8/12 ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring the Church of Christ with acappella hymns and gospel songs, 7-8pm, Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main. Bring a lawn chair due to limited seating.
8/12 ~ Game Night at the Museum of Creativity, 8-11pm, click here for more info.
8/13 ~ Farmers’ Market, 8am to noon at Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort
8/13 ~ Bourbon County Carpool Tour – National Cemetery, Guided Carpool Tour in your own personal vehicle, click here for more info.
8/13 ~ The Lavender Patch open 9am to 1pm, 2376 Locust Rd., click here for their website.
8/13 ~ Care to Share Bike Run, Registration will be from 8:30-10:30am at 5 Corners, click here for more info., there will be live music and an auction at Sharky’s in the evening, come out & enjoy!
8/13 ~ Cruise In for a for a Saturday night with fellow antique & classic car enthusiasts, former Price Chopper parking lot, click here for info.
8/16 ~ Back to School Bash at Better in Bourbon Boutique, Downtown Fort Scott, 4-7pm, click here for info.
8/17 ~ FSCC Business Expo, 8:30am-11:30am, see flyer below ~ businesses are requested to register for a booth to welcome students & promote your business!
8/17 ~ Farewell reception for Joy Miller of the Southwind Extension District, come & go 1-3pm, 210 S. National Ave. Room 13
8/17 ~ Congressman Jake LaTurner open office hours at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St., 3-4pm
8/18 ~ DEADLINE to complete survey for the Chamber Blue Health Insurance offering to be effective 1/1/23. Click here for survey.
8/18 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by the Museum of Creativity, 102 S. National Ave., 8am
8/18 ~ Bread Basics Class, Southwind Extension District, 6pm, click here for more info.
8/18 ~ Ladies Craft Night at the Museum of Creativity, 6-8pm, click here for info.
8/19 ~ Sewing Class at Museum of Creativity, 10am-noon, click here for info.
8/19 ~ Retirement Celebration for Ann Stark, come & go at Atkins Insurance Agency, 2-4pm, click here for more info.
8/19 ~ Paint Party at Dry Wood Creek Cafe, 6-9pm, “The Hayfield” scene, click here for info.
8/20 ~ Splashpad Golf Tournament, 8am, click here for more info.
8/20 ~ Dragoon Charge for Wreaths Across America, click here for info.
SAVE THE DATE:
8/31 ~ Bourbon County Job Fair, hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and Southeast KANSASWORKS, INC., 10am-2pm, Employers can click here to register a booth.
9/9-9/10 ~ Fall Town-wide Garage Sale
9/17-9/18 ~ Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Festival in Gunn Park, click here for flyer.
This is part of a series featuring the 26 new educators in USD 234. The first day of classes is August 18.
Suzan Durnell. Submitted photo.
Suzan Durnell, 53, is a new elementary instructional coach who works with teachers and students at both Winfield Scott and Eugene Ware Elementary Schools in Fort Scott.
She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from College of the Ozarks, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Missouri State University, and a Master’s Degree in Library Science and Information Services from University of Central Missouri.
Durnell taught fifth and sixth grades in Galena, MO, second grade in Aurora, MO, then third, second, and K-5th library skills (including reading and technology). In her 30 years of teaching she worked as a trainer for the Missouri Reading Initiative providing professional development and instructional coaching.
“I was raised in Vandalia, Missouri, graduated from Greenfield, Missouri, and have raised my own family in El Dorado Springs, Missouri. I claim each of these places as a hometown!”
Her husband, Mike will be teaching high school math at Fort Scott High School. They have been married for 31 years and recently moved to Nevada. They have two grown daughters. Jenna and her husband Quade live in Nixa, Missouri, where she works as a CPA, and Quade works as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Springfield, Missouri. Tessa and her husband, Kip, live in Hays, Kansas, where she works as an autism specialist and Kip teaches and coaches at Hays High School.
“My passion is education,” she said. “I have been fortunate to work in a field I love for all these years. I’m excited to extend my career in Fort Scott.”
“My father (a teacher, coach, principal, then superintendent) inspired my love of school,” she said. “My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Forgy, made teaching something I aspired to do.”
“The best part of teaching is the joy,” she said. “It might be joy in teaching a fun topic, joy in watching a student grasp a concept, joy in creating a community of learners, joy in play, or joy in working with talented colleagues. There’s always something that reminds me how very important the field of education is every day.”
“For me, it is a challenge to remain knowledgeable about how kids learn best. We’re learning more and more about the developing brain and how best to approach teaching. To make that even more challenging, kids’ brains are changing as they’re exposed to more technology than ever before. I feel responsible to stay on top of the most recent developments, and that’s hard to do.”
Vangie Korinke. Submitted photo.
Vangie Korinke, 40, is a new first-grade teacher at Winfield Scott.
