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Category Archives: Fort Scott
Agenda of the FS City Commission for June 18
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
June 18, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
Tim VanHoecke, Matthew Wells, Dyllon Olson, Kathryn Salsbury, Tracy Dancer
III. Pledge of Allegiance
- Invocation
- Approval of Agenda
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1362-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates – May 29, 2024 – June 11, 2024 – $525,425.91
- Approval of Minutes for June 4, 2024
- Request to Pay – Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. – Application No. 3 – Fort Scott Municipal Airport – Amount Due – $244,783.75
- Request to Pay – KDOT – Project No. 06 KA-6898-01– Design Contracts –Amount Due – $103,405.87
- May Financials
VII. Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.
VIII. Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting
you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.
- Haylea Hardy – Temporary Park Closure for Wedding – Riverfront Park – October 11, 2024, at 8:00AM until October 12, 2024, at 10:00PM
- Jackson Tough – Tourism Update
- Robert Harrington/Bourbon County REDI
– RHID – Denny Davis land
– RHID- Downtown
- New Business
Action Items:
- Consideration to purchase 2-Hose, 2-Pump Diesel Suction Pump – will replace old pump – $17,325.99 – Coffman
- Consideration of Estimate of Preliminary Engineering Fee – Project No. 06 KA-6898-01 – Earles Engineering & Inspections – Survey, Road Plans, Specs and Estimates – US-54 (Barbee to Caldwell – Phase II Estimates to be combined with Phase I – $118,488.77 – J. Dickman
- Consideration to Purchase a Greens Mower – Jacobsen GP400 – $19,000.00 – D. Fowler
- Approval of Ordinance No. 3764 – Disband the Golf Course Advisory Board and Repeal Ordinance No. 3604, Ordinance No. 3397 and Ordinance No. 3395.
- Approval of Ordinance No. 3765 – Disband the Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board and Repeal Ordinance No. 3566 and Ordinance No. 3550.
- Approval of Ordinance No. 3766 – Disband the Airport Advisory Board and Repeal Ordinance No. 3496 and Ordinance No. 3207.
- Consideration of Ordinance No. 3767 – An Ordinance Establishing the Farmers Market Policy, Located at the Fort Scott Downtown Pavilion, Otherwise Known as the Gathering Square Pavilion.
- Consideration of Requests for Proposals for Memorial Hall façade repairs
- Consideration of Demolition Bids – 314 S. Eddy
- Consideration of Demolition Bids – 306 S. Lowman
- Consideration of Demolition Bids – 1801 E. Wall
- Consideration to Approve Permits for the Sale of Fireworks: Jakes Fireworks at 2221 S. Main; Belino Fireworks at 2400 S. Main
- Consideration of Letter of Interest – Land Bank Vacancy
- Reports and Comments
- City Manager Comments
- Engineering Comments
- Commissioners Comments
- City Attorney Comments
- Executive Session
XII. Adjourn
New 10 Patient Hospital with Emergency Department Will Open in 2025 in Fort Scott
The former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital will be used once again for hospital operations.
Today, Paula Baker, CEO of Freeman Health System announced that they will be operating 10 in-patient hospital beds at the site and will open an emergency department as well.
“If treated in the E.R., you will be treated right here (in the hospital section),” she told a crowd that gathered at the former hospital.
There will also be an outpatient lab, radiology, CAT scans available to the public, and an on-site pharmacy.
There will be six bays in the emergency department and 365-day coverage, 24 hours a day.
A licensed physician and emergency-trained staff will be employed, which will total approximately 70 employees, according to Renee Denton, Chief Operating Officer at Freeman Neosho Hospital, who is helping in this project.
Baker said they have to be licensed by the State of Kansas and that process is long and complex, but they hope to be open by April 1, 2025.
There will be clear separation between Freeman’s hospital bed unit and the Kansas Renewal Institute which also operates in the former Mercy Hospital building, Denton said. Freeman will use the former birthing wing of the hospital.
Baker said they have been working with local city and county entities to make this happen and Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth spoke to the crowd as well as Baker.
She commended Beth and County Commissioner Jim Harris.
“They have worked to get this together and they care,” she said.
