The Kansas Association of School Boards recently announced its Leadership for Tomorrow (LFT) Class of 2025, according to a KASB press release.
Participants are nominated and then chosen through an application process that focuses on individual leadership in Kansas public education and participation in activities that promote effective governance and raise student achievement.
Scott Kimble, Fort Scott High School Principal was selected to participate in the leadership class.
The class gives board members, superintendents and administrators time to explore change theories and strategies, participate in leadership skill training and expand understanding of education and key issues for effective governance and raising student achievement, according to a press release. Through five two-day sessions, the class will visit local schools, hear classroom presentations and participate in class discussions of issues and challenges facing Kansas education.
“My participation in the KASB Leadership for Tomorrow class will greatly benefit our school district by enhancing my leadership skills and deepening my understanding of effective governance and educational policy,” Kimble said. “This program will provide valuable insights into best practices, innovative strategies, and emerging trends that can be applied to improve student achievement and district operations. Through collaboration with other educational leaders, I will gain new perspectives and ideas that can help us address challenges and implement meaningful changes. The knowledge and skills I develop will enable me to advocate more effectively for our students, staff, and community, ensuring that our district remains forward-thinking and student-centered. Ultimately, my participation will strengthen our district’s leadership capacity and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.”
The KASB Leadership for Tomorrow Class of 2025 includes:
Rex Boley, Blue Valley USD 384 Superintendent
Kristin Borrowman, Lyons USD 405 Building Leader
Ashley Bugbee, Oxford USD 358 Building Leader
Jordan Carlson, Washington USD 108 Building Leader
Leslianne Craft, Andover USD 385 Building Leader
Anne Costello, Lawrence USD 497 Board Member
Alec Gartner, KASB Staff
Dan Grundy, Columbus USD 493 Superintendent
Amy Jones, Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 District Leader
Tyson Kendrick, Canton-Galva USD 419 Building Leader
Scott Kimble, Fort Scott USD 234 Building Leader
Gina Loomis, SPT Architecture KASB Partner
Jared Meitler, Rock Creek USD 323 Board Member
Liz Plunkett, Syracuse USD 494 Building Leader
Jennifer Reed, Haysville USD 261 District Leader
Chase Rietcheck, Ulysses USD 214 Building Leader
Heather Stapp, Colby USD 315 Building Leader
Megan Storey-Kupersmith, Osawatomie USD 367 District Leader
Melody Stuckey, Goddard USD 265 District Leader
Christy Weiler, Seaman USD 345 Board Member
The events schedule over the next year:
SESSION 1 Topeka KSHSAA Office and Seaman USD 345 on March 27- 28.
SESSION 2 Troy USD 429 and Easton-Pleasanton Ridge USD 449 on April 24-25.
SESSION 3 Herington USD 487 and Manhattan USD 383 on June 12-13.
SESSION 4 Ellsworth USD 327 and Russell USD 407on Sept. 4- 5.
SESSION 5 Frontenac USD 249 and Fort Scott USD 234 on Oct. 2-3.
November 14-16, 2025: Wichita will be the class graduation, held during KASB Annual Conference.
Kimble’s Education and Experience
Kimble graduated from Derby High School and continued his education at Montana State Northern. After earning his degree he spent several years teaching in both Colorado and Oregon before returning to Kansas in 2003.
“I dedicated nine years to teaching at Buhler High School before transitioning into administration. With 15 years of classroom teaching experience and 12 years as an administrator, I have developed a deep commitment to education as the true equalizer in life. I believe every student deserves our very best, and I am passionate about empowering teachers to be great and make a lasting impact on their students.”
“The Keyhole has been falling short of its intended purpose for some time now,” said Nick Sprague, a board member. “The funding provided by Key Industries has been withdrawn. From my understanding, the Keyhole was a valuable component of this community for many years and actively engaged in ministry to the youth of Bourbon County.”
