Fort Scott High School Orchestra perform during the Tri-Valley Awards. Submitted photo.
On Friday, May 5th, Tri-Valley Developmental Services held their 2023 Award Ceremony celebrating achievements from individuals and community support in Bourbon County. The ceremony took place at 1 pm at the Tri-Valley offices in Fort Scott. Awards were presented to the following:
Unified School District 234 424 South Main Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697 www.usd234.org 620-223-0800Fax 620-223-2760 DESTRY BROWN Superintendent Date:May 10, 2023 Submitted by Gina Shelton, Board Clerk, USD 234 Notice of GatheringSaturday, May 13, 2023 7:45 p.m.
Fort Scott High School Class of 2023 Graduation
Fort Scott High School
There may be a majority of USD 234 Board Members present at the Fort Scott High School, 1005 S Main, Fort Scott, Kansas, on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Even though a majority may be present, no school district business will be conducted.
Jesse Frye, from the Bourbon County Sheriff’s website.
Jesse Dean Frye was arrested on May 8 for vandalism of some businesses, a residence and a vehicle in the early morning hours on that day.
Charges for Frye are theft, a misdemeanor and criminal damage to property, a felony, with bond set at $2,500.
“He was involved in throwing rocks or objects through windows,” Lt. Caleb Bell, with the Fort Scott Police Department said.
“From the info we have, he is believed to be homeless,” Bells said.
“We have identified him in several security surveillance videos.” he said.
Those who were victims of the vandalism are the Lowell Milken Center, Empress Event Center, Iron Star Antiques, Merle Humphrey Photography, City State Bank, Patterson Dental Office, Farmers Insurance and the Jerry Witt residence in downtown Fort Scott.
In addition, a vehicle was vandalized as well.
Norm Conard, director of the Lowell Milken Center on North Main Street in the historic downtown area, said “On our security camera, the man threw a rock, it didn’t break the window. Then he put his feet in our fountain (adjacent to the building), then thew a rock a second time.”
The Witt’s have a residence in the historic district and said that they had some outside decor knocked over and some strewn about.
The next step in the process for Frye is “We will forward all the info to the Bourbon County Attorney’s office, then court proceedings will take place at a later date,” Bell said.
Chad Guthrie District Extension Agent, Crop production and Forage Management Southwind District 210 S. National Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 Office: 620-223-3720 Cell: 308-991-8415 [email protected]
On May 23 and 24, the Southwind Extension District will be offering a youth tractor safety training at the Cloverleaf Event Center in Fort Scott, Ks. The training will be offered to 14 and 15-year-old youths who wish to be certified to legally operate farm tractors and powered machinery for hire, which would otherwise be illegal under the US Department of Labor’s Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture.
The youth tractor safety training will cover topics such as general agriculture safety, tractor and equipment safety, and highway transportation. The two-day event will feature both indoor lectures and agricultural tours from Kansas State Research and Extension staff, industry professionals, and staff from the John Deere Technician Training of the Fort Scott Community College.
The training will run from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm each day. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
Youths can register by calling 620-223-3720. Registration is due by May 19, and study materials can be picked up at Southwind Extension District offices after registration. There is a $10 registration fee, due when study materials are received. Rides will be offered from Southwind Extension District offices in Yates Center, Iola, and Erie each morning
The mural will be on this wall that faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site. Jerry Witt, owner of the building, had Mid-Continental Restoration Co. do the work of preparing the wall for the mural.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division is working to bring about a downtown historical mural’s creation that will feature the Civil War’s 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment that were stationed in Fort Scott.
“Kansas was the first Northern state to recruit, train, and send Black soldiers into combat during the Civil War,” according to the Fort Scott National Historic Site website. “Fort Scott served as the home base for both the 1st and 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry, with both regiments being mustered into federal service on Fort Scott’s former parade ground.”
Captain William Mathews –a free Black, a businessman and station master on the Underground Railroad –recruited former slaves into the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Fort Scott. From the FSNHS website.
Jerry Witt is the owner of the building at 19 N. Main whose north outside wall faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site. Country Girl Cuts Salon is housed in the building currently. It is this wall where the mural will be created.
The plaque on the building at 19 N. Main states that at one time the building was a clothing store and the second floor a bordello. Submitted photo.
Witt contracted with Mid-Continental Restoration, Fort Scott, to “tighten up the building, tuck pointing, in preparation for the mural painting,” he said. “Any loose paint, etc. taken off so as not to deter the new mural going up.