Beth said the process to reopen a hospital began about five years ago and thanked the sales tax committee that recently spearheaded a May 20234 vote that will produce some money for the project. In addition, he thanked the voters for supporting the tax.
Also helping in the process were present and former county commissioners, Fort Scott City Commissioners, health agencies, the Bourbon County E.M.S., and Kansas Renewal Institute personnel, Beth said.
“We have been in communication with Kansas on the licensure entities, they have committed to help us expedite the licensure,” Denton said.
A Long-Standing Neighborhood Tradition: 42nd Annual Burke Street 4th of July Parade
Come One, Come All, Let Freedom Ring! It is once again time to celebrate U.S.A.’s 248th Independence Day with a neighborhood parade on Fort Scott’s “Tower Hill,” better known as Burke Street on the Fourth of July.
Following patriotic songs by “Kids on Burke” led by two of the parade founders: Jill Gorman and Susan Foster; the parade will depart at 10:00 AM from Tenth and Burke going south around the Marblecrest Triangle and returning north to the point of origin. Cheering spectators, who are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and dress in red, white, and blue, will line the parade route with family and friends.
Post-parade refreshments will be served and ALL ARE WELCOME to the corner of Ninth and Burke. Neighbors and friends-of-the-parade donate the cookies and drinks are provided by this year’s hosts Matthew and Lisa Cady.
A severe storm or lightning cancels the parade and there are no large vehicles allowed due to the many children participating in the festivities.
Parade questions can be answered by Margaret Humphrey 620-223-0388 –- 620-224-7388 or Theresa Bahr 620-215-2889.
New Fort Scott School Administrators: Gilmore and Johnson
Nicole Gilmore. 31, is the new Winfield Scott Elementary School Assistant Principal in Fort Scott.
Gilmore earned Building Principal Certification from Pittsburg State University in 2023, Master of Social Work from the University of Washington-Seattle in 2016, and Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of General Studies in Political Science from the University of Kansas in 2015.
For the past six years, she has been a School Social Worker with the SEK Interlocal #637 at The Learning Center in Girard, KS, which is a day school program across 13 school districts in Southeast Kansas for K-12 students with significant emotional and behavioral disabilities.
“I additionally have experience as an Adjunct Instructor through the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare for the past four years and as the Colorguard Instructor at Pittsburg High School for seven years.”
“Previously, I have had clinical experience in child welfare and medical settings, along with working internationally in schools with the Peace Corps in Thailand,” she said. “I have had administrative experience in nonprofits through tasks such as quality assurance, planning and public policy, grant writing, and data analysis.”
She will start her duties on August 1.
“I have been actively working with Mr. Garzone, the new principal of Winfield Scott, as well as teachers in the building already! I was fortunate enough to attend the Missouri School-Wide Positive Behavioral Supports Conference in Osage Beach this summer (June 3-5) and we are excited to start implementing some of the ideas that we learned while attending!”
“As an assistant principal, I will support the principal and co-lead in all academic programming.
” I will assist in overseeing daily activities, committees, meetings, and school operations,” she said. “I will work collaboratively in the planning of school needs, alongside students, families, staff, and community stakeholders.”
“The best part of being in education is building relationships with students, staff, and families,” she said. “I love to see students grow and develop over time, with the knowledge and skills that they’ve learned while at school, and that we can do it because we work in partnership with each other. I’m excited to work with the K-2 students, specifically, because that is often where they start to develop a hate or love relationship with the school, and the staff at Winfield Scott has a huge role in that! I believe that we have fantastic teachers in the Winfield Scott building, who will foster that love of learning, and I’ll be here to help augment and magnify all the great things they do every single day!”
“Some challenges include having limited resources and funding, as well as the ever-growing need for additional personnel,” she said. “There is a teacher shortage across the United States today, not just isolated to Fort Scott, but there is a significant need to not only attract but focus on retaining and growing our teachers here. Additionally, with the increase in behavioral and emotional challenges, our teachers and support staff need help in navigating appropriate ways to respond and how to work with community partners such as SEKMHC (Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center) to implement quality wraparound services that meet the needs of the student and their family.”
Her email is [email protected]
Jeff Johnson, 34, is the new assistant principal
at Fort Scott High School.
At Pittsburg State University he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2013 and majored in Biology. Also from
Pittsburg State, he earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership in 2018.
