Category Archives: Fort Scott

Young Entrepreneur: Benjamin Shead

This is part of a series featuring young entrepreneurs in our community.

Following the first set of stories on young entrepreneurs in our community, an anonymous donor  wrote fortscott.biz that he wanted to grant each one of the featured youth with $50.

To view the prior story: Young Entrepreneurs Series Spawns An Anonymous Benefactor

If you know of a child, under 18 years of age, that is creating products or providing services to sell to the public, please send their name and phone number to [email protected]

Fortscott.biz wants to  encourage the youth who are learning business by doing it.

Benjamin Shead. Submitted photo.

Benjamin Shead,13, has an online tutoring  business.

“Some classes I have guided other students in are geometry, Latin, sixth grade math, formal logic, algebra 1 and 2,” he said.

“Most of my clients contact me through Facebook,” Benjamin said. “I also take students when my sister’s (Katy Shead) schedule is too busy.”

“I started tutoring when my sister’s schedule was getting packed with students,” he said. “This showed me that I enjoyed helping other people in their educational trouble areas.”

“I tutor so that I can revisit material that I enjoyed learning but am no longer being taught,”  he said. “Tutoring gives me the ability to experience a class again, this time on a deeper level, the level of teaching the material. I also enjoy finding new ways to explain a concept and tutoring gives me a purpose for the exploration of these ways.”

“One subject I really enjoy tutoring is Formal Logic,” Benjamin said. “It is awesome to learn how to explain proofs by comparing them to a hidden treasure or something else that the student understands better than proofs.”

“While it is a lot better for kids to be tutored, if they need it, across the school year, I sometimes help kids in last-minute cramming sessions for math and logic finals,” he said. “These sessions provide a last-minute review, and it gives kids confidence to try their best on this last assignment.”

Benjamin lives just outside the Fort Scott city limits with his sister, Katy and parents Mark and Haley Shead.

Benjamin Shead works on collatz conjecture. Submitted photo.

Benjamin submitted this photo of him working on a math problem called a collatz conjecture.

Here is his explanation of collatz conjecture:

“The collatz conjecture is a theory about mathematics which is believed to be true but no one has been able to prove yet,” Benjamin said. “It states that if any odd whole number is plugged into the formula (3n+1)/2, if any even number is divided by two, and every number is plugged back into one of these formulas, a formula will eventually reach one.”

 

 

 

New U234 Teachers: Woods, Hendricks

This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in USD 234, Fort Scott.

Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :

August 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is the Fort Scott High School Open House at 1005 S Main St, Fort Scott.

School starts on August 18

 
Nicolas Woods. Submitted photo.
Nicholas Woods, 25, is a new history teacher at Fort Scott High School, teaching world, American, and local history.
He graduated from Pittsburg State University and did his student teaching at Carl Junction. This is his first year teaching.
“My past teachers motivated me to be a teacher,” he said. “I liked school, but at times I struggled with learning. I want to be there for the students that struggled like I did. I believe I bring a different perspective that students can appreciate and learn from.”
“The best thing about teaching for me so far is seeing a student who was struggling succeed,” he said. “That could be as little as a student passing a test or as big as boosting their grade by two letters. You should always celebrate success.”
“I would say one of the biggest challenges in teaching for me is connecting with students,” he said. “I feel I connect with students/people easily, but as a teacher you are not going to reach every student. There will be students that don’t like your class or even you for that matter and no matter how hard you try you won’t change their mind. The best thing I can do is give all students the tools and guidance they need to succeed and hope for the best.”
Woods hometown is Fort Scott,  and he is a 2016 high school  graduate.

His uncle Donald Woods was a custodian for the high school for many years and owned a moving business and late aunt Joyce Woods was a grade school teacher at Winfield Scott for many years, he said.

Woods hobbies include golfing, fishing , and playing basketball.

Caleb Hendricks. Submitted photo.

Caleb Hendricks, 27, is a new Winfield Scott Physical Education Teacher and Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Girls Basketball Coach.

He has six years experience in education, with  three years as a certified teacher.

He earned his  bachelors degree from Fort Hays State University and his hometown is Sterling.

 

“Growing up some of the most rewarding experiences I had were as a camp counselor, coach, and youth group leader,” he said. “Working with kids and seeing their growth and accomplishment in different areas has always given me a sense of purpose.”

“The relationships that I have made with both students and staff over the years is definitely the best part of being in education. That’s really what it’s always been all about for me. Being in a position that allows me to coach and connect with kids in that element has always been a very important thing for me as well.”

A challenge for him is growing and adapting to how kids and the world are changing, he said.

