Category Archives: Schools

Fort Scott, Schools

Nick Johnson: New Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal

Leave a comment
Nick Johnson, 35, is the new  principal at Fort Scott Preschool Center.
He is not new to the district school system, however.
“I have worked in the USD 234 school district for the last thirteen years,” Johnson said.  “I began my career teaching second grade at Eugene Ware Elementary. After the two elementary schools became attendance centers, I moved to Winfield Scott where I continued to teach second grade for nine more years.  For the last three years, I have been teaching English Language Arts and Social Studies at Fort Scott Middle School.”
Since graduating from Fort Scott High School in 2005, Johnson earned an associate’s degree from Fort Scott Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State University.
His hometown is Fort Scott.

His wife, Amanda, is also an educator who teaches elementary music at Jayhawk Elementary in Mound City.  They have two sons-  Leighton, 13, and Reid, 7.

When not teaching, he is involved in his children’s sports activities.

 “My boys enjoy sports, so when I’m not at school, I am often coaching youth football, basketball, or baseball,” he said.
How did you choose to become a  teacher?
“I worked part-time at The Keyhole Youth Center while attending FSCC.  I enjoyed getting to know the youth who frequented the center and being a positive influence in their lives.  That experience led me to explore the field of education.”
 
Is there someone who inspired you?
“While attending Fort Scott schools, I was fortunate to have many great teachers who influenced my career choice.”
 
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“The best part about being an educator is having the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of our youth.”
 
What are the challenges?
“The biggest challenge we are facing at the preschool is the lack of physical space to meet the current demand for early childhood education services.  We are looking forward to working with the district administration, school board, and community to develop a solution to meet the needs of our community.”
Bourbon County, Schools

Uniontown Schools Enroll Aug. 3-4

Leave a comment
The two school districts in Bourbon County are preparing to start classes this month.
In USD235, Uniontown, parents have an opportunity to enroll their students on Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon and Aug. 4 from noon to 7 p.m. The student’s first day is August 25. This district is welcoming two new principals, a new superintendent, and six new teachers.
Fort Scott’s school district has student enrollment today, August 1, with the first day of school on August 18.
See last Friday’s fortscott.biz feature to learn more about USD 234 enrollment:  Fort Scott’s USD 234 Enrolls Next Monday
Vance Eden. Submitted photo.
U235 is varying the times to best accommodate families’ schedules, Vance Eden, superintendent, said.
“Students aren’t required to attend the event, but a parent/guardian would need to come for all enrolling students unless other arrangements have been made,” he said.
Parents will go to their children’s respective schools to enroll their students.
“While students will be able to find out who their teachers are, teachers will not be working that day,” he said.
The district has one position that they were unable to fill, “but we have made the needed adjustments to respond to the shortage,” Eden said.
As far as COVID-19 plans: “The district will continue to receive guidance from the county health officer as appropriate,” Eden said. “With it now being treated as endemic, we do not anticipate any significant impact on the student experience.  We will continue to use appropriate cleaning and disinfecting practices to minimize the sharing of illness.”
Teachers will report on August 22, with students’ first day on August 25.
To view interviews with the administrators:
New teacher profiles will be featured in coming publications
“We are excited to get the school year going,” Eden said.  “Students won’t see any major changes to their experience on the first days.  That said, we will be reflecting on and making adjustments throughout the year to best meet student needs.”
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Fort Scott’s USD 234 Enrolls Next Monday

Leave a comment
USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

Fort Scott’s School District is  set to begin the new year and has 26 new teachers and five new administrators.

The district scheduled student enrollment for August 1, with the first day of school, August 18.

“USD 234 does still have paraprofessional, coaching, and HVAC positions open,” Dalaina Smith USD 234 Assistant Superintendent, said.

A series featuring the new teaching staff will be featured in the next few weeks on fortscott.biz.

New USD 234 Administrators  are Nick Johnson, Fort Scott Preschool Principal; Krystle Mayginnes, Winfield Scott Assistant Principal; Shelly Charter, WS Principal; Zach Johnson, Fort Scott Middle School Principal, and  Destry Brown, Superintendent.

