Category Archives: Fort Scott
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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Unapproved Minutes of the FS City Commission for Sept. 23
CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of September 23, 2025 Special Meeting
A S meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM. Roll call was taken. Commissioners Kathryn Salsbury, Tracy Dancer, Dyllon Olson, and Matthew Wells were present with Mayor Tim Van Hoecke (by Teams).
In Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Jessica Oliphant/Baker Tilly and Devin Tally/Finance Manager
VAN HOECKE led the Pledge of Allegiance and OLSON said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, the Citizens, our Government and City officials.
Approval of Agenda
MOTION: OLSON moved to approve the agenda as presented. WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Public Hearing
Consideration of Approval of the 2026 Budget
MOTION: DANCER moved to open the public hearing. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
No public comments.
OLIPHANT presented a revenue-neutral budget that maintains city services, provides a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for employees, and reduces the mill levy by 1.6 mills. The reduction was achieved by deferring two small capital projects—lobby glass replacement and filing system updates—saving $45,000. The initial proposal had a 0.8 mill reduction without cuts, but moving the projects doubled the reduction to 1.6 mills.
MOTION: OLSON moved to close the public hearing. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to approve the 2026 budget as presented. DANCER seconded.
OLSON requested VAN HOECKE amend his motion to include the revenue neutral rate.
Motion was struck and a new motion was made.
MOTION: OLSON moved to approve the 2026 budget as presented with a revenue neutral rate of 42.558. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Commissioners Olson, Wells, Dancer, Salsbury and Van Hoecke gave individual comments regarding the City’s ability to remain revenue neutral for 2026 with a special thank you to BakerTilly.
Adjourn
MOTION: DANCER moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:16PM. SALSBURY seconded.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:16PM.
Submitted by Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk
Unapproved Minutes of the FS City Commission From Sept. 16
CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING
unapproved
Minutes of September 16, 2025 Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM. Roll call was taken. Commissioners Kathryn Salsbury, Tracy Dancer, Dyllon Olson, and Matthew Wells were present with Mayor Tim Van Hoecke.
In Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering & Inspections, Inc., Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement, Mary Wyatt/Planning, Housing & Business Development Director, Tom Coffman/Public Works Director, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Stephen Mitchell/USD234 Director of Technology, Destry Brown/Superintendent USD234, Pete Allen, Devin Reichard, Michael Hoyt, and Julie Buchta.
VAN HOECKE led the Pledge of Allegiance and said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, the Citizens, our Government and City officials.
Approval of Agenda – Request to amend the agenda with the removal of Consideration of Application – CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant – New Business – Action Item E.
MOTION: OLSON moved to approve the agenda as amended. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consent Agenda
MOTION: SALSBURY moved to approve the Consent Agenda. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Public Comment – No public comment
Appearances
Devin Reichard – Request for Parade Permit – Pioneer Harvest Fiesta – October 2, 2025.
MOTION: WELLS moved to approve the Parade Permit for Pioneer Harvest Festival. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Unfinished Business:
Land Lease Agreement
Discussion was had regarding the options for which the City would use this document for leasing City owned property. WELLS asked that in the document it be included that the lessee will be responsible for the property taxes.
ACTION: WELLS will email FARMER the statute information he received regarding (90) year vs. (99) year verbiage.
MOTION: SALSBURY moved to have FARMER research the (99) year option and present a final version to vote on at the next meeting. WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Food Truck Ordinance
Discussion was had about the potential ordinance, business licenses, enforcement, and cost.
ACTION: MATKIN will check with other municipalities regarding online permitting.
WELLS called the question.
ACTION: MATKIN and FARMER will create verbiage as an addendum to municipal code pertaining to Solicitors, Canvassers and Peddlers to specifically address food trucks by the next meeting.
CHAMPS Bowl Game
MOTION: SALSBURY moved to rescind the $30,000.00 donation for the CHAMPS Bowl for this year. OLSON seconded.