“Finding new ways to connect and relate with kids can be challenging at times for sure,” he said. “Having worked with both elementary and  middle and high school ages, though, I feel like that has helped me better understand where kids are coming from and the different challenges they face. Then I feel like I’m in a better position to support them the best I can.”

He is married to Sarah Hendricks, who is a 4th Grade Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School and they have a 4 month-old son, Braxton.

His hobbies include football, Fantasy Football, golf, coaching, basketball, home improvement projects.

 

Chamber Coffee at Credo Senior Living on August 17

ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Credo Senior Living & Memory Care

Thursday, August 17th

8am

820 South Horton

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee hosted by Credo Senior Living located at 820 S. Horton. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.

 

Credo Senior Living, recently rebranded from Country Place Senior Living, offers seniors a spectrum of care including Independent Living, three levels of Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Also available are Adult Day Services and Respite Care, both short-term senior care options. The company was established over twenty years ago with the intention to provide a high-quality senior living option to Kansas’ sometimes underserved rural communities. With seven locations in the state, Credo Senior Living and Memory Care’s corporate and local teams feel fortunate to have been a part of the Fort Scott community for almost eight years.

Chamber Coffees are held each Thursday at 8am for members to network, make announcements, and learn about the host business or organization. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information or to inquire about available dates for hosting a Coffee.

 

Click here for their Facebook page!

We hope to see you there!

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

U234 Press Release for August 14 Board Meeting

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, August 14, 2023

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 14, 2023, 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
    • 07/17/2023 Regular Meeting
    • 08/07/2023 Special Meeting
  • Financials-Cash Flow Report
  • Check Register
  • Payroll – July 20, 2023 – $1,619,878.22
  • Activity Fund accounts
  • USD 234 Gifts

 

The board approved the following items:

  • Addition of two (2) full-time substitute positions
  • Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year
  • KASB Policy Updates
  • SRO Agreement with the City of Fort Scott
  • MOU with Learning Tree Institute
  • Personnel Report following

 

Superintendent Destry Brown provided an update on the first day back for staff and the training on PBIS, which stands for Positive Behavior Intervention Support. There will be a breakfast for staff on Tuesday morning, followed by a welcome back ceremony. Mr. Brown noted the annual FSKNEA scholarship bucket auction.

 

 

Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, reported on the new teacher orientation that included 22 new teachers. Mrs. Smith reported on the training that took place in the district as teachers came back. She also noted that open houses will be on Tuesday for FSMS and FSHS and Wednesday for the Fort Scott Preschool Center, Winfield Scott Elementary, and Eugene Ware Elementary. Mrs. Smith answered questions from the board on professional development on assessment programs.

 

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, recognized her administrative assistant for special education for the excellent work she is doing, and the tech team’s wonderful job. Mrs. Barnes updated the board on a para mentoring program that has been put in place for this year, providing general education teachers access to IEPs through PowerSchool, and updated the board on an Autism Team meeting.

 

Gina Shelton, Finance Director, reported on the roll out of Red Rover, which is a substitute and absence management system, movement of funds from the Friends of USD 234 checking account into fund 64 within the district’s accounts, and provided an update on ESSER III spending. Mrs. Shelton noted that the budget had been published in the paper and posted to the website.

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

August 14, 2023

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

  • Allen, Joseph – Transportation Director effective September 1, 2023
  • Harrington, Kathryn – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional effective August 14, 2023

 

EMPLOYMENT:

For the 2023-24 school year:

  • Garzone, Christopher – District Emergency Operations Coordinator

 

Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Kellogg, Jan – District Full-Time Substitute
  • Metcalf, Alvin – District Full-Time Substitute

 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Center, Ronette – Fort Scott Middle School PRIDE
  • Jones, Mesa – Fort Scott High School Play Assistant and Play #2 Assistant
  • King, Christina – Fort Scott High School Play Assistant
  • Lyon, Jarrett – Fort Scott High School Assistant Baseball Coach
  • Sprague, Sierra – Fort Scott High School Assistant Cheer Coach
  • Tourtillott, Jennifer – Winfield Scott Guiding Coalition
  • Mentors for the 2023-24 School Year

This week at City Hall

This week at City Hall:

 

TUES., AUG. 15TH – 6:00PM – Regular City Commission Meeting – Agenda available on www.fscity.org

WED., AUG. 16TH – 12:00PM – Airport Advisory Board Meeting – No agenda planned

THURS., AUG. 17TH – 5:00PM – Streets Advisory Board Meeting – No agenda planned

 

These meetings are open to the public and will be on the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.

 

Please publish and announce if possible. Thank you

 

 

Artificers Kids Still Life Painting in Sept. 16, Glaze Day is Sept. 23

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Calendar Correction!

Sorry for the inconvenience.

The kids still life painting is on 9/16 and glaze day is 9/23

Register For Classes Here!

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

AUGUST 14, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                     David Stewart, President

 

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

 

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            4.1       Board Minutes

  1. 07/17/2023 Regular Meeting
  2. 08/07/2023 Special Meeting

            4.2       Financials-Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – July 20, 2023 – $1,619,878.22

            4.5       Activity Fund accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

           

5.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

5.1 Student Recognition

5.2 Employee Recognition

5.3 Board Member Acknowledgements

 

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report

            6.4       Finance Director’s Report

                                               

7.0       Old Business

7.1       Addition of two (2) full-time substitute positions (Action Item)

 

 

 

8.0       New Business

8.1       Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year (Action Item)

Emergency Operations Plan

Employee – Classified

Employee Safety Manual

Federal

8.2       KASB Policy Updates (Action Item)

8.3       SRO Agreement with the City of Fort Scott (Action Item)

8.4       MOU with Learning Tree Institute (Action Item)

 

  9.0     Public Forum

 

10.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

10.2     Exit Executive Session

10.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

11.0     Adjourn Meeting

The Artificers In September

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The Artificers In September

September is almost here! Check out the calendar below for all the

classes and events happening this next Month!

September Classes Here!

Master Artist

Amy Smith

Mixed Media Artist

Master Artist Classes!

We have two unique classes Amy will be teaching September 2nd!

Both classes are ages fourteen and up! We cant wait to see you there!

Sign up Here!

Later in the Month…

DARRELL WILLIAMS

GRAPHITE & AIRBRUSH ARTIST

OPENING RECEPTION SEPTEMBER 29TH 6-9pm

MEET THE ARTIST SEPTEMBER 30TH 11-4pm

Darrell Williams has been creating artwork since childhood. His first commissions were for custom painted Hot Wheels cars. He has been perusing his interest in art and automobiles ever since. His mediums include airbrush, graphite, oils, and colored pencil. He composes pieces that have a sense of nostalgia highlighting his interest in classic vehicles and Americana. Williams will gladly create a custom piece for you. He also offers custom work on vehicles.

Check out all of our awesome classes here!

Agenda for Ft. Scott City Commission Meeting on August 15

                                                                                                       

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR        

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

August 15, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.   Roll Call:
  2.     VanHoecke       K. Harrington      E. Woellhof        M. Guns         M. Wells
  3.   Pledge of Allegiance & InvocationLed by E. Woellhof

III.    Approval of Agenda:

  1. Consent Agenda:
  2. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 25, 2023
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1341-A — $1,627,351.54
  4. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – $41,723.74

Invoice #16731 –    2022 Sanitary Sewer Inspection – $12,538.74

Peter W. Earles – 10.00hrs/$200.00 – $2,000.00

Shane Redfern – 48.50hrs/$48.50 – $6,741.50

Jason Dickman – 18.00hrs/&147.50 – $2,655.00

Amanda Simpson – 6.00hrs/$48.50 – $291.00

Mileage – 1,309.6 miles/0.65 – $851.24

 

Invoice #16727 –   South Horton St. & West 6th St.  –  $22,485.00

                            Preliminary Design (100%) – $6,210.00

Final Design (35%) – $16,275.00

 

Invoice #16726 – 21-303A – WWTP – System Designs – $6,700.00

                             Phase III – $3,500.00

Phase II – $3,200.00

 

  1.        Request to Pay – Invoice #08072301-EPEC-WWTP Aeration – $206,654.50

                                      Phase II Aeration Upgrade (Total: $826,618.00)

25% of Total due – $206,654.50

 

  1. Request to Pay –  Bourbon County –  I.T. Services 2023 –  $25,500.00

 

                              Shane Walker – $12,000.00

Jimmy Kemmerer $13,500.00

 

  1. July Financials

 

  1. Public Comment:   Sign up required.  Comments on any topic not on agenda

and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.