To view prior profiles of these adminstrators:

Destry Brown: New USD 234 Superintendent

New School Administrator Series: Shelly Charter

New School Admin Series: Zach Johnson

Winfield Scott Assistant Principal: Krystle Mayginnes

Smith’s role as assistant superintendent is new, even though she is not new to the district.

Dalaina Smith began duties as assistant superintendent of USD234 on July 1. Submitted photo.

“At this time we don’t have an anticipated number of students,” she said.

USD 234, is anticipating operating a normal school year for 2022-23, “although…the district admin team will be working to ensure that there is a plan in place in an effort to be proactive,” regarding aCOVID-19 outbreak, she said.

USD 234 will be hosting in-person enrollment on Monday, August 1, 2022. 

Here is the process.

All new students will need to enroll in person at their school, according to information provided by Smith. Families having difficulty with online enrollment or internet access should also plan to attend.  Students who have enrolled online will not need to attend in-person enrollment.  
Families with multiple students will be able to enroll at a single location, but may need to visit with other buildings about specific needs.  Food service, transportation, and technology information will also be available during these times.


Building staff will be on-site to assist families with the enrollment process during the following times on Monday, August 1:

Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade will enroll from  7-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Fort Scott High School will enroll from 8 a.m. to noon  and 1-5 p.m.
For specific questions or concerns, please contact the building secretaries at:
Preschool Center – 620.223.8965
Winfield Scott – 620.223.0450
Eugene Ware – 620.223.3380
Middle School – 620.223.3262
High School – 620.223.0600
The following is the school district’s calendar:
Fort Scott, Schools

New Teachers at Eugene Ware: Sarah Hendricks and Anna Kim

Leave a comment

This is part of a series featuring new educators in Fort Scott.

There are 26 new educators in USD 234 this year.

Sarah Hendricks and Anna Kim are two new teachers at Eugene Ware Elementary School.

Sarah Hendricks. Submitted photo.
Sarah Hendricks, 22, is a new fourth grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School in Fort Scott.
She received a Bachelors in Science for Elementary Education at Kansas State University and taught second grade last year at Pleasanton.
She is from Olathe.
Her husband is Caleb Hendricks, who is the head football coach for Pleasanton.
Hendricks  interests outside of school are traveling, “going on runs with my dog and watching my husband coach football,” she said.
Since a small child, she knew she wanted to be a teacher.

“It was something I knew that I always wanted to do, so it is a dream come true to be able to do this job,” she said.

“I had great teachers growing up so I always wanted to be like them,” she said.” I learned from them, but I also knew I was loved and cared for at school, I want to do the same for my students.”
For Hendricks, the best part of teaching is getting to know all of the kids and making connections with them.
“I strive to be someone who students look up to and go to whenever they may be having a difficult time whether it’s in academics or not,” she said.
“The biggest challenge in teaching for me, is knowing that I can’t fix everything in my students’ lives,” she said. “It’s hard not to bring work home.”
Anna Kim. Submitted photo.
Anna Kim, 35, is a new fifth grade teacher at Eugene Ware.
Kim is a hometown girl, that has landed back in Fort Scott.
She went to school in Fort Scott from kindergarten through high school then earned a B.A. in Cross-Cultural Ministries from Manhattan Christian College (2009) and M.A. in Teaching from Kansas State University (2022).

 

“I have been teaching in different ways for twelve years, primarily in China,” she said. “I coordinated a volunteer English teaching program for Chinese migrant students, taught third grade at an international school, and English as a Second Language at a Chinese elementary school. I have also taught online and been a substitute teacher.”

