Category Archives: Government

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD 234 Special Board Meeting: New Super And Principal Hired

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NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, May 16, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2022, for a special board meeting.

President James Wood opened the meeting.

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel.  The board returned to open meeting and approved the following:

 

A.    Employment of Destry Brown as Superintendent of Schools for the 2022-23 school year

B.    Employment of Dr. Zach Johnson as the Fort Scott Middle School Principal for the 2022-23 school year

C.    Transfer of Jennifer Herring, Winfield Scott cook, to high school cook for the 2022-23 school year

D.    Base salary adjustment for Bryce Daly, district technology technician, effective July 2022

 

The board adjourned.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD 234 Fort Scott Names New Superintendent

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U234 Press Release to Announce Selection

Destry Brown begins leadership of USD 234 Fort Scott on July 1.

The USD 234 Board of Education has announced the selection of Destry Brown, as the new superintendent. Mr. Brown will take the reins on July 1, 2022, after the resignation of Ted Hessong at the end of the 2021-22 school year.


Destry Brown has broad educational experience, as a teacher, administrator and an educator of educators. He is currently serving as Superintendent of Clinton, Missouri schools. Mr. Brown has also served as superintendent of schools in Pittsburg, KS, Frontenac, KS and has been an elementary principal.


Students in our schools succeed because they are quality students focused on preparing for their future. We feel our staff and administration support student learning and educational opportunities that will ensure they are prepared for career or college.


“I am so excited to be the new superintendent in my hometown! I look forward to serving the students, teachers, the Board and the rest of the Tiger community.

The Fort Scott school system has a rich history and tradition of excellence. I am humbled to think that I will be a part of continuing this tradition. The district has amazing staff and students as
well as a super supportive community. All of those things working together will make being the superintendent in Fort Scott a joy and a pleasure. I am excited for the opportunity to become reacquainted with the Fort Scott community and to become a part of the Tiger
Family once again.”


Board President James Wood says that Destry Brown emerged from a very thorough search process as the right candidate to lead the School District.

“The Board is certain in our choice of Mr. Brown and confident that under his leadership USD 234 will again to be recognized as having a culture of student success, employee appreciation and community
pride.”


James Wood, Board President, explained that community input, including the involvement of stakeholders was a key factor in the success of the superintendent search process. The feedback provided from teachers and administrators, parents and community members, insured the board and stakeholders were on the same page. “The input from the community as a whole was very helpful to our process.”


The Board selected two finalists, who were interviewed by the Board.


As a board team we feel we made the right selection to serve our students and our community.

Government, Kansas

Improving State Services for Vulnerable Kansans 

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Governor Laura Kelly Signs Bill Making Key Investments to Improve State Services for Vulnerable Kansans

~~Legislation Enables State Universities to Hold Tuition Flat~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced she has signed bipartisan House Bill 2510, which makes key investments in education, economic development, mental health, senior services, and our veterans. HB 2510 also makes historic levels of funding to state universities, enabling them to freeze tuition and knock down barriers to higher education.

“This budget delivers on commitments I made in January to improve access to services for vulnerable Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I am proud of our continued bipartisan work to restore and enhance vital state services – responsibly paid for through our strong economic growth.”

HB 2510 ensures funding for mental health initiatives like 9-8-8, the state’s new suicide prevention hotline; increases funding to grow and enhance the care provided by community mental health centers; and expands mental health services in regions like South-Central Kansas.

It also includes many initiatives that build upon the Kelly Administration’s strong record of improving the child welfare system and fully funds a veterans’ home in Northeast Kansas – making it possible for those who have served their country to receive long-term care closer to home.

“This budget will improve services for Kansans in a responsible way, building a sustainable foundation for years to come,” Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau, District 29, said. “I’m especially proud of the provision that requires the Department of Children and Families to use performance-based contracts, which will ensure that our child advocates are focused on providing satisfactory care for children and families in need, rather than increasing their intake loads. Because of this policy, Kansas children will receive the care they need and deserve, and our state will be able to hold providers accountable for their work.”

This bill also directs a portion of federal money to state universities, community colleges, and technical colleges, enabling them to freeze tuition and make higher education more affordable for students from a range of backgrounds.

“Our historic, $1 billion investment in higher education will make it possible for universities to freeze tuition, continuing the streak of low-to-no tuition growth under my Administration,” Governor Kelly said.