Jerry and Judy Witt hand out Halloween candy in from on their home on Main Street in this photo from October 30, 2021, taken from the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. The Witts live in a historic downtown building, and own several storefront buildings in the downtown.
“We’ve had several people want to paint a mural there,” Witt said. “But this project, we are excited about because we wanted to enhance something about the history of the fort.”
The Mural Project: Looking For An Artist
“The mural public art project will offer one artist the unique opportunity to showcase their original art in the historic district of downtown Fort Scott,” according to fortscott.com
“The chosen mural will be painted on the exterior building wall facing the National Historic site, where the group was sworn in and was the first African-American regiment to fight against the Confederacy in the Civil War.
“The artwork will remain the property of the City of Fort Scott.
For request for proposal of a mural, artists are to submit the following:
Mural sketch including the following:
At least three soldiers from the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry
The selected mural will be painted on the Star Clothing building, 19 North Main Street, on the north wall facing the National Historic site. Mural size will be 25′ x 12′, covering the existing mural.
Schedule
“All proposals are due by 11:59 pm on Monday, May 29, 2023, and must be submitted via the Visit Fort Scott web page dedicated to the mural. Late or incomplete proposals will not be accepted. All proposals will be reviewed by a panel of African-American consultants to ensure the mural is culturally sensitive, and then proposals will be judged blind by a panel of local artists, historians, and stakeholders. The winning proposal will be announced on Juneteenth (June 19, 2023). The winning artists must be prepared to have their murals installed no later than September 30, 2023.
“Proposals not selected may be invited to participate in a special art show hosted by the Artificers Gallery in Fort Scott, KS, to be held in January of 2024. Additionally, any proposal submitted may be used for marketing purposes by the City of Fort Scott or the Fort Scott Chamber. The artist will be cited for their work.
Selection Process and Criteria
“One artist will be selected by a panel of local judges comprised of local artists, historians, and community stakeholders. Criteria will include artistic merit, historical appropriateness, and how well the subject will translate to a mural.
Eligibility
“The Fort Scott Chamber Foundation , a 501c3 organization, has opened the call for artists, and is open to any Kansas resident willing to submit a proposal that can complete the requirements as specified, including the design and installation of the mural. Any design that includes advertising, soliciting, campaigning, or any other promotional or commercially-driven entries is ineligible.
Artist Compensation
“The chosen artist will be compensated through a payment of at least $5,000, which is intended as a design fee and will be paid at the completion of the mural. The selected artist will also a given a daily per diem during the project period (up to seven days) for meals/lodging if travel accommodations are required for the project. Project material costs will be covered up to $5,000 by The Fort Scott Chamber Foundation in addition to the artist fee. The artist fee could be more than the amount listed if additional funds are raised through crowdsourcing.”
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes from the April 10, 2023, regular board meeting
Financials-Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – April 12, 2023 – $392,678.35 and April 20, 2023 – $1,583,397.57
Activity Fund accounts
Extended Trip Applications
Point of Interest:
FSHS Graduation 8:00 PM – May 13th – FSHS Stadium – board members be there at 7:45 p.m. at the FSHS Commons
Employee Luncheon & Recognition – May 17th – FSHS Commons – at 12:00 p.m.
Scott Kimble, Fort Scott High School Principal, along with Matt Glades, Teacher at Fort Scott High School, recognized the following Fort Scott High School students:
Caden Young: he has attained his CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 certifications. These are the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and is the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles. Caden has also obtained the CCNA—which stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate, which is an entry-level information technology (IT) certification issued by networking hardware company Cisco.
Langdon Giddens (in attendance): he has served as a paid intern with the USD 234 Technology Department since October. Langdon discussed what he had learned through the internship and his future plans.
Anna Laubenstein (in attendance): Adobe certified – Associate in Photoshop. Anna discussed her future plans, along with her achievements in the Skills USA competition.
Cole Harding: Adobe certified – Associate in Photoshop
Licensed Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Amy Harper as the Licensed Tiger Team Member of the Month.
Harper is a Mathematics teacher at Fort Scott High School. Mrs. Harper was a Kansas Teacher of the Year nominee. She was recognized in Topeka for excellence in the profession and will travel around to other districts throughout Kansas next year periodically. Mrs. Harper has taught for the district for 14 years.
Board Members shared comments.
Superintendent Destry Brown provided an update to the board on the Energy projects taking place throughout the district. Later in the meeting, the board received a demonstration of the new crisis app, Emergent 3, that will replace the Crisis Go app.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on preliminary end of year data; highlighting areas of growth in various grade levels that were above 10% and provided an assessment team update.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, noted the June 1st filing deadline to run for school board, KDHE allocation of grant funds, closing down of the fiscal year, and noted an initial meeting with Enterprise Fleet management.
