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Say Something About Access To Child Care in Bourbon County
Category Archives: Fort Scott
Chamber Coffee at the Fort Scott Public Library on April 27
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Chamber of Commerce Awards for 2023
The 2023 AWARD RECIPIENTS were presented by
THE FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE at the annual awards dinner on April 20, at the River Room Event Center.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce would like to say a special THANK YOU to everyone who was involved in the Chamber Annual Dinner 2023, according to its Facebook page.
Al Niece, Owner, Niece Products of Kansas & The River Room
River Room Events Center Staff, Pat & Cathy Bishop
Brickstreet BBQ , Alex & Carissa Bowman
Fort Scott High School Orchestra, Musicians
Sekan Occasion Shops & Designer’s Florist by Sekan, Stage Décor
Businesses Providing Table Decorations
Live & Silent Auction Donors
Mark Mccoy, Master of Ceremonies
Lance Anderson, Auctioneer
Chamber Board of Directors for their dedication &
time contributed to this event!
Special Congratulations to our Award Winners!
The results are as follows:
Top Decorated Table
State Farm Kale Nelson
2022 Outgoing Chairman of the Board
Katie Casper
Young Professional of the Year
Rachel French
Given to a professional 45 years old or younger who personifies
the traits desired in a “great” business person.
Agri-Business of the Year
The Lavender Patch Farm
Given to the agri-business that has contributed to the overall economy and benefits the Fort Scott area community.
New Business of the Year
The Artificers
Given to a business at least 3 years new to the community which exemplifies the business practices for which all businesses strive.
Business Person of the Year
Destry Brown
Given to a professional who personifies all the traits desired in a “great” business person: a dedication to their business, their community, and their family and friends.
Small Business of the Year
Perry’s Pork Rinds
Given to the business with 25 or less employees and $3 million or less in annual revenues that continually expands, improves and benefits the Fort Scott area through its achievements and accomplishments.
Large Business of the Year
Mid-Continental Restoration Co., Inc.
Given to the business that continually expands, improves, and benefits the Fort Scott area through its achievements and accomplishments.
Keystone Award
Craig Campbell
Honors a person/couple who has continually been a source of support to his or her community. The keystone is that wedge-shaped piece at the crown of an arch that locks the other pieces into place. Said another way; it is something on which associated things depend for support. This is the true meaning of giving of one’s talents and time at the highest level to make our community a better place.
U234 Curriculum Collaboration Days Will Change Next Year and a Preschool Update
Fort Scott School District USD234 staff have been working on standards and best ways to teach them as they have met on Wednesdays this school year.
“Our early release days have provided our teachers to work to identify the essential standards that every student needs to be successful at the next level or the next course,” Superintendent Destry Brown said. “Our teachers have mostly finished this process and are now at the refinement stage. We will be working next year on identifying the resources that we will use to teach those standards and identifying the best practice in teaching those standards.”
The district is changing the days the teachers gather to collaborate in response to staff and parents input.
Next year the days will be once per month.
“We decided to change to once per month in response to parent and staff input,” Brown said. “Staff believed they could have more concentrated and focused time to do the things we need to do next year while parents felt it would be easier for them to plan for a full day rather that an early release every week.”
“The time spent this year has been very successful and we are well ahead of where we were,” he said. “Teachers have seen the value in the time to collaborate and work together on curriculum, assessment and instruction.”
USD234 Preschool Update
The preschool is going to remain at 409 S. Judson for the time being.
“We have six sections of preschool currently with enough for two more sections on the waiting list,” Brown said. “Our plan going forward will be to do some remodeling of the current space and reconfigure the space to better meet our needs.”
“We will also look at purchasing a mobile unit to place on the grounds at the preschool site,” Brown said. “This would allow us to bring all of our preschool students and classes to one location as well as expand our preschool to include more students.”
There are currently three teachers at the preschool.
“I believe that if we open more sections to the public, we will probably be able to expand to five teachers,” he said. “One thing we are considering is having a section for all-day students to help with some childcare needs in the community.”
The community needs quality childcare.
“Our community has a great need for childcare; especially for working families,” Brown said. “For our community to grow economically and to attract and expand business in Fort Scott, we need to be the kind of community that provides ways to make it possible for parents to work and trust that their children are being cared for safely.”
