USD 234 Superintendent Bob Beckham is retiring effective June 29.
Beckham gave the Board of Education notice at a meeting last Tuesday.
Beckham worked his way up from teacher to the athletic director, then the principal, then four years ago assumed the superintendency of the district.
The following is from an interview with fortscott.biz.
Why are you retiring?
“I always told myself that I would know when it was time for me to retire, I just know it’s time now.”
How far into your contract are you?
“In June I will have fulfilled my current contract.”
Will you give a short synopsis of your career?
“After graduating from Pittsburg State University I taught and coached five years at Altoona-Midway High School. I came home in 1989 and taught biology and social studies and coached at Fort Scott High School for nine years. I served as the athletic director for seven years, then as the high school principal for eight years. I will have completed my fourth year as the superintendent in June.”
Why did you become an educator?
“Like all educators, I chose this profession to invest in young people – to help them reach their full potential.”
What are you looking forward to in retirement?
“I will be going back to work, just not sure in what capacity yet.”
Jeff DeLaTorre was hired as Fort Scott High School Activities/Athletic Director at a USD 234 Board Meeting Tuesday.
Currently, he is the assistant principal at the school.
He will assume his new duties July 1.
The following is an interview DeLaTorre had with fortscott.biz.
What do you see as the strengths and challenges of the school you will be helping lead?
” Fort Scott High School has a great tradition of having successful athletic and activity programs. We have great kids and strong community support. My goal is to help those programs remain strong and maintain success and to continue to give our community a sense of pride in our high school.”
What is your career experience?
“I taught Physical Education at Yates Center High School from 1995-2000. Also coached basketball, baseball, and football. Moved to Fort Scott in fall of 2000. Taught World History and PE until 2005. Taught full-time PE from 2005 – 2011. Became the Assistant Principal in 2011 and have been in that role since then. Have been the head boys basketball coach at FSHS since 2000. In my time at FSHS I have also coached football, tennis, and baseball.”
What is your education?
” I graduated from Chanute High School in 1990. Graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Earned Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pitt State in 2009.”
Your family?
” I have been married to my wife Angie for 21 years. We have two sons – Kaleb (20 and a sophomore at Neosho County Community College in Chanute), and Jacob (16 and a sophomore at FSHS).”
Hometown: Chanute
Why did you choose education as a career?
” I always enjoyed working with kids and looked at education as an opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives. I also had several teachers and coaches growing up that had a strong impact on me, and I liked the possibility of having that same impact on my students and athletes that I would work with.”
Submitted photo. Amber Toth was selected to be Fort Scott High School’s Assistant Principal starting in July.
Amber Toth was hired Tuesday at the USD 234 Board of Education meeting to be Fort Scott High School Assistant Principal starting in July.
The following is an interview fortscott.biz had with Toth.
What do you see as the strengths and challenges of the school you will be helping lead?
“The high school has many strengths. We have an amazing staff who is always striving to get better. We are focused on rigor and excellence. We are also working really hard to get curriculum aligned across the district, not just in the building. We have leaders in place who have the best interest of kids in mind, even when those decisions are hard. We have amazing programs within the school that provide every student the opportunity to find their niche. But just like any school, there is always room for improvement. I think one of the challenges we face is ensuring our instruction is relevant in making students college and career ready. It is my goal to provide as many opportunities to ensure our graduates have bright futures and are employable. I want to see those students bring innovation and vision to Fort Scott. We are also in transition with a new accreditation process. Pieces of this will require us to alter what we do in some areas. I am looking forward to helping a wonderful team become the best school that we can be.”
Why did you choose education?
“I had amazing teachers. There are some special ones that come to mind. Mr. Warnock was my 3rd grade teacher and taught me to love exploring. Mrs. Beardmore was my 5th grade teacher and taught me to love people, even when it was hard. Ms. Zimmerman was my high school English teacher and she taught me a love of literature. Kathy Faulkenberry was my debate and forensics coach and she taught me my passion. I knew from a young age that I wanted to make a difference in the world. I love making a difference in the lives of kids. I couldn’t imagine myself in another field. The teachers I had, inspired me to change lives the way they changed mine.”
Where did you receive your education?
“I have a Bachelors in English Education from Pittsburg State University that I earned in 2000. I also have a Masters in Educational Leadership that I earned in 2011 from Grand Canyon University.”
What is your past experience?
“Before coming to Fort Scott, I was an Advanced Placement English teacher and the Advanced Placement Coordinator. I also taught debate and forensics, as well as speech. In those roles in Caney, I wrote $25,000 worth of grants to expand our AP program. I also began my journey on the National Speech and Debate Association District Committee for the South Kansas District and directed the school play.”
“Since coming to Fort Scott, I have taught Dual Credit Speech, Debate and Forensics. I also started the school pantry. I am also certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. I have had the privilege of presenting several in-service sessions to the staff on subjects ranging from instruction, project based learning, and suicide prevention.”
Toth hales from Caney, Ks. graduating from high school there in 1995, then taught there for eight years.
