Category Archives: Government

Sens. Moran, Marshall Announce 23 Grants for Kansas Airports 

 

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (Kan.) and Roger Marshall, M.D. today announced 23 U.S. Department of Transportation grants for Kansas airports. These grants will be used to make repairs and upgrades to the airports.

 

“Local airports help bring economic opportunities and critical resources to communities across Kansas,” said Sen. Moran. “These grants are an investment into regional Kansas airports to make certain they are running safely and efficiently to support interstate commerce and travel to and from Kansas.”

 

“Airports throughout our state provide essential services and expand business opportunities for Kansans,” said Sen. Marshall. “Through these grants, each of these airports will be able to make crucial repairs and upgrades. No doubt, the improvements made will allow the airports to better serve Kansas communities, and I’m glad to see this type of investment in our airports.”

 

Grant Recipients

Governor Laura Kelly Vetoes Three Bills

 

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed Substitute for Senate Bill 34, House Bill 2387, and House Bill 2252, and signed Senate Bill 313.

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of Substitute for Senate Bill 34:

I have consistently opposed vaccine passports and mandating any COVID-19 vaccination. However, this bill goes beyond COVID-19 and implements a one-size-fits-all approach for all infectious diseases. It significantly limits any government entity’s response to any infectious disease outbreak.

As a result, this legislation creates significant safety concerns for workers, for employers, for the economy, and for all Kansans. Schools could not adequately respond to an outbreak of measles in a classroom, and manufacturing facilities could not respond to a tuberculosis outbreak.

Beyond that, our agricultural sector could not continue to fight the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). We have a responsibility to protect our critically important agricultural industry and the farmers and ranchers who feed the nation.

We need to be prepared for what’s down the road to best protect Kansans. This bill puts the safety of all Kansans and our economy at risk.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Substitute for Senate Bill 34.

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of HB 2387:

Having a transparent, competitive bidding process is key to ensuring that our state contracts provide the most value to Kansas taxpayers while using the latest technology and best practices. This is not only good for the State of Kansas, but also for our current MCOs and the people they serve.

The language included in HB 2387 regarding the current MCO contracts is a product of closed-door dealings to push legislation that did not have a single proponent. There is little question that this effort is fraught with legal issues and jeopardizes our Medicaid program. HB 2387 prohibits the state Medicaid agency from pursuing the state’s independent procurement process and, by doing so, functionally provides the current MCOs with a no-bid, multi-billion-dollar, contract.

We must favor transparency and fair competition over attempts to re-insert corruption into the state contracting process.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto HB 2387.

The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2252:

Elected officials must be able to perform their job duties effectively and efficiently. By prohibiting executive branch officers, including the Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General, from entering into agreements regarding the enforcement of election law, this bill prevents the executive branch from fulfilling its constitutional duties. House Bill 2252 represents an overreach by the legislative branch that defies the separation of powers – a principle fundamental to a working democracy. If passed, it would also lead to costly litigation at the expense of Kansas taxpayers.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2252.

Governor Kelly also signed Senate Bill 313 which provides for the use and regulation of autonomous motor vehicles and establishes the Autonomous Vehicle Advisory Committee. More information about SB 313 can be found here.

Bo Co Commission Agenda for May 17

Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: May 17, 2022

1st DistrictLynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd DistrictJim Harris Corrected: _______________________

3rd DistrictClifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County ClerkAshley Shelton

MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM

Call to Order

Flag Salute

Approval of Minutes from previous meeting

Jennifer Hawkins Permit Request

Justin Meeks County Counselor Comment

Susan Bancroft Chief Financial Officer Comment

Shane Walker Chief Information Officer Comment

Public Comment

Commission Comment

FSCC Minutes of April 18

FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
April 18, 2022

The Board departed FSCC at 4:30 p.m. and took a tour of the Harley Davidson facility led by Santos Manrique and
Mike Mathes starting at 4:50 p.m. Upon the Board’s arrival at the CTEC facility, CTEC Board members introduced
themselves and shared the impact of CTEC upon their schools and students.

PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Dave Elliott, Kirk Hart, Bryan Holt, and Robert Nelson

ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, staff, and CTEC Board
members

Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m.at the Crawford Technical Education Center
(CTEC). The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: None

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Carl Ball, a Harley Davidson student who is a Harley Davidson instructor
in Canada, discussed his experiences with FSCC’s program, including how he plans to incorporate lessons learned
from his FSCC experience in his own program in Canada.

Kris Mengarelli led the Board on a tour of the CTEC facility.

CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Holt, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the consent agenda.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

A. A motion was by Nelson, seconded by Elliott, and carried by unanimous vote to approve Elite Construction
Service, Inc’s bid for $43,310.00 for the Greyhound Lodge renovation, with the provision that Elite be
required to show proof of bonding and insurance.