“However, in the past two years, the youth of Bourbon County have shifted their preferences from physical gatherings to online interactions and participation in sports and activities. While these changes are not necessarily negative, they reflect a shift in our culture and community.”
“The most productive aspect of the Keyhole over the past two years has been renting out the facility to families and groups on a regular basis. The building’s size and prime location make it unsuitable for solely serving as a rental facility.”
“The Keyhole served as a safe haven for the youth of Bourbon County, fostering a sense of belonging and providing a personal space for teenagers,” he said. The name ‘Keyhole’ referred to the building operated by Bourbon County Youth Ministries, which received funding from Key Industries and various churches and organizations throughout its history.”
“The building will be sold. Bourbon County Youth Ministries, the current owner, will transfer ownership to another youth-focused organization, business, or community entity. The proceeds from the sale will not be retained by the organization; instead, the board is deliberating on the most suitable recipient for the funds, with the intention of reinvesting them within the community. This may involve supporting Key Industries or other organizations.”
In December 2024, the Bourbon County Youth Ministries Board of Directors voted to close the Keyhole. The voting members of the Board are Sprague, Ryan Goodbody, Amber Goodbody, and Janelle Tate.
“As a non-profit organization, we will donate items (in the building) to families in need or other local non-profit organizations. Bourbon County Youth Ministries will not retain any of the donated items; instead, they will either be sold with the building or donated to another organization.”
” I would like to express my personal sadness at the closure of the Keyhole,” Sprague said. “However, I am also confident that the community has great opportunities ahead. Our teenagers are an invaluable and essential component of our community, and I sincerely hope that someone with the necessary time and vision will establish a space for them.”
“Furthermore, it is prudent to acknowledge and celebrate the legacy of the Keyhole. Its longstanding history of serving our community is truly remarkable. I want to honor and recognize all the individuals who have dedicated their time and energy to the Keyhole, whether they were the founders or those who dedicated many years to its operation.”
“The Keyhole’s era has come to an end, and I am eager to witness and ready to participate in the community’s future endeavors,” he said.
Nick Sprague is youth pastor at Fort Scott church of the Nazarene
The Keyhole building is located across from Fort Scott High School at 10th and Main Streets.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting this Thursday, February 27th at 8am to celebrate the new location of Care to Share Cancer Support Group, The Sharing Bucket, 9 E. Wall St., in the Downtown Historic District. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with a door prize drawing.
Care to Share started in 2007 as a grassroots volunteer organization to support cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers. The organization hosts a quarterly cancer support group meeting; however, it serves cancer families daily providing financial and emotional support, meals, and gas vouchers or transportation to and from doctor appointments out of town. Care to Share serves Bourbon, Linn, and Crawford counties in Southeast Kansas.
This week’s Coffee will feature Care to Share’s new location where their office is open weekly Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11am to 2pm. They now have a gift shop of cancer support items, and the location also features a wig room, a kitchen, and a boardroom. Care to Share is excited to host the community this week and is thankful to have all the on-site amenities to serve cancer patients and survivors in the area.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
*All bulls will be semen checked and ready for turn out.
*Bulls will have a starting bid price Feb 17th
*Bids will be accepted until 2 Pm March 1st
*If there are multiple bids per bull, the person with the first bid on bull will be contacted and offered the option to bid the next increment higher and so forth until bull is sold.
On behalf of the USD 234 School District, we would like to invite you to the 2025 Early Childhood Spring Fling. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, April 3rd from 5:00-6:30 PM at the Fort Scott Preschool Center. All children ages birth-six years old and their families are invited to attend.
For this event, we are asking family resource providers and community partners to bring an interactive activity for students and families. We will provide space and a table for your activity. During the event, you will also have an opportunity to visit with families and distribute flyers, handouts, giveaways, etc. Our goal is for children and families to interact, be active, and learn about the resources available in our community. If you are a preschool or childcare provider, please share the attached flyer with your families. We also welcome you to set up an activity and table for your program.
If you plan to attend our event, please complete the short form below by Tuesday, April 1st so we can have a table reserved for your organization. If you have questions, please let me know.