Splash Pad and Sensory Park Moves Forward
Fort Scott City Commissioner Josh Jones was on the site of the future splash pad and sensory park on April 19. Jones is also one of the organizers of the project.
“It has started,” Jones said. “You’ll start seeing water lines and concrete, the above ground (part) in three to five weeks.”
The crews will be working around the annual Good `Ol Days events, the first weekend in June, he said.
The splash pad will be a 50 by 50 foot multiple feature water site and the sensory park will be two pads, roughly 24 by 24 foot for children’s equipment that is easily accessed, with no physical barriers.
The splash pad and sensory park will be located on Skubitz Plaza at the north end of downtown Fort Scott, on North National Avenue.
Alysia Johnston Retires as FSCC’s President
Alysia Johnston, Fort Scott Community College’s President submitted her retirement at last evenings Board of Trustees meeting.
“I have been reminded lately how fragile life can be and I am needing to spend more time with family,” Johnston said. “I will miss the people I have had the great pleasure to work with the most.”
“It has been my great privilege to serve FSCC as President for the last 8 years,” she said in a statement. “After a great deal of thought and consulting with my husband, I have decided it is time I retire and dedicate more time to family.”
“I believe we have a wonderful team of Trustees, faculty, staff, and community who have demonstrated their passion for student success and community support,” she said. “It is my sincere hope that many of the programs, projects, policies, and procedures we have begun or changed will continue to advance FSCC’s mission.”
“I know the college is in great hands to move forward and meet the needs of its many stakeholders,” she said. “I hope I have helped position the college to continue being a critical piece of not only economic development, but a beacon for vision and collaboration to advance all citizens of Bourbon County. I believe making sure our mission of providing for student and community needs should always be the North Star.”
National Interscholastic Bike Race This Weekend at Gunn Park
The Kansas League of National Interscholastic Bike Race (NICA) is returning to Gunn Park on April 22 and 23.
“We will need volunteers for 2 – 4-hour shifts during the weekend, mostly on Sunday the 23rd,” Frank Halsey, event host said..
“If you missed this event last year, it is worth the effort to check it out,” he said. “These people do an amazing production for these kids and we at Gunn Park Trails are proud to be hosting their return.”
Halsey is founder of Gunn Park Trails, a volunteer organization that maintains the bike trails in the park.
Gunn Park will be closed for use during the event, but spectators are welcome.
“We still need volunteers for the upcoming NICA Race next weekend, April 22nd & 23rd,” Halsey said. “Please check out the following link for times and duties.”
About NICA
“We get kids on bikes, “according to NICA’s website https://nationalmtb.org/about-us/. “We are outside going places. We are stoking a life-long passion for riding. Founded in 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States.
The Kansas NICA was formed in 2019
NICA is having adventures with teammates while tackling both small and grand challenges, according to the website.
Its mission is to build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling. Its values are fun, ,inclusivity equity, respect, and community.
About Gunn Park
Gunn Park is located on the west side of Fort Scott, KS and is a 155-acre park with beautiful landscape and stone features, with the Marmaton River flowing through.
There is camping, playgrounds, eight miles of trails for biking/hiking,18-hole frisbee/disc-golf course, two lakes for fishing, seven shelter houses, 14 camping slots with electric hookups and restrooms.
Agenda OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION for April 18
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
April 18, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
- Roll Call:
- Jones T. VanHoecke E. Woellhof K. Harrington M. Wells
- Flag Salute:
III. Invocation: M. Wells
- Approval of Agenda:
- Consent Agenda:
- Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 4, 2023
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1334-A totaling $664,633.78
- Request to Pay Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – $18,851.35
- Invoice 16438 – System Designs Phase
Addenda Phase II – $3,400.00
Phase III – $4,187.50
- Invoice 16440 – Bidding $450.00
- Invoice 16441 – Cooper Street Inspection
Shane Redfern – $291.00
Amanda Simpson – $145.50
Miles – $74.75
- Invoice 16442 – South Horton Street and West 6th Street
Preliminary Design 82% – $1,380.00
- Invoice 16443 – City Engineer –
Monthly Fee – $4,243.60
- Invoice 16444 – US-54 CCLIP – Phase I –
Survey 30% – $3,600.00
- Invoice 16445 – CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project I
Jason Dickman – $885.00
Shane Redfern – $194.00
- Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion.
