Fort Scott Tiger Football Red/White Scrimmage – Saturday August 20th at 8 am at Frary Field. Freshmen first followed by JV/Varsity.
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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
BOARD OF EDUCATION
August 17,2022
A special meeting o f the Board of Education, Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas, is hereby called to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, the twenty-second day of August, 2022, at the Board of Education Office.
The purpose of the meeting is a Revenue Neutral Tax Rate Hearing at 5:30 p.m.; approval of Resolution 22- 07 – Expressing the Property Taxation Policy of USD 234 Fort Scott with Respect to
Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for Financing the Annual Budget for 2022-23;
a Budget Hearing at 5:45 p.m.; adoption of the 2022-23 Budget; approval of Resolution 22-08 – Local Option Budget Percentage; approval of the revised 1,1l6 hour calendar for
the 2022-23 school year; approval of a MOU with Greenbush for an interim special education director; an executive session pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception under KOMA; and approval of the Personnel Report.
By order of the President of the Board of Education of Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas.
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BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 22, 2022 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY
Call Meeting to Order
Flag Salute
Open the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate Hearing (Action ltem)
3.1 Close the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate Hearing (Action ltem)
3.2 Approval of Resolution 22-07 – Expressing the Property Taxation Policy of USD 234
Fort Scott with Respect to Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for Financing the
Annual Budget for 2022-23 (Action Item)
5:45 p.m. Open the Budget Hearing (Action Item)
4.1 Close the Budget Hearing (Action ltem)
4.2 Adoption of the 2022-23 Budget (Action Item)
4.3 Adopt Resolution 22-08 – Local Option Budget Percentage (Action Item)
Approve revised 1,116-hour calendar for the 202243 school year (Action ltem)
Approve MOU with Greenbush for an interim special education director (Action Item)
Personnel Matters
7.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
7.2 Exit Executive Session
7.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action ltem)
Adjourn Meeting
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Unified School District 234
This is part of a series featuring the 26 new educators in USD 234. School starts on August 18.
David Heidrik is a new seventh- grade Special Education teacher at Fort Scott Middle School.
This is his 11th year as an educator, all of those in special education.
“I spent 8 years at Prairie View as a middle school resource room teacher and I will hold the same position here,” he said.
“I am married with two boys,” he said. “My wife , Luisa, is from Peru and we met at Pittsburg State University. Our boys are Matt, age 6, and Jacob, age 3.”
He has a variety of interests outside of school.
“I am into athletics, I practice Jiu Jitsu, I have a garden, and I study ancient history among other hobbies,” he said.
Samantha Short, 53 is a new Fort Scott Middle School Spanish teacher and remedial English teacher.
She graduated from Nevada High School in 1987.Then earned her bachelors, masters and specialist degrees from Pittsburg State University.
She taught Spanish in the Nevada School District for the last 28 years and just retired this year.
Nevada is her hometown since 1975.
She has been married for 31 years and has three children and two grandchildren. Katlyn is a 6th grade teacher in Nevada; Colton, lives in Connecticut and is an engineer for a company; and Hallie will be a senior at Pittsburg State University studying Construction Management.
“I love spending time with my family, working on our cattle farm, and traveling,” she said.
“I became a teacher because I had such a bad 4th-grade experience that I hoped to make sure that other students didn’t have the same bad year that I did. I hoped to make a difference in their lives.”
“The best part of teaching for me is being with the kids and learning all about them,” she said.
“I have found that the biggest challenge is keeping kids engaged in the learning process. They are so overstimulated with everything that they have to entertain them, that class can be boring, so you need to switch topics pretty often to keep their attention.”
This is part of a series featuring the 26 new educators in USD 234. The first day of classes is August 18.
Suzan Durnell, 53, is a new elementary instructional coach who works with teachers and students at both Winfield Scott and Eugene Ware Elementary Schools in Fort Scott.
She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from College of the Ozarks, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Missouri State University, and a Master’s Degree in Library Science and Information Services from University of Central Missouri.
Durnell taught fifth and sixth grades in Galena, MO, second grade in Aurora, MO, then third, second, and K-5th library skills (including reading and technology). In her 30 years of teaching she worked as a trainer for the Missouri Reading Initiative providing professional development and instructional coaching.
“I was raised in Vandalia, Missouri, graduated from Greenfield, Missouri, and have raised my own family in El Dorado Springs, Missouri. I claim each of these places as a hometown!”
Her husband, Mike will be teaching high school math at Fort Scott High School. They have been married for 31 years and recently moved to Nevada. They have two grown daughters. Jenna and her husband Quade live in Nixa, Missouri, where she works as a CPA, and Quade works as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Springfield, Missouri. Tessa and her husband, Kip, live in Hays, Kansas, where she works as an autism specialist and Kip teaches and coaches at Hays High School.