B. A motion was made by Hart, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the
memorandum of understanding with Southeast Kansas Education Service Center for dual credit courses
through Greenbush Blended Learning Programs.

C. A motion was made by Elliott, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote to approve the food
service agreement with Great Western Dining.

D. A motion was made by Nelson, seconded by Holt, and carried by unanimous vote to confirm emeritus
status for this year’s retirees.

ITEMS FOR REVIEW: The Board reviewed items of correspondence.

REPORTS:

ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard updates from the Gordon Parks Museum, Miami
County Campus, Instruction, Finance and Operations, Student Affairs, and the President.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
7:13 p.m. by Elliott, seconded by Hart, and carried by unanimous vote.

Chairman Clerk
12

The Fort Scott Board of Trustees Agenda for May 16

May 16, 2022
Board of Trustees

Fort Scott Community College

2108 S. Horton

Fort Scott, KS 66701

The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday, May
16, 2022. The meeting will be held in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at Fort Scott Community
College.

5:00 p.m. Dinner in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at 5:00 followed by regular board meeting at

5:30 p.m.

THE AGENDA

5:00 DINNER

5:30 ROLL CALL, 3

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CALL TO ORDER, 4

A. Comments from the Chair, 4

B. Comments from the Public, 4

C. Financial Aid Report, 4

D. Student Housing Tour, 4

CONSENT AGENDA, 11

A. Approval of Agenda, 11
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on April 18, 2022, 12
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 15
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 11

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 72
A. Consideration of Chemistry Fee Revision, 72
ITEMS FOR REVIEW, 73
REPORTS, 77
A. Administrative Updates, 77
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 100
ADJOURNMENT, 101
1

May 5, 2022
FINANCIAL AID OFFICE

In the month of April 2022, the following were accomplished:

Presented at the Senior Day “Welcome” to students and parents.

Assisted students and parents at the John Deere orientation/enrollment.

Kansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (KASFAA) Spring conference was
attended by the Assistant Director, Elijah Root.

Assisted with Endowment Dinner check-in table.

Volleyball recruits came to FA for information on their Fall ’22 FAFSA applications and checked
status. Informed them if any documents were missing for packaging aid.

Attended the TRiO scholarship recognition luncheon.

Helped with Ladies Luncheon decorating

Set up in POISE new Pell grid and Cost of Attendance/Budgets for the 2022-23 academic year.

Tested and packaged first Pell and Loan awards for 2022-23.

Continue to download 2021-2022 FAFSA information and award for Summer

Weekly download and document tracking of 2022-2023 FAFSAs.

Weekly disbursement of any new Pell, Loan, or scholarship awards for Spring 2022.

Worked on data required for the annual Cares Act/HEERF report.

Contacted any students with pending non-accepted awards for the Spring ’22 semester.

Cosmetology second half loans were disbursed.

Current data for 2021-2022:

Total count of downloaded Student Aid Reports (SARs): 3,240

Total unduplicated applicants: 2,041

Direct Loan Disbursements: $1,130,850.00 (279 students)

Pell Disbursements: $2,136,613.00 (499 students)

Bourbon County Waivers $ 139,764.00 (250 includes HS and Post-
secondary)

Included with this report is an explanation of our contract with our third-party servicer,
Ascendium Education Solutions and the part they play in keeping the Cohort Default Rate (CDR)
for FSCC within the federal limits to be an eligible institution to distribute federal financial aid.

The following is an excerpt from the
2021-2022 Federal Student Aid Handbook:
A school’s annual CDR is based on a “cohort” of students who received FFEL or Direct Loans at
the school and entered repayment in a single fiscal year—the federal fiscal year, October 1–
September 30.
5

Consequences of high cohort default rates
Schools face sanctions under the following conditions:

For a cohort default rate of greater than 40 percent for any year, schools
lose eligibility to participate in the Direct Loan Program.

For a default rate of 30 percent or more for any year, schools must create
a default prevention taskforce that will develop and implement a plan to
address the high default rate. That plan must be submitted to the
Department for review.

For a default rate of 30 percent or more for a second consecutive year,
schools must submit to the Department a revised default prevention plan
and may be placed on provisional certification.

For a cohort default rate of 30 percent or more for three consecutive years,
schools lose eligibility to participate in both the Direct Loan Program and
the Federal Pell Grant Program.

Ascendium Education Services/Cohort Catalyst provides both personal and electronic outreach
to student loan borrowers in two different ways:

Phone calls to borrowers while in their 6-month grace period to provide
important information about who their individual Loan Servicer is, how to
contact them, and when the payment period will begin.

