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Category Archives: Fort Scott
New Teachers at Winfield Scott: Suzan Durnell and Vangie Korinke
This is part of a series featuring the 26 new educators in USD 234. The first day of classes is August 18.
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, 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.
FS City Commissioners Meet For Budget Session August 16
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.
Fort Scott Lake Advisory Board Meets August 13
The Lake Advisory Board will meet Saturday, August 13th, 2022, at 9:00 AM at City Hall, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.
This meeting is open to the public. This meeting will also be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
New Teachers at Winfield Scott Elementary: Sydney Crapson, Sierra Sprague
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, 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, 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”
Bourbon County History Tour August 13
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Chamber Coffee Hosted by Tri-Valley Developmental Services on Aug. 11
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Chamber of Commerce Blue Health Insurance Offering Until August 18
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News from USD 234
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, August 8, 2022
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
- Kenny Hudiburg – FSHS assistant girls’ tennis coach
- Jered McKay – Reassignment from Eugene Ware focus room teacher to Winfield Scott focus room teacher
- Anna Anderson – Reassignment from Eugene Ware paraprofessional to Eugene Ware focus room teacher
- Megan Hull – Reassignment from Eugene Ware paraprofessional to speech paraprofessional
- Siarra Willard – Eugene Ware paraprofessional
- Tamra McReynolds – Eugene Ware paraprofessional
- Sara Rood – Eugene Ware paraprofessional
New FSHS Educators: Mike Durnell and Christie Smith
This is part of a series featuring the 26 new Fort Scott educators.
USD 234 students first day is August 18.
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 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.”
FS City Drops Water Pressure to Change Hydrant on August 10
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.
Friday Night Free Concert: Church of Christ, A Cappella
This week’s Friday Night Concert will be presented by the Church of Christ (15th and Crawford streets). The music will feature a program of a cappella hymns and gospel songs.
“The singers represent multiple ages and they really shine with a passion for blending harmonies with their musical styling of the gospel,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Come out and join us; it’s a great opportunity to see friends and enjoy some beautiful encouraging music. We are happy to welcome this church family back to the park pavilion.”
The one-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors.