USD 234 Board Meeting Agenda
May 10, 2022 – 6:30 p.m.
- Open the meeting
- Flag Salute
- Executive session – to discuss employee-employer negotiations for the 2022-23 school year
- Adjourn
USD 234 Board Meeting Agenda
May 10, 2022 – 6:30 p.m.
USD 234 Board Meeting Agenda
May 9, 2022 – 5:30 p.m.
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Tourism is the act of spending time away from home in pursuit of recreation, relaxation, and pleasure, while using commercial services, according to Britannica Dictionary.
Local tourism is looking healthy as evidenced by the transient guest tax from 2015 through 2022, which just completed its first quarter, JacksonTough, Fort Scott’s Public Relations and Tourism Director said.
“Transient guest tax is probably the most common form of raising funds to promote tourism in a given community,” Tough said. “It’s simply a tax on hotel/motel rooms that visitors pay when they stay in Fort Scott.”
“Residents do not pay into the tourism tax unless they happen to stay in a hotel/motel in Fort Scott,” he said. “Advertising funds are primarily used for promotion of Fort Scott; from print ads, brochure distribution, website maintenance, materials to target motorcoach tours and conferences, social media ad placement, among others.”
The City of Fort Scott has had several tourism directors through the years whose job it is to promote events and attractions
Tough started last June as the newest public relations and tourism director.
Earlier this year, his office was moved from city hall to the Bourbon County Regional Economical Development Inc. office on the second floor of the Landmark Bank, 200 S. Main, he said. He is still an employee of the city but the move allows he and the REDI Executive Director Rob Harrington to work more closely.
Because tourism is also a form of economic development the city commission and the REDI board agreed that it would be smart for the two entities to work side by side, Tough said.
“Like Rob’s job is to help existing businesses increase and to facilitate new business, my job is to help grow existing tourism as well as promote for new events and tourism attractions to Fort Scott,” Tough said.
“I’m very excited about the direction we’re headed in, Harrington said. “Jackson and I work well together. He has his own economic development experience when he was in broadcast marketing and management and also through the chamber of commerce. He has put together a solid plan for marketing Fort Scott tourism into the future.”
“Even though tourism is on the rise there’s always room for improvement,” Tough said. “We are constantly researching opportunities. Whether it’s the possibility of more motor sports, expansion of rodeo events, adding disc golf or baseball tournaments.”
“There has been discussion of combining and incorporating Gordon Parks, Company D – 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment and other little known and under told stories of progressive African American leaders and events from the Fort Scott area,” Tough said. “It’s an inspirational story that should be told about our area.”
“Advertising funds are primarily used for promotion of Fort Scott; from print ads, brochure distribution, website maintenance, materials to target motorcoach tours and conferences, social media ad placement, among others.”
To view the prior story on the mud run:
Watch Fun in the Mud April 23-24 at Bo Co Fairgrounds
“We recently hosted two new events to Fort Scott,” Tough said. “The first annual Fort Scott Mud Run at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds drew approximately 500 visitors to town last month. The first annual National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) youth race at Gunn Park, also in April, brought approximately 400 visitors to Fort Scott.”
This month Bourbon County hosted with Crawford and Cherokee counties the 2022 Big Kansas Road Trip which features three Kansas counties each year.
The three counties cooperated to invite folks from across Kansas to explore the area.
“It’s been a fantastic event to be a part of!” Tough said.
These Are Events The Fort Scott Tourism Office Works With
“We also promote Dolly the Trolley, the U.S.National Cemetery #1, our Historic Downtown District, as well as other events/attractions” Tough said.
“Fort Scott Tourism is continuing to build a strong brand, expand our social media reach, and target consumers that fit our primary visitor demographics,” Tough said. “Brand awareness is critical to building a relationship with travelers. We will continue to utilize creative concepts that deliver…measurable results. A unique proposition targeted to prospective travelers can create consumer engagement.”
For more information about Fort Scott tourism click www.VisitFortScott.com to discover more events, attractions, excellent eateries, cozy accommodations and more.
The Design Review Board will meet on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Today is the annual big fundraiser for Christian Heights School, 1101 S. Barbee that helps provide necessities for the small Christian school.
“We’ve done Country Store for 56 years,” Principal Larry Davolt said. “It helps us with special projects for the school. In the past a new roof, a new floor, computers, you name it. It goes beyond our little budget for operations.”
This year is it today, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is comprised of a flea market/ rummage sale, bakery, plant sale and a silent auction of donated items. And food: homemade ice cream, taco salads, hamburgers, malts, shakes, sodas, home made desserts and then the Chicken Annie’s Fried Chicken dinner at 4 p.m.
