Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Government

Amended Bo Co Commission Agenda For August 28

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

August 28, 2023 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 8/21/23 and 8/24/23
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $336,998.21
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $401,487.67
  1. Public Comments
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  3. Bourbon County REDI
  • Commission Comments
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Starlite FCE August 2023

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Starlite Family and Consumer Education Unit

August 2023

 

The Starlite FCE held its August meeting at the Presbyterian Village meeting room.  President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order and led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the club collect.  Nine members were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered for 134 hours and had recycled 1500 pounds.

 

The minutes of the May and June meeting were read and approved.  The club had received thank you notes were read from Wilma Hibdon and Bryan Fry.  Deb Lust presented the Treasurers report in the absence of Doris Ericson.  Bank fees were discussed and Karen Peery moved that the club close their account and go to cash, Betty Johnson seconded the motion, motion carried.  Karen Peery presented the Council report.  She announced that the Fall Follies will be held in Bronson at the Community Center on October 10th at 6:00.  Our club is responsible to bring four desserts and potato soup.  Karen Peery, Deb Lust, Joyce Allen and Terri Williams will bring pies and Terri Williams will prepare the soup.  Karen also announced that the Fair Bake sale had raised $316 to go toward a scholarship.  Karen Peery, Doris Ericson and Betty Johnson will be attending the FCE State Meeting.

 

Glenda Miller recognized birthday of Delphine Parks and Leanna Taylor.  Glenda also announced the lessons for the upcoming year and that Starlite and received 1st place in the State for our Service Project and 2nd on our accomplishment report.  It was also announced that the club had handed out 100 brochures on Men’s health.

New business consisted of putting together goodie bags for the first responders in the area and signing thank you cards for their service.  Thank you cards were also signed for the sponsors of the hay bale and scarecrow contests, since the club and won second place on our hay bale and third place on our scarecrow.

 

Deb Lust was nominated as Starlites representative for the Heart of FCE.  Deb Lust moved that the meeting be adjourned, Karen Peery seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.

 

After the meeting Terri Williams presented the lesson on Blueberries and provided refreshments of whole wheat blueberry muffins, blueberry drizzle cake, chocolate covered blueberries, dehydrated blueberries and water.

 

Prepared by

Terri Williams

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for the Bo Co Commission On August 28

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

August 28, 2023 5:30 p.m.

Attachments:

Accounts Payable 8-25-2023

Payroll 8-25-2023

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 8/21/23 and 8/24/23
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $336,998.21
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $401,487.67
  1. Public Comments
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  3. Commission Comments
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Amended Bo Co Commission Agenda for August 24

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

August 24, 2023 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Budget Discussion
  1. Commission Comments
  2. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Amended Agenda for the Bo Co Commission Meeting Today at 5:30 p.m.

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

August 24, 2023 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Budget Discussion
  1. Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  2. Commission Comments
  3. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Transportation Service Is An Option For All Bourbon County Starting August 28

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The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is located at 104 No. National Avenue.

In recent months, a coalition headquartered in Fort Scott has been working to address transportation needs for all Bourbon County, including rural residents.

A service to meet these needs will start August 28 and is called BB-Go Transportation.

“BB-Go Transportation is an affordable option, $1 donation is suggested, but not required,” Rachel Carpenter,  the lead in the Local Health Equity Team (LHEAT), said. That entity is under the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team umbrella, whose office is at 104 N. National Avenue.

Rachel Carpenter is the lead for the Local Health Equity Action Team. Submitted photo.

“There is no restrictions on riders,” Scott Christiansen, Transportation Director at Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, said. “This is tax payer funded so there are no age or income restrictions.”

“The donations offsets what KDOT reimburses us for the service,” Christiansen said.

BB-GO Transportation will service anyone in Bourbon County on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the operation hours of 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The LHEAT partnered with Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, Inc. to expand their transportation program to Bourbon County.

A photo of a SEK-CAP bus taken from the SEK-CAP website.

To schedule a ride, call 620-724-6350. 

The rides are are a first come, first served basis.

To have the best selection of times, schedule 1 to 7 days  in advance.

Same-day rides given are based on availability.

BB-GO Transportation will be wheelchair accessible.

Drivers will be certified with the Kansas Department of Transportation and will meet all training and safety requirements.

The funding is through federal, state and local funds.

“The Federal Transit Administration and Kansas Department of Transportation 5311 Grant supplies 70% of the operating costs, and 30% comes from local matching funds from the Local Healthy Equity Action Team (LHEAT) grant through Kansas University Medical Center’s Communities Organizing to Promote Equity program,  Peerless Products, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, and Community Christian Church,” she said.

Jody Hoener is the Southeast Kansas Regional Community Lead for LHEAT.

