This year, we will be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Fort Scott Christian Heights, and our 57th Annual Country Store and Auction! Nostalgic pictures and yearbooks will be on display for the day.
The day begins with registration (7:30) for our 5K and Fun Run/Walk (race begins at 8:00).
The Booths, Garage Sale rooms, and Bakery will be open from 9:00-3:00.
A fried-chicken dinner will be served from 4:00 until Auction time at 6:00.
The concession stand will run all day, and serve pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, taco salads, malts, shakes, and more!
Country Store offers a day of fun for everyone!
ALL ARE WELCOME!
*We are taking gently-used donations for the garage sale, and new items for the auction! Items can be dropped off anytime during school hours (8:00 – 3:45 Monday through Thursday).
Fort Scott School District USD234 staff have been working on standards and best ways to teach them as they have met on Wednesdays this school year.
“Our early release days have provided our teachers to work to identify the essential standards that every student needs to be successful at the next level or the next course,” Superintendent Destry Brown said. “Our teachers have mostly finished this process and are now at the refinement stage. We will be working next year on identifying the resources that we will use to teach those standards and identifying the best practice in teaching those standards.”
Destry Brown. Submitted photo.
The district is changing the days the teachers gather to collaborate in response to staff and parents input.
Next year the days will be once per month.
“We decided to change to once per month in response to parent and staff input,” Brown said. “Staff believed they could have more concentrated and focused time to do the things we need to do next year while parents felt it would be easier for them to plan for a full day rather that an early release every week.”
“The time spent this year has been very successful and we are well ahead of where we were,” he said. “Teachers have seen the value in the time to collaborate and work together on curriculum, assessment and instruction.”
USD234 Preschool Update
The Fort Scott Preschool, at 409 S. Judson.
The preschool is going to remain at 409 S. Judson for the time being.
“We have six sections of preschool currently with enough for two more sections on the waiting list,” Brown said. “Our plan going forward will be to do some remodeling of the current space and reconfigure the space to better meet our needs.”
“We will also look at purchasing a mobile unit to place on the grounds at the preschool site,” Brown said. “This would allow us to bring all of our preschool students and classes to one location as well as expand our preschool to include more students.”
There are currently three teachers at the preschool.
“I believe that if we open more sections to the public, we will probably be able to expand to five teachers,” he said. “One thing we are considering is having a section for all-day students to help with some childcare needs in the community.”
The community needs quality childcare.
“Our community has a great need for childcare; especially for working families,” Brown said. “For our community to grow economically and to attract and expand business in Fort Scott, we need to be the kind of community that provides ways to make it possible for parents to work and trust that their children are being cared for safely.”
For students who want a career in construction trades such as welding, masonry, carpentry or heating and air conditioning, which are high demand and high paying jobs, there is a short cut to do that.
Junior or senior year students in Fort Scott High School and Uniontown High School have the opportunity to get a head start on these jobs, said Kris Mengarelli, Fort Scott Community College’s Director of the Career and Technology Center, CTEC.
“CTE courses prepare students with the technical, academic, and employment skills needed for life after high school,” from CTEC’s Facebook page. “The courses hone critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills—all valuable tools needed to succeed in today’s workforce.”
“Starting in the fall of 2023, we are….offering carpentry basics, OSHA 10 (certification training) and introduction to craft skills for high school and college,” he said. “This is typically for juniors and seniors. It’s a two-year program to get a certificate.”
“The teacher will be Michael Casner, a Fort Scott High School teacher,” he said. “He’ll be teaching dual credit classes for those three classes at the high school. Uniontown will be able to send students over to attend those classes as well. The schools will coordinate what works best.”
The target student is any interested in the trades for a career.
The State of Kansas is offering an Excel in CTE Initiative, for high school juniors and seniors for free college tuition on approved technical courses offered at Kansas technical schools and community colleges.
“The state looks at where there is a lacking workforce,” he said.
“There are some small fees that fall back on the student, but not significant,” Mengarelli said.
Following the classes for dual high school and college credit, students will have a nationally recognized certificate,” he said. “Students who want to go into construction, this makes them employable just out of high school.”
CTEC is located in Crawford County.
Destry Brown, Fort Scott’s Superintendent of USD 234 was a “key player in getting CTEC started in Crawford County,” Mengarelli said.
