The Land Bank Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 4:00PM at City Hall.
This is an open meeting. It will also be available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.
Category Archives: Fort Scott
Tonya Barnes Begins as U234 Special Education Director on July 1
Tonya Barnes will begin duties as the USD 234 Special Education Director on July 1.
Barnes was in District Level Leadership; Emporia State University in 2015; Building Level Leadership; Emporia State University, 2010; Master of Science; Major: Special Education, Behavior Disorders K-12; Emporia State University, 1997; and earned a Bachelor of Science; Major: Elementary Education; Pittsburg State University, 1988.
She is the current director of special education at USD 282, 283, 286 in Chautauqua and Elk Counties Special Services Cooperative, since 2018.
She was director of special education from 2015-18 for Coffey County Special Education Cooperative.
From 2012-15 she was special education coordinator at the Flints Hills Special Education Cooperative.
Barnes was a special education teacher from 1995-2012 at the ANW Special Education Cooperative.
Fort Scott: The Next Step, Coming to Her Home District
Barnes is a graduate of Fort Scott High School, class of 1984.
She is married to Kevin Barnes who is teacher and coach for Woodson USD 366 in Yates Center for 32 years. They have a son, Jon Barnes who is in his first year of teaching and coaching at Fort Scott High School.
Her parents are Karen and the late Ron Billiard, Fort Scott, and her sister is Robin Hartman, Fort Scott.
Her community involvement through the years has been family focus – church activities, youth events, 4-H parent, supporting school district activities and sporting events, Kansas University basketball enthusiasts, spending time with family, and “spoiling our beloved pets,” she said.
For Barnes, the best part of being the special education director is working with the students and staff, and learning their stories, she said.
“The relationships we will build together takes time and intentional work,” Barnes said. “Our special education team has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and I look forward to learning from them.”
“The special education team (at U234) consists of approximately 30 licensed teachers and related service providers, and 80 paraeducators,” she said.
“USD 234 has approximately 22% of the district’s enrollment receiving special education services,” she said.
Her office will be located at the district office, 424 S. Main, and her time at the district office will be combined with time in the different age-grouped buildings, Barnes said.
“The biggest challenge of the position is time to be sure the most important work is accomplished, which is matching student needs with the most effective intervention or strategy, supporting teachers, providers, and paras with the knowledge, resources, time, and energy to deliver what is needed, and valuing their contributions,” she said.
The following will be her duties:
*Build relationships with staff, students, parents, patrons, and the entire learning community;
*Partner with the district’s special education team to learn the processes, successes, and strengths of the special education staff and programming in each building;
*As a team, access areas of desired and needed professional development…for best practice in providing programming to students and families, in addition to supporting their professional growth;
*Being accessible … connecting with staff… learning the culture, observing instruction first-hand to support our providers in their work of providing solid learning opportunities for students;
*Work with the…business office to learn the special education budget in USD 234 and become familiar with how revenue streams, expenditures, and funding are managed,
*Assist and support the procurement of needed materials and resources to meet student’s needs;
*Work with the USD 234 Administrative Team to assist and support special education matters in their buildings;
*Represent USD 234 in contacts with local, state, and federal agencies in matters pertaining to special education;
*Assist and provide support in securing the needed staffing for special education programs and provide induction for new staff;
*Collaborate with building teams to ensure a comprehensive curriculum is being provided;
*Work with all providers…to ensure students are receiving equitable evaluations, consistent services, and access to research-based curriculum and instruction, while maintaining best practices;
*Attend required and selected professional development opportunities to support…to provide guidance and leadership with special education mandates and new initiatives;
*Collaborate with building teams to provide the opportunities necessary for successful post-secondary transition success;
*Assist management of grants available for special education funding and the submission of staff information to maximize state special education categorical aid;
*Prepare and submit all reports within guidelines and timelines;
*Comply with legal and regulatory requirements of various governmental agencies;
*Ensure all special education programs perform within state and federal statutes, and adhere to the policies and procedures of the USD 234 Board of Education.
FS Streets Advisory Board Meets May 11 instead of today
The Streets Advisory Board meeting scheduled for today, April 13, 2023, at 4:00PM is rescheduled to May 11th, 2023, 4:00PM at City Hall.