“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s  coalition Local Health Equity Action Team  has been developing both upstream and downstream approaches to address the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in Bourbon County,” Carpenter said.

This service adds options for those without a car.

“Currently, there is only one option for public transportation in the county that services the City of Fort Scott,” Carpenter said.

The cost of this transportation service can hinder people from social activities, medical appointments, jobs, dining and education, she said.

 

 

Bourbon County

Writers Encouraging Writers: Seminar Oct. 21

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Writers Seminar – Writers Encouraging Writers
Saturday, October 21, 2023 8:45-12:30
HBCAT Offices – 104 N National Fort Scott, KS*

Sponsored by: Wednesday Writers Group** and Hedgehog.INK! Gently Used Books and So Much More…

Fill out the form below and return to Hedgehog.INK! 16 S Main, Fort Scott, KS. 66701. ([email protected]) 620-670-2752.

Checks may be made
payable to Hedgehog.INK! or pay [email protected]/events.
Name: __________________________________ Phone #:___________________
Address: ________________________________ Email: _____________________

High School or College Student: _____ Yes _____ No
(There is no registration fee for students but they do need to fill out a registration form to attend the seminar).

*HBCAT offices are located at 104 N. National, Fort Scott, KS.
north of Brickstreet Barbeque. A parking lot is available
across the street to the east by the splashpad.

**Wednesday Writers meet every Wednesday from 1:30-3:00 at
Hedgehog.INK! bookstore. “Our goal is to provide a community
of support for active and potential writers with knowledge,
support and encouragement.”

Registration Form

Early Bird Registration: $40 / After October 13 – $45 / Students are Free

Multi – Author Fair
A Multi-author book signing event will be held
from 1:30-3:00 at Hedgehog.INK!
Gently Used Books and So
Much More, located at 16
S. Main Fort Scott, KS.

There is no fee
for the Book
Signing event.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County In KS Drought Emergency

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Governor Updates Declaration of Drought Emergency, Warnings and Watches for Kansas Counties

The Governor’s Drought Response Team examines conditions; and recommends updates to the Governor

 

Governor Laura Kelly has approved updated drought declarations for Kansas counties with Executive Order #23-04.

“Kansans have been resilient in the face of drought this past year,” said Governor Kelly. “Even with some regions receiving significant rainfall, I strongly encourage all Kansans to continue to be mindful of ways we can conserve water and minimize fire hazards.”

The drought declaration placed 55 counties into an emergency status, 18 counties in a warning status and 32 into a watch status. This action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. While most of western Kansas have seen relief from drought in the last two months, central and southeast Kansas have continued to be dry, with nearly 30 percent of Kansas currently in extreme or exceptional drought.

“We are still seeing the effects of the drought conditions from the past year. With drought conditions persisting throughout parts of the state, we are continuing to see stressed surface and ground water supplies, negative effects on crop production and elevated wildfire risk,” said Owen. “The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.”

Through an interagency agreement between the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and Kansas Division of Emergency Management, counties in emergency stage are eligible for emergency use of water from certain state fishing lakes. These counties also become eligible for water in some federal reservoirs.

Individuals and communities need to contact the Kansas Water Office for a water supply request prior to any withdrawals from lakes. These requests will in turn be referred to the appropriate office to obtain necessary permits to withdraw requested water.

 

This Executive Order shall remain in effect for those counties identified until rescinded by Executive Order ending the declaration or revising the drought stage status of the affected counties.

 

Effective immediately, Executive Order #23-04:

 

  • Declares a Drought Emergency, Warning or Watch for the counties as identified below;
  • Authorizes and directs all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch, warning or emergency level drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.

 

The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the negative drought-induced effects on Kansans.

For more detailed information about current conditions, visit the Climate and Drought webpage on the Kansas Water Office website at kwo.ks.gov.

County Drought Stage Declarations:

Drought Emergency: Allen, Anderson, Barton, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cloud, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Dickinson, Edwards, Elk, Ellis, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Gove, Graham, Greenwood, Harvey, Hodgeman, Jewell, Kiowa, Lane, Lincoln, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Neosho, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Phillips, Pratt, Reno, Republic, Rice, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Sedgwick, Smith, Stafford, Sumner, Trego, Wilson, Woodson.

 

Drought Warning: Cherokee, Clay, Decatur, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Johnson, Kingman, Labette, Linn, Miami, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, Sheridan, Wabaunsee, Washington.

 

Drought Watch: Atchison, Barber, Brown, Cheyenne, Clark, Comanche, Doniphan, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Harper, Haskell, Jackson, Jefferson, Kearny, Leavenworth, Logan, Marshall, Meade, Morton, Nemaha, Rawlins, Scott, Seward, Sherman, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Wallace, Wichita, Wyandotte.