The dinner time lasts from 4 -6 p.m. and one can also order BBQ beef, salad, rolls and homemade pies for $6 for adults and $3 for children.
At 6 p.m. is a auction for merchandise supplied by area merchants and individuals.
The event is sponsored by the Fort Scott Christian Heights Parent-Teacher Fellowship.
About the school
Christian Heights is a pre-school through 12th grade Christian school.
“We’ve been here since 1947,” DaVolt said. “My motto is ‘We provide quality education in a Christian environment.'”
The school has 75 students and a staff of 10. DaVolt also teaches science classes in addition to being principal.
The pre-school is three days a week and all other school grades are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
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An annual Kansas tourism promotion is coming to our portion of the state today, May 6 and tomorrow, May 7. The event is promoting Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford Counties.
“We’ve had a steady stream of visitors,” Lindsay Madison, Executive Director of Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce said on Thursday. She and her staff are welcoming them and giving info about the event. The Chamber is located at 231 E. Wall.
The Big Kansas Road Trip is designed to encourage people to explore different parts of our state by visiting it, with the hope of bolstering Kansas communities, according to their website.
To learn about agri-tourism sites, events and other things to do, visit:
Those of us who live in Bourbon County are encouraged to explore with tourists on these days as well.
The Big Kansas Road Trip is promoted through the Kansas Sampler Foundation whose mission is to preserve and sustain Kansas culture by educating Kansans about Kansas and networking/supporting local communities, according to its website.
There are some great eating places in Bourbon County, to choose one see the BKRT listing: EAT IN LOCAL CAFES
If you want to explore our county, check out the places that are listed in the Big Kansas Road Trip website:
The two-story wooden structure just outside the fort’s entrance was built around 1864 to help Fort Scott (town and post) defend against anticipated Confederate advances. Fortunately, no attacks occurred.
Built of red brick and limestone in the Modern Eclecticism style, the 1930 Bourbon County courthouse stands with solid authority on the square at 210 S. National. Visitors are welcome to go to the third-floor courtroom (if court is not in session) to view the 1929 D.H. Overmeyer mural Justice Enthroned. A Civil War cannon, war memorials, and a GAR monument guard the front lawn. Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm.
On the west side of this 103 acre state fishing lake you’ll find a good place to cast your line for channel cat and largemouth/spotted bass. Also find several fishing piers, boat ramp and a floating dock. The waterfall usually runs a short period during the spring from early April through the end of June. You’ll find the waterfall on the north end of the lake, about a quarter mile from Ivory Rd. For detailed directions, click on Read More below, which takes you to Keith Stokes (Kansas Explorer #4392, Kansas Travel website.) Photo courtesy Keith Stokes.
In the early 1900s a large brick plant here produced 100,000 bricks every 10 days. The bricks cost two to four cents each, and a daily shipment filled approxi-mately a dozen rail cars. Fort Scott bricks were used in the construction of the Panama Canal and for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (nicknamed the Brickyard when its track was bricked in 1911). More than 10 miles of brick streets remain in Fort Scott. They are included in the Downtown Fort Scott National Register for Historic Places designation. https://tinyurl.com/FortScottBrickStreets
Charles and Spruce (City Park). Posed in the middle of the park is one of only four white-bronze (cast zinc) Civil War statues in the state. Dedicated in 1907, this sentinel style soldier is more commonly seen in northern states.
A small blue sign on the east side of town tells you that Bronson was home to the first horseshoe pitching tournament in the world! Although not the same horseshoe pits as those in the 1909 tournament, the pits in City Park at Charles and Spruce welcome you to bring your own horseshoes and play.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Three members made up the total congregation of this church when it was formed in 1859. When the 1888 church was razed, many of the bricks and materials were reused to build the present 1924 church. The auditorium, which seats 1,000, held the funeral for famed photographer and native son Gordon Parks in 2006. Church will be open 9am-4pm daily. Sunday services at 10:30am.
Oak to Third and Scott to National. Despite fires, including the most recent in 2005, and the federal urban renewal project in the 1960s that demolished 85 historic buildings, the downtown still boasts 58 contributing buildings to the historic district designation. https://tinyurl.com/FortScottHistDist
The driving tour brochure describes 46 sites and provides an excellent overview of the town, particularly of the architectural history of downtown buildings. Brochures are available at the Visitor Information Center, 231 E. Wall or visit their website and download the brochure.