Fort Scott – Bourbon County JOB FAIR
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Star Wars Fans, Celebrate May the Fourth at the Library
Submitted photo.
Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Youth Librarian & Asst. Director at Fort Scott Public Library
Each year, across the globe, fans of the Star Wars franchise celebrate on May the Fourth, chosen as a spinoff of the phrase “May the Force be with you.” On May 4th, commonly known as Star Wars Day, Valetta Cannon (known to local kids as Miss Val) invites fans of all ages to come celebrate at the Fort Scott Public Library. The library will present film screenings, snacks, crafts, games, a selfie station, and other activities in the event room, from 10 am to 4 pm. Activities will be self-directed, although Miss Val will come and join participants when possible. Fans are invited to come in costume and to have library staff take their photos in front of the new backdrop. This event is free and open to the public.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Library on Maker Monday
Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director. Submitted photo.
Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Youth Librarian & Asst. Director at Fort Scott Public Library
Join Miss Val at Fort Scott Public Library on April 17 at 4:15 pm for a reduce, reuse, and recycle-themed Maker Monday.
Attendees will choose from a wide variety of cardboard pieces and recyclables to create anything they can imagine.
Utilize the library’s maker cart and art supplies to make art, engineer a motion-powered machine, create something functional, or make a piece that no one has dreamt of before.
Enjoy snacks and bottled water to keep your creative juices flowing.
This will be the final Maker Monday of the school year. The program is free and open to the public.
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING NEWS RELEASE
Monday, April 10, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda and the consent agenda as follows:
- Board Minutes from the 03-06-23 regular board meeting and 03-27-23 special board meeting
- Financials-Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – March 9, 2023 – $1,571,728.00
- Activity Fund accounts
- Negotiations Training
- LEA Assurances
- Point of Interest: Board Meeting on May 8th will be at the normal time of 5:30 pm. The Employee Recognition Reception will be held on May 17, 2023, starting at 1:00 pm.
Nick Johnson, Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal, introduced FSPC students Solloman Davis, Ryker Felt, Ronin Flanner, Maizie Fiegener, and Sheridan Stephan. They were joined by FSPC teachers Andrea Heckman, Teresa Hurd, and Megan Webb. The teachers and students did an exercise to teach the board how to “Wake Up Their Brain.”
Classified Tiger Team Members – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Charlotte Thompson and Laurie Bollinger as the Classified Tiger Team Members of the Month.
- Thompson is a paraprofessional over at the Fort Scott Preschool Center. She has worked 7 years with the District but has been at FSPC for another 38 years for a total of 45 years working with our preschool kids. Charlotte pitches in to help with whatever is needed.
- Bollinger is a paraprofessional over at Winfield Scott Elementary. She has worked in the District for 30 years as a paraprofessional helping our kids. She is one of those paras that does all kinds of jobs and is an example of the excellence in our classified staff that make our schools work.
Licensed Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Brenda Hill as the Licensed Tiger Team Member of the Month.
- Hill is a 5th grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary. Mrs. Hill has an awesome classroom where the kids are always doing something and are engaged. She hosted a “Book Tasting” event that the students really enjoyed. Brenda is the epitome of excellence in teaching in the District. Mrs. Hill has taught for the district for 31 years.
Board Members shared comments.
Superintendent Destry Brown invited the board to the Employee Recognition Reception that will be held on May 17th at Fort Scott High School.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on state assessments and work being done on essential standards.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, noted the June 1 filing deadline for board elections, premium pay, ESSER III plan approval, and the plan to bring in new staff over the summer for orientation.
Superintendent Brown updated the board on expansion of preschool options. The board then directed Superintendent Brown to explore options outside of Legacy Health. The cost to relocate to Legacy Health had become cost prohibitive. These options might include mobile units to be stationed at the existing preschool location.