Zachary Bradley – Vacation of Alley between 1418 Wall and 1416 Wall
Action Items:
Credit Card Purchasing Charges – D. Tally
Discussion of Projects for Grant Opportunities – M. Wyatt
Christmas Tree Approval – B. Matkin
Consideration to Amend Verizon Tolling Agreement– B. Farmer
Consideration to Approve Members of Board of Zoning Appeals for another term: Robert Nelson, Mark McCoy, Patrick Wood and Brian Rhoades – (1) vacant seat with Letters of Interest received from Aaron Judy and Josh Jones.
Are you a parent navigating the extraordinary journey of raising a child with special needs? You’re not alone. We’re here to inspire, educate, and connect you with others who understand your unique challenges and joys.
The Feb. 20 performance of Fort Scott High School’s play “And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank” is rescheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 23.
The rescheduling is due to the weather forecast for the week. Tickets previously sold for the Feb. 20 performance will be transferred or refunded, please contact Angie Bin, [email protected] or 620-719-9622. Other performances should run as scheduled at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 22 in the FSHS Auditorium.
Left to right: Clark Uttinger, Sypher Cannon, Gianna Gorman, Tray Maloun.Submitted photo.
The production, by James Still, is a multi-media performance with live sound bytes and videos from the actual Holocaust survivors portrayed in the play as well as real video footage from the time period.
Left to right: Cooper George, Mykael Lewis, Gianna Gorman, Sypher Cannon. Submitted photos.
In addition to the performance, the lobby will feature many items of interest to the audience. A collection of Holocaust memorabilia from local historian Ronda Hassig will be on display in the Art Gallery.
Left to right: Gianna Gorman, Sypher Cannon
Students in the Advanced Drama class are displaying research on groups of oppressed peoples and plays that have been written to speak up for those groups, much like how “And Then They Came for Me” speaks for victims and survivors of the Holocaust.
Left to right: Kaiden Clary, Levi Fairchild. Submitted photos, all taken during dress rehearsal.
Students in Jon Barnes’ Government and Current Events classes, after reading and listening to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” wrote “A Letter From a Fort Scott Classroom” about a time in their lives that they felt discriminated against.
Many of these letters will be available to read.
The Technical Theatre class also built white models of set designs for the play that are on display.
Cast and crew members of the play were educated about the real lives of their characters through research and a presentation by Hassig. Hassig has personally visited sixty concentration camps and she shared her knowledge and photos with the students to help them better understand their characters and the world of the play.
Senior Kaiden Clary plays one of the Holocaust survivors, “Performing Young Ed gave me a chance to look into how a Jewish person was treated during WWll, how this person had to hide from SS guards to even be with his grandparents, how he had to try to escape time and time again. After learning about and discussing him, it is hard to believe that people actually had to go through many of these things, especially not seeing his parents for almost four years.”
Tickets for “And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the Life of Anne Frank” are $5 for students and $7 for adults and available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. Doors open thirty minutes prior to showtime.
The play is directed by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with Mesa Jones serving as Assistant Director. It is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
Left to right: Sypher Cannon, Cooper George, Gianna Gorman, Mykael Lewis, Mary Racer, Kaiden Clary, Clark Uttinger, Junie Fisher.
Tonight (2/18/2025), the City Commission meeting is cancelled and rescheduled to MONDAY, (2/24/2025) along with the scheduled work session on storage containers.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH – 5:00 TO 6:00 – WORK SESSION (Storage Containers) immediately followed by the REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING beginning at 6:00PM.
Ft. Scott Community College came to Fort Scott City Commission last week to obtain a letter of support for a house-building grant they are applying for. The application is due February 14, 2025.
Sonia Gugnani, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Rory Chaplain, Associate Dean of CTE and workforce development spoke to the commissioners on Feb. 13 in a special meeting.