OLSON, DANCER, SALSBURY and VAN HOECKE voted yes. WELLS abstained.
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Public Hearing
Consideration of Resolution No. 25-2025 A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 18 S. HOLBROOK
MOTION: WELLS moved to open the public hearing. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
KRUGER gave an overview of the structure and its violations. There were no other comments from the public.
MATKIN left the meeting at 6:50PM
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: WELLS moved to table the decision for (60) days so the Land Bank has an opportunity to look at it, to reach out to the County to see if it will be in the tax sale this year and explore a couple of opportunities before we move forward with the process on this particular house. DANCER seconded.
SALSBURY, OLSON, WELLS and DANCER voted yes. VAN HOECKE voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
Consideration of Resolution No. 26-2025 A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 402 N. SHUTE
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to open the public hearing. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
KRUGER gave an overview of the structure and its violations. There were no other comments from the public.
MOTION: DANCER moved to close the public hearing. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve Resolution No. 26-2025 A Resolution Directing the Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 402 N. Shute. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MATKIN returned to the meeting at 7:02PM
Consideration of Resolution No. 27-2025 A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 205 N. LINCOLN
MOTION: DANCER moved to open the public hearing. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
KRUGER gave an overview of the structure and its violations. There were no other comments from the public.
MOTION: DANCER moved to close the public hearing. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve Resolution No. 27-2025 A Resolution Directing the Removal of an Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure at 205 N. Lincoln. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
FARMER left the meeting at 7:03PM
Devin Reichard appeared regarding the parade permit. He believed the meeting began at 7:00PM. MATKIN told him the permit had already been approved.
Consideration to Trade the 963k Track Loader for a 2023 Volvo EC160EL Crawler Excavator
COFFMAN explained that the trade consideration is because parts for the existing model are not available due to its age. The only cost incurred would be freight of approximately $1,200.00 and would be through G. W. Van Keppel Company.
FARMER returned to the meeting at 7:05PM
MOTION: WELLS moved to approve the straight across the board trade. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
IT Update
MITCHELL reported there were contact changes for the first year. There is also a shift in priorities for the next (60) days with the police department at highest priority. Updates given networks, firewalls, equipment, ticketing system, and backup system.
VAN HOECKE left the meeting at 7:18PM and returned at 7:20PM
Wyatt addressed the Commission to request two changes to the grant application process. First, she proposed requiring applicants to include a brief description of their business project and how the funding would impact their business. Second, she suggested a procedural clarification: that City staff should score the applications using the approved rubric and submit those scores to the Commission. Applicants would then appear before the Commission for questions, after which the Commission would award the grants. The Commission discussed the efficiency of this proposed process.
MOTION: WELLS moved to approve the changes suggested by City staff to make the process move forward more efficiently. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Planning, Housing and Business Development Update
Wyatt provided an overview of her responsibilities, including managing grants—those awarded, currently being written, and pending notification. In the Business Development Department, she focuses on retaining existing businesses and helping recruit new ones to Fort Scott. She also gave an overview of all three departments she oversees and answered questions from the Commission. Lisa Dillon will soon present a more detailed housing update.
Consideration of Second Amendment to Freeman ER Funding Agreement – Approved by Bourbon County Commission – September 8, 2025
ACTION: MATKIN will reach out to Freeman Hospital regarding the City being included the quarterly written itemized accountings.
MOTION: WELLS moved to send the document back to the County and ask for the City to be included in the furnishing of the quarterly written itemized accounting. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Approval to Go Out for Codes Mowing Bids – 3 Year Contract
MOTION: WELLS moved to go out for mowing bids for (3) years. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of CCLIP Project Programming Request
DICKMAN explained this is Phase III of the project. It has been awarded. The next steps would be to formally accept the award and go out for Statements of Qualification for Engineering design work.
ACTION: DICKMAN will send the City Manager and City Clerk the documents for the next step.