She earned her Bachelors of Science in Sociology and Master of Arts in Teaching.
She has been a substitute teacher, and paraprofessional. This will be her first year as a classroom teacher.
Her hometown was Pleasanton, Kansas until she was 14 and Bethany, Oklahoma following that.
She has been married to husband Matt for 17 years, and they have three kids Dawson (15), Brody(13), and Lila (9).
Outside of teaching she loves baking, shopping, coffee with friends, walking, and family time. And she said her family enjoys being involved in their church, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
“Teaching is actually my second career to pursue,” she said. “I was an adoption specialist after receiving my bachelors in sociology in 2004. As a mom of school ages kids, I saw firsthand what a difference teachers can make in children’s lives. My kids had some great teachers who really inspired me to want to be that difference for other students. I’ve always admired my sister-in-law, Cristin Stark who has been an elementary teacher for years. I started sharing this new dream with her and she was a huge support during my journey to get here.”
“Several people have inspired me along my journey of becoming a teacher, she said. “But there are two people in particular who influenced me the most. My dad always saw the good in everyone and insisted there was always hope. I have seen seen so many students struggle in different ways. My dad inspired me to want to help others believe in themselves and this is true with students as well. The second person who strongly influenced me was my son’s second grade teacher, Kirstie (Cox) Dwyer. She has a gift and made my son believe he could, and so he did. It completely changed his path academically.”
The best part of teaching for her is encouraging students and cheering them on until they too believe in themselves. “And obviously it is amazing to be a part of helping them make gains and witnessing their growth,” she said. One of the challenges of teaching is finding ways to reach students with different learning styles and needs.
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss the 2023 budget. This work session is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
The City Commission regularly scheduled meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room following the work session.
The work session and Commission Meeting will both be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
This is part of a series of features on the 26 new educators in USD 234. School starts on August 18 for Fort Scott schools.
Sydney Crapson. Submitted photo.
Sydney Crapson, 22, is a new first-grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott.
She attended Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University graduating in May of 2022 with an Elementary Education Unified degree.
She is a first generation college graduate, and this is her first year of teaching.
“I have spent my entire life around children and have always loved being with them!,” she said.
Her hometown is Walnut.
Her mother, Karen, is a para educator at Girard High School. Her dad, Brian, does body work on cars and is a part-time farmer.
“I have an older brother named Bailey who is a ranch hand and lives with me in Fort Scott,” she said. “They have been my biggest supporters and I am so thankful for them!”
In her spare time she loves to read and collect books, fish, golf and sew.
“I also love animals and spend most of my evenings walking my dog,” she said. “I have lived in this community for four years and have worked at a local small business for the majority of that time.”
“Growing up, I had many amazing teachers,” she said. “All of the good ones that stick out to me made sure to take the extra time to get to know me as a person rather than just another student. Because of that relationship, they had such a strong and positive impact on my life and I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else.”
“My third-grade teacher is the main person who inspired me to become a teacher myself,” she said. “She took the time to really notice me as a person and helped me through a very difficult year when I felt like I had no one. I will forever be grateful to her.”
“The best part of teaching for me is being able to see my students grow. The excitement on their face when they finally understand or have discovered something new is heartwarming!”
“I think the most challenging part of teaching for me is spending almost an entire year with the same students and then having to let them go in May,” she said.
Sierra Sprague. Submitted.
Sierra Sprague, 24, is a new K-2nd Grade Low Incident Special Education Teacher, who will be at Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott.
Sprague earned a Bachelor in Sports Management with an emphasis in business and a minor in marketing then went back and earned a masters in Elementary Education Unified degree.
Last year she was a 4th-5th Grade Resource teacher in De Soto. Her hometown is Olathe, and she is married to Nick Sprague.
In her spare time she loves to find new books and explore coffee shops.
“My husband is the Family Pastor at Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, so I do a lot of activities there for the youth,” she said.
“Growing up my mom was a counselor in the school district, so I grew up at the school many nights and summer days,” she said. “In kindergarten we had a kinder city and that is where my love for teaching started.”
However, she started her college major in business, but changed to teaching, she said.
“A lot of my teachers had a part in making me want to teach.They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. One teacher I remember was Ms. White, in 6th grade she told me that I could be whatever I wanted but I had to be willing to work for it and be ready for any obstacles that came.”
“The best part of teaching is seeing the smiles of kids, when they just figured out something that they were struggling with”
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Old Fort Genealogical Society, and Historical Preservation Association of Bourbon County announce another carpool tour that will be on Saturday, August 13th at 8:30am. The format of the tour will be by carpool where attendees will provide their own transportation, stopping at the National Cemetery where the tour will be guided by local historians.
The tour on the 13th of August will be visiting the National Cemetery. Fort Scott National Cemetery was created during the Civil War and has continued to include all military since then. Local historians will walk you through the cemetery noting persons, telling reasons for memorial stones, and giving important information about the military campaigns our men and women were involved in while defending the United States and our allies. Volunteer Historians will include Ken Lyon, Brian Allen and Arnold Schofield.
The tour will leave The Old Fort Genealogical Society at 221 S. National Ave. (Memorial Hall) at 8:30 am and will finish by 10:30 am. The cost is only $5 per person and pre-registration is required on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those interested may register online at fortscott.com, click on Events, then Bourbon County Tour. A waiting list will be maintained if the tour reaches capacity. For questions or more information, contact the Old Fort Genealogical Society by calling 620-223-3300 or emailing [email protected].
Tri-Valley Developmental Services this week in the Industrial Park!
Join us this Thursday,
August 11th at 8 a.m.
Tri-Valley will be showcasing their new bailer, which is courtesy of Advantage Metals Recycling. Tri-Valley offers DocuShred services where they contract with local businesses for document shredding, then they bail the materials and recycle them to eliminate landfill waste.
Tri-Valley empowers people with disabilities to realize their potential as full citizens in the community, through supporting them in working and living in the communities they call home. We help them live as independently possible. And we help them belong.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announced a new partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) and Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas (CCEKS) earlier this year. This partnership stitches together 53 local Chambers of Commerce across Kansas to offer an Association Health Plan entitled Chamber Blue of Kansas.
Chamber Blue of Kansas is an association health plan (AHP) that allows for employers to join together to purchase insurance. The larger pool of people enrolled in the plan allows the possibility for more plan options, and potentially, lower cost.
The initial rates will be based upon employers who complete an interest survey; completing the survey does not obligate your organization to enroll in the program but it does provide access to the initial group. The survey is live currently with a deadline of August 18, 2022, for all interested parties to submit.
In the two weeks since the survey link went live in Bourbon County there has been 16 organizations representing 62 employees complete the survey and at the state level, there has been 1,300 organizations complete the survey representing over 20,000 employees! The response has been phenomenal and is poised to be one of the largest association health plans in Kansas. This is the best opportunity and lowest barrier of entry for small employers to access large group health insurance.
The initial rates will be determined in September 2022 based on groups/businesses that have completed the survey and plans will become effective January 1, 2023.
Fort Scott area business owners, non-profits, and organizations are encouraged to complete the interest survey. A previously recorded informational webinar is available to view by clicking here.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit 501c(6) chartered organization of business, industry, organizations and individuals working together to build a healthy economy and improve the quality of life and advocate and elevate our members’ economic prosperity and to be a catalyst for a bright future in Bourbon County.
About Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas:
As a private not-for-profit 501(c)6, Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas (CCEKS) operates with the primary goal of serving its membership by providing excellence in professional development, networking, resource, and idea exchange opportunities. Also, CCEKS provides guidance and leadership training to chambers across the state and the board members who serve in local communities.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas:
For 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is not affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below!
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2022, 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:
Minutes from July 11, 2022, Board of Education Meeting (with modification) and minutes from July 25, 2022, Special Board of Education Meeting
Treasurer’s Report
Check Register
Payroll – July 20, 2022 – $1,289, 232.37
Activity Fund accounts
Audiology Contract with Greenbush
Low Incidence Contract with Greenbush
The board heard reports from FSKNEA, the Assistant Superintendent, and the Business Manager. The board received a presentation of the budget and reviewed a copy of the District Needs Assessment. Budget publications will also be posted to the district website.
The board approved the following items:
Superintendent Brown to proceed forward with negotiation and finalization of a MOU with the City of Fort Scott to expand the School Resource Officer program to include a second School Resource Officer.
Participation in the KDHE School Board Grant. The board heard from Ashley Hooper and Dan Duling with CHC regarding a KDHE grant to provide a school-based clinic that would provide access to a medical provider, additional nursing services, and mental health services for students and staff. The planned site is the Fort Scott High School, but services would be available to all students.
