. Whenever my son repairs, builds, uses a chainsaw or power tool, shoots a gun, problem shoots, discusses the Bible, or rides his motorcycle, I am seeing his father in him. A father’s influence lasts a lifetime.
Whenever my daughter goes fishing, shoots a deer, rides a horse, reads a book, plays with her children, helps someone, or starts another hobby, I am seeing her father in her. A father’s influence lasts a lifetime.
Being a great dad doesn’t just happen automatically. A lot of godly wisdom, effort, and selflessness goes into the definition of a good dad. Being a dad to your children is the highest and hardest calling, but it’s not “mission impossible.” Jimmy used God’s Word as the user manual for training our children. The following scripture was underlined in his Bible: “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it” (Proverbs 22:6 NLT). He believed it was his responsibility to teach our children about God’s Son and they both accepted Jesus as their Savior as youngsters. Today, they are committed believers and a lot of the reason why is because their father’s godly influence is still alive in their lives.
Children spell “love” as T I M E. They don’t want your money, toys, or gadgets as a substitute for your time. They want and need you! The time fathers spend with their kids (no matter their age) is time well spent and well remembered. Forget the term, “quality time.” Just be present and share life with them, whether it’s on the creek bank, the woods, in a tree house, horseback riding, in a deer stand, or on the basketball court. Be present.
Dads are a critical piece to a child’s puzzle of life. Your influence will remain with them forever. The question is, after you’re gone, what will be the main thing you’ll be remembered for? Mariam and Aaron have described their father as an “All-In” Dad. Even though being a dad is often challenging, it’s not complicated. Just keep your priorities straight: love them, don’t spoil them, discipline them, and teach them about Jesus. Be a good man and a godly example for the sake of your children. And don’t beat yourself up when you fall short. God will help you be all you need to be as a man, husband, and father. Simply do your best and God will do the rest.
No matter how old we are, we never outgrow our need for a father. Mine has been gone for 13 years and I still feel him in my heart and hear him in my head — because a father‘s influence lasts a lifetime.
The Key: “Thank you” to all the fathers who are being the #1 Best Dad you can be.
KANSASWORKS Hosts June Virtual Job Fair for Open Positions Across Kansas
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