Gugnani told the commission that Fort Scott Community College is applying for the Frame grant through the Department of Commerce for community and technical colleges in Kansas. It’s a construction trade grant. The total amount available is $2million, with awards ranging from $250,000 to $1 million per award for those who qualify. This grant is to be used to build 4 houses in the next 2 years, with the first 2 either being renovated or built in the first year and proceeds from the sale of those properties used to build another 2 houses in the next year.
However, the grant money cannot be used buy the land or create the infrastructure needed for the houses.
Gugnani told the commissioners that FSCC wants to collaborate with the city to benefit students and residents of Bourbon County. She asked the city to donate land to build houses on. These houses would be 1100 to 1500 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. The Bourbon County Housing Assessment study by Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) in 2022 showed there is a need for these kind of houses in Fort Scott.
It would give our students work alongside the contractor and give them an opportunity to give back to their community, said Gugnani.
Chaplain explained that their aim is to build houses in the $185,000 to $225,000 range, so they “feel like it kind of needs to be more of a subdivision, rather than infill,” because the goal is to perpetuate the grant by continuing to build and sell homes. This will give students the ongoing opportunity to learn building skills. Homes must be sold within 180 days of completion.
They are hoping to build a neighborhood, according to Gugnani. The problem with using the renovation option of the grant, is that the department of commerce says they (the homes) must be uninhabitable to qualify.
Commissioner Katheryn Salsbury asked if the school could work with the land bank, which keeps the city from having to build all the infrastructure on a neighborhood plot of land. “It seems to me like that would be a better route,” she said.
Chaplain explained that the issue with using land bank properties is the difficulty of getting a clear title. “The Frame grant allows us to do more, as far as scale. We want to get a bigger return up front before working infill lots.”
Regarding the need to add infrastructure, he said if the land has water and sewer, that could spur on other builds from other contractors.
Gugnani also pointed out that the lots need to be adjacent to facilitate student’s working, as they are bussed over from their schools.
Commissioner Tim Vanhoeke verified that the school does not already have a parcel in mind, and asked how much FSCC is putting into the purchase.
City Manager Brad Matkin explained that the city would purchase the land and gift it to FSCC. As for infrastructure, the city would do it. He said that committing to a certain dollar amount of land purchase money is all the grant application requires.
Commissioner Tracey Dancer said he is not supportive of the city being a land holder or of city tax payers paying to supplement another taxing entity’s acquisition. FSCC already taxes residents of the city and, “the idea that the city tax payers would then pay again, more, to then supplement the community college’s budget. I can’t support it.”
Chaplain responded that FSCC is not asking for more taxes. “The point of the grant is to bolster housing and then also the training for the skills gap…and then also the economic development.”
Gugnani said it’s about whether or not they can include the city’s support in their grant application.
Commissioner Matthew Wells said, “You gotta look at the benefits vs. the cost. One of the benefits that this would bring, specifically to the school, is that if they can get this grant and invest in it now, then in the third and fourth year, they’re going to have the money….this is something that allows them to sow in to doing the land bank properties later.” If they go after the land bank properties right now, they’re not going to make enough of a return to make this particular grant viable for the long-term probability of the program to be able to benefit the city.19:14
Matkin suggested the city buy a 10 acre plot, give 4 to the school to build on and sell the rest to developers to recoup the costs of the city’s initial investment.
Katheryn Salsbury mentioned that at the last city commission meeting they discussed the need for properties in the $60,000-$70,000 range. “I wish that’s what we were doing here….are there enough people in the area who can afford housing these houses that are $125,000 plus?”
Chaplain said that based on housing study and realtors they’ve spoken with, the range they are aiming for is the most popular ask.
Vanhoeke asked what number FSCC wants the city to commit to.
Chaplain replied they are looking at property in the $10,000-$15,000 per acre range.
Matkin said that while the city doesn’t have a 5-10 acre plot within city limits, but there are properties owned by others.
Dancer said he could support working with land bank properties. But reiterated his unwillingness to help another taxing entity (FSCC) by spending taxpayer dollars to buy property.