COVID updated guidance for the upcoming school year
2022-23 Employee Handbook
2022-23 No Limits Contract for physical therapy services
2022-23 Happy Kids Contract for preschool slots and classrooms
Middle school chiller replacement up to $200,000
Personnel Report – following
2022-23 Negotiated Agreement as amended to reflect an increase to the base salary and agreed upon items
Recommended increases for Administrators, Directors, and Special Services personnel
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters, negotiations to discuss reopening the 2022-23 negotiations, and then into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Lannette Wood – Resignation as FSHS paraprofessional, effective August 6, 2022
Norma Floyd – Resignation as Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective July 25, 2022
Lacey Miles – Resignation as Winfield Scott cook, effective August 2, 2022
Angella Curran – Resignation as FSHS speech/debate/forensics teacher, effective August 15, 2022
Delynn Abati – Resignation as FSHS play assistant
Josh Hudiburg – Resignation as FSMS basketball coach
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS – FOR THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
Instructional Coaches – Additional 10 days added to contract
Ashley Wilcox – Winfield Scott After-Care Program Coordinator
Adam Feagins – FSMS Intramural Coach for the first, second, and third nine-weeks
Shelly Sanborn – FSHS paraprofessional
Jannah Farrington – District Dynamic Learning Map (DLM) Coordinator
Marci Mix – Eugene Ware Building Test Coordinator
Tracy Homan – FSMS Building Test Coordinator
Josh Messer – FSHS Building Test Coordinator
Ashley Wilcox – Winfield Scott Professional Development Chair
Marci Mix – Eugene Ware Professional Development Chair
Angie Kemmerer – FSMS Professional Development Chair
Sara Jackman – FSHS Professional Development Chair
Gordon Harris – Reassignment from FSMS custodian to FSPC/Eugene Ware Custodian
Dylan Goucher – Reassignment from FSPC/Eugene Ware custodian to FSHS Custodian
Allen Davis – Reassignment from FSMS/BOE custodian to FSMS Custodian
Alisha Watkins – Reassignment from FSHS custodian to FSMS/BOE Custodian
Anthony Ogle – Assigned to FSMS custodian position
Dixie Jackson – Assigned to FSHS custodian position
This is part of a series featuring the 26 new Fort Scott educators.
USD 234 students first day is August 18.
Mike Durnell. Submitted photo.
Mike Durnell, 54, is a new math teacher at Fort Scott High School.
His hometown is Moundville, MO.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in education from College of the Ozarks, a Master’s Degree in education from Missouri State University, and a Specialist’s Degree in Education from William Woods University.
He has taught for 31 years.
Durnell began teaching high school math in LaMonte, Missouri, then taught math in Billings, Missouri and Aurora, Missouri at the middle and high school levels, then junior high math in El Dorado Springs, for many years before serving as the Activities Director. Most recently, he have taught junior high math in Uniontown.
He is married to Suzan and has two grown daughters, Jenna and Tessa. “Suzan will be working in the elementary schools in Fort Scott this coming school year, my daughters are married, working, and making the world a better place,” he said.
Outside of the classroom he enjoys hunting and fishing.
Durnell was influenced to teach by his high school teacher and coach, Randy Robertson, he said.
Students are the best part of teaching for Durnell, although there are some challenges.
“In teaching, we are faced with students being more distracted than ever,” he said. “It is a challenge to keep things interesting for them.”
Christie Smith with her family. Submitted photo.
Christie Lutter Smith, 48 is the Speech Language Pathologist for Eugene Ware Elementary, Fort Scott High, St. Mary’s Elementary, Christian Heights and Christian Learning Center all in Fort Scott.
“I am really looking forward to being a part of the Fort Scott School District,” she said. “I am looking forward to the upcoming school year and can’t wait to work with the kids and their families.”
Smith earned a Bachelor’s in Communication Disorders (Speech Language Pathology), then a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education, taught school, then earned a Master’s in Communication Disorders.
“I have been a speech therapist for over 20 years and have practiced in a variety of settings: schools, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. I love them all and feel blessed to love what I do.”
She and husband Dallas have been married 25 years and have three girls: Meg, 22, is getting married this fall; Ellie,17 will be a senior and “can’t wait for basketball season, and Cate,10a, ttends Saint Mary’s and pretty much loves everyone,” she said.
In her spare time she loves to travel, read, and has hobbbies of photography, music and art.
Smith’s other involvements in the community: Catholic High School Youth Leader, past Mercy Hospital Foundation Board member, a nursing home volunteer, Parent Teacher Organization, past board member of Mother to Mother Ministry, Relay for Life, PEO, and Magazine Club.
“I started college as a pre-med student; however, after taking a few classes in speech pathology I fell in love. Probably because I love to talk! As my classes went along I also fell in love with the special education field and became actively involved in the Special Olympics. All these exposures and experiences have aided me throughout my career.”
“Some of the greatest challenges I have faced in my career and continue to face is finding the resources our families need in Southeast Kansas. It may not be easy to find but there are amazing people and companies out there, a lot of them in our community.”
The City of Fort Scott Water Distribution Department will be changing out a fire hydrant at 1st and Grant Street on Wednesday, August 10th, 2022.
In order to do this safely and without a long term water outage, the water pressure in the area from Broadway to Cameron along 1st Street will need to be reduced.
Some residents may experience low or no water pressure during this time.
The Water Distribution Department will try to keep this situation as short as a time frame as possible.
Please watch for the water pressure drop around 9:00 a.m. that morning.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 620-223-0550 and ask for Water Distribution Department.