Brown was formerly a superintendent of schools in Pittsburg, in Crawford County and is currently superintendent of schools for Fort Scott.
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.
USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main
“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.
UNIONTOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235 Uniontown, Kansas 66779 REGULAR MEETINGApril 10, 2023 The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in regular session on Monday, April 10, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. in the BOE Meeting Room, Uniontown, Kansas. Board members present: Jason Sutterby, Sally Johnson, Mike Mason, Troy Goodridge,Tyler Martin,Josh Hartman,and Brian Stewart
Others present for all or portions of the meeting: Vance Eden, Sherri Hartman, Tracy Smith, Tema Gilion, Rhonda Hoener, Jenny Covey, Scott Sutton, Tim Endicott, Heather Herring, Kaytlin Herring
President Jason Sutterby called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Sutterby then led the group in the flag salute. Superintendent Eden read the District Mission Statement. Hartman, seconded by Martin, made a motion to approve the agenda with the changes of Strike VII: Executive Session – Student; Add Action Item IV: Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR). Motion passed 7-0. Mason, seconded by Martin, made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2023 Regular meeting with the correction of Eden reading the District Mission Statement. Motion passed 7-0. Johnson, seconded by Hartman, made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 7-0 A.Approve payment of bills in the amount of $395,699.35. B.Approve the March 2023 Treasurer Report. C.Approve Early Graduation requests. D.Approve KSDE Legal Membership for 2023-2024. ($2750.00) E.Approve KASB Membership for 2023-2024. ($9,552.24) No patron addressed the board. Superintendent Eden gave written and oral reports to the board on Bond planning and the Construction Manager AtRisk. Principal’s Smith and Gilion gave written and oral reports to the board. Martin, seconded by Hartman, made a motion to approve publication of the Notice of Intent for Construction Manager atRisk Services (CMAR) and to have a SPECIAL meeting on April 19, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. for public input. Motion passed 7-0
Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – April 10, 2023 – Page 2 Johnson, seconded by Mason, made a motion to go into executive session to discuss an individual’s performance pursuant to non-elected personnel exception under KOMA and the open meeting will resume in the boardroom at 8:45 p.m. Motion passed 7-0. Into Executive Session at 8:35 p.m. Eden was invited into session. Out of Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. Mason, seconded by Martin, made a motion to go into executive session to discuss the latest proposal for increasing the base pay rate from the teachers pursuant to the exception for employer-employee negotiations under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume in the boardroom at 8:55 p.m. Motion passed 7-0. Into Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. Eden was invited into session. Out of Executive Session at 8:55 p.m. Mason, seconded by Hartman, made a motion to accept the resignation of Jacy Walker as UJHS Head Girls basketball coach. Motion passed 7-0. Johnson, seconded by Mason, made a motion to accept the resignation of Linda Sprague as UHS/UJHS Cook. Motion passed 7-0. Johnson, seconded by Goodridge, made a motion to accept the retirement of Betty Dennis and to thank her for her many years of service to the district. Motion passed 7-0. Martin, seconded by Hartman, made a motion to accept the resignation of Hannah Blevins as WBE 1st grade teacher for 2023-2024. Motion passed 7-0. Mason, seconded by Martin, made a motion to approve Lakyn Coyan as 1st grade teacher for the 2023-2024 school year. Motion passed 7-0 Martin, seconded by Johnson, made a motion to approve Alex Chesney as WBE Music Teacher for 2023-2024. Motion passed 7-0. Martin, seconded by Hartman, made a motion to approve Ian Ballinger as UHS Social Science teacher for the 2023-2024 school year. Motion passed 7-0.
Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – April 10, 2023 – Page 3 Mason, seconded by Martin, made a motion to read the Final Action of Non Renewal. Motion passed 5-2. (Hartman, Goodridge) Mason read the Final Action of Nonrenewal for Jeff Feagins. Mason, seconded by Martin, made a motion to adjourn. Motion passed 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Date minutes approved______________________ ______________________________ President, Board of Education __________________________________ Attested: Clerk, Board of Education Special Board Meeting (Notice of Intent for Construction Manager AtRisk will be Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Next board meeting will be Monday, May 8, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
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.
Vance Eden. From the district’s online staff directory.