Johnson has worked 11 years at Pittsburg High School as a science teacher, coach (football and basketball), and administrator and was an assistant principal for the last four years at Pittsburg High School.
He officially starts on August 1.
Johnson’s duties are safety and security for staff and students, student and staff supervision, instructional leadership, student support services, student discipline, and extracurricular activities.
What is the best part of being in education for you?
“It is working alongside amazing educators and the opportunity to positively impact students’ lives and help them reach their full potential.”
What are some challenges?
“Some challenges include meeting diverse student needs and finding solutions for staffing needs.”
“I am a proud graduate of USD 234 and I am excited to be a Tiger again! ” he said.
Contact info: [email protected]
FS Commission Minutes of June 4
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of June 4, 2024 Regular Meeting
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held June 4, 2024, at 6:00PM (Time stamp: 0:010) in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. (Time stamps according to YouTube recording of meeting).
Roll Call
Meeting called to order at 6:00PM. Commissioners Matthew Wells, Tim VanHoecke, and Dyllon Olson were present with Mayor Tracy Dancer.
Audience in Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Chief of Police, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Tom Coffman/Public Works Manager, Bill Lemke/Water Distribution & Wastewater Collections Supervisor, Jessica Oliphant/BakerTilly (via telephone), Amanda Lancaster/Diehl, Banwart & Bolton, Jason Silvers/Fort Scott Tribune, Michael Hoyt, Mark Hall, Kathryn Salsbury, Cole Jones and Charles Gentry.
Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation
- Dancer led the Pledge of Allegiance and B. Matkin said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
Approval of Agenda (Time stamp 1:15)
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to amend the agenda to remove Robert Harrington from Appearances. He is unable to attend and will appear at the next meeting. M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
ACTION: D. Olson requested that R. Harrington be informed of what is expected from his appearance.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve the agenda with the amendment. M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
Consent Agenda (Time stamp 2:21)
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1361-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates – May 15, 2024 – May 28, 2024 – $521,016.52
- Approval of Minutes for May 21, 2024
- Request to Pay – Hofer, Hofer & Associates – Application No. 2 – Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom – Amount Due – $20,561.40
- Request to Pay – Hofer, Hofer & Associates – Application No. 3 – Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom –Amount Due – $10,125.00
- Request to Pay – Earle’s Engineering & Inspection – Project No. 06 KA-6898-01 – Design Contracts – $25,947.45
- Request to Pay – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. – Invoice #7615 – Demolition of 10 S. National Ave. – $94,396.00
Items C & D: The payment to Hofer, Hofer & Associates is approximately 90% complete.
Item F: B. Matkin stated that there may be another charge for dump fees.
ACTION: B. Matkin will let the Commission know if there are any additional charges for dump fees from Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. for the demolition of 10 S. National.
MOTION: D. Olson moved to approve the Consent Agenda. M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
New Business
Action Items:
Consideration of Letters of Interest for City Commissioner (Time stamp 4:05)
Each candidate gave an introductory statement and received questions from the Commissioners.
Mark Hall (Time stamp 4:51)
Kathryn Salsbury (Time stamp 12:08)
- Matkin left the meeting (Time stamp 14:30) and returned at (Time stamp 21:43)
Cole Jones (Time stamp 26:18)
Charles Gentry (Time stamp 39:50)
MOTION: M. Wells moved to appoint Charles Gentry to the City Commission.
MOTION DIED DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to appoint Kathryn Salsbury. D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
Oath of Office for new Commissioner (Time stamp 1:04:28) Kathryn Salsbury was sworn in by the City Clerk and took her position at the Commissioner’s table.
Selection of President of Commission (Time stamp 1:05:56)
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to appoint D. Olson as President of the Commission. M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION APPROVED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Selection of Commission Representative of the HBCAT Health and All Policies Task Force vacated by the resignation of M. Guns.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to nominate K. Salsbury as the representative. D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION APPROVED BY 5-0 VOTE.