 

# # #

 

Bourbon County, Business

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team to Award $49,000 in Grants

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Health is economic stability. The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc. (HBCAT) aims to increase access to wealth building opportunities to Bourbon County residents through our local and regional partnerships at the Action Team’s Center for Economic Growth.

Providing local businesses expertise and guidance, particularly in these very turbulent times, has shown to be a critical resource to
increase the number of business start-ups and number of available quality jobs.

HBCAT will be awarding nine grants totaling $49,000 on August 23 rd in their office at 104 N National Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 at 12 pm. The event will be broadcast live on Facebook and is also open for the public to attend in person and celebrate the grant awardees.

With the support of the Patterson Family Foundation, the HBCAT has awarded a total of $195,000 to low-income, minority owned, women owned or food-based businesses in the past two years. Each grantee is a client of the Pittsburg State Small
Business Development Center (PSU SBDC) at the Action Team’s Center for Economic Growth.

There has been a total of four grant cycles in the past two years.
Please join us in congratulating following businesses:

Restaurant/Food Retail Recipient ($7000):
Brick Street BBQ
Brick Street BBQ, a women-owned start-up has a mission is to bring quality BBQ to Bourbon County.
“Fork tender and delectable” describe the smoked offerings found at Brick Street BBQ. It’s not just the meats that get a new twist, but also the sauces which come in nontraditional tasty flavors. They have a wholesale agreement with E3 Meat Co. to sell E3 Beef Products.

Lotus Express
Lotus Express, a minority-owned business, is a staple Chinese restaurant in Fort Scott. Families can dine in with generous servings and affordable prices, or they can take out and eat it at home watching their favorite movie!

Lotus also has a drive-through for those on-the-go families that need a quick, quality meal. Lotus’ menu has many different options of Chinese entree staples like General Tso, Sweet and
Sour, Chicken Lo Mein, and the local favorite, Meme’s Chicken. All meals are cooked from scratch and made fresh for their customers. Lotus is looking forward to establishing local connections through
farmers/ranchers and other small businesses to support the community.

7 Low-Income, Minority, or Women Owned Startup Businesses Recipients ($5,000 each):
The BEE Better Health Club
BEE Better Health Club, a low-income startup, will provide a variety of fitness classes at their gym located just south of Fort Scott, Kansas. Some of the classes offered are group fitness, personal training, kid sessions, and nutrition training. At this health club, the community members are tight-knit, which will serve as accountability for everyone to strive for a healthier life. This gym will increase access to physical activity in Bourbon County, giving another option for community members to better their
health. There are different memberships offered that will fit the different needs of the clients. BEE Better Health Club will also offer classes for youth. The importance of routine fitness throughout the
summer is important, especially for youth .

Country Kids Daycare
Country Kids childcare, a women-owned establishment, is available to children aged 3 months to 12 years of age. Country Kids encourages positive childhood development by providing opportunities for children to meet new friends, try out new activities and learn through play. Children’s happiness,
security, social and cognitive development are Country Kids Daycare main objectives.

Morning Birds Daycare
Haley Ellis is the owner of Morning Birds Daycare, a woman-owned childcare provider, and has recognized the need for childcare in Bourbon County. She decided to open a KDHE-licensed daycare,
Morning Birds Childcare, LLC, on August 28th, 2022. At Morning Birds Childcare, the children’s health and education are priorities. Haley makes sure that the kids are active and eating healthy foods. The daycare will be accepting DCF in the near future. She makes sure that she has the max capacity for infant care, because of the great need in Bourbon County.

Organized by Karis
Karis Poyner started the business Organized by Karis, a woman- and minority-owned startup business at the beginning of 2023. She realizes the importance of having a clean, quality place
to live. The clients she helps often aren’t able to clean or organize their belongings, or they don’t have the time and energy. She’s providing the services to fulfill that need and reduce
health risks that can come from irregular cleaning.

Refine MedSpa
Kayla Boyd, owner of the woman-owned startup Refine MedSpa, received services at HBCAT’s Center for Economic Growth. With the beauty industry growing quickly, the need for more advanced
medical spas is increasing drastically. The business will be offering these advanced services to Bourbon County and surrounding areas, including Botox®, filler, micro needling, cryotherapy, and vitamin
injections. Laser hair removal, other laser therapies, and additional advanced medical spa services are planned as future offerings. Refine MedSpa’s goal is to increase their patients’ happiness with their complexions and health. Refine MedSpa will have affordable prices for these luxurious services that will attract people from all over.