Tell about your family.
” I have been married to my husband, Travis Toth for 17 years. He teaches Social Studies and is the assistant coach for debate and forensics at Fort Scott High School. Before teaching, he was a law enforcement officer.
We have four children. Darby will be graduating this year and attending Washburn University in the fall. She plans to study Psychology. Madison is a Sophomore this year. She is active in debate, forensics, drama, choir and was chosen to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) conference this summer. Trent is in 6th grade. He is a hard working young man who enjoys competing in robotics, middle school forensics, plays, sports and was recently chosen to be a page next month at the state capital. Kennedy is in 2nd grade. She is competitive, tenacious, and loves to participate in Tiger Cheer.
My parents are Michael and Penny Coy and they still reside in Caney
My sister, Sarah Bahr and her children also moved to Fort Scott. Sarah is a drug and alcohol counselor for Crawford County Mental Health and an assistant coach for debate and forensics. She has two children that attend school within our district., Ashton Nave,freshman, and Graci Nave, 8th grader ”
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9
John Deere FSCC Tech Program Grand Opening – 8 AM at their new facility -2223 S. Horton St. ~Lunch served at 11:30pm—Ribbon Cutting at 12 pm.
IF Gathering at Community Christian Church Fort Scott 6:30 pm ~ 1919 Horton St, Fort Scott Additional sessions on Saturday.
Theology on Tap ~ Nate’s Place 7 pm – 750 S National Ave., Fort Scott “Why is it important to live locally?”
Fri & Sat – 10 am – 5 pm~ Livestock Sale – Fort Scott Livestock Market 2131 Maple Rd.~ Friday: Cows, Pairs & Big Bulls. Saturday: Stocker & Feeder Cattle.
Fri & Sat – The Prairie Troubadour 3rd Annual Symposium at Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main St.
Fri, Sat & Sun – Art Project: New Faces New Neighbors – 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Fort Scott National Historic Site – History & Art come together. Kids create textile works of art that encompass the change of Fort Scott NHS throughout its history.
SATURDAY, February 10
Coyote Calling Contest by The Fort Outdoors ~ 7 AM – 2522 Richard Rd, Fort Scott – Care to Share Fundraiser
Cupid’s Corner Children’s Crafts at Buck Run, 9-10: 30 am, ages pre-K to 5th grade.
FS High School State Scholars Bowl—All day
Kill Cancer with CrossFit Fundraiser- at Smallville CrossFit ~ 11– 12 pm ~ 13 S National.
Jared Leek speaks to the Chamber Coffee attendees at Crooner’s Lounge.
Jared Leek, the owner of Crooner’s Lounge and the Liberty Theater, hosted the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee Feb.1.
Crooner’s Lounge is located at 117 S. Main and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m.
He said a full-service bar is offered along with steak, seafood, chicken, pasta and fresh oysters.
E-3 Meats, produced by Adam and Jennifer LaRoche are featured at the restaurant.
The theater is next door north, and Leek also owns the building south of Crooner’s, which houses office space for businesses.
Upcoming events:
February 9-10 there is a Catholic Symposium at the Liberty Theater.
Sunday, February 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Crooner’s Lounge, there will be Valentine Cupcake Decorating Event, Leek said.
Each guest will decorate one-dozen cupcakes, pre-baked by Crooner’s Cakery. Frosting, frosting tips, candies and edible decorations will be provided. Cost is $30/person.Reservations required. Limited availability. Purchase tickets using the link to Brown Paper Tickets.
February 14, the Gary Thompson Band will be performing at a special Valentines Dinner at Crooner’s, reservations required.
February 16 En Power and Light and Flagship Romance will be performing, with reservations required.
The Baloney Ponyz will perform March 10, and on March 17 the theater is hosting St. Patty’s on the Patio starting at 5 p.m.
Leek said the theater is booked consistently in May and June for weddings.
Theater season tickets are sold for $100 per person, typically sold as a table of four, for $400.
Contact Jared Leek to make reservations by calling (620) 224-9787.
John Tidwell, left, talks with Bill Pollack following the Kansas Humanities Council Presentation Thursday at the Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College. At right, Melody Leavitt waits to speak to Tidwell.
Kansas University Professor John Edgar Tidwell spoke to a room full of people Thursday during the Kansas Humanities Series Lunch and Learn at Fort Scott Community College’s Gordon Park Museum.
The event was in celebration of Black History Month.
Tidwell gave some history on how President Abraham Lincon, with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and Dr. Martin Luther King, in the March On Washington in 1963 helped to change America.
“They led the way to freedom,” Tidwell said.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the nation, it captured the hearts and imagination of millions of Americans and fundamentally transformed the character of the war. After January 1, 1863, every advance of federal troops expanded the domain of freedom. Moreover, the Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom, according to https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation
“There were creed and practice differences,” Tidwell said of American history.
During the March On Washington For Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, Dr. King gave a powerful speech that helped the progress of the Civil Rights Movement.
The most memorable part of the speech was after Mahalia Jackson, the black Gospel singer, shouted out “Tell them about the dream!” Tidwell said.