- Farmer left the meeting (Time stamp 1:07:32)
Consideration to purchase mower for the airport – Grasshopper Model 900D-1.3L for $21,124.95 (Time stamp 1:07:36)
- Coffman presented the request to the Commission. The reason for the purchase is as follows: 1) The current model has been discontinued; 2) parts are difficult to acquire; and 3) the mower is in constant need of repairs. This is an emergency purchase. It is State contract #53340 therefore it does not require the three (3) quotes required by the City’s Purchasing Policy. J. Oliphant verified that the money would come from reserves and will be replaced by anticipated interest earned on investments. This mower will be used at the lake and the airport.
- Farmer returned to the meeting at (Time stamp 1:09:18)
MOTION: D. Olson moved to purchase the mower with half of the funds coming from the lake fund and the other half coming from reserves.
- VanHoecke seconded the motion. D. Olson, T. VanHoecke, K. Salsbury and T. Dancer voted yes. M. Wells voted no.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.
Consideration to Purchase Jet-Foamer System – Wastewater Collections – Key Equipment & Supply Co. – $45,363.13 (Time stamp 1:15:33) – B. Lemke presented his request to the Commission explaining that the primary function is to treat sanitary sewer lines for root and grease control to keep lines open which is a huge problem for the City. Currently a powder dumped down a manhole which is flushed down the lines with water however it can only reach approximately 200 feet. The new jet foam system, in conjunction with the City’s vactor truck will be far more efficient and will treat the entire circumference of the affected pipes. This item will be purchased with reserves from wastewater utility. It was put in last year’s capital plan (2023-2027) under Wastewater Collections to be purchased in 2025. Purchasing it this year will drop it from the 2025 capital plan and will not have to be budgeted.
ACTION: T. VanHoecke requested that J. Oliphant send a current Capital Plan for pending Capital Expenditures to the City Manager and the City Clerk via email in order that the Commission has an updated copy. J. Oliphant agreed.
MOTION: M. Wells moved to purchase the Jet Foamer System. D. Olson seconded the motion.
Discussion was had about the reserve fund, investments and upcoming obligations.
All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Consideration to Purchase 2022 Ford F350 Service Truck – Water Distribution – Olathe Ford Commercial Sales Center – $65,350.00 (Time stamp 1:26:34) B. Matkin stated that the fleet is deteriorating, however they will look for used vehicles instead of requesting this new truck. He requested that consideration for this item be removed. Discussion was had about the process of purchasing used vehicles. The vehicle will be used for the Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection departments.
ACTION: The immediate need is one (1) vehicle. The limit is set at $35,000.00 for the City Manager to sign off on the purchase. The Commission directed B. Matkin them updated and call a Special Meeting if necessary.
Consideration of bids for 2024 Hay Rights at Fort Scott Municipal Airport (Time stamp 1:33:24) Four (4) bids were received: 1) Tippin T Cattle ($15,265.00); 2) KW Cattle ($12,750.00); 3) Ricky Kellenberger ($10,601.00) and 4) Crystal Livestock Express LLC ($6,045.00).
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to accept the bid of $15,265.00 from Tippin T Cattle for the 2024 Hay Rights at Fort Scott Municipal Airport. D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Certificate of Appropriateness for 124 E. Wall Street – Hole in the Wall Liquor (Time stamp 1:35:13) The request by applicant Roy Hoehner to install solar panels on the roof and east-facing awning of the building within the Historic District was recommended by the Design Review Board on May 29, 2024. Discussion was had about the panels on the awning.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve the request based on the recommendation of the Design Review Board. T. Dancer seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted yes. M. Wells and D. Olson voted no.
MOTION PASSED BY A 3-2 VOTE.
Certificate of Appropriateness for 110 South Main LLC – 110 S. Main Street (Time stamp 1:52:11) The request by applicant Kathy Dancer to replace façade lettering, placement of exterior heat pump condenser in south window bay but enclosed with period appropriate custom screen, replacement of 2nd floor windows with decorative mullions and replace blocked in arch walls with storefronts in tow central bays and compliant doors was recommended by the Design Review Board on May 29, 2024.
MOTION: M. Wells moved to approve the application for the Certificate of Appropriateness for 110 South Main LLC. D. Olson seconded the motion.
- Wells, D. Olson, T. VanHoecke and K. Salsbury voted yes. T. Dancer abstained.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.