“My passion is education,” she said. “I have been fortunate to work in a field I love for all these years. I’m excited to extend my career in Fort Scott.”
“My father (a teacher, coach, principal, then superintendent) inspired my love of school,” she said. “My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Forgy, made teaching something I aspired to do.”
“The best part of teaching is the joy,” she said. “It might be joy in teaching a fun topic, joy in watching a student grasp a concept, joy in creating a community of learners, joy in play, or joy in working with talented colleagues. There’s always something that reminds me how very important the field of education is every day.”
“For me, it is a challenge to remain knowledgeable about how kids learn best. We’re learning more and more about the developing brain and how best to approach teaching. To make that even more challenging, kids’ brains are changing as they’re exposed to more technology than ever before. I feel responsible to stay on top of the most recent developments, and that’s hard to do.”
Outside of teaching she loves baking, shopping, coffee with friends, walking, and family time. And she said her family enjoys being involved in their church, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
“Teaching is actually my second career to pursue,” she said. “I was an adoption specialist after receiving my bachelors in sociology in 2004. As a mom of school ages kids, I saw firsthand what a difference teachers can make in children’s lives. My kids had some great teachers who really inspired me to want to be that difference for other students. I’ve always admired my sister-in-law, Cristin Stark who has been an elementary teacher for years. I started sharing this new dream with her and she was a huge support during my journey to get here.”
This is part of a series of features on the 26 new educators in USD 234. School starts on August 18 for Fort Scott schools.
Sydney Crapson, 22, is a new first-grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School in Fort Scott.
She attended Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University graduating in May of 2022 with an Elementary Education Unified degree.
She is a first generation college graduate, and this is her first year of teaching.
“I have spent my entire life around children and have always loved being with them!,” she said.
Her hometown is Walnut.
Her mother, Karen, is a para educator at Girard High School. Her dad, Brian, does body work on cars and is a part-time farmer.
“I have an older brother named Bailey who is a ranch hand and lives with me in Fort Scott,” she said. “They have been my biggest supporters and I am so thankful for them!”
In her spare time she loves to read and collect books, fish, golf and sew.
“I also love animals and spend most of my evenings walking my dog,” she said. “I have lived in this community for four years and have worked at a local small business for the majority of that time.”
“Growing up, I had many amazing teachers,” she said. “All of the good ones that stick out to me made sure to take the extra time to get to know me as a person rather than just another student. Because of that relationship, they had such a strong and positive impact on my life and I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else.”
“My third-grade teacher is the main person who inspired me to become a teacher myself,” she said. “She took the time to really notice me as a person and helped me through a very difficult year when I felt like I had no one. I will forever be grateful to her.”
“The best part of teaching for me is being able to see my students grow. The excitement on their face when they finally understand or have discovered something new is heartwarming!”
“I think the most challenging part of teaching for me is spending almost an entire year with the same students and then having to let them go in May,” she said.
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, August 8, 2022
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2022, 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:
The board heard reports from FSKNEA, the Assistant Superintendent, and the Business Manager. The board received a presentation of the budget and reviewed a copy of the District Needs Assessment. Budget publications will also be posted to the district website.
The board approved the following items:
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters, negotiations to discuss reopening the 2022-23 negotiations, and then into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS – FOR THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
Durnell was influenced to teach by his high school teacher and coach, Randy Robertson, he said.
“In teaching, we are faced with students being more distracted than ever,” he said. “It is a challenge to keep things interesting for them.”
Christie Lutter Smith, 48 is the Speech Language Pathologist for Eugene Ware Elementary, Fort Scott High, St. Mary’s Elementary, Christian Heights and Christian Learning Center all in Fort Scott.
“I am really looking forward to being a part of the Fort Scott School District,” she said. “I am looking forward to the upcoming school year and can’t wait to work with the kids and their families.”
Smith earned a Bachelor’s in Communication Disorders (Speech Language Pathology), then a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education, taught school, then earned a Master’s in Communication Disorders.
“I have been a speech therapist for over 20 years and have practiced in a variety of settings: schools, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. I love them all and feel blessed to love what I do.”
She and husband Dallas have been married 25 years and have three girls: Meg, 22, is getting married this fall; Ellie,17 will be a senior and “can’t wait for basketball season, and Cate,10a, ttends Saint Mary’s and pretty much loves everyone,” she said.
In her spare time she loves to travel, read, and has hobbbies of photography, music and art.
Smith’s other involvements in the community: Catholic High School Youth Leader, past Mercy Hospital Foundation Board member, a nursing home volunteer, Parent Teacher Organization, past board member of Mother to Mother Ministry, Relay for Life, PEO, and Magazine Club.