MOTION: WELLS moved to go forward with the project programming request for the third phase of the CCLIP project. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Reports and Comments
CITY ENGINEER
– E. National Project Update
ACTION: DICKMAN will get updated exhibits to WYATT to submit for the Cost Share Program (CCLIP) of 3rd Street from E. National to US69.
– Lee Circle Drive base
CITY ATTORNEY – No comment
CITY MANAGER
– Naturalization at the Fort – September 17, 2025
– FEMA update – new projects 4th & Little and Pawn Shop waterway
ACTION: MATKIN will provide a City Manager Communicator by end of the week.
COMMISSIONER SALSBURY
– Shipping container ordinance on next agenda
– Confirmed the City does not have ducks or geese at Gunn Park
COMMISSIONER OLSON
– Comments on freedom of speech
COMMISSIONER WELLS
– Design Review Board and bylaws for CLG
– Codes Department and Fire Department
– Overpass and at-grade study requests status update
– Comments on freedom of speech
COMMISSIONER DANCER
– Moody building status
ACTION: MATKIN will meet with FARMER for plan of action on the next agenda.
– Items passed at table need to be posted on website
– Expense Report was not included in the packet and website
COMMISSIONER VAN HOECKE
– Response to comments made on local social media post about him and other rhetoric
– Naturalization Ceremony
– City work sites are not open to the public for safety reasons
MATKIN commented on Commission decorum and community reactions to decisions.
Adjourn
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:49PM. SALSBURY seconded.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:49PM.
Submitted by Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk
Fort Scott Manor Is Turned Into Standard Market Apartments
Fort Scottians need more apartments, and a Kansas contractor is turning a former nursing home, which has been vacant for several years, into new rentals after a complete renovation of the property.
The former Fort Scott Manor nursing home property, 736 Heylman, was purchased by Rural Asset Management (RAM) in January 2022, after being closed down by the state several years prior.
The new name for the Fort Scott property is Charlotte Place, RAM Owner Shane Lamb said, adding that his children pick the name of the business’s properties.
The first four units are slated for rental availability in late October, said Lamb, if all goes as planned.
Work started on the property, then halted to finish a similar Iola project in March 2025.
“It’s coming together, it’s been an intensive and costly project, and it should be nice when done,” he said. “Our goal is to be the nicest apartments in the community we are in, and to keep it affordable.”
There will be 24 units: one-bedroom, one-bath apartments are 550-626 square feet with a range of $650-695 per month, two-bedroom apartments are between 700-1000 square feet with a range of $800 to 875, and there will be a 500 square foot studio apartment for short-term rentals, Lamb said.
“The short-term rental, a couple of local businesses want to lease for their staff,” Lamb said.
The apartments will feature new appliances, including a stove, above-stove microwave, and fridge, and will be equipped with fiber optic internet availability.
Tenants will pay rent and their electric bill; the landlord pays for the water, trash, and sewer service.
There will be a brand new on-site laundry provided for the tenants.
Additionally, “there will be a pet-friendly fenced-in area in the back of the apartments,” he said.
These apartments will not be low-income rentals, but instead will be available to the standard market, said Lamb.
“The standard market means that they are not subsidized by the government,” Lamb said.
About Rural Asset Management
RAM focuses on rural towns and rural housing, purchasing nursing homes, schools, and hospitals that are converted to housing, according to a prior interview with Lamb.
“We currently have 13 projects under construction in rural communities,” he said. “We typically supply 300-600 apartments per year in rural communities.”
Maps Of Fort Scott Town-Wide Garage Sale Today and Tomorrow
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When
Where
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Jake Stevenson Will Open Rogers RBW Body Shop on September 22
Jake Stevenson has purchased the Rogers Body Shop that closed in April this year and renamed it Rogers RBW.
“When I heard Larry Rogers was going to retire, I was interested,” Stevenson said.
