Category Archives: Schools

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

FSHS Tiger Newsletter

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A message from Pam Hutchison:
Thank you for your support of FSHS! GO TIGERS!

Tiger Cheer!

Front Row, sitting, from left: Ava Johnson; Katlyn Parker; Julia Maloun; Kinley Dillow; Jerri Smith

Middle Row, kneeling, from left: Camrie Hunziker; Sadie Claypool; Emilly Moore; Jaidyn Crumby; Anna Farrington; Molly Claypool

Back Row, from left: Elsa Bishop; Maddi Cook; Jocelyn Fess; Carsen Allen; Mesa Casper; Cadence Hunziker; Emersyn Logue; Gabbi Majors
Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball!

Front Row, kneeling from left: Eden Haught; Hadlee Tuck; Hadley Forester; Raveyn Kegler; Avery Stewart

Back Row: Head Coach Terra Kegler; Dakota Hazelbaker; Keegan Yarick; Kylee Comstock; Sydney Pruitt; Brylie Shaub; Assistant Coach Kevin Flanner
Junior Varsity Lady Tiger Volleyball!

Front row, kneeling from left: Anna Farrington; Jillian Belcher; Kynlee Hampton; Mallorie Hall; Molly Hoyt; Gracin Pitts; Raylee Cowan

Back row, standing from left: Rhyla Lewis; Jacee Rogers; Makayna Woody; Tuesday Glessner; Kinsey Simons; Aubrey Yarick; Simran Caldwell; Sadie Claypool; JV Coach Selena Alvarado
Tiger Cross Country!

Front Row, seated from left: Jessie Harper; Alyssa Popp; Sofeea Anderson; Jocelyn Fess; Kodi Casper

Middle Row, kneeling from left: Mason Mumbower; Josh Woellhof; Gavin Catalano; Jaxson Schafer; Landon McDaniel

Back Row, standing: Abigail Eastwood, manager; Mesa Casper; Cody Geiger; Ben Davenport; Hunter Harrington; Trevin Worthing; Carsen Allen; Hannah Peck, manager
Lady Tiger Golf!

Front Row, from left: Emma Martin; Riley Findley

Middle, from left: Luci Dunkeson; Lillian Jackson; Alyssa Hunt

Standing in the back: Head Coach Julie Heatherly and Assistant Coach Jon Barnes
Fort Scott, Schools

Special U234 Board Meetings Last Evening

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                              Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, August 28, 2023

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, for two special board meetings at the board office.

 

Vice-President James Wood opened the 5:30 p.m. meeting.

 

The board opened the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing. Superintendent Destry Brown reviewed the code 99 and discussed the mill levy. There were no comments from patrons. The board closed the Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing.

 

The board approved the following item and then adjourned the meeting:

  • Resolution 23-06: Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for financing the annual budget for 2023-24 by roll call vote.

 

President David Stewart opened the 5:45 p.m. meeting. The board opened the Budget Hearing. Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith reviewed the Needs Assessment with the board. Mrs. Smith noted information shared with the board on State Assessments. There were no comments from patrons. The board closed the Budget Hearing.

 

The board approved the following items:

  • Resolution 23-07: Make a Local Option Percentage in an amount of 31.6 percent for the 2023-24 school year.
  • Approval of the 2023-24 Budget with consideration of the Needs Assessment and State Assessments which were provided to the USD 234 Board of Education, evaluated by the Board, and were used as a part of the budget approval process. It was noted that the board adopted by roll call vote Resolution 23-06 to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate by roll call vote.
  • Personnel Report following

 

The board went into executive sessions for personnel matters.

 

President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

 

PERSONNEL REPORT

August 28, 2023

 

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

  • Weaver, Mark – Resignation – Fort Scott High School Special Education Teacher

 

TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

For the 2023-24 school year:

 

Classified:

  • Pitts, Belinda – from Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional to Mental Health Intervention Team Liaison- effective 09/05/23
  • O’Bryan, Carolina – Leave of Absence

 

EMPLOYMENT:

Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Reichard, Elizabeth (Betsy) – Fort Scott High School Special Education Teacher

 

Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Beyer, Amy – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
  • Bratton, Ashley – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional
  • Brown, Tina – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
  • Lord, McKenna – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
  • Ogle, Kathryn – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional

 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Magathan-Krone, Jane – Eugene Ware Elementary Guiding Coalition
  • Laubenstein, Michelle – Fort Scott High School Newspaper
  • ASCC Recommendations
  • FSHS AP Teachers

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing is August 28 for U234

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                       

Superintendent                                                                                                                                           

BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING

AUGUST 28, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY PUBLIC

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                David Stewart, President

 

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing

 

            3.1 Open Hearing (Action Item)

            3.2 Hear from Patrons

            3.3 Close Hearing (Action Item)

 