Consideration of Request for a New City License to Serve Alcoholic Liquor and Cereal Malt Beverages for Consumption On The Premises – Mi Ranchito – 17 S. Main Street
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve the new City License for MiRanchito at 17 S. Main Street. D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Public Comment (Time Stamp 1:59:46)
Michael Hoyt addressed a public notice from KDHE that was presented at County Commission meeting the night before, would also like to be read into the budget process and had a question regarding the approved the jet foam treatment for the sanitary sewers.
- VanHoecke left the meeting (Time stamp 2:04:02) and returned to the meeting (Time stamp 2:05:52).
Appearances
Amanda Lancaster/Diehl, Banwart & Bolton appeared by request and addressed the Commission regarding the expectations of the Single Audit vs. Regular Audit.
- Farmer left the meeting (Time stamp 2:08:36).
- Matkin left the meeting (Time stamp 2:09:11).
- Farmer returned to the meeting (Time stamp 2:10:11).
- Matkin returned to the meeting (Time stamp 2:13:07).
Reports and Comments
- City Manager Comments (Time stamp 2:22:00)
– Approval to proceed with equipment auction
ACTION: B. Matkin will get a date for the auction and D. Olson requested a list of equipment inventory.
– Summer Collegiate Baseball league
– Memorial Hall Request for Proposals to repair façade – will bring to Commission if they come in over $10,000.00
– Want to explore current regulations for shipping containers
ACTION: B. Matkin will bring information for discussion about shipping containers to the next Commission meeting
- Engineering Comments (Time stamp 2:30:12)
– Update on Horton & 6th Street Project – start date is July 8th, 2024, and is expected to be a 230-day project.
– Rerouting to be done with signage to adjacent side streets.
- Commissioners Comments
– K. Salsbury (Time stamp 2:33:35)
– M. Wells (Time stamp 2:33:47)
– T. VanHoecke (Time stamp 2:34:30)
– D. Olson (Time stamp 2:36:50)
– T. Dancer (Time stamp 2:36:56)
- City Attorney Comments (Time stamp 2:38:42)
MOTION: (Time stamp 2:39:28) – T. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:39PM. K. Salsbury seconded the motion. All voted yes.
JUNE 4, 2024, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:39PM
_______________________________________________________________________
Submitted by:
Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk
Chamber Coffee at 110 S. Main on June 13
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Report from the U234 Board of Education Meeting on June 10
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
Monday, June 10, 2024
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
05/13/24 Board Minutes
06/03/24 Work Session Minutes
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – May 08, 2024 – $1,677,190.37
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
Resolution 23-19 KMIP Signers
Belinda Pitts, mental health liaison, was recognized by Tonya Barnes and Destry Brown. She was thanked for her willingness to be involved and available to the students. Belinda has taken this newer roll and has really excelled. She started as a para and transferred to this position in September.
Cynthia Row, SEK Mental Health, along with her team (Malinda Bailey, Ashlee Reeder, and Angel Brazeal) were recognized by Tonya Barnes and Destry Brown. Cynthia is our “911 call” with some of our students. She was thanked for always being pleasant and easy to work with. Her and her team work throughout the district with students. We are extremely glad to be partnered with SEK Mental Health.
Destry Brown was recognized by staff for his support and help throughout this last year. The ESY students made him a poster of “what I love about Mr. Brown” that was presented to him by staff.
Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the budget for end of fiscal year. He also informed the Board about the EPA grant that the district will partner with that will help in the workforce development. There was a report from CHC and the services they provided to the students for the 2023-24 school year.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on iReady testing for the 2023-24 school year where there has been excellent improvement thanks to the hard work of the teachers and staff.
Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, reported on Extended School Year being held in partnership with Summer Enrichment at Winfield Scott this summer. She explained about the final SPED payment for the fiscal year and gave a quick look at training for August with the SPED staff.
The board approved the following items:
- iReady Testing Quote
- TCI Social Studies Resource Quote
- 2024-25 District Handbooks
- Purchase of two vehicles
- Resolution 23-20 – Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Resolution 23-21 – Change Method of Election
- District Cell Phone Policy
There was none present for public forum.
The board went into executive session for negotiations.
