The Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting is open to the public.
The meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
The Golf Course Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton. The meeting will take place in the clubhouse. This meeting is open to the public.
Destry Brown, 59, is the new superintendent of schools for USD 234, Fort Scott.
He believes he is coming full circle in his life in returning to USD 234 after 38 years in education.
“The funny thing to me is that I began school as a kindergartner in Fulton, KS which was part of USD # 234,” Brown said. “Now, I am back in the USD # 234 School District. I guess one could say that I have come full circle.”
“I graduated from Fort Scott High School, attended Fort Scott Community College for two years and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University,” he said. “I also received a Master’s Degree in Building Administration along with additional coursework to complete the licensure requirements to be a superintendent.”
He began his teaching career teaching elementary school in Mound City, where he taught grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, and taught there for 11 years.
Brown was then the elementary principal for two years in Wilson, KS.
“From there, I was the principal at Alcott Elementary School in Chanute, for five years before moving to the assistant superintendent position for four years. My first superintendent position was in Frontenac, where I remained for three years. Then, for the next nine years, I was the superintendent in Pittsburg. I then moved to Clinton, MO where I have been for the last four years.”
Brown begins officially in Fort Scott on July 1st.
“I will probably be in and out of the district throughout the month of June as I work toward a smooth transition,” he said.
USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main
Background
“I grew up on a farm between Fort Scott and Fulton,” he said. “We moved to Fort Scott when I was in middle school.”
His wife, Joan, works for Community National Bank and they have three boys between the two of them.
“We also have six wonderful grandkids!,” he said.
Brown has many ties to Bourbon County.
“My parents are Donnie and Georgia Brown.” he said. “Dad farms in northern Bourbon County and Mom owns and operates Sunshine Boutique in downtown Fort Scott. My sister, Ginger Nance, is the Director at Presbyterian Village.”
In his spare time he attends events in the school district and community, he said.
“In Clinton, I am involved in the Optimist Club and serve as the Treasurer,” he said. “I am also a Rotary and Elks Club member. I serve on the Henry County Health Board. I am involved with Olde Glory Days, a week long 4th of July celebration, Main Street Clinton, and the Emergency Planning Commission. I serve as a Big Brother in Big Brothers and Big Sisters and I mentor a student through the Juvenile Justice program. I coordinated and help with community food distributions. Joan and I attend the Clinton Methodist Church. As you can see, we spend most of our spare time serving our community and especially the children/families in our community.”
” I also love to cook and I am an avid student of leadership,” Brown said.
Brown has been inspired by many.
“As a young teenager, our neighbor, Tom Davis was the Recreation Director in Fort Scott,” he said. “He asked me to coach a tee ball team one year and I found that I really enjoyed working with kids. I volunteered on the playground at Winfield Scott Elementary during my lunch hour in high school. I also had some amazing teachers who had a tremendous influence on my desire to be a teacher including: Welcome Van Sickle, Margaret Titus, Elaine Wimberly, Maxine Kinney, Alice Miller, Tom Davis, Bill Sailors, Lily Kober, Gary Wimmer, Warren Jones, Steve Wolf, Gary Key, Lucille James, Marcel Norman. I am sorry for this long list. But, these people along with many others like Dick Hedges and George Hudiberg encouraged and inspired me along the way. All of these people had a way of teaching and leading that broke average. They always pushed me to work hard and to love and serve people. They displayed a joy for teaching and leading and drew me into the field of education.”
The greatest challenge he faces coming to Fort Scott is to learn about the Fort Scott system and the people who work here, and making up for lost time during the COVID 19 Pandemic, he said.
“Now that we are past the pandemic, the challenge will be to help our students to recover the loss of learning that has occurred,” Brown said. “More importantly, we will need to figure out ways to address the social and emotional issues that have presented themselves during the pandemic. Although we learned a lot about different ways to educate our kids and different ways to do business during this time, our challenge will be to blend the old with the new in ways that best meet the needs of every student.”
“I am so excited to be able to return to my hometown,” Brown said. “The things that people will be able to count on from me are: 1) I am about doing our very best for kids. 2) I will encourage and support our staff. 3) My door is always open to people to stop by with concerns, encouragement, or just to talk. 4) I will be honest and transparent about the workings of the district. 5) I will always support and positively represent the Red and the White. Go Tigers!!!!”