4.0       Resolution 23-06: Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for financing the annual budget for 2023-24 by Roll Call Vote (Action Item)

 

 

5.0       Adjourn Meeting

                       

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Agenda for U234 Board Meeting on August 28

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                              

BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING

AUGUST 28, 2023 – 5:45 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY PUBLIC

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                     David Stewart, President

 

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Budget Hearing – Review Code 99

           

3.1 Open Hearing (Action Item)

3.2 Hear from Patrons

3.3 Close Hearing (Action Item)

 

4.0       Resolution 23-07: Make a Local Option Percentage in an amount of 31.6 percent for the 2023-24 school year (Action Item)

 

5.0       Approval of the 2023-24 Budget with Consideration of the Needs Assessment and State Assessments  (Action Item)

 

6.0       Other Business – Personnel Matters

6.1       Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

6.2       Exit Executive Session

6.3       Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

7.0       Adjourn Meeting

                        President

 

Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

2023 College Board National Recognition Awardee: Katelyn Dancer

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Congratulations to Fort Scott High School Senior Katelyn Dancer on being named a 2023 College Board National Recognition Program Awardee!

Katelyn earned this academic honor because of her GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and/or AP Exams.  She is being recognized as part of the National Rural/Small Town Recognition Program.  Award winners are given the opportunity to include this academic honor on their college applications, and many colleges intentionally recruit awardees through College Board’s Student Search Service.

Congratulations Katelyn and keep up the good work!  

— Submitted by

Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School
Fort Scott, Schools

New FS Educators: Self and Forkner

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This is part of a series featuring the new teachers at Fort Scott’s School District.
There are 20 new teachers this year.
Karen Self. Submitted photo.
Karen Self, 56, is a new English teacher at Fort Scott High School.
“As a child we had a basement that had a chalkboard and desks that we purchased from the three-room grade school that had closed its doors in our rural neighborhood,” she said.  “Mrs. Green…. my 5th grade teacher, let me choose anything I wanted from the pile of going-to-be-thrown-away textbooks.  I took those books home and devoured them.  I played teacher…for hours at a time, reading and exploring these old textbooks and trying to get my siblings to play along.  Today, I am taking that next step into my childhood dream.
Creating an atmosphere of safety and peace when chaos abounds,  like so many incredible educators did for me throughout my school years, is a passion for me.”
“I have substituted in USD 234 in the last few years, but most of my experience comes from raising, nurturing and advocating for my  children,” Self said. “I also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care for 6 years.”

For her education she attended Missouri Southern State University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Butler County Community College, and finished her secondary education degree taking night classes at Newman University, Wichita.

She has 10 children ranging from 16-35 years of age and  6 grandchildren, 6 months to 13 years of age.

In her spare time she loves to read and write, among other interests.
“I am fascinated by British TV, British accents and London,” she said.  “For the last decade I have explored writing and hope to one day write a book about the beautiful life lived by my lovely daughter, P.J., who succumbed to the ravages of muscular dystrophy and left this earth in 2011.  My favorite pastime of all time is spending time with my children and grandchildren.”
“I love that moment when the look of confusion or frustration on a student’s face is replaced with the ‘aha’ delight of catching the inspiration of learning something for the first time,” she said.
Julie Forkner, is a new Fort Scott Preschool Interventionist.
She earned a BS in Elementary Education and Early Childhood and has taught for 38 years.
“I enjoy small children and building relationships with families and helping shape the future and making a positive difference in kid’s life’s!” she said. She also enjoys getting to know  other teachers, too.
A challenge for her will be starting in a new district and a new environment and learning how things work, she said.
She has two children: a daughter, Mandy married to Steven,  is a Kindergarten teacher in Exeter, MO. She has two grandchildren: Kaylor, 5-years-old and  Kruz, 1 1/2. Her son Austin is a professional motocross racer in Murrieta CA. and will get married in October to Rylee.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her grandkids, traveling, watching her son race.
Her hometown is Moundville, MO.
Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Performing Arts: Finalist For Excellence Award

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Congratulations to the Fort Scott High School Performing Arts Program on being named a Finalist for the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence Award for the 2022-23 school year!