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
June 10, 2024
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Carter, Leah – Retirement – Physical Education Teacher – Middle School – May 28, 2024
Hall, Kathi- Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Softball – High School
Hoener, Rhonda – Resignation – Part Time School Psychologist Paraprofessional
Hull, Megan – Resignation – Paraprofessional – High School
King, Christina – Supplemental Resignation – Play Assistant (Fall Musical) – High School
Peterson, Emily – Resignation – Special Education Teacher – Preschool – May 17, 2024
Nance, Amy – Resignation – 1st Grade Teacher – Winfield Scott
Staton, Shanna – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Preschool – May 15, 2024
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2024-35 school year:
Coen, Jessica – Special Education Teacher – Preschool
Cox, Kelly – Reading/Math Intervention Teacher – Preschool
Dunkeson, Lewis – Special Education Teacher – High School
Groll, Delaney – .6 Speech Pathologist
Holthaus, Danielle – Virtual Kansas Renewal Institute Teacher May 20 – July 31, 2024
Jones, Taylor – Spanish Teacher – High School
Lancaster, Bridgett – Girls Physical Education Teacher- Middle School
Russell, Heather – School Psychologist
Vincent, McKayla – 1st Grade Teacher – Winfield Scott
Classified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:
Guss, Stewart – Full Time Bus Driver
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:
Colvin, Crystal – Assistant Volleyball Coach – High School
Flanner, Kevin – From assistant to Head Volleyball Coach – High School
Gorman, Allie – Girls Summer Conditioning – High School
Homan, Tracy – STUCO & Yearbook Sponsor – Middle School
Martin, Jared – Girls Summer Conditioning – High School
Sprague, Nate – Assistant Summer Weights & Assistant Football Coach – Middle School
High School Supplemental Recommendations for the 2024-25 School year
Summer School Elementary
Julie Forkner, Candy Turner, Sabrina Terry, Rhonda Hoener, Lindsey Gulager, Brooklyn Newell, Amy Nance, Vangie Korinke, Lindsey Davis, Moriah Dillow, Rhiannon Tuck, Katie McGee, Michelle Defebaugh, Tiffnie Spears, Darcy Workman, Caitlin Shrewsbury, Anna Kim, Kim Couch, Regina Cruse, Xoe Altic, Jenny Tourtillott, Linda Minor, Sarah Dunivan, Caleb Hendricks
Summer School Additional Paras
Samara Hernandez, Nancy Mincks
Summer School Preschool
Andrea Heckman, Cynthia Hemphill-Witham, Mya Stewart, Shannah Staton, Natasha Lindo
New K-State Extension Agent: Lonnie Mengarelli
Lonnie Mengarelli, 35, is the new Kansas State University Southwind District Crops and Natural Resources Agent.
His office is in Fort Scott, but the district covers Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson counties.
He replaced Chad Guthrie and began his duties on May 13, 2024.
Mengarelli is a 2008 Girard High School graduate, who earned a Bachelor of Science from K-State in 2013, majoring in Agricultural Technology Management with two minors: agronomy and animal science.
His background: from November 2021- May 2024 he was an agronomist for Producer Cooperative Association in Girard, making herbicide and fertilizer recommendations for producers.
From June 2013 to November 2021 he worked for K-State at the Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons, doing small plot row crop research, in charge of crop variety trials (corn, soybean, grain sorghum, wheat, and oil seed sunflower), and the field lead for the crop production studies under Dr. Gretchen Sassenrath researching soil health and cover crop studies.
He grew up on farm northeast of Girard raising Angus influence cattle.
“I put up hay all summer long including alfalfa, fescue, sedan grass, and prairie hay,” he said. “My father was the fourth agent in Crawford County so I was heavily involved in county fair preparations and extension events.”
His duties for this position: “Being the first person-to-person contact for all row crop production, rangeland, and wildlife questions. I will help with weed identification and control, crop pest control, and consulting on management practices to help improve ag production. I will also be heavily involved in the Bourbon County Fair assisting with the 4-h shows and projects.”
He lives in Hepler, Kansas with his wife Hannah (high school sweethearts) and four kids: Heidi (10), Avery (8), Emery (8), and Heston (6).
‘We’ve been happily married 12 years and own our 160-acre Charolais-influenced cow/calf operation,” he said.
Outside of work, he has many hobbies.