VII. Old Business:
- Consideration of Body Cam Purchase for Police Department – J. Pickert
- Consideration of bid for Fort Scott Pavilion – renderings of color options
presented – J. Dickman
- Consideration of Letters of Interest for Open Seat on Park Advisory Board
- Consideration of WWTP Reuse Water Booster Pump System – S. Flater and
- Dickman
VIII. Appearances:
- Jesse Hazen – Request for Temporary Park Closure – Riverfront Park – Riverfront Car & Bike Show – 6/3/2023 – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Jesse Hazen – Request for Temporary Street Closure – N. National Ave. between Linker St. and Maple Rd. – 6/3/2023 – 8:00AM – 3:00PM
- Dr. A. Johnston – FSCC Project
- Rachel Carpenter – HBCAT’s 3rd Street Park Project
- Public Hearing: NONE
- New Business:
- Consideration of Resolution No. 2-2023 – Designating the Official Depositories for the Public Funds of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas
- Approval of EPEC Aquionics UV Units, Power, and Control Panels – S. Flater
- Consideration Gunn Park Bathroom and Shower House Bids – B. Matkin
- Consideration of Investing $2 million of City funds into CDs – B. Hart
- Core Community Discussion
- REDI Discussion
- Discussion of upcoming vacancy for City Commissioner
- Reports and Comments:
- City Manager Comments:
- Engineering Comments:
- Commissioners Comments:
- VanHoecke –
- Woellhof –
- Harrington –
- Jones –
- Wells –
- City Attorney Comments:
XII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)
XIII. Adjournment:
Lots of Entertainment and History This Weekend at The Fort
There will be plenty to keep a family interested in life at the Fort during the American Civil War era.
“Experience it Without Needing to Enlist!,” according to a press release from the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
The Fort is hosting its Annual Civil War Encampment, April 15 and 16, this Saturday and Sunday. One can experience artillery, cavalry, and infantry troops preparing for battle, smell bread baking, participate in discussions about troop and refugee support, and be serenaded by the Vogts Sisters, acoustic Americana-Folk act.
“We are grateful to have the generous support and participation from the Holmes Brigade, Boy Scout Troop 0114, Friends of Fort Scott, Inc., Fort Smith National Historic Site’s Cavalry Troop, and plenty of new and old Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers alike,” said Superintendent Jill Jaworski. in a press release. “We encourage everyone to step back in time and smell, hear, see, and experience life at the fort.”
Saturday: join the discussion with author and historian Isaias McCaffrey about the Indian Home Guard, find out about the lives of women during the Civil War period, sit on the Officer’s front porch and learn about sewing and crocheting, be serenaded by the Vogts Sisters, and baking bread in the bakery, according to the press release.
Sunday: play authentic lawn games and participate in a discussion about being a Civil War refugee. The weekend is full of fun and games for the whole family straight from the 1800’s!
Encampment Schedule:
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.
- 9 a.m. Raising the Colors with the Boy Scout Troop 0114
- 9:30 a.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 10m. Cavalry Program
- 10:30 a.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 11 a.m. Isaias McCaffrey- Indian Home Guard Program
- Noon Vogts Sisters Musical Performance
- 1 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 1:30 p.m. Lunette Blair Discussion
- 2 p.m. Cavalry Program
- 2:30 p.m. Women in the Army Discussion
- 3 p.m. Vogts Sisters Musical Performance
- 4 p.m. Flag Retreat with Troop 0114
- 5 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 8 p.m. Night Sky Program with the Kansas Astronomical Observers
SUNDAY, APRIL 16
- Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.
- 9 a.m. Raising the Colors
- 10 a.m. Guided Tour of the Fort
- 10:30 a.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 11 a.m. Infantry Dress Parade, Drill, and Weapons Demonstration
- Noon Cavalry Program
- 1 p.m. Guided Tour of the Fort
- 1:30 p.m. Lunette Blair Discussion
- 2 p.m. Life as a Refugee Discussion
- 2:30 p.m. Cavalry Program
- 3 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 3:30 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 4 p.m. Flag Retreat
You are always welcome to wear a mask, and please remember to keep safe distances, wash your hands, and have fun, according to the press release.
Summer Hours of Operation
From April 1-October 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is open for its summer hours of operation: daily from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc
About The Fort and the National Parks System
Fort Scott National Historic Site is a fee free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation. A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, as well as, the Civil War and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it. For more information call the park at 620-223-0310, visit us at www.nps.gov/fosc, on Facebook www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/FortScottNPS, and Instagram www.instagram.com/fortscottnps
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s over 420 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
The FS Landbank Will Meet on April 17
The Land Bank Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 4:00PM at City Hall.