A total of 18 Kansas High Schools will receive recognition by the Kansas State High School Activities Association for outstanding performing arts programs. Schools were selected from a committee formed from the following associations: Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), Kansas Speech Communication Association (KSCA), and the Kansas Thespians (Theater).  Schools selected were chosen for scoring exceptionally high in Debate, Speech, Music, and Theater during the 2022-23 school year.
DeSoto High School was selected as the Award winner.  Fort Scott High School was named a finalist along with Lansing, Lawrence-Free State, Pittsburg, Shawnee Mission South, and Sterling.  Schools commended include Emporia, Maize, McPherson, Blue Valley West, Paola, Pretty Prairie, Rock Creek, Bishop Miege, Sylvan-Lucas, Washburn Rural, and Wichita Collegiate.
Special congratulations to our FSHS Performing Arts coaches and sponsors:
Band  –  Justin Robinson
Choir  –  Whitley Chesney
Orchestra  –  Carson Felt
Debate/Forensics  –  Tyler Slinkard
Theater/Drama  –  Angie Bin
Fort Scott High School was named a finalist for this award one previous time, following the 2018-19 school. We were also on the commended list for the 2020-21 school year.
Congratulations again to our sponsors and all of our students involved in these programs!  Outstanding job!

— Submitted by

Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School
Bourbon County, Schools

New WBE Principal: Tracy Smith

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Tracy Smith. Submitted photo.

After 38 years in the Uniontown School District, Tracy Smith, will serve as part-time West Bourbon Elementary School  principal for this school year.

“I have been in education for 44 years and retired  twice, but now one more year,” he said.

Smith is teaming with Anita Lightcup in principal duty-sharing.

“I’ll be on duty Monday, Tuesday and alternating Wednesdays,” he said. “Anita will be alternating Wednesday, Thursday and, Friday.”

Smith earned a Bachelor of Science from Ottawa University and a
Masters in Administration, from Pittsburg State University.

For him the greatest part of the job “is mentoring, helping and developing kids, teens, children in general to become good, productive members of our communities.”

“In comparison to ‘what it was like’ when I was a kid, or even a beginning teacher…it is a much different society….It is imperative that we create a loving, supportive environment where positive growth can happen. So, being aware of every child’s needs as they come into my building is my #1 priority, and then, I problem solve.”

Vance Eden is the Superintendent of the school district. Robert Onelio is the new principal at Uniontown Jr/Sr High School.

There are 10 new teachers in the district.

Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Teachers: Woods, Hendricks

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This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in USD 234, Fort Scott.

Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :

August 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is the Fort Scott High School Open House at 1005 S Main St, Fort Scott.

School starts on August 18

 
Nicolas Woods. Submitted photo.
Nicholas Woods, 25, is a new history teacher at Fort Scott High School, teaching world, American, and local history.
He graduated from Pittsburg State University and did his student teaching at Carl Junction. This is his first year teaching.
“My past teachers motivated me to be a teacher,” he said. “I liked school, but at times I struggled with learning. I want to be there for the students that struggled like I did. I believe I bring a different perspective that students can appreciate and learn from.”
“The best thing about teaching for me so far is seeing a student who was struggling succeed,” he said. “That could be as little as a student passing a test or as big as boosting their grade by two letters. You should always celebrate success.”
“I would say one of the biggest challenges in teaching for me is connecting with students,” he said. “I feel I connect with students/people easily, but as a teacher you are not going to reach every student. There will be students that don’t like your class or even you for that matter and no matter how hard you try you won’t change their mind. The best thing I can do is give all students the tools and guidance they need to succeed and hope for the best.”
Woods hometown is Fort Scott,  and he is a 2016 high school  graduate.

His uncle Donald Woods was a custodian for the high school for many years and owned a moving business and late aunt Joyce Woods was a grade school teacher at Winfield Scott for many years, he said.

Woods hobbies include golfing, fishing , and playing basketball.

Caleb Hendricks. Submitted photo.

Caleb Hendricks, 27, is a new Winfield Scott Physical Education Teacher and Fort Scott Middle School Assistant Girls Basketball Coach.

He has six years experience in education, with  three years as a certified teacher.

He earned his  bachelors degree from Fort Hays State University and his hometown is Sterling.

 

“Growing up some of the most rewarding experiences I had were as a camp counselor, coach, and youth group leader,” he said. “Working with kids and seeing their growth and accomplishment in different areas has always given me a sense of purpose.”

“The relationships that I have made with both students and staff over the years is definitely the best part of being in education. That’s really what it’s always been all about for me. Being in a position that allows me to coach and connect with kids in that element has always been a very important thing for me as well.”

A challenge for him is growing and adapting to how kids and the world are changing, he said.

“Finding new ways to connect and relate with kids can be challenging at times for sure,” he said. “Having worked with both elementary and  middle and high school ages, though, I feel like that has helped me better understand where kids are coming from and the different challenges they face. Then I feel like I’m in a better position to support them the best I can.”

He is married to Sarah Hendricks, who is a 4th Grade Teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School and they have a 4 month-old son, Braxton.