“They include working on my antique trucks and tractors and going to support my kids in all their activities. When not at work I enjoy helping family on their farms from operating equipment to turning wrenches and working with livestock. I am the Fire Chief for the Hepler Rural Fire Department. Also, I am an active member of the Hepler Ruritan Club. I serve as beef project leader for the Bone Creek 4H club in Crawford County. In the spring I volunteer to run field events such as shot put and discus at Girard High/Middle School track meets. “
Mengarelli can be reached at
Office: 1-620-223-3720
Cell: 1-620-238-0532
Public Updates of Local Entities at the Empress Event Center on June 12
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Eight-Year-Old Donates Bike to Gunn Park Trails
8-year-old Marlie Seaver donated her 20” bike to mountain bike enthusiast Frank Halsey. Halsey founded Gunn Park Trails, a bike trail system in Fort Scott’s largest park.
“The bike is a 20” Guardian that her parents Josh and Melinda Seaver bought her last fall,” Halsey said. “The company, Guardian Bikes, as seen on the 2017 episode of Shark Tank, teamed with Mark Cuban, has a trade-in policy that requires the old bike to be donated to a charitable organization that promotes bike riding and biking safety. The Seaver family knew of Gunn Park Trails and reached out to me.”
“My husband Josh and I had tried for quite awhile to teach Marlie to ride a bike,” Melinda Seavers said. ” Finally after trying other bikes we did some research and found a company called Guardian Bikes online. They have great reviews and an amazing 365-day guarantee on all of their bikes. ”
“If your kid won’t ride it, can’t ride it, if it’s too big, if it’s too small they will refund your purchase or allow you to exchange for the correct size (which we did) and allow you to donate the original bike to a nonprofit of your choice,” she said “Last fall we purchased the bike for Marlie and she learned to ride it with no problems the very same day! After this winter when we got the bike out for her to ride this Spring it was too small for her. We contacted Guardian Bikes and they said to locate a charity we would like to donate to.”
“My husband and I used to be next door neighbors with Frank Halsey and we have followed along with his journey in creating and maintaining the Gunn Park Trails. I contacted him to find out if the bike would be useful to his project in any way to raffle or raise money for the trails or any of the many events they would be hosting in the future. ”
“He said there is an organization called NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) that was coming to help with the cleanup efforts of the trails after the recent flood in April canceled their event and damaged many parts of the trails. It sounded like the perfect fit for Marlie to donate her bike to since she really loved the bike and wanted it to go to a good cause here in Fort Scott. We met Frank at the Gunn Park Trails sign early this week to take a picture to send to Guardian Bikes to show them where our bike was donated.”
“I’m not sure what Frank and the NICA will decide is the best way to use the bike for their efforts but we were happy they could benefit from it in some way,” she said.
Frank Halsey has the idea to raffle the bike off at a future event to help fund the maintenance of the trails.
About The Trails
According to Frank Halsey, Gunn Park Trails was started in 2009, by him and his “bunch of misfit volunteers.”
Today there are approximately 8.5 miles of mountain bike trails, ranging from easy to difficult. These trails are maintained by volunteers, and attract visitors from all over, including the Annual Marmaton Massacre Festival.
They are also trying to develop a more complete skills park and pump track on the property immediately before entering the park. Additional funding is being sought to make this more permanent.
U234 Board Agenda for June 10
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
June 10, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.
NEWS RELEASE
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
4.1 Board Minutes
- 05/13/24 Board Minutes
- 06/03/24 Work Session Minutes
4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – May 08, 2024 – $1,677,190.37
4.5 Activity Funds Accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 Resolution 23-19 KMIP Signers
5.0 Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)
6.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
6.1 Superintendent’s Report
6.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
6.3 Special Education Director’s Report
6.4 Finance Director’s Report
7.0 New Business
7.1 iReady Testing Quote (Action)
7.2 TCI Social Studies Resource Quote (Action)
7.3 2024-25 District Handbooks (Action)
7.4 Nissan Vehicle Bid (Action)
7.5 Resolution 23-20 – Hazard Mitigation Plan
7.6 Resolution 23-21 – Change Method of Election
8.0 Old Business
8.1 District Cell Phone Policy (Discussion/Action)
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business –Negotiations
11.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
12.0 Adjourn Meeting David Stewart, President