Matkin replied that FSCC isn’t asking for the city to help them with their budget, they are asking for a grant to give kids the opportunity to build houses. The grant provides material and tools.
Chaplain asked about the city’s economic development dollars.
Dancer said it was already designated. Wells disagreed, saying they had “over $100,000,” and Matkin mentioned land bank money as well.
“We are not looking for 8-10 acres, that was just an idea for the city to recoup the costs,” said Gugnani.
Commissioner Dyllan Olson said the city has to grow. “If your saying investing $100,000 to get more than $2 million in return is a bad investment, I would have to disagree with that.”
Wells pointed out that at the end of the day the city would get 4 taxable properties that would pay back into the city coffers in the form of property taxes for the foreseeable future. He said that by spending $30,000 for 2 acres for the school to build houses on, at current tax rates, the city would recoup their investment in less than 10 years.
Olson said the land bank lacks properties with clear titles that would be viable for the school’s project. Title insurance won’t be available for at least 10 or 15 more years, while the land bank works to clear up the titles.
“We need to make sure were are building the place that we able to sell it so we can recoup the money so that we can continue this project…Building is one part of it. Sustaining is a bigger part of it,” pointed out Gugnani. She said that all the profits of the sale of the houses are rolled into building the next house. FSCC cannot keep any of the money.
Vanhoeke said he was opposed to putting any monetary support in a letter of support from the city.
The City of Fort Scott, REDI, Bourbon County Foundation, and USD234 have all been asked for a letter of support, per Gugnani.
Wells made motion: Because it’s Fort Smith Community College and would provide benefit to our city, provide employees that know how to build, “I’d be willing to offer up at least $30,000 from the economic development fund to be able to purchase land to donate to the school in order to get this program going, just based on the return that we’re going to see.”
Motion was seconded by Olson.
It failed to carry due to Dancer, Vanhoeke, and Salsbury voting against it.
Dancer then made a motion for a letter of the support to include infrastructure, but with no dollar amount or acquisition of property.
Olson asked if the city manager could then look for properties.
Dancer then retracted his motion.
“We have 25 years of not having new housing,” a concerned citizen addressed the commission, saying that the community serious has housing issues and has voiced that they are desperately looking for new housing. “All I ask is that you take the time to consider… that they [community] are looking for some new options to be able to stay here in Ft. Scott. Our population is continually declining. If we don’t make some sort of a move in some direction, I’m afraid that that decline will still continue.”
Salsbury tried to bring the commission to a decision saying they want to support FSCC, but without a dollar amount.
Vanhoeke said dollars should be used to incentivize contractors to rehab or build infills, not fund FSCC’s plan.
Matkin asked what the difference is between giving financial help to a developer (which he predicted would be asked for in a future commission meeting) and buying land for FSCC to build houses on, because it’s a grant they are going after, it’s not benefiting FSCC, but the tax payers by putting houses on the tax rolls.
It’s beneficial to the people who live here and attracting people who commute here. The students who live here in the county, help the community, take pride in it, will be building the houses, pointed out Gugnani.
Wells said there are more than 2,800 commuters to Fort Scott who want to live here, but they want new homes, so they buy them in other cities.
Dancer said that due to the short notice, he is disinclined to commit to support in a monetary amount. “The public has not had a chance to consider this, to contact their representatives…”
Chaplain apologized for the last-minute nature of their meeting, but said regarding helping FSCC and developing housing in Fort Scott, “I don’t think that should be anything new as far as what the idea is.”52:08
Wells made the motion, “that the city write a letter of support saying that we will donate land for the building of the four houses and help with the infrastructure that is needed in order to get the grant.”
Olson seconded.
Dancer wanted to clarify that the city is committing to donate the land by the Aug. 1, 2025 grant start date, “whether we have it currently or not. So sometime in the next 5 months we would have to find the land, or acquire the land, or have it donated.” He expressed concern about urgency driving prices of the land up.