Governor Laura Kelly Announces More Than $7 Million in Transportation Project Investments
~~Cost Share Program Tops $100M in Grants
for the First Time in its History~~
OLATHE – Governor Laura Kelly joined Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz today to announce that more than $7 million will be awarded to 11 transportation construction projects through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Cost Share Program for spring 2022. With these grants, more than $100 million has been given to Kansas communities since the Cost Share Program’s inception.
“My administration has invested more than $100 million in our roads, trails, and bridges since the start of the Cost Share program because quality infrastructure is the foundation of strong communities,” Governor Kelly said. “Congratulations to each of this year’s Cost Share awardees. Thank you for the work you’re doing to continue building a beautiful, vibrant, and safe Kansas.”
The Cost Share Program was founded in 2019 as part of the Kelly Administration’s 10-year, bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, or IKE. By leveraging both state and local dollars to fund community transportation projects, Cost Share improves safety, supports job retention and growth, relieves congestion, and increases access and mobility in rural and urban areas.
Governor Kelly lauded the Cedar Creek Trail in Olathe as a prime example of how Cost Share can benefit a community. Enhancements to the city’s trail system will give residents greater access to recreational amenities, connect to regional trails, and provide hiking and biking access to nearby health care facilities.
With today’s announcement, more than $103 million in state funding, matched by more than $74 million in local funding, has been invested in Cost Share projects since the program was founded by the Kelly Administration.
“We rely on local leaders to bring us their best ideas for projects that, with a little help, can make a significant difference in a community,” Secretary Lorenz said. “Communities come to the table with a solid project plan, the support of local business and community members, and matching funds in place. State dollars help get the projects to the finish line.”
Reaching an Agreement on Historic Legislation for Veterans
For far too long, veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving our nation have been denied access to health care and benefits through the VA. This includes many of the 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans who have potentially encountered toxic exposures from burn pits – areas near military bases used to burn chemicals, rubber, medical waste, plastics, and other waste that would emit toxic smoke. As leaders of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Jon Tester and I are committed to passing legislation to provide these veterans – and future generations of veterans – with the health care and benefits they deserve.
This past week, Sen. Tester and I reached a bipartisan agreement for the most comprehensive toxic exposure package the Senate has ever delivered to veterans in this country’s history. For months I worked with Sen. Tester, the VA and veteran service organizations to craft legislation to provide relief to all generations of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. Together, we will continue working until Congress delivers on its commitment to passing long-lasting solutions and comprehensive toxic exposure reforms for those who served our country.
Read more about the impact of the legislation in the Military Times.
Demanding Answers from FDA on the Baby Formula Shortage
As Kansas parents continue to struggle to find baby formula in stores, I joined several of my Senate colleagues in asking Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf about the agency’s plans to address the shortage. The shortage comes in the aftermath of Abbott Nutrition’s voluntary recall of formula possibly connected to infant death and sickness, prompting an FDA safety investigation that temporarily closed Abbott’s Michigan formula manufacturing plant. The FDA is only now allowing Abbott’s plant to restart production of formula. Both the voluntary recall and the FDA investigation exasperated the shortage. I am awaiting Commissioner Califf’s response on the FDA’s failure to mitigate the nationwide baby formula shortage and the steps available to limit the harmful impact on families and their newborns.
Vance Eden, 37, is the new associate superintendent of schools for USD 235, Uniontown.
Following completion of his education programming, he will assume the title of superintendent.
Process
“As I still haven’t completed my programming at this point, for the next year Mr. (Bret)Howard will work on a consultation basis to help with any needs that I may have,” Eden said.
Howard is the current superintendent who ends his tenure from the district on June 30.
“This provision is necessary under the current leadership license that I have,” Eden said. “Once I complete the coursework and receive the Kansas Department of Education licensure credential next spring, my title would then transition to superintendent.”
“We have tried to be open and transparent about this process,”he said. “I had sent a letter to parents when I was hired that explained this information, but understand that many in the community would not have received such communication.”
“I will officially assume the role July 1st,” he said. “But I have been working in transition over the course of the past 6-8 weeks to make plans for the coming school year.”
His office will be located inside Uniontown Junior High/High School building.
Uniontown Junior/Senioer High School.
Education
Eden received his Bachelor’s of Education in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Educational Leader from Pittsburg State University.
“I’m currently working on a Specialist in Education Degree with a Major in Advanced Studies in Leadership from Pittsburg State that will be completed in the Spring of 2023,” he said.
Experience
Just out of college Eden taught math at Webb City Middle School before transitioning to be the assistant principal of that same building.