The trolley guided and self-guided tours point out gravestones for U.S. Colored troops, Native American soldiers, buffalo soldiers, Confederates from the 1864 Mine Creek battle, and memorials to those who never came home from various wars. A large glacial stone marks the grave of illustrious poet Eugene Ware (1841-1911) who also was an editor, Civil War soldier, author, and founder of the first Fort Scott public library. In 1862 President Lincoln designated these grounds a national cemetery. A historic rostrum and an 1870 brick home also are within the cemetery.
Named for General Winfield Scott, the fort originally was established in 1842. Soldiers garrisoned here until 1853 to maintain peace between indigenous and relocated Indian tribes. In 1855 the government auctioned the fort structures to newly arriving settlers, and the area became the nucleus of the town of Fort Scott. During the Civil War, soldiers returned to Fort Scott and it became the supply and logistical center for the Union Army of the West. Today this restored post, administered by the National Park Service, showcases 20 historic structures with excellent exhibits inside the buildings and on the grounds. Open daily, ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. This attraction was voted as one of the top eight in the 8 Wonders of Kansas History category, sponsored by the Kansas Sampler Foundation. Visitor Center open daily, 8am-5pm (summer); 8:30am-4:30pm (winter hours).
Built in the Beaux Arts style, the 1904 two-story red-brick Carnegie library (NRHP) still operates as the Fort Scott library. Thu-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm; Sat 9:30am-1:30pm.
From Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, through Fort Scott, and north to Fort Leavenworth, this byway follows the old military road established between 1838 and 1845 to connect these forts. Supporters of both the free-state and proslavery causes also used this road during our state’s territorial period. Interpretative signage located in front of the fort along Old Fort Boulevard.
Three distinct eras and architectural designs are apparent in the former Fulton School, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The red-brick two-story school building was built in 1917, the stone gymnasium was a 1936 WPA project, and the brick one-story cafeteria was added in 1964. Closed as a school in 1978, the building is now a community center. Photo courtesy KSHS.org.
Fulton is located about 20 minutes north of Fort Scott along Old U.S. 69. Since 1927 traffic has crossed the Little Osage River on the sturdy Marsh rainbow single-arch bridge. In Fulton, from E. Spruce, go ½ mile north on 215th and drive over the bridge.
From 23rd, 1½ miles south on U.S. 69, then ½ mile west on Indian. Look for a black vertical stone in the cemetery’s north end (section 7) by the road. On either side of the stone is a Parks’ poem, “Homecoming” and “A Sign by the Road.” His flat gray gravestone is behind this marker.
Gordon Parks, born in Fort Scott in 1912, was a pioneer for blacks in the fields of photography, filmmaking, and writing. His photos depicting poverty and racism, among other subjects, were potent pictures in Life magazine for 20 years. Impressive exhibits and artifacts are on display to help you know Parks and the topics he cared about. See his writing desk, a film camera and tripod, and some of his iconic photographs including those of the Tuskegee Airmen, Muhammad Ali, and American Gothic. The museum will be open extra hours for BKRT visitors. Gordon Parks was voted as one of the top eight in the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art category, sponsored by the Kansas Sampler Foundation. Thu-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat 10am-4pm.
In 1910 W.C. Gunn donated the land for Gunn Park and some 20 years later the WPA added the main lake and stone shelter houses and walls. Newer additions include an 18-hole disc golf course, numerous biking and hiking trails, a dog park, and a second lake stocked with trout.
For years Gunn Park had its own caretaker who lived on site with his family. In 1927 caretaker E.V. Kelley built two doll houses for his young daughters Nadine and Jenny. Quite unique, they are more like miniature houses, built outdoors and made of stone. In 2016 the local Kiwanis Club restored and rebuilt the wee buildings, and as you enter Gunn Park you’ll see them to the south. The abandoned caretaker’s home is nearby.
Some say it’s like being in the Ozarks! Opened in 2003, Kansas Rocks Recreation Park provides trails for mountain bikers, hikers, utility vehicles, and four-wheel-drive vehicles (5 mph speed limit). As you might expect, you’ll come across plenty of rocks! What you might not expect is the 200-foot elevation change in these 400 acres. Kanrocks, as the park is known, is a wonderful getaway to enjoy the outdoors in a beautiful rocky terrain. Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 8am-5pm. Admission charge.