For three generations, the Stevensons have been in the vehicle body repair industry and have operated a body repair shop in Richmond, KS, for 42 years. Richmond is north of Garnett.
They will still operate the Richmond Body Works in Richmond and operate the Rogers RBW, Stevenson said. He will be bringing three employees from that facility to Fort Scott to work, and in addition, is interviewing for more.
He is retaining the Rogers name as part of the new business venture, and Larry Rogers was helping him with finishing details on the facility on September 17.
Stevenson purchased the shop from Rogers on August 15 and has been updating the building and equipment since then.
The services they offer the community are paint and body repair, mostly with insurance claims, but they will also do private pay.
On Monday, September 22, Stevenson will open the office of the business and start bringing cars in, he said.
A Chamber of Commerce Coffee is scheduled for October 9.
The shop is located at 120 W. 19th, and the phone number is 620.223.0380.
Annual Blues Festival is Sept. 26-27 in Fort Scott
Blues Music weekend is here.
The weekend of Sept. 26-27, the Care to Share Fortfest25 will be at Riverfront Park on North National Avenue in Fort Scott.
The event is free, but donations are accepted for Care to Share, a local helping organization for cancer survivors and their families.
“The kids’ fair will be bigger than ever with bouncy houses and more games,” said an organizer, Cory Bryers. “It’s all new bands with the same format as previous years. New this year is that the bike show and car show are the same day, Saturday, Sept. 27.”
A transplant from the Kansas City area, Bryers started this event in September 2022 on his property. Blues Festival Coming to Fort Scott Sept. 24. He and his wife, Cecelia, are Blues Music fans and moved to the area in 2021.
Friday evening, there will be performances starting at 6 p.m. by Bridget and Her Bandoliers from the K.C. area, followed by The Spooklights from Southwest Missouri.
On Saturday, there will be performances starting at 1 p.m.by Meaza Joy from Washington, MO; Martin and the Dead Guys from Florida and Independence, KS; Amanda Fish, Nashville; and Randy McAllister, Texas.
Saturday morning will be a car show, followed by a bike show. Saturday afternoon will be the kids’ fair, arts and crafts fair, food and drink, and of course, Blues Music.
Riverside Park is located by the Marmaton River and has lots of shade trees, so bring your family and friends, along with chairs/blankets/bug spray, AND a donation to Care to Share. Small coolers are welcome.
Care to Share is a well-known and respected organization that helps local cancer survivors and their families with needs they may have in their battle with the disease.
The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Offers New Fiber Arts Show
The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta (PHF) is an annual Bourbon County event that takes place this year from October 3-5 at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds on South Horton Street in Fort Scott.
The event showcases rural American culture in an earlier time period.
To learn more: https://pioneerharvestfiesta.com/
The event kicks off with a parade of antique and classic farm implements and more, through Fort Scott’s historic downtown on Thursday, October 2, at 6 p.m., according to the PHF website.
One can experience educational and historic exhibits, refreshments, and live musical entertainment all weekend.
All three days showcase steam engines, blacksmiths, food and Flea Market vendors, drag saw demonstrations, Tractors and Gas Engines on display, Baker Fan demonstrations, arts and crafts, straw baling, wheat threshing, corn husking and shelling, sorghum making, rock crushing, saw mill operation, Car Show, Tractor Pull (Antique & Classic), Garden Tractor Pull, and many more.
This year’s full weekend admission is only $5 per person and includes a collector button and the Friday Bean Feed at 5 PM. Children under age 12 are free.
Free admission does not include a collector button. Prior year’s collector buttons are available for purchase for $1.
One of the new additions to the event is a fiber arts show in conjunction with the annual quilt show.
New Craft Added
The PHF quilt show has a new name this year and a new direction. The Quilt and Fiber Arts Show will feature beautiful quilts as usual, and will also showcase examples of various fiber arts, according to a press release from Linda Rogers, a local quilter.