“I started college as a pre-med student; however, after taking a few classes in speech pathology I fell in love. Probably because I love to talk! As my classes went along I also fell in love with the special education field and became actively involved in the Special Olympics. All these exposures and experiences have aided me throughout my career.”
“Some of the greatest challenges I have faced in my career and continue to face is finding the resources our families need in Southeast Kansas. It may not be easy to find but there are amazing people and companies out there, a lot of them in our community.”
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 235
UNIONTOWN, KANSAS
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Monday, August 8, 2022
7:30 p.m.
AGENDA
III. Informational Items.
VII. Executive Session – Negotiations.
VIII. Adjournment.
Next regular board meeting date is Monday, September 12, 2022 at 7:30.
Revenue Neutral Hearing at 7:15 p.m. and Budget Hearing at 7:20 p.m.
To view the total agenda pkt.:
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2022 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY WITH COMMENTARY
1.0 Call Meeting to Order Danny Brown, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
4.1 Minutes from July 11, 2022, Board of Education Meeting
Minutes from July 25, 2022, Special Board of Education Meeting
4.2 Treasurer’s Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – July 20, 2022 – $1,289, 232.37
4.5 Activity Fund accounts
4.6 Audiology Contract with Greenbush
4.7 Low Incidence Contract with Greenbush
5.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion)
5.1 Superintendent’s Report
5.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
5.3 Business Manager’s Report
6.0 Old Business
6.1 Approve MOU with the City of Fort Scott for a second School Resource Officer
7.0 New Business
7.1 Approval of participation in the KDHE School-Based Grant (Action Item)
7.2 Budget Presentation
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7.3 Approval of 2022-2023 COVID Update for the upcoming school year (Action Item)
7.4 Approval of 2022-2023 Employee Handbook (Action Item)
7.5 Approval of 2022-23 No Limits Contract (Action Item)
7.6 Approval of 2022-23 Happy Kids Contract (Action Item)
7.7 Approval of middle school chiller replacement (Action Item)
8.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
8.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
8.2 Exit Executive Session
8.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
8.4 Enter Executive Session – Negotiations (Action Item)
8.5 Exit Executive Session
8.6 Approve amended 2022-23 negotiated agreement
9.0 Adjourn Meeting
This is part of a series featuring the new educators in Bourbon County. There are 26 new educators in USD 234.
Jon Barnes, 23, is the new Fort Scott High School American Government and American History teacher.
Barnes graduated from Fort Scott Community College with an Associates of Science and from Pittsburg State University he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education.
He is a first year teacher.
Barnes comes from Yates Center. His family: mom Tonya Billiard Barnes of Fort Scott, dad is Kevin Barnes of Mound City.
In his spare time he enjoys walking his dog, lifting weights, playing golf, basketball, watching movies, playing video games, hunting/fishing, and is involved at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
“I decided to become a teacher after working as a tutor my second year at FSCC,” he said. “Both my parents are in education and they certainly inspired me, as well as my fourth grade teacher and high school cross country coach, Rex McVey.”
“The part of teaching I’m most excited about is getting to work with my students,” he said. “I’m in it for the kids, I love building relationships and being a positive influence on the next generation.”
“As a first year teacher, I’m sure I will find the challenges when we get rolling, but I look forward to working through them,” he said.
Mike Krull, 56, is the new Fort Scott High School Physical Education Teacher and head boys basketball coach.
He has a Bachelors of Science in Education Degree from Pittsburg State University, with emphasis in physical education and social studies.
Krull taught at Louisburg, from 1991-1998 Frankfort, from 1998-2000, Yates Center, from 2000-2002, and Parsons from 2002-2022.
He grew up in Girard, Kansas.
His wife’s name is Misty and together they have five children.
“Three are mine and two are hers,” Krull said. “One son shy of Brady Bunch. I have a son Wesley, who is a teacher at Parsons and two daughters, Kaylee, a teacher at Pittsburg, and Sydney, a senior at PSU. I have a step-daugher, McCarly, a nurse/RN in Pittsburg and a step-son, McCade, an independent contractor in SEK.”
Some of his interests outside of school are “obviously basketball / sports, learning new cultures around the world, traveling / cruising, grandchildren Rip and Myla,” he said.
He became a teacher because he enjoyed school, he said. “I was always around the school environment with my mother, a secretary, and father, a teacher. I went to Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University for my formal training, and really enjoy being around the environment.”
“No one person really inspired me to be a teacher, but really a combination of the overall experience. My mother, father, coaches, my high school teachers, and my college teachers,” he said.
“The best part of teaching is probably knowing that other teachers go through the same thing you go through with students and also the bonds that are made with students and their families and the bond with other faculty members,” Krull said.
“Probably the biggest challenge is knowing that each day will be different, good or bad, from the previous days,” he said.
Outside of teaching she loves to spend time with her family, shop, travel, and support small businesses.
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.