“Due to our state’s recent economic growth, we had a unique opportunity to make historic one-time investments to modernize our higher education system and this budget does that,” Senator Tom Hawk, Ranking Minority Member on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said. “Funding for our whole education system, including higher education, should send a message to all prospective students, faculty, and the business community that Kansas stands ready to provide the educated workforce that our economy needs.”

“By investing in our community colleges, technical colleges, and universities, this budget will expand our workforce and economic development potential as a state.” Representative Kathy Wolfe-Moore, Ranking Minority on House Appropriations, said. “From Kansas City and Pittsburg to Garden City and Hays, we are updating our campuses and expanding our capacity to make sure our students are ready to step up to the plate when they graduate.”

Another portion will direct one-time funding toward housing and economic development projects.

“This budget not only provides funding for key economic development initiatives, it will also jumpstart housing development in communities that are ready to grow like my hometown of Salina.” Senator J.R. Claeys, Vice Chair of Senate Ways and Means, said. “As company after company announces expansions and new investment, it’s clear that Kansas is a great place to do business and raise a family, and our private housing developers and local stakeholders are ready to get to work to make sure communities across the state have the quality housing needed to attract young workers and their families.”

In addition, HB 2510 ensures all state public employees enjoy at least a 5% pay increase this year, following a previous recommendation from the Governor. It also restores multiple agencies to the across-the-board pay increase, including the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Board of Indigent Defense Services, and all employees at 24/7 facilities.

“As they do every year, Kansas state employees work hard to deliver exceptional service to the people of Kansas in some of the toughest jobs in the state,” Sarah LaFrenz, President of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, said. “We appreciate the Governor’s leadership and the Legislature’s bipartisan support of the base pay, differential, and market rate increases included in the budget this year for state employees. Funding these pay increases is such an essential step in helping curb the staffing crises at state facilities, compensating these workers for their hard and necessary work, and making our communities safer.”

Below please find the message from the Governor regarding House Bill 2510:

House Bill 2510 represents additional progress toward fulfilling many of the priorities that I set forth in January and that have been made possible only through our bipartisan work together over the past four years. Building on House Substitute for Substitute for Senate Bill 267, this bill provides additional investments in higher education, economic development, mental health, senior services, and veterans while leaving sufficient funding to provide over $1 billion in tax relief to Kansans through the legislation that I have signed to cut property taxes and axe the state’s sales tax on groceries.

Some of the key investments in this legislation include improved access to mental healthcare, increased funding for senior nutrition, expanded training opportunities to prevent child abuse, and measures that build on our successful work to reduce the number of children who enter the foster care system. This bill includes additional investments in our regional universities and community and technical colleges, which are critical to our efforts to expand our workforce in the state of Kansas. And this budget ensures that all state employees will receive a pay increase of at least 5% this year in recognition of their service to the state.

Finally, due to our strong economic growth and unprecedented ending balances, this budget will allow us to pay off over $1 billion in debt over the next year.

Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(b) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby return House Bill 2510 with my signature, except for the item enumerated below.

State Board of Regents—Proviso Allowing Universities to Raise Tuition

Section 36(b) has been vetoed in its entirety.

In my initial budget, I recommended $45.7 million in operating grant funding to higher education with the understanding that universities would freeze tuition. In addition to that, I allocated $23.9 million in funding for salaries. While the original operating grant funding has been reduced to an increase of $37.5 million in the final passed budget, overall, higher education in the state of Kansas is set to receive $1 billion this fiscal year. This is a historic investment that I am proud to support by approving the additional higher education funding included in HB 2510.

As a result of this significant infusion of new funding, I believe that the Regents institutions will be able to continue to hold tuition flat, making college more affordable for Kansans of all backgrounds. This is especially important if we, as a state, are going to provide the workforce needed to fully actualize the benefits and opportunities of our recent economic growth.

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Airport, Fort Scott, Government

Sens. Moran, Marshall Announce 23 Grants for Kansas Airports 

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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

Government, Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly Vetoes Three Bills

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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.

Bourbon County, Government

Bo Co Commission Agenda for May 17

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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 District–Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley 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

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Minutes of April 18

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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 Clerk12

Fort Scott Community College, Government

The Fort Scott Board of Trustees Agenda for May 16

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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, 1011

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 16th 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

Government, Kansas

KS Sports Wagering Legalized

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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.

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Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Meet and Greet For Second U234 Super Candidate Today

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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