Fiber art is work done with thread, yarn, fiber, or fabric, according to Rogers. Examples of fiber art include weaving, rug hooking, spinning, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, cross-stitching, tatting, needle felting, macramé, and more.
Area quilters and fiber artists are invited to enter items for the show to be held October 3-5 at the Myers Building at the Bourbon County Fairground during the annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. This event is free to the public.
“Anyone may enter items not previously shown at this show, no limit on the number of items, and the public is invited to view the entries at NO COST! (There is an entry fee for the machinery show.)” said Linda Rogers, this year’s quilt and fiber arts organizer at the annual event.
In addition to the exhibits, fiber artists will be present at various times during the show, working on their current projects. The public is invited to drop in, view the exhibits, talk to the artists, and bring their needlework projects to work on, according to Rogers.
“Generations ago, quilting and needlework were necessary skills,” she said. “These traditional crafts continued to be kept alive by many of our grandmothers and mothers who, although they no longer needed to make things, nevertheless enjoyed filling their spare time with creative pursuits.”
Recently, quilting and traditional crafts have been “rediscovered” by new generations of enthusiastic fans and are sometimes referred to as “granny crafts” or “Grandma Core”, she said.
“In our hyper-connected, technology-driven world, both adults and youth are finding the simple joy and calm that comes from working with colors and textures to create something tangible with their own hands, according to the press release.”
“A quilt and fiber arts show is a wonderful place to come be inspired, encouraged, and tempted,” said Rogers.“You will see some fantastic quilts, some showcasing new techniques and contemporary colors, as well as more traditional quilts. And if you are thinking about taking up a new craft, or if you are in the middle of a needlework project and have hit a roadblock, maybe one of our quilters or artisans can make suggestions to help you.”
The “take-in” time to enter quilts and items for exhibit is Thursday, October 2, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is no fee to exhibit items. The only award that will take place is a “People’s Choice Award”. Items can be picked up on Sunday, October 5, from 2:30 to 3:00.
The Quilt and Fiber Arts Show will be open for public viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4, and on Sunday, October 5, from noon to 2:00. Admittance to the quilt show is free. For more information, contact Rogers at 620-215-4905.
Rogers is entering a quilt that was pieced by an ancestor of hers, and gives the details:
History of Linda Ramsey Roger’s Family Vintage Quilt
Quilts often become heirlooms, taken care of and handed down to generations after their creation. Such is the case with Linda Ramsey Roger’s quilt, which was created in 1864.
“Information below is taken from a handwritten note, written by my great-grandmother, Alice Ann (Hinton) Konantz, concerning the quilt, other death dates of my family, and an email sent to me from my 1st cousin, who gifted the quilt to me.
*1864 – Charlotte (Hinton) Hinton (great-great-grandmother), age 23, pieced and appliqued the quilt while living in Iowa. Her daughter, Alice Ann, recalls in a note remembering her mother working on it when she was 7 years old. Charlotte died later that year, and shortly after, she and her dad moved to Bourbon County, Kansas.
*1923 – Alice Ann (Hinton) Konantz (great-grandmother), age 66, had it hand quilted by the Methodist Episcopal Ladies Aid, which Rogers reckons is the United Methodist Church of Uniontown.
1933 – Alice Konantz wrote the *note telling the above information.
1940 – Alice Konantz died at 83 years old. “Most likely the quilt passed to my grandmother, Grace Miriam (Konantz) Griffith.”
1982 – Grace Miriam Griffith died at age 84. “Most likely the quilt passed to her oldest living daughter, my aunt, Betty Jane (Griffith) Perry, while living in Montana.”
1999 -Her Aunt Betty gifted the quilt to her oldest daughter, Kathleen (Perry) Martinell, Roger’s first cousin, who still resides in Montana.
2024 – Kathleen gifted the quilt to Rogers, who lives in Bourbon County, Kansas.