Stop by and see the impressive, state-of-the-art LaRoche Baseball Complex. The Dave Regan Stadium inside the LaRoche Baseball Complex features 500 stadium seats, 500 bleacher seats, and room for 2500 on the grassy berms. The complex was funded by major league baseball star, Adam LaRoche, who graduated from high school in Fort Scott. “In the majors, LaRoche played for the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburg Pirates, Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks before joining the Nationals in 2011. He had his best season in 2012, winning a Gold Glove and hitting 33 home runs with 100 RBIs in leading Washington to its first National League East Division title.”
This state-of-the-art exhibition space recognizes unsung heroes who stood up for others, often at great risk to themselves. Their compelling stories are told through inter- active kiosks and displays. Two of these brave heroes are Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who rescued more than 2,500 Jewish children during WWII; and Ken Reinhardt, who befriended the first black students to attend his high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. Additional heroes are recognized every year. The center is named for international philanthropist and education supporter Lowell Milken. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-4pm.
Named the National Avenue Bridge and painted bright rust orange, the 1933 Marsh rainbow single-arch bridge stands out as it spans the Marmaton River. From 1st, ½ mile north on National. Learn more about Marsh Arch bridges in Kansas by clicking on Read More below.
Pine Lawn Cemetery was established circa 1869 by the Jewish burial society as the interment grounds for the Jewish community that thrived in Fort Scott in the 1880s and 1890s. From E. Wall, 3 miles south on U.S. 69/K-7, ½ mile west on Ironwood, then ¼ mile south on 215th. Photo courtesy Diana Staresinic-Deane, read Diana’s blog: https://tinyurl.com/53r2rsa3
“Border Gateways”, a 1937 oil on canvas by Oscar E. Berninghaus, depicts pioneers in covered wagons coming into the newly established Kansas Territory in 1854. This New Deal (Depression era) Section artwork can be viewed by entering the Post Office lobby and take the elevator to 2nd floor. Section Art was a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art contest. Click on Read More to learn more!
The 50 acre Rock Creek Lake is an integral part of the city and rural water reserve system. Located on the Marmaton River, and surrounded by deep woods, Rock Creek serves as a habitat for wildlife as well as a quiet haven for fishermen, canoeists and campers. Discover the Rock Creek Falls during rain season! Drive west on 18th Street. The street name will change to Kansas Road and after an unpaved stretch, will turn south becoming 195th Street, which runs along the east side of Rock Creek Lake. Pull into the park at the north end of Rock Creek Lake and follow the narrow gravel road across the dam to the turn around next to the falls.
The fall of 1968 in Fort Scott, Kansas, marked a historical time when the first major Hollywood motion picture was directed by a black film director, Kansas’ native son, Gordon Parks. The Learning Tree, released in 1969, is based on a semi-autobiographical novel that Gordon Parks wrote in 1963. Several of the scenes were filmed on location in and around Fort Scott and Mound City. Hundreds of people from both Fort Scott and Mound City area were a part of the film as extras, with a few having speaking roles in the film. The Learning Tree Trail is a series of signs located at the different scene locations where the filming of The Learning Tree took place. The signs will also include QR codes along with a virtual tour of the identified scene locations of the film. Click on the Read More link for more information.
The trolley driver doubles as guide offering an informative 50-minute tour around town in an old-fashioned trolley. You’ll learn about the national cemetery, “painted ladies,” the horse race track, Mark Twain’s secretary’s studio, Pill Hill, and all sorts of intriguing Fort Scott history. It’s a marvelous starting point for your Fort Scott explorations. $6 for adults; $4 for kids (12 & Under); Free for kids under 3. Find the trolley at the Fort Scott Visitor Information Center. Thu-Fri 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm; Sat 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm; Sun 1pm, 2pm.
Vinedo Del Alamo is the first winery in the world to bottle Arandell grapes, from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, without the use of other blends and varieties. We have been actively growing and harvesting grapes since 2011. Take a relaxing self guided tour of the vineyard which will be in full bloom. The winery is an actual working farm that includes camping, wine tastings and much more! A free tasting with the purchase of one bottle of wine.
It’s May, the time for graduations throughout the county.
On May 3, the 15 New Generation Preschool students performed songs for their loved ones during a graduation ceremony.
Amy Boyd, director of the childcare facility, introduced the teachers and thanked them for all they have done for the children during the year. Preschool teachers are Cynthia Witham, Angel Harper and AnnaMarie Simon.
Just before the graduation program started, Linda Logan, a trainer and program coordinator for Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children, presented Boyd and Beth Nuss, administrator of the New Generation, with a recognition of their 32 years commitment to young children.
Boyd and Nuss are retiring.
“As of May 13, we are finished with this building,” Nuss said in an interview. “New owners will start in about a week after that.”
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