 

  1. Old Business:

 

  1. Consideration of bids for investment CDs from WWTP funds – B. Hart
  2. Consideration to approve purchase of split case pump and impellor for WTP- $31,052.92 – S. Flater
  3. Consideration to approve MOU to join Bourbon County Health in All Policies Task Force and select a City representative – TABLED 7/25 AND 8/1 –
  4. Consideration to adopt a new policy for City Commission Agenda deadlines
  5. Consideration to pay Diehl, Banwart, Bolton $18,150.00 (approved 7/25/2023) for Certified Audit of Records and Preparation of Audit Report for the year ending 12/31/22. Invoice #161402 indicates an additional $4,975.00 for Single Audit of Federal Funds. Total amount due $23,125.00 requiring a new motion.
  6. Approval to go out for bid for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension

 

 VII.   Appearances:  None

 

VIII.   Public Hearing:  None

 

  1.  New Business: 
  2. Consideration of Lake Campsite Improvements – B. Matkin
  3. Consideration of 14-Day Camping Regulation at Gunn Park (Ordinance No. 3606) and corresponding municipal codes
  4. Shelter House Price Increases for #2 and #6 (Ordinance No. 3607) and corresponding municipal codes
  5. Consideration to Approve Sale of General Obligation Bonds,  Series 2023 to USDA – B. Hart
  6. Consideration to Adopt Bond Ordinance No. 3752
  7. Consideration to Adopt Bond Resolution No. 10-2023
  8. Consideration to Approve Earls Engineering and Inspection, Inc. submission of work hours estimate for CCLIP US54-from US 69–Barbee Street – J. Dickman

 

  1. Reports and Comments:
  2. City Manager Comments:
  3. Engineering Comments:
  4. Commissioners Comments:
  5. VanHoecke –
  6. Harrington –
  7. Woellhof –
  8. Guns –
  9. Wells –

 

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

  1.  Executive Session:

 

XII.     Adjournment:

New U234 Teachers: Singmaster and Feeback

This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in USD 234.

Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :

Aug 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. is the monthly board of education meeting at 424 S. Main, Fort Scott.
August 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is the Fort Scott High School Open House at 1005 S Main St, Fort Scott.

School starts in the district on August 18.

 

Torrie Singmaster. Submitted photo.

Torrie Singmaster, 27,  is a new 6th grade math teacher at Fort Scott Middle School.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Ottawa University and will graduate with a Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction in May of 2024 from Ottawa University.

“I taught first grade at Winfield Scott Elementary for two years and one year at Humboldt Elementary School in fifth grade, she said.

“My favorite part of being a teacher is being able to watch students transform not only academically but personally as well,” Singmaster said. “I take pride in knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of my students.”

“After I became a mom, I wanted a career that would allow me to have more time with my kids,” she said. “I started subbing at the elementary school and immediately knew that education is the path I was supposed to take. I always enjoyed school growing up and that was due to the fact I had really amazing teachers along the way. I want to help students see their self-worth and be a safe place for all of my students to grow into the best versions of themselves.”

“The hardest part about being in education has been trying to figure out where I am the most successful as an educator,’ she said. “This will be the third different grade I have taught in my four years as a teacher. I was a para at the middle school for two years before getting my own classroom. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to transition to middle school and start this next journey in my career.”

She grew up in Fort Scott and she and husband Dakota, have two sons: William will be in first grade and Tyson will be starting preschool.

In their free time , they  enjoy golfing, playing cornhole, and driving RC cars and she also enjoys painting and doing projects.

Brennen Feeback. Submitted photo.
Brennen Feeback, 22, is a new special education teacher at Fort Scott High School.
“Growing up, I saw that the influence teachers could have on students’ lives, and I wanted to be someone that invested into these awesome students,” he said. “With my area of teaching, I think it is going to be really awesome to help each individual student find their different ways of success.”
“The biggest challenge that I will be facing is that this is my first year, but the group  (of educators)that I am going to be working with is very experienced and willing to help me,” he said.
Feeback graduated from Baker University this past May.
He grew up in Chanute, Kansas, but went to high school in Spring Hill. He just recently married his wife, Allisyn.
In his spare time he  likes watching “any sort of Missouri Tiger athletic activity, and doing any sort of activity that is outdoors,” he said.

 

Ft. Scott Area Community Foundation Summer 2023 Newsletter

News from the

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation

Please find our Summer 2023 Newsletter below.

Click here for a printable PDF copy.

NOTE: The newsletter below announces the 2023 Grant Cycle is open and accepting applications from August 1-31, 2023 from

501c3 organizations and other qualified entities.

Click here for the grant application link.

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Thank you for reading our

Summer 2023 Newsletter!

Contact us with questions or for more information:

Board President Craig Campbell: 620-224-0167

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.fsacf.com

Charitable donations to the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation

may be mailed to PO Box 901, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Connect with us:
Click here to Like the Foundation’s Facebook page.
Craig Campbell is the FSACF Board Chairman.