FortFest 25 Is September 26-27 at Riverfront Park
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Admission is FREE, and all donations go directly to support the Care to Share Cancer Support Group. Help us celebrate community, music, and giving back at this special 25th anniversary event.
Friday Night – Sept 26
Saturday – Sept 27: Packed with Events!
Please note: No pets are allowed at the event.
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What’s Happening in Fort Scott Sept. 12 Edition
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USD234 Board of Ed News Release 9/12/25
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
Board Minutes
08-11-25
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – August 20, 2025 – $1,556,743.36
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
Orchestra Extended Trip
HS Powerlifting Fundraising
The Revenue Neutral Hearing was held at 5:30 PM, none were present during public forum.
The Budget Hearing was held at 5:45 PM, one public was present for clarification on Mill Levy.
The Board approved –
Resolution 25-10 – Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate
Resolution 24-11 – Make a local option percentage in an amount of 33% for the 25-26 school year.
The Board Approved the 2025-26 Budget with consideration of the Needs Assessment.
Superintendent Destry Brown gave an update on current enrollment as we are approaching the September 20th count day. The district has received the Patterson grant. At the High School the Hydroponic Farm is growing and the students are starting to harvest from their efforts.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided information on the Special Education Audit that has been finalized and the district did a wonderful job completing. The district financial audit will be starting September 22. Also, he updated the Board on each of the departments and the startup of the new school year. He also attended a Bus Safety training held with the district Bus Drivers.
Assistant Superintendent Zach Johnson updated the Board on iReady testing and the growing data that we have received and soon should be able to share with parents. State has said there will be changes to some requirements for graduation starting next year and he will be collaborating with High School Principals as more information becomes available. He is also working with a few in the community with students walking to and from school and how to improve the safety and encouragement for students.
Special Education Director Tonya Barnes provided a shared an update on the CatAid payment and information that she has been working on. We should receive our first payment next month.
Tracy Homan was recognized by Principal DJ Brown “Tracy Homan from FSMS goes above and beyond for kids. She has been instrumental in developing the student council program and is often seen at after-hours programs and events supporting students.”
Maintenance recognized Dusty Hood – “Dusty covered nearly 50 extra shifts at the end of last school year covering for absent staff. Dusty cleaned up for nearly all volleyball and basketball games/tournaments both after hours and on weekends last year. He is still covering his normal daytime shift at the Middle School this year plus 3 hours per night at the High School and another 1.5 hours per night at the Middle School and anywhere else we need him. He maintains an awesome relationship with his students and staff members. He helps lead the summer crew and he helps train any and all new custodial crew. Dusty is one of our most trusted and respected employees because of his hard work and dedication to the district. His positive attitude and “can do” mentality truly raised the bar in an exemplary manner. I wish we could find more than a piece of paper to distinguish what Dusty means to us staff members behind the scenes. We are forever indebted and grateful.”
Jennifer Durkin, Paraprofessional at Kansas Renewal Institute was recognized for her hard work and always being willing to jump in and help wherever needed. She loves the kids and is present for them every day.
Eugene Ware Principal, Mina Query, recognized Todd Magee, “Todd is a wonderful employee. He serves on Guiding Coalition, PBIS, and Team Tiger. He has such a positive attitude and never minds being silly for the kids. There are plenty of pictures out there from last year’s PBIS assemblies that show just how silly he is willing to be. Just check out his Maui photos on Facebook. He is a creative teacher who works hard to make learning seem like a game. I know a few students who got through their third-grade year because he was their teacher.”
The Board Approved the following items:
- Adult Meal Prices for 2025-26
- Adult Breakfast – $3.00
- Adult Lunch – $5.05
- MOU with FSCC for shared use of facilities
- Partnership agreement with Head Start
- One Year Lease agreement with Head Start
There were none present for public forum.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
September 11, 2025
See Attached Corrected Personnel Info:
2025-26 News Release 081125 (1).docx(1)