Phone calls and emails to inform borrowers that they are delinquent on
payments and how they can assist to get them back in good standing by
qualifying for either a deferment or forbearance.

Included with this report are two documents:

1) FSCC Cohort Catalyst Activities and Outcomes

2) National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Cohort Default Rate History List. This list
shows past years that had low rates and then the steady increase that was
concerning to the FA office and brought about a switch to Ascendium’s services.

If you have any questions, I will be present at the May 16
th board meeting.
Submitted by,

Lillie Grubb

Financial Aid Director

CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

1) Attached are the minutes of the Board Training and Regular Board Meeting
conducted on April 18, 2022.

C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT, BILLS and CLAIMS

Attached are the Treasurer’s Report and the Bills and Claims Report.

D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS

1) Additions

a) Jordan Andrews, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach, effective May 9, 2022

b) Kaylena Andersen, Women’s Basketball Head Coach, effective May 4, 2022

c) Luke Demko, Athletic Director, effective May 16, 2022

d) Alyssa Martin, Athletic Training Technician, effective May 16, 2022

e) Jaelen Milus, Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach, effective May 16, 2022

f) Jay Allen, Director of S.T.A.R.S., effective June 1, 2022


2) Separations

a) Dee Yount, Cheer Assistant Coach, effective April 18, 2022

b) Tonya Umphenour, Cosmetology Instructor, effective May 1, 2022

c) Hunter Reed, Rodeo Assistant Coach, effective May 9, 2022

d) Kim Boyer, English Instructor, effective May 14, 2022

e) Jordyn Alexander, Women’s Basketball Head Coach, effective May 16, 2022

f) Cara Folsom, Athletic Training Technician, effective May 16, 2022

g) JoDee Smith, TRIO Database Manager, effective May 20, 2022

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.

BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____

DISCUSSION:

VOTE: Bartelsmeyer Elliott Fewins

Hart Holt Nelson

To view the entire 101 page packet:

5.16.22 Consent Agenda

KS Sports Wagering Legalized

Governor Laura Kelly Legalizes Sports Wagering in Kansas

~~Kelly Signs Bill Allowing Kansans to Place Sports Bets on Mobile Apps, at Casinos, and Other Specific Venues~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill 84, allowing Kansans to legally participate in sports wagering in the state. SB 84 also allows state casinos to use digital platforms and create sportsbooks.

“Legalizing sports betting will bring more revenue to our state and grow our economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This is another mechanism that casinos, restaurants, and other entertainment venues can now utilize to attract Kansans to their establishments.”

“I was excited to pass sports wagering in Kansas, it’s something that Kansans are already doing, and it will bring additional tax revenue to our state to help with our needs,” Senator Rob Olson, Chair of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, said. “My constituents have pushed for this legislation for years, and now, the next time we have a significant sporting event in our state, Kansans will be able to bet on their hometown team.”

“We have heard from our constituents for years about the need for a sports wagering program here in Kansas, both for the value it will bring to their lives and for the revenues it will generate for our state,” Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau, Ranking Member of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, said.  “I’m proud to have contributed to this package that will do just that and revitalize my community by creating jobs in Wichita.”

In addition, SB 84 allows venues such as restaurants and nonprofit fraternal or veterans organizations to hold sports wagering.

SB 84 preserves tribal sovereignty, allowing the negotiation of a new or existing gaming compact regarding sports wagering.

More information about SB 84 can be found here.

###

Meet and Greet For Second U234 Super Candidate Today

The Board encourages the community to come meet the candidate at the Meet & Greet opportunity on Thursday, May 12th. This will be held at the Fort Scott Middle School Flex space from 4-5 pm and from 5:30-6:15 pm. Please enter through the south doors.

Those who attend the Meet & Greet receptions will be given a paper survey to provide feedback. Be sure to turn this in before you leave to provide your feedback. The responses will be tallied and provided to the board in summary.

The Board will then meet in executive session at the board office at 6:30 pm on Thursday evening for purposes of interviewing the candidate.

Submitted by
Gina Shelton, U234 Board Clerk

Uniontown City Council Worksession May 25

PUBLIC NOTICE

COUNCIL WORKSESSION

TO BE HELD BY

THE CITY OF UNIONTOWN

GOVERNING BODY

ON

May 25, 2022

6:00 PM

AT THE UNIONTOWN CITY HALL

FOR THE PURPOSE OF:

To work on ordinances for storage containers, storage/accessory buildings, fences, governing body protocols/operating procedures, and solid waste (trash) collection.  They will also be working on strategies to utilize the American Rescue Plan Act funds.

No action will be taken at this worksession.