The board approved the following items:
Payment to Meridian Roofing in the amount of $50,598.00
Science textbook purchase from SAVVAS – $155.99, PASCO – $7,363.55, and McGraw Hill -$49,982.39 for grades 9-12
Clarification on science purchase for Fort Scott Middle School to cancel the prior month approved purchase and continue the current resource being used
Greenbush Education Service Center invoices for 2023-24 services
Greenbush Education Service Center Virtual Academy MOU and Assurances
Acceptance of school photography proposal from Josten’s JPix
Participation in the Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Program
Allow the Superintendent and Finance Director to invest idle funds in short-term CDs with reporting to the board, but without prior board approval to capitalize on timing
Greenbush Participation & Hedging Authorization for 2023-24
Approval of Personnel Report (following)
The board went into an executive session for negotiation and personnel matters.
President Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
May 8, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Billionis, Connie – Leave of Absence – Deputy Clerk
Cox, Jessica – Leave of Absence – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional until May 17, 2023
Dunivan, Sarah – Leave of Absence for beginning of 2023-24 until September 17, 2023
Gordon, Karen – Resignation – Eugene Ware Counselor at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Homan, Tracy – Resignation – Fort Scott Middle School Building Testing Coordinator at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Jackman, Sara – Resignation – Fort Scott High School PDC Chair at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Webb, Megan – Resignation – Fort Scott Preschool Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Endicott, Debra – Retirement – Fort Scott Middle School Cook at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Wilbert, Tara – Resignation – Fort Scott Middle School 7th Grade ELA Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
Wilson, Ramona – Retirement – Winfield Scott Kitchen Manager at the end of the 2022-23 school year
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS:
Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Anderson, Mikiah – Transfer from Fort Scott Preschool Center Paraprofessional to Speech Paraprofessional
Black, Staci – Transfer from District Instructional Technology/Fort Scott Middle School Teacher to Fort Scott Middle School Technology Teacher
Blackburn, Brendon – Transfer from 6th Grade Science Teacher to 8th Grade Science Teacher
Couch, Kim – Transfer from Eugene Ware Elementary 3rd Grade to Interventionist
Herring, Jennifer – Transfer from Fort Scott High School Cook/2-hour Bus Driver to Transportation 4-hour bus, and 4-hour bus/car maintenance, increasing the existing position 1.5 hours
Homan, Tracy – Transfer from Fort Scott High School/Fort Scott Middle School Librarian/Testing Coordinator position to Fort Scott Middle School ELA Teacher
Hull, Megan – Transfer from Speech Paraprofessional to Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
Nelson, Andrew – Transfer from Eugene Ware 4th Grade Teacher to Fort Scott Middle School 6th Grade Science Teacher
Russell, Deborah – Transfer from Fort Scott Middle School Teacher to Fort Scott High School Ag Teacher
Sharp, Francis – Transfer from Fort Scott High School Cook to Fort Scott Middle School Cook
Cavin, Brent – Fort Scott Middle School Head Boys Basketball Coach
Fields, Kelly – Fort Scott High School English Teacher
Hendricks, Caleb – Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Girls Basketball Coach
McKinsey, Rayanne – Winfield Scott 2nd Grade Teacher
Peterson, Emily – Fort Scott Preschool Center Teacher
Rogers, Jamie – Fort Scott Middle School Head Girls Basketball Coach
Setina, Ashlee – Fort Scott High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher
Weaver, Mark – Fort Scott High School Special Education Teacher
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center in Fort Scott has recently signed an agreement with Legacy Health LLC for the center to move into the former Mercy Hospital Building at 401 Woodland Hills.
The building was recently vacated by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas who moved to another Fort Scott building.
The former Mercy Clinic Suites C and D, at 401 Woodland Hills, will be renovated by the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Clinic and move in will be thereafter.
“We don’t have an official date for the move as we need to secure a contractor for some renovations but are hoping this summer,” said Holly Jerome, SEKMHC’s director of marketing and human resources said. “Once a move date has been set, we will be notifying clients and the community.”
“We are certainly not new to Fort Scott,” said Jerome. “We were established in 1961! But due to our growth after becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Healthcare Clinic ( in 2022) we are outgrowing our current building which is located at 212 State Street.”
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Fort Scott.
“We will continue offering our current and expanded services,” Jerome said. “This new space will allow us to continue adding to our team!”