This is an open meeting. It will also be available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.
Tonya Barnes Begins as U234 Special Education Director on July 1
Tonya Barnes will begin duties as the USD 234 Special Education Director on July 1.
Barnes was in District Level Leadership; Emporia State University in 2015; Building Level Leadership; Emporia State University, 2010; Master of Science; Major: Special Education, Behavior Disorders K-12; Emporia State University, 1997; and earned a Bachelor of Science; Major: Elementary Education; Pittsburg State University, 1988.
She is the current director of special education at USD 282, 283, 286 in Chautauqua and Elk Counties Special Services Cooperative, since 2018.
She was director of special education from 2015-18 for Coffey County Special Education Cooperative.
From 2012-15 she was special education coordinator at the Flints Hills Special Education Cooperative.
Barnes was a special education teacher from 1995-2012 at the ANW Special Education Cooperative.
Fort Scott: The Next Step, Coming to Her Home District
Barnes is a graduate of Fort Scott High School, class of 1984.
She is married to Kevin Barnes who is teacher and coach for Woodson USD 366 in Yates Center for 32 years. They have a son, Jon Barnes who is in his first year of teaching and coaching at Fort Scott High School.
Her parents are Karen and the late Ron Billiard, Fort Scott, and her sister is Robin Hartman, Fort Scott.
Her community involvement through the years has been family focus – church activities, youth events, 4-H parent, supporting school district activities and sporting events, Kansas University basketball enthusiasts, spending time with family, and “spoiling our beloved pets,” she said.
For Barnes, the best part of being the special education director is working with the students and staff, and learning their stories, she said.
“The relationships we will build together takes time and intentional work,” Barnes said. “Our special education team has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and I look forward to learning from them.”
“The special education team (at U234) consists of approximately 30 licensed teachers and related service providers, and 80 paraeducators,” she said.
“USD 234 has approximately 22% of the district’s enrollment receiving special education services,” she said.
Her office will be located at the district office, 424 S. Main, and her time at the district office will be combined with time in the different age-grouped buildings, Barnes said.
“The biggest challenge of the position is time to be sure the most important work is accomplished, which is matching student needs with the most effective intervention or strategy, supporting teachers, providers, and paras with the knowledge, resources, time, and energy to deliver what is needed, and valuing their contributions,” she said.
The following will be her duties:
*Build relationships with staff, students, parents, patrons, and the entire learning community;
*Partner with the district’s special education team to learn the processes, successes, and strengths of the special education staff and programming in each building;
*As a team, access areas of desired and needed professional development…for best practice in providing programming to students and families, in addition to supporting their professional growth;
*Being accessible … connecting with staff… learning the culture, observing instruction first-hand to support our providers in their work of providing solid learning opportunities for students;
*Work with the…business office to learn the special education budget in USD 234 and become familiar with how revenue streams, expenditures, and funding are managed,
*Assist and support the procurement of needed materials and resources to meet student’s needs;
*Work with the USD 234 Administrative Team to assist and support special education matters in their buildings;
*Represent USD 234 in contacts with local, state, and federal agencies in matters pertaining to special education;
*Assist and provide support in securing the needed staffing for special education programs and provide induction for new staff;
*Collaborate with building teams to ensure a comprehensive curriculum is being provided;
*Work with all providers…to ensure students are receiving equitable evaluations, consistent services, and access to research-based curriculum and instruction, while maintaining best practices;
*Attend required and selected professional development opportunities to support…to provide guidance and leadership with special education mandates and new initiatives;
*Collaborate with building teams to provide the opportunities necessary for successful post-secondary transition success;
*Assist management of grants available for special education funding and the submission of staff information to maximize state special education categorical aid;
*Prepare and submit all reports within guidelines and timelines;
*Comply with legal and regulatory requirements of various governmental agencies;
*Ensure all special education programs perform within state and federal statutes, and adhere to the policies and procedures of the USD 234 Board of Education.
FS Streets Advisory Board Meets May 11 instead of today
The Streets Advisory Board meeting scheduled for today, April 13, 2023, at 4:00PM is rescheduled to May 11th, 2023, 4:00PM at City Hall.