King then set aside his written speech and spoke spontaneously to the approximately 250,000 people gathered that day.
Jackson was on the platform that day of the march, as a singer.
Here is a clip of that speech:
Black women were at the forefront of the movement, he said, but “they were marginalized and doubly oppressed by racism and sexism”.
Tidwell encouraged the audience to “try to find ways to sustain mutual respect” in the current era of American history.
“Find one thing you see right and work towards that,” he said.
“What can we learn from Lincoln’s struggle with slavery and Dr. King’s efforts to set forth a dream rooted in the American Dream?” Tidwell asked.
“History can be a great teacher. One lesson we can learn is that we are only as free as the respect we show others. In my view, the world we now live in is best described as uncertain.
“No, it is not the world of Dr. King’s separate drinking fountains, segregated classrooms, the real estate practice of red-lining, and other acts of racial discrimination.
“As made clear by the recent outcome of the presidential campaign, our world is beset with an enervating discourse rooted in divisiveness, intolerance, and discord. The moral imperatives of civility, mutual respect, and common sense have been sacrificed to political cant and ethnocentrism.
“The politics of insincerity and expediency have become poor substitutes for compassion and statesmanship.”
“I want people to understand that once they have sympathy and empathy for others, that will translate into an improved engagement with our history, our traditions and all those things that make us, us,” Tidwell said in a later interview. “I want this speech to inspire a little bit for how they can work together on a goal that will enhance everybody’s situation, not just their own”.
The audience eats lunch and converses before John Tidwell speaks for the Kansas Humanities Council Series presentation at Fort Scott Community College.
Woodland Hills Golf Course Advisory Board, from left clockwise: Fort Scott City Clerk Diane Clay, John Leek, Kenneth Holt, Shannon O’Neil, Jon Kindlesparger, Steve Harry, Mitch Quick and Jon Garrison. The board had its quarlerly meeting Feb. 1 at the clubhouse.
The Woodland Hills Golf Course Advisory Board met Feb. 1 at the course clubhouse.
On the agenda was raising revenue for the course.
“It’s a good golf course,” Shannon O’Neil, clubhouse manager said. “Greens fees, we are 50 cents less than Girard, a couple bucks less than Four Oaks. ”
“We are trying to catch up with area courses,” Jon Kindlesparger, golf course superintendent said in a later interview.
“The season cart (rental) is the biggest discrepancy,” O’Neil said. When a large group plays they’ll all have one cart, he noted
O’Neil said renting a cart is a good deal for the golfers.
“It’s just like having your own cart, (but) based on availability. I can’t promise a cart in a tournament,” he said.
Currently, the golf cart season rental fee is $350 per year.
Following discussion by the board, it will seek approval from the city to raise the fee to $425.
Additional fee increases, if approved by the city commission:
Nine-hole greens fees will increase from $10 to $11, weekday; weekend fees from $12 to $15.
Single memberships will increase from $400 to $440; family memberships (a family of four) from $550 to $595.
Staff of the golf course will attend Tuesdays Fort Scott City Commission meeting to seek approval for fee increases. Pictured are the current prices.
O’Neil said he would like to change the procedure for memberships.
“I’d like to have them due all at the same time,” he said. “If all are due at a certain date, as a business I can see if what we are doing is growing the business. It’s easier from a management perspective. I’d like May 1 to be the (renewal) date.”
Jon Garrison, finance director for the City of Fort Scott agreed with the proposal and said it would be pro-rated the initial year.
The city owns the approximately 148- acre golf course.
O’Neil and Kindlesparger were asked by Garrison to attend the next city commission meeting, Feb. 6 to seek approval of the fee increases.
Another item on the agenda was the new golf cart barn that is in the preliminary stage.
Agricultural Engineering Associates, Uniontown, is the firm hired to design the barn.
“I hope he gets the specs together, then we can go out to bid with it,” Garrison said.
“I hope it will be constructed this spring,” O’Neil said in a later interview. “It will be a Morton Pole Barn. We’ll house 30 rental carts. We’ll sell 10 season cart passes a year.”
The barn will be located straight north of the clubhouse, “where the old clubhouse used to be,” O’Neil said.
Some of the statistics for the course:
There are 127 memberships.
There were 9,100 rounds of golf played on the course last year, of those, 5,100 were played by members, 4,000 were green fee rounds.
There are three full-time employees, six part-time employees during the season which runs April through October.
The new clubhouse was completed in February 2016.
There are 25 tournaments a year.
Uniontown and Fort Scott High Schools play at the course.
“We are unique here, a member of those golf teams can play here for free,” O’Neil said.
Fort Scott Community College is starting a girls golf program this year and will play at Woodland Hills, as well, he said.
The board is comprised of Steve Harry, Kenneth Holt, John Leek, Mitch Quick and Jeff Sweetser.
The board meets quarterly or as needed.
“We’ve got a good board,” Garrison said. “They use the course.”
“They are emotionally and financially invested,” O’Neil said.