“My husband, Jong Kim, is running a restaurant in the Philippines, but will join us in Fort Scott soon,” she said. They have two kids, Naomi (6) and Josiah (3).
My parents, Curt and Kelly Toll, have taught and coached in Fort Scott in the past. My twin brother lives in Colorado with his wife and daughter.
Her involvement with the community centers around spending time with family. “I also attend and teach Sunday School at Community Christian Church,” she said.
How did you become a  teacher?
“For my first official teaching job, the school my husband worked for in China called me in and said, ‘We need a third grade teacher!’ I said, ‘Absolutely not! Not me!’. They said, ‘You’re hired.’The first year was very challenging, but I slowly adjusted and realized I really enjoyed teaching children.
Is there someone who inspired you?
“My mom has been a teacher my whole life. She has always made learning fun and made kids feel special. She is definitely a model of the teacher I want to be.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“One of the best parts of being a teacher is seeing students grasp something that was challenging. Building pride and confidence in students is priceless. Another fun aspect is that every day is different. Kids are hilarious and unpredictable.”
What are the challenges?
“Students today face hardships at home, with friends, and on social media like never before. Teachers are not only responsible for the academic success of students, but also for their overall well-being. It is a huge responsibility.”
Fort Scott, Schools

USD 234 Board Meets to Set Goals/Expectations of the Superintendent

Leave a comment

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, July 25, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2022, for a special board meeting at their offices.

 

President Brown opened the meeting.

 

The board and Superintendent Destry Brown met with Sue Givens, KASB Field Specialist, to discuss goals and expectations.  Mrs. Givens provided information on the roles of the board and the Superintendent.  The board set goals and expectations for the Superintendent. Information was received and discussed in regard to superintendent evaluation tools and timeline.

 

The board adjourned.

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 In-Person Enrollment is August 1

Leave a comment

 

USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

 

USD 234 will be hosting in-person enrollment on Monday, August 1, 2022.

 

All new students will need to enroll in person at their school.  Families having difficulty with online enrollment or internet access should also plan to attend.  Students who have enrolled online will not need to attend in-person enrollment.

 

Families with multiple students will be able to enroll at a single location, but may need to visit with other buildings about specific needs.  Food Service, Transportation, and Technology will also be available during these times.

Building staff will be on-site to assist families with the enrollment process during the following times on Monday, August 1st:

 

PreK-8th Grade – 7:00-11:00 a..m and 4:00-6:00 p.m.

 

FSHS 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m.

 

If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your building secretaries.

 

Bourbon County, Government, Schools

Uniontown School District Minutes of July 11

Leave a comment

UNIONTOWN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235, unapproved.

Uniontown, Kansas 66779

REGULAR MEETING                                                   11 JULY 2022

 

The Board of Education of Uniontown Unified School District 235, State of Kansas, met in regular session on Monday, July 11, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. in the BOE room in Uniontown, Kansas.

 

Board members present:  Jason Sutterby, Sally Johnson, Brian Stewart, Troy Goodridge,

Mike Mason and Tyler Martin

 

Board members absent: Josh Hartman

 

Others present for all or portions of the meeting:  Vance Eden, Sherri Hartman, Tammy Townsend, Tema Gilion, Tammy Helm, Fort Scott Tribune, Scott Sutton and Tim Endicott

 

Sutterby called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Sutterby then led the group in the flag salute.

 

Eden read the District Mission Statement.

 

Johnson, seconded by Goodridge, made a motion to approve the agenda with the changes: Consent Agenda Item C; Vance Eden as Title IV, Title I and Title II Administrator.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Johnson, seconded by Goodridge, made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 13, 2022 Regular meeting and Special (Republished Budget) meeting.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Goodridge, seconded by Stewart, made a motion to nominate Jason Sutterby for President.

Motion passed 5-1. (Sutterby abstained)

 

Martin, seconded by Stewart, made a motion to cease nominations.

Motion passed 5-1. (Sutterby abstained)

 

Johnson, seconded by Stewart, made a motion to nominate Mike Mason for Vice-President.

Motion passed 5-1. (Mason abstained)

 

Martin, seconded by Stewart, made a motion to cease nominations.

Motion passed 5-1. (Mason abstained).