The board approved the following items:
- FSHS Tennis Court resurfacing to Hellas Construction in the amount of $37,400.00
- Resolution 22-13 to enter into a lease purchase transaction for energy conservation improvements
- KASB Membership & Legal Assistance Fund for 2023-24
- Payment to Meridian Roofing in the amount of $90,990.00
- Science Textbook purchase from McGraw Hill in the amount of $65,705.07 for grades 3-5 and 6-8
- Contract for Occupational Therapy Services with Outreach Occupational Therapy LLC
- Premium Pay Rates for the 2022-23 and 2023-24
- Approval of Personnel Report (following)
Additionally, Superintendent Brown noted that letters were exchanged with Fort Scott KNEA and the District regarding negotiations.
The board went into an executive session for negotiation and personnel matters.
Vice-President Kellye Barrows adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
April 10, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Carnes, Susan – Retirement – Preschool Speech Paraprofessional at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Edwards, Sharonda – Resignation – Winfield Scott Paraprofessional effective 03-31-23
- Marino, Margaret – Resignation – Winfield Scott Elementary Special Education Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Ruddick, Chad – Resignation – Fort Scott High School English Teacher at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Tinsley, Jeff – Retirement – Maintenance on July 31, 2023
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS:
- Brown, Jodi – Speech Language Pathologist, half-time, for the 2023-24 school year
- Davenport, Annyssa – Eugene Ware Elementary Special Education Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
- Garzone, Chris – Winfield Scott Assistant Principal for the 2023-24 school year
- Hall, Kathi – FSMS Summer Conditioning for the 2023-24 school year
- Harper, Angel – Transfer from Eugene Ware Elementary to New Generation Paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year
- Herring, Sean – Eugene Ware Elementary Kitchen Manager for the 2023-24 school year
- Mead, Jenice – FSMS 6th Grade Math Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
- Miles, Lacey – FSHS Paraprofessional for the 2023-24 school year
- Motley, Aubrionna – Winfield Scott Elementary Paraprofessional for the 2023-24 school year
- Pitts, Jaxon – District Maintenance effective April 24, 2023
- Popejoy, Curt – FSHS Special Education Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
- Shoemaker, Billi Jo – Transfer from Eugene Ware Interventionist to Winfield Scott Special Education Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
- Travis, Hayden – Transfer from Winfield Scott Second Grade Teacher to Eugene Ware Art Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
- Woellhof, Beckie – Eugene Ware Fourth Grade Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
- Reemployment of Certified and Licensed Staff for the 2023-24 school year
Family Entertainment Venue Coming to Fort Scott
Patrick MacDonald, also known as PatMac, has purchased the building at 16 Scott Avenue and has been working to make the place into a family fun venue with the name of Gamerz Lodge.
“The community asked for a family fun entertainment space and that’s what I’m doing here,” he said. “Roughly 10,000 square feet of fun!”
Patrick moved here from Kansas City last year to invest in Pizza Republic after owning a few pizza businesses over the last 30 years. “I love this community,” he said. “I saw this as a way to give back to the community and invest in Fort Scott. Down here I can make a difference.”
The first floor will be his first focus to show what Gamerz Lodge is about.
“We’ll have a few TVs, arcade games, air hockey, shuffleboard, and pool tables,” MacDonald said. “We’re also introducing a ‘leveled up’ concession stand. Some of your favorites with a ‘PatMac’ twist. There will also be ice cream!”
It will be an events center for small concerts and a place for birthday parties as well.
“People can really use this space for creative classes, meetings, comedy shows, and gatherings,” he said. “It has so much potential.”
The renovation of the building, which most recently housed Darlene’s Collectibles, is a huge undertaking. “It’s a lot to take on for one guy but I’m definitely up for the challenge,” he said. “If there’s an investor out there give me a holler!” he said.
MacDonald’s email address is [email protected].
The tentative opening is June 1.
THE SECOND FLOOR
The second floor has a large ballroom and two 30 feet x30 feet rooms. The ballroom held meetings and dances from the days of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, whose emblem is on the outside of the 1924-era building. Some memorabilia still lines the walls.
“The second floor will grow with the business,” he said. “I see cornhole tournaments, VR space, and potentially a putt-putt golf.”
MacDonald also sees the opportunity to create a wedding venue or an Airbnb on this level.
“I see a whole baseball team from LaRoche Stadium could stay here,” he said. “Games, food, and family. What else do you need?”