“SEKMHC is one of the first five community mental health centers to earn certification,” CEO Nathan Fawson said in a press release https://fortscott.biz/news/legacy-health-partners-with-southeast-kansas-mental-health-to-expand-services. “The CCBHC model of care concentrates on the overall health of a client, not just their mental health. We have expanded our care to integrate holistic care approaches, connect people with care coordination, and increase accessibility to services throughout our six–county catchment area. Looking into the future, we are striving to provide each client with a much more individualized experience by assisting clients in recovery–oriented ways in their homes, in our communities, or via telehealth whenever possible. We know that recovery is possible when youtreat the person, not just their mental health challenge.”–
According to its website https://www.sekmhc.org/ the services they provide to the community are:
Substance use and addictions counseling
Clinical therapy and counseling
Community support and groups
Crisis intervention
Psychiatric and medication management
They have locations in:
Allen County
Anderson County
Bourbon County
Linn County
Neosho County
Woodson County
Last year they served over 4,000 clients, according to its website. The staff provide school based therapy and case management in 12 school districts. They have 15 team members in the crisis department and 10 in the psychiatry department.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is in transition to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), according to its website. A CCBHC provides comprehensive behavioral health services, while also focusing on physical health and whole person wellness.
What the transition means is, the following is added:
Patient navigation services
Comprehensive behavioral health screening at intake
Primary health screening including gathering health metrics (height, weight, and blood pressure)
Primary health resources and referral
What won’t change is:
Access to counseling and therapy
Access to crisis services
Access to medical services and psychiatry
Community-based services for adults and children
Services and programs previously provided, unless otherwise noted
Upcoming Community Self-Care Event:
A Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center Self-Care Fair will be held on May 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.
For questions about the self-care fair, contact: Dawne Burchett at 620-496-8702 or Vicki Wright at 620-212-9391.
About Legacy Health
Legacy Health has a mission to bring development and healthcare to rural communities through sustainable and proactive approaches, according to the Legacy Health press release. Legacy believes that for a project to be successful, it is necessary to understand the needs of the community and the people.
Legacy Health LLC was registered on June 7, 2022 as a Limited Liability Company – CA company type incorporated at 269 WEST BONITA CLAREMONT, CA 91711. according to /https://ca.ltddir.com/companies/legacy-health-llc/
Troy Schell is the Legacy HealthChairman of the Board, according to the press release.
Chief Clinical Officer is Jennifer Massey and she is the contact person at [email protected]
Chief Strategy Officer is Merrill Eisenhower.
Locally, Matthew Wells is Legacy Healthcare Foundation Director of Plant Operations at the 401 Woodland Hills site. His duties are technical and equipment maintenance. Wells recently helped the building receive joint hospital accreditation, which is necessary because of the patient care given in the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department that is also housed in the facility, he said.
The Legacy Health Foundation received the building from the Bourbon County Commission in November 2022. In addition to the building, the commission gave Legacy Health Foundation $2 million dollars from funds received from Mercy Hospital and American Rescue Plan Act Funds to develop the property, according to a prior story.
Legacy Health is pleased to announce the finalization of an agreement with Southeast Kansas Mental Health. The agreement will secure an office space in the building acquired by Legacy Health from Bourbon County in October 2022. The new Southeast Kansas Mental Health office will be located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott.
“Legacy Health is well aware of the significance of providing access to appropriate mental health services in the Southeast Kansas area,” said Legacy HealthChairman of the boardTroySchell. “We are delighted to be able to furnish an environment that will enable Southeast Kansas Mental Health to expand its services.” “We have been working closely with CEO of Southeast Kansas Mental Health Nathan Fawson and their Board of Directors for several months to come to this agreement,” said Chief Clinical Officer Jennifer Massey. “We look forward to welcoming them in partnership and to the building.”
“This past year has been a year of tremendous growth for Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC). We’ve expanded services, hired additional staff, developed new departments, and became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). By partnering with Legacy Health and expanding our physical space we will continue to meet the needs of our community. Our certification as a CCBHC establishes a foundation for continuous development in the coming years. SEKMHC is one of the first five community mental health centers to earn certification. The CCBHC model of care concentrates on the overall health of a client, not just their mental health. We have expanded our care to integrate holistic care approaches, connect people with care coordination, and increase accessibility to services throughout our six–county catchment area. Looking into the future, we are striving to provide each client with a much more individualized experience by assisting clients in recovery–oriented ways in their homes, in our communities, or via telehealth whenever possible. We know that recovery is possible when youtreat the person, not just their mental health challenge.”– Nathan Fawson, CEO
Legacy Health is dedicated to ensuring the sustained availability of superior healthcare services in Fort Scott and Bourbon County. This partnership will allow both organizations to focus on services to the community. In addition, this partnership is only the first step in instituting other clinicalservices in the building.