 

Johnson, seconded by Martin, made a motion to approve the Consent agenda as amended.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

 

 

Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – July 11, 2022 – Page 2

 

  1. Approve and pay bills on the computer printout $487,808.56.
  2.   Approve the June 2022 Treasurer’s Report.
  3. Approve the following appointments for 2022-2023:

Clerk of the Board:  Sherri Hartman

Deputy Clerk of the Board:  Charlene Bolinger

Treasurer:  Chad Holt

Attorney:  KASB

Ex-officio member of Vocational Agriculture Advisory council:

Jason Sutterby

Elementary attendance officer and Truancy Reporter (KSA 72-1113):

Tema Gilion

Secondary attendance officer, Truancy Reporter (KSA 72-1113):

special project director and Title IX Coordinator:

Tracy Smith

KPERS Representative and Freedom of Information Officer:

Sherri Hartman

School lunch Hearing Officer:  Vance Eden

Homeless/Migrant Liaison:  Vance Eden

Foster Care Liaison:  Tema Gilion and Tracy Smith

Title IV, Title I and Title II Administrator: Vance Eden

Bank Depository:  Union State Bank

District Newspaper: The Fort Scott Tribune

Governmental relations contact: Mike Mason

  1. Adopt the waiver of generally accepted accounting principles

including fixed asset accounting for 2022-2023. (KSA 9-1401)

  1. Adopt 1,116 hours as the minimum school-in-session criteria for 2022-2023.

(KSA 72-1106)

  1. Adopt the resolution for rescinding policy statements found in board minutes

in 2022-2022.  (Resolution 2-2023)

  1. Approve the adoption of policies and governance rules of USD 235 per

Existing Board policies and rules.  (Resolution 3-2023)

  1. Adopt the Home Rule Resolution.
  2. Approve no charge for textbook rental for 2022-2023. (KSA 72-4141)
  3. Establish mileage reimbursement rate at .44 cents per mile. No mileage will

be paid if a district vehicle is available. (KSA 72-8208a)

  1. Approve resolution to establish the following petty cash limits for 2022-2023:

(Resolution 4-2023)

Uniontown High School                      $1000.00

BOE                                                       $500.00

  1. Adopt the resolution to establish activity funds (Resolution 5-2023)
  2. Adopt the resolution giving permission to destroy school records for

2017-2018 year. (federally supported program records only) (Resolution

6-2023)

  1. Adopt an early payment request policy. (KSA 72-12-105b)

 

 

 

 

 

Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – July 11, 2022 – Page 3

 

  1. Set Board of Education meeting dates of 08/08/2022, 09/12/2022,

10/10/2022, 11/14/2022, 12/12/2022, 01/09/23, 02/13/23, 03/13/23,

04/10/23, 05/15/23, 06/12/23 and 07/10/23. (KSA 72-8205).

 

No patron asked to speak to the board.

 

Associate Superintendent Eden gave the board an update on the budget, Health Insurance Renewal, KASB Policy updates, ESSER III Plans, surplus property, Needs Assessment and the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate Resolution.

 

Johnson, seconded by Martin, made a motion to approve the June 2022 KASB policy updates.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Martin, seconded by Mason, made a motion to approve the disposal of Surplus Equipment.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Johnson, seconded by Goodridge, made a motion to notify the county clerk that we will exceed and will hold a Revenue Tax Rate hearing.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Johnson, seconded by Goodridge, made a motion to go into executive session to discuss an individual employee’s performance pursuant to non-elected personnel exception under KOMA, and the open meeting will resume at 8:40 p.m.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Into Executive Session at 8:20 p.m.

Eden was invited into session.

Out of Executive Session at 8:40 p.m.

 

Johnson, seconded by Mason, 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 6-0.

 

Into Executive Session at 8:40 p.m.

Eden was invited into session.

Out of Executive Session at 8:55 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Uniontown USD 235 – Regular Meeting – July 11, 2022 – Page 4

 

Johnson, seconded by Martin, made a motion to accept the resignation of Robyn Ayers effective immediately.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Martin, seconded by Goodridge, made a motion to hire Pam Kimrey as UHS secretary for the 2022-2023 school year.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Johnson, seconded by Mason, made a motion to approve Bret Howard as the Superintendent of Record for 2022-2023 under the terms of agreed upon contract.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Martin, seconded by Goodridge, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion passed 6-0.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Date minutes approved ______________________

 

 

 

______________________________

President, Board of Education

 

 

__________________________________

Attested:  Clerk, Board of Education

 

The next regular board meeting is Monday, August 8, 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Winfield Scott Assistant Principal: Krystle Mayginnes

Leave a comment
Krystle Mayginnes and her family. Submitted photo.