His hobbies include football, Fantasy Football, golf, coaching, basketball, home improvement projects.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Press Release for August 14 Board Meeting

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, August 14, 2023

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 14, 2023, 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
    • 07/17/2023 Regular Meeting
    • 08/07/2023 Special Meeting
  • Financials-Cash Flow Report
  • Check Register
  • Payroll – July 20, 2023 – $1,619,878.22
  • Activity Fund accounts
  • USD 234 Gifts

 

The board approved the following items:

  • Addition of two (2) full-time substitute positions
  • Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year
  • KASB Policy Updates
  • SRO Agreement with the City of Fort Scott
  • MOU with Learning Tree Institute
  • Personnel Report following

 

Superintendent Destry Brown provided an update on the first day back for staff and the training on PBIS, which stands for Positive Behavior Intervention Support. There will be a breakfast for staff on Tuesday morning, followed by a welcome back ceremony. Mr. Brown noted the annual FSKNEA scholarship bucket auction.

 

 

Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, reported on the new teacher orientation that included 22 new teachers. Mrs. Smith reported on the training that took place in the district as teachers came back. She also noted that open houses will be on Tuesday for FSMS and FSHS and Wednesday for the Fort Scott Preschool Center, Winfield Scott Elementary, and Eugene Ware Elementary. Mrs. Smith answered questions from the board on professional development on assessment programs.

 

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, recognized her administrative assistant for special education for the excellent work she is doing, and the tech team’s wonderful job. Mrs. Barnes updated the board on a para mentoring program that has been put in place for this year, providing general education teachers access to IEPs through PowerSchool, and updated the board on an Autism Team meeting.

 

Gina Shelton, Finance Director, reported on the roll out of Red Rover, which is a substitute and absence management system, movement of funds from the Friends of USD 234 checking account into fund 64 within the district’s accounts, and provided an update on ESSER III spending. Mrs. Shelton noted that the budget had been published in the paper and posted to the website.

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

August 14, 2023

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

  • Allen, Joseph – Transportation Director effective September 1, 2023
  • Harrington, Kathryn – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional effective August 14, 2023

 

EMPLOYMENT:

For the 2023-24 school year:

  • Garzone, Christopher – District Emergency Operations Coordinator

 

Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Kellogg, Jan – District Full-Time Substitute
  • Metcalf, Alvin – District Full-Time Substitute

 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

  • Center, Ronette – Fort Scott Middle School PRIDE
  • Jones, Mesa – Fort Scott High School Play Assistant and Play #2 Assistant
  • King, Christina – Fort Scott High School Play Assistant
  • Lyon, Jarrett – Fort Scott High School Assistant Baseball Coach
  • Sprague, Sierra – Fort Scott High School Assistant Cheer Coach
  • Tourtillott, Jennifer – Winfield Scott Guiding Coalition
  • Mentors for the 2023-24 School Year
Bourbon County, Schools

New Uniontown Teachers: Ericson and Martin

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This is a part of a series of new teachers in Uniontown’s School District.
The district’s open house is August 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The first day of class for students is August 16.
Tyler Ericson. Submitted photo.

Tyler Ericson will teach 4th grade at West Bourbon Elementary, in Uniontown starting this school year.

“The thing I love about teaching is…relationships with each of my students,” she said. “How they can come to me about anything, and they will not be judged… whether it be in or outside of school. I love seeing children learn, but most importantly having fun and being engaged while doing it.”

“A challenge for me would be change,” she said. “…starting over from a whole new school district, a new grade, and new colleagues can be overwhelming. Teaching primary and now about to teach 4th grade, it will definitely be different, but in a good way. I am excited to see what West Bourbon has in store for me!”

She  said she looks forward to taking part in school community activities that plan to make community members feel welcomed, respected, trusted, heard, and needed, to help promote student success.

Ericson hales from a big family in Kansas City and Oklahoma, she said.  In addition, she and husband, Ethan, have two sons, Julian and Jamison, and one daughter Journee.

Ericson earned her A.A in Elementary Education,  at Labette Community College and a B.S. in Elementary  Education from Pittsburg State University.

She taught second grade at Winfield Scott Elementary last school year; first grade at Winfield Scott from February 2022 to May 2022; and was a special education paraprofessional at Uniontown High School from January 2018 to May 2019.

She was substitute teacher certified by the Kansas Department of Education from August 2019 to May 2020.

Ericson worked in Early Childhood Centers in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area from the age of 15 to 24.

Christal Martin. Submitted photo.
Christal Martin will teach high school science in grades 10-12.
She received a bachelors in science degree with an emphasis in nursing in 2008 from Pittsburg State University, and is currently finishing a master’s degree in secondary education from Western Governor’s University.
She has worked as a Uniontown Junior High At-Risk Aide for the past three years.

For Martin,  the best thing about working with children is “Building connections with students, and watching them academically succeed,” she said.

A challenge this year will be learning to navigate through everything as a new teacher, she said.

She is married to husband, Seth, and  they have two sons, Caden and Casen.