“I then served as a Title I Reading and Math Interventionist at West Bourbon for three years before assuming the role of the principal for the past four years,” he said.
Ms. Tema Gilion will become the WBE principal in the next school year.
Background
Eden was raised in Bourbon County on the Eden family farm that is located on Hwy. 54 near Bethel Church, and attended Uniontown schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.
His family is made up of “my amazing wife, Rachel, and two great kids, Scout and Rhuey,” he said.
Scout, Vance, Rachel and Rhuey Eden. Submitted photo.
In their leisure time, the Edens can be found outdoors.
“Our family enjoys all kinds out outdoor activities,” he said. “Riding dirt bikes and spending time on the lake would top the list for this summer.”
While in college, Eden changed careers to enter education.
“While in college pursuing a different major, the idea of becoming an elementary teacher really started to intrigue me,” he said. “I had always enjoyed kids and seemed to have a pretty natural rapport with them. Once I made the switch in majors, things seemed to fall into place pretty naturally.”
Many people inspired him to pursue education.
“I’ve been impacted by too many people to list just one,” he said. From my supportive parents and extended family, to remarkable teachers, to current friends and co-workers.”
The best part of being an educator for Eden is giving students the tools they need to pursue their passions.
There are a few challenges in education.
“Kids don’t all start from the same place,” Eden said. “They haven’t all had the same support, opportunities, and care. Schools have to find a balance in supporting social, emotional, and academic needs so that by the time they leave us as 18 year-olds they are ready to thrive in adulthood.”
The Bourbon County Farm Service Agency has a permanent full-time Program Technician position available. Salary ranges from $32,570 to $58,158 (CO-3 to CO-7), depending on experience/education.
Benefits include health, life, retirement, annual and sick leave.
Must be a US citizen.
High school graduate or GED.
See full vacancy announcement at: http://www.usajobs.gov (type Farm Service Agency in the “what” box and Kansas in the “where” box) for details and instructions to apply on-line or by fax.
Complete application packages must be submitted online or fax by 11:59 pm EDT, June 1, 2022.
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS ON “HOW TO APPLY” and “REQUIRED DOCUMENTS”!
Person selected will be subject to background investigation.
For questions, please call the Bourbon County FSA Office at 620-223-1880.
The City of Fort Scott City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, May 30th, 2022 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 31st, 2021.
The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, May 28th, 2022 for the Memorial Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, May 31st, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Airport Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at the City Commission meeting room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting is open to the public.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
Agenda Bourbon County Commission Room 1stFloor, County Courthouse 210 S. National Avenue Fort Scott, KS 66701 Date: May 24, 2022 1stDistrict–Lynne OharahMinutes:Approved:_______________ 2ndDistrict–JimHarrisCorrected: _______________________ 3rdDistrict–Clifton BethAdjourned at: _______________ County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD AT THE COMMUNITY BUILDING IN GARLAND AT 6:00PM
Call to Order •Flag Salute •Approval of Minutes from previous meeting •Eric Bailey–Road &Bridge Report •Tri–Valley Budget Request–Bill Fiscus •Justin Meeks–County Counselor Comment •Susan Bancroft–Chief Financial Officer Comment •Shane Walker–Chief Information Officer Comment •Public Comment •CommissionComment The threecommissioners may be attending the funeral of Allen Warren, previous County Commissioner, on Tuesday, May 24that 10am. Justifications for Executive Session: KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters ofindividualnonelected personnelto protect their privacy KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discussmatters relating toemployer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of thebody or agency KSA 75–4319(b)(4)To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if thediscussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Kansas Department of Revenue Announces Expansion of Online Renewal System to Include Address Change
TOPEKA – Kansas driver’s license holders can now quickly and conveniently update their address on their current credentials. Kansas licensees can update their address by downloading the iKan app from the Apple App or Google Play store or visiting ikan.ks.gov.
“The addition of address change to the iKan app will benefit all Kansas driver’s license holders,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghartsaid. “This expansion of service creates efficiency while shortening wait times for Kansans who must visit one of our driver’s license stations by allowing Kansans to update their address of record from anywhere.”
“We are excited to provide the option for Kansas drivers to update their address through the iKan service,” David Harper,Division of Vehicles Director said. “This is the latest development in our commitment to expand service options for our customers.”
To update an address using iKan, the Kansas Department of Revenue’s official renewal app, customers must submit proof of a valid address with a copy of their current license. Once their address is updated, the licensee will receive an updated credential in the mail.