This is part of a series profiling new educators in Bourbon County schools.

Krystle Mayginnes, 35, is the new Winfield Scott Elementary School Assistant Principal.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Secondary Education from Kansas Wesleyan University, a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State University,  and currently is  in her second year as a Educational Leadership Doctoral student at Baker University.
Mayginnes has taught 11 years of  secondary language arts.
She and her husband, James have an 11-year-old daughter, Klaire and a 2-year-old son, Jimmy.  Salina is where she grew up.
Mayginnes has a variety of interests when not in school.
“I love to volunteer at the library and animal shelter,” she said.  “As a family, we enjoy being outdoors including fishing, camping.  My husband and I love to attend Bluegrass Festivals whenever we are able.  Personally, I love to read and enjoy talking about and collecting books.”
Why did you become an educator?
“I have always had a love of school.  My mom always talks about how when I was little I used to play school with my siblings, and I was always the teacher.  I went into leadership because I think that teaching is the most noble profession, and I want to be a part of helping teachers become the best that they can be while also helping students.”
Did someone inspire you?
“I have always been inspired by the teachers/professors that I have learned from throughout my educational experience including my teacher colleagues who have helped me become a better teacher and a better leader.”
What is the best thing about being an educator?
“The best thing about being an educator is that I get to hang out with kids all day.  Our youth are such a precious commodity, and I get to be a part of helping them discover who they are, and who they want to become.”
What is a challenge?
“I think the most challenging thing about being an educator is that there are lots of things that we cannot control in the world.  We have students who are coming from all different backgrounds and experiences, and we have to teach them all.”
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 News Release

Leave a comment

NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, July 13, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at their offices on Monday, July 11, 2022, for their regular monthly meeting.

President James Wood opened the meeting.  The board approved the official agenda.  The old board adjourned Sine Die with reorganization of the new board.  Danny Brown was elected president, and Kellye Barrows was elected vice-president for the 2022-23 school year.

The board also approved the consent agenda:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – June 17, 2022 – $1,799,386.85

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity fund accounts­­­­­­

F.     Designation of banks for deposit of school funds

G.    Designation of newspaper for official school publications – The Fort Scott Tribune

H.    Officers for the 2022-23 school year

I.      Recreation Commission board member terms

J.      Resolution for Waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

K.    Resolution for Rescinding Policy Statements Found in Board Minutes

L.     Resolution to Establish Home Rule by Board of Education

M.   Resolution to set dates and times for board meetings

N.    Resolution for Destruction of Records

O.    Resolution for Bank Account Signers

P.     Set fees for copying of records

Q.    Mileage reimbursement rate – current state mileage rate

R.    Point of information – July 25 – 5:30 p.m. – Special Board Meeting

S.     2022-23 Salary Schedule correction

 

Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, and Gina Shelton, Board Clerk/Finance Director, shared reports with the board.

David Stewart was selected as the REDI representative.

The board approved the following

 

·       2022-23 district handbooks

·       Notification to the County Clerk that the district will not be revenue neutral this year

·       Homeschool students participating in district student activities policy

·       Classified salary schedule

 

Board members set a date of August 1 at 5:30 p.m. for a budget presentation, and the date of August 22 at 5:30 p.m. for a Revenue Neutral Hearing and the 2022-23 budget hearing.

There were no comments in the public forum section.  The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel.  The board returned to open meeting and approved the following employment matters:

 

a.      Employment of Dennis Dennigan as a high school special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year

b.     Employment of Karleigh Schoenberger as a high school assistant volleyball coach for the 2022-23 school year

c.      Placement of Mike Krull, high school head boys’ basketball coach, on Step 29 of the Supplemental Salary Schedule

d.     Employment of Polly Mayberry as district ESOL Coordinator for the 2022-23 school year

e.      Employment of Kerri Hanson as a middle school counselor for the 2022-23 school year

f.      Employment of Toni Burton and Angela Colvin as classified employees for the 2022-23 school year

 

The board approved a 1% salary increase for administrators and directors.  In addition, the board approved an average 10.5% salary increase for classified employees.

The board adjourned