“We arethrilled about this development and look forward to upcoming projects and partnerships in Fort Scott and Bourbon County,” said Chief Strategy Officer Merrill Eisenhower. “Legacy Health remains committed to fulfilling our promise to Bourbon County and its citizens to revitalize the facility and supply essential healthcare services to the community.”
For more information contact Legacy Health representative,Jenn Masseyat [email protected].
Legacy Health
Legacy Health has a mission, driven by passion, to bring development and healthcare to rural communities through sustainable and proactive approaches. Legacy believes that for a project to be successful,it is necessary to understand the needs of the community and the people.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center was established in 1961 and is a non–profit. It provides, advocates,and coordinates mental health care, services,and programs throughout southeast Kansas. The 250–person professionals and support specialists are committed to assessing,treating,and supportingthe mentalhealth needs of the communities they serve
Fort Scott Farmers Market begins its 2023 season on May 6, this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon.
“It’s going to be a great day for a farmer’s market,” Teri Hamilton said. She is the new president of the market members group.
The market is in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.
Spring veggies, fresh bread, meat, flowers, eggs, honey, live plants and handmade crafts will be for sale from local vendors.
The group is looking to add other events to the market.
“Our goal is to connect with acoustic type music to have live music at the event, and other fun activities,” Hamilton said.
This first market of the season, the local Bourbon County Democrats are serving breakfast/ brunch on Saturday from 8 a.m. – noon.
They will serve fresh coffee or bottled water, fresh fruit, and a choice of fresh-baked coffee cake–all for $5.
“We will deliver in town,” said Carol MacArthur, Bourbon County Democrats chairperson. “For delivery or more information, call 620- 215-1505.”
“We also invite you to bring a lawn chair, if you wish to come, eat, and socialize!” she said.
Teri Hamilton, owner of Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery, is the president of the Fort Scott Farmers Market this year.
Teri Hamilton is the new president of the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market. Submitted photo.
“Melinda Goff has been the president for the last several years and we are transitioning leadership,” Hamilton said.
The cost of booths for vendors is $10 for the first day, which includes $5 registration and $5 booth fee.
“If you sign up for the whole season, its $108 to reserve a spot,” Hamilton said. ‘We welcome any new vendors. We can have 25 percent of the booths selling handmade crafts.”
Returning vendors will be given first priority for spots on the plaza.
Some of the returning vendors are the Hamiltons , Still Waters Farm-Katie and Ethan Holly, the Little Flower Farm-Kelly Richards, Chet and Linda Bower-fresh veggies, Ron and Beverly Brown-farm produce and preserves, Tim Allison-honey, Mrs. Tibbits and Mrs. Hawkins-sellilng crafts, Nickie Kraft-home sewn items, Roger Stumfoll-farm produce and eggs, and others.
There are four new vendors who will be selling baked goods, crafts, live plants and eggs.
A National Avenue stationary pavilion is on the horizon for the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market use in the near future, following a T-Mobile $50,000 grant in 2021.
Lorrie Fowler is a Nashville based painter, specializing in large abstract statement pieces that captivate viewers with their unique movement, texture, and detail. She creates works of art by combining the fluid motion of paints with gravity, air pressure, and a bit of fire.
She often draws inspiration from both nature and her relationship with Jesus, combining these inspirations to create beautiful pieces that evoke a sense of peace in those who view them. Her work is featured in homes and businesses throughout the nation, bringing her unique style of art to a wide range of spaces. Lorrie loves to partner with her clients to create the perfect custom piece of their dreams!
Along with painting, teaching has always been a passion of Lorrie’s and her mission is to spark creativity in others. She wants everyone to know that they are designed to be creative and fluid art is a great way to tap into that creativity!
Nashville-based artist Isaac Fowler specializes in creating captivating and tranquil landscapes that showcase breathtaking clouds, serene waters, and remarkable sunrises. His passion is to capture the fleeting beauty of nature on canvas, and bring that inspiration into your home.
In addition to his main body of work, Isaac regularly does custom work, ranging from personalized landscapes, portraits, and illustrations. His paintings are cherished in homes across the country.
Married to his high school sweetheart Lorrie, who is also an artist, they both enjoy earning their livelihood through their shared passion for art.