Chamber Coffee at Artificers on April 13
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BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 10 PUBLIC AGENDA
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
APRIL 10, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
1.0 Call Meeting to Order Danny Brown, 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
- 03/06/2023 Regular Meeting
- 03/27/2023 Special Board Meeting
4.2 Financials-Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – March 9, 2023 – $1,571,728.00
4.5 Activity Fund accounts
4.6 Negotiations Training
4.7 LEA Assurances
4.8 Point of Interest – Board Meeting on May 8th will be at the normal time of 5:30. The Employee Recognition Reception will be held on May 17, 2023 starting at 1:00 pm.
5.0 Recognitions
5.1 Student Recognition
5.2 Employee Recognition
5.3 Board Member Acknowledgements
6.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
6.1 Superintendent’s Report
6.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
6.3 Finance Director’s Report
7.0 Old Business
7.1 Fort Scott Preschool Center (Action Item)
7.2 Tennis Courts Resurface – Hellas Construction Inc. (Action Item)
7.3 Resolution 22-13 (Action Item)
8.0 New Business
8.1 KASB Membership Renewal & Legal Assistance Fund Contract (Action Item)
8.2 Roof Payment (Action Item)
8.3 Science Textbook Adoption (Action Item)
Grades 3-5: Inspire Science, McGraw Hill
Grades 6-8: Inspire Science, McGraw Hill
8.4 Letters Exchanged for Negotiations (Information Item)
- USD 234 Letter
- FSKNEA Letter
8.5 Contract for Occupational Therapy Services with Outreach Occupational Therapy, LLC for the 2023-24 School Year (Action Item)
8.6 Premium Pay Rates for 2022-23 and 2023-24 (Action Item)
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business – Negotiations
10.1 Enter Executive Session – Negotiations (Action Item)
10.2 Exit Executive Session
11.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
11.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
11.2 Exit Executive Session
11.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
11.4 Approval of Personnel Report – Reemployment Certified & Special Services Personnel 2023-24 (Action Item)
11.5 Approval of Personnel Report – Part-Time Speech Language Pathologist 2023-24
(Action Item)
11.6 Approval of Personnel Report – Reemployment Certified Personnel 2023-24 (Action Item)
12.0 Adjourn Meeting
Vice-President Barrows
ViCon Creations, A Three Generations Business
Connie McKee and her daughter, Vicki Waldron started a business together in 1996 called ViCon Creations LLC, and have done a variety of handiwork.
“We started with alterations (making clothes fit, that don’t fit), then moved into interior decorations…awnings, horse stuff,” Waldron said. “A lady asked us to manufacture bra liners for Pam’s Bra’s. We worked about 10 years on that.”
They still do alterations, as noted on their Facebook page, which is a valuable service during prom and wedding season.
She does work for J & W Sports and Twister Trailers as well.
For the last seven years, Waldron has worked at Common Ground Coffee Shop in Fort Scott.
“I decided I’m done standing on my feet,” she said. “I decided to expand my sewing business.”
In August 2022 she started to revamp her sewing business.
She creates purses, women’s fishing vests, and does machine quilting.
“Most people will make quilt tops, but need them quilted,” she said.
This year her granddaughter Erin Camp started making t-shirt quilts.
“She is paying off her college tuition (Northwest Missouri State) by making quilts. She makes the quilt tops and I bind and quilt it,” Waldron said.
Another granddaughter, Lauren Schalk, makes jewelry: Western style earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Schalk is attending Oklahoma State University. She is working with her grandmother for this business venture.
These two granddaughters are her information technology help, she said.
Her mother, Connie McKee makes toddler girl’s clothing.
“Mom comes in when she wants to work,” she said. McKee is retired.
What ever they make, they put online at www.viconcreations.com
A grandson, Devlin Cole, has shown an interest in creating leather items, she said
On the horizon for ViCon Creations is building a new work building to replace the remodeled chicken house the current business is located in.
She would like to teach sewing to young girls in the future, and “how to cook good meals,” she said.
“If young women come out here and learn to sew, I’ll give them a job,” she said.
Contact Waldron at 417.214.2599.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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