Hulbert’s Jewelry dba Bartlesmeyer Jewelry
Krysta Hulbert worked with the Center for Economic Growth team to prepare loan documents to open this new woman-owned business. Krysta is the sole owner of the business. After learning the unique skills from John Bartelsmeyer, her husband will become a full-time employee. Hulbert’s Jewelry will
purchase the inventory from Bartelsmeyer as a part of the business acquisition. “We are keeping the name Bartelsmeyer Jewelry for the store,” she said. “We know that the store’s name carries ahistory of honesty and integrity, and we are excited to carry on that legacy.”

Tiny Green and Herbs
Tiny Greens and Herbs, LLC is a new woman-owned microgreens business located in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Tiny Greens and Herbs will provide Bourbon County families and community members with convenient, year-round access to locally grown, nutrient-packed greens and herbs. This startup produces sustainably grown microgreens, which are tiny, immature vegetable and herb plants that are packed with up to 40 times more nutrients than their full-grown counterparts. Sometimes these nutrients are referred to as phytonutrients, phytochemicals or antioxidants. These plant-produced compounds provide health benefits to the body. Along with antioxidants, microgreens are loaded with vitamins, minerals, flavor, and are easy to prepare and fun to eat!

The HBCAT grant program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation with the intent to increase access to local resources that help provide opportunity for economic stability and reduced poverty, with a broader goal of encouraging upward mobility in employment. Each applicant is required to enroll with
the Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University (PSU SBDC.)

Located at the university’s Center for Economic Growth, the applicant will work with a local team to develop a
sustainable business plan with three-year financial projections.
To build more resilient food systems, grants to food retail, restaurant and farmer/rancher have an additional eligibility requirement to build and document wholesale relationships.
Supporting local foods and local food production offers multiple benefits:
• Providing incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation;
• Expanding consumer choice and fresh food access;
• Improving negotiating power to local producers;
• Supporting rural economic revitalization; and
• Protecting the food system against severe shocks through decentralization of production.

According to Smart Growth America, in today’s world, business growth is driven by collaboration among
many types of entities that must interact frequently and work together creatively. Operating within this
new model, the Center for Economic Growth is a multi-partner collaboration of the HBCAT, Fort Scott
Area Chamber of Commerce, PSU Small Business Development Center (PSU SBDC), Southeast
KANSASWORKS and multiple local business owners.
PSU SBDC is available to businesses in southeast Kansas to provide technical assistance for the
development of business plans needed to secure capital and increase the chances of successful
ventures. Southeast KANSASWORKS is the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) that serves 17
counties in southeast Kansas, including Bourbon County. Southeast KANSASWORKS contributes to
economic growth and business expansion by ensuring the workforce system is job-driven, matching
employers with skilled individuals.
For more information about services provided at the Center for Economic Growth, please contact Rachel
Carpenter by emailing [email protected]
Find us on social media! On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter #healthybbco
Background of The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy
Kansas Community. Its mission is to increase access to healthy food and physical activity,
promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance quality of life and encourage economic
growth. The problems of health inequity and social injustice are complex in nature and
inextricably linked to key economic indicators. A healthy workforce is a prerequisite for
economic success in any industry and in all cities.

Contact information:
Jody Hoener, President and CEO
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-2892
[email protected]

Rachel Carpenter, Program Coordinator
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc
620-215-2562
[email protected]

Mary Hunt, Interim Operations Director
Southeast KANSASWorks
Desk: 620-232-1222
Cell: 620-670-0006
Website: www.sekworks.org

Dacia Clark, Assistant Director, PSU SBDC
[email protected]
785-445-2537

Lindsay Madison, President and CEO
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
(620) 223-3566

Continue reading The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team to Award $49,000 in Grants →

Bourbon County, Schools

New WBE Principal: Tracy Smith

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Tracy Smith. Submitted photo.

After 38 years in the Uniontown School District, Tracy Smith, will serve as part-time West Bourbon Elementary School  principal for this school year.

“I have been in education for 44 years and retired  twice, but now one more year,” he said.

Smith is teaming with Anita Lightcup in principal duty-sharing.

“I’ll be on duty Monday, Tuesday and alternating Wednesdays,” he said. “Anita will be alternating Wednesday, Thursday and, Friday.”

Smith earned a Bachelor of Science from Ottawa University and a
Masters in Administration, from Pittsburg State University.

For him the greatest part of the job “is mentoring, helping and developing kids, teens, children in general to become good, productive members of our communities.”

“In comparison to ‘what it was like’ when I was a kid, or even a beginning teacher…it is a much different society….It is imperative that we create a loving, supportive environment where positive growth can happen. So, being aware of every child’s needs as they come into my building is my #1 priority, and then, I problem solve.”

Vance Eden is the Superintendent of the school district. Robert Onelio is the new principal at Uniontown Jr/Sr High School.

There are 10 new teachers in the district.