There is a need to upgrade some infrastructure in Uniontown’s School District, Vance Eden, associate superintendent, told a recent Community Connections Panel in Fort Scott. A bond issue is being looked at for the district possibly this year.
USD 235 has 480 students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade and serves five small communities in the western rural part of Bourbon County.
“If a bond is brought to the community for a vote, we would anticipate that happening in late summer or early fall, but that will be dependent on a variety of factors,” Eden said.
The U235 District bond issue would be for upgrading pre-school, a tornado safe room, an updated fire system, security upgrades, and a hydronic lab.
The board is also looking at a grant to upgrade the walking trail that is around the school district property, which is also used by the community.
The following is an interview with Eden:
What is the need with the preschool building?
“Our current modular pre-kindergarten structure is at a point of deterioration that it no longer makes financial sense to invest funds into it. Additionally, safety and security would be increased by having a structure that is attached to West Bourbon Elementary. One other layer of consideration is that Kansas State Department of Education has expanded its funding stream to include three-year-old students. With this is mind, it makes sense that we consider adding programming for these students as well. There is still much to consider and many factors at play, but we recognize some significant needs related to pre-school programming.”
What is the need for a saferoom?
“Our current facilities do not have tornado safe rooms. Sheltering in interior classrooms and /or in locker rooms is clearly more safe than some other spaces. However, it is now widely recognized that a purpose-built facility is really the only option for ensuring maximum safety. These spaces would be designed for regular use as classrooms and/or multipurpose rooms to maximize the return of our investment. Additionally, the district has the ability to apply for FEMA Grant funds to potentially help offset some of the cost associated.”
What is the need for updated fire alarm system?
” While up to code, the current JH/HS fire alarm is in need of updating. In its current configuration it most broadly relies on pull stations near exits that then sound an audible alarm with flashing strobes. We would like to upgrade to a system that also includes smoke detectors and automatically communicates with emergency services.”
What is the need for security updates?
“It is important that we are always considering student safety as a top priority. There are some needs and opportunities for improvement have been identified, but it is critical that I’m careful as to not share our security vulnerabilities with those who may have malicious intent. These have been identified through professional assessments, our administrative team, and the bond advisory council.”
What is the hydronic lab idea?
” Instead of using a greenhouse, the district is pursuing a “container farm” as a means of providing hands on learning opportunities to students across a variety of programs in addition to providing some produce for our food service programs. We have done a tour and had some initial conversations with Leafy Green Farms of Pittsburg who has these containers. Leafy Green Farms is currently working with Pittsburg High School and several other Southeast Kansas schools to facilitate such a program.”
Also you are looking for grants to update the walking trail around the school?
“The district is waiting to hear back on a response from a Recreation Trail Program (RTP) Grant that had been applied for. We are hoping to get a response any day. Once we get word one way or the other, we will share that information. We recognize that this is a project that many are interested in.”
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.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Community Connection Panelist Luncheon on Wednesday, April 5th, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St. Chamber members and the community are invited to attend for updates by the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Fort Scott Community College, USD-234, USD-235,
and Bourbon County REDI.
The event is free to attend but registration is requested. Box lunches are available by pre-order for $10 and those need to be ordered by
April 3rd at 10am. Those planning to attend may RSVP here.
There will be a 7-minute update from each of the following panelists, ending with time for questions:
City of Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin
Bourbon County Commission Chair Jim Harris
FSCC President Alysia Johnston
USD-234 Superintendent Destry Brown
USD-235 Superintendent Vance Eden
Bourbon County REDI Executive Director Rob Harrington
Moderators for the event will be Bailey Lyons of Lyons Realty Group, 2023 Chamber Board Chair and Katie Casper, Union State Bank, Past Chamber Board Chair & Current Board Member.
This event is being sponsored by Davis Accounting, Inc. and Labconco.
Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at 620-223-3566 for more information or visit fortscott.com.
From Mr. Kimble, Fort Scott High School Principal:
“This past Sunday Amy Harper, FSHS Mathematics teacher, was honored at the Kansas Teacher of the Year District 2 Banquet in Topeka. We are extremely proud of Mrs. Harper for her recognition as a nominee and all that she does for Fort Scott students as well as the community. Mrs Harper, you make USD 234 a great place to learn! ”
