Category Archives: Schools

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

The FSHS Tiger Drama Camp: The Stinky Cheese Man On May 27-28

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The Annual FSHS Tiger Drama Camp presents The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by John Glore at 7 p.m. on May 27 and at 2 p.m. on May 28 at the FSHS Auditorium. 
The play and camp are produced by the FSHS Thespian Troupe #7365 and their sponsor Angie Bin and features over 35 local youth ages 1st through 9th grades. Directors are recent graduate Christina King and junior Regen Wells. Music Directors are senior Karen Primeaux and junior Jericho Jones. All technical aspects of the play are designed and created by a team of sixteen high school Thespian members.
 
“Though the characters may be familiar, each of your favorite storybook fables is uproariously derailed in this adaptation of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s quintessential children’s book of fractured fairy tales. Everything from ‘Chicken Little’ to ‘The Gingerbread Man’ gets a complete makeover. Fun music and witty narration accompany the likes of ineloquent giants, sassy barnyard animals, colossal cow pies, and enough stinky cheese to go around,” according to Playscripts publishing.
 
Tickets are $5 for reserved seats and are available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com and at the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
 
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Bourbon County, Government, Schools

Vance Eden: New U235 Super In The District

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Scout, Vance, and Rhuey Eden. Submitted photo.
Vance Eden, 37, is the new associate superintendent of schools for USD 235, Uniontown.
Following completion of his education programming, he will assume the title of superintendent.
Process

“As I still haven’t completed my programming at this point, for the next year Mr. (Bret)Howard will work on a consultation basis to help with any needs that I may have,” Eden said.

Howard is the current superintendent who ends his tenure from the district on June 30.

“This provision is necessary under the current leadership license that I have,” Eden said. “Once I complete the coursework and receive the Kansas Department of Education licensure credential next spring, my title would then transition to superintendent.”

“We have tried to be open and transparent about this  process,”he said. “I had sent a letter to parents when I was hired that explained this information, but understand that many in the community would not have received such communication.”

“I will officially assume the role July 1st,” he said. “But I have been working in transition over the course of the past 6-8 weeks to make plans for the coming school year.”

His office will be located inside Uniontown Junior High/High School building.
Uniontown Junior/Senioer High School.
Education
Eden received his Bachelor’s of Education in Elementary Education and  a Master’s in Educational Leader from Pittsburg State University.  
“I’m currently working on a Specialist in Education Degree with a Major in Advanced Studies in Leadership from Pittsburg State that will be completed in the Spring of 2023,” he said.
Experience
Just out of college Eden taught math at Webb City Middle School before transitioning to be the assistant principal of that same building.  
“I then served as a Title I Reading and Math Interventionist at West Bourbon for three years before assuming the role of the principal for the past four years,” he said.
Ms. Tema Gilion will become the WBE principal in the next school year.
Background
Eden was raised in Bourbon County on the Eden family farm that is located on Hwy. 54 near Bethel Church, and attended Uniontown schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.
His family is made up of “my amazing wife, Rachel, and two great kids, Scout and Rhuey,” he said. 
Scout, Vance,  Rachel and Rhuey Eden. Submitted photo.

In their leisure time, the Edens can be found outdoors.

“Our family enjoys all kinds out outdoor activities,” he said.  “Riding dirt bikes and spending time on the lake would top the list for this summer.”
While in college, Eden changed careers to enter education.
“While in college pursuing a different major, the idea of becoming an elementary teacher really started to intrigue me,” he said.  “I had always enjoyed kids and seemed to have a pretty natural rapport with them. Once I made the switch in majors, things seemed to fall into place pretty naturally.” 
Many people inspired him to pursue education.
“I’ve been impacted by too many people to list just one,” he said.  From my supportive parents and extended family, to remarkable teachers, to current friends and co-workers.”
The best part of being an educator for Eden is giving students the tools they need to pursue their passions.
There are a few challenges in education.
“Kids don’t all start from the same place,” Eden said.  “They haven’t all had the same support, opportunities, and care.  Schools have to find a balance in supporting social, emotional, and academic needs so that by the time they leave us as 18 year-olds they are ready to thrive in adulthood.” 
Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD 234 Special Board Meeting: New Super And Principal Hired

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NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, May 16, 2022

 

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

President James Wood opened the meeting.

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

The board adjourned.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD 234 Fort Scott Names New Superintendent

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U234 Press Release to Announce Selection

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

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


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


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


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

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


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

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


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


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


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

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Press Release May 12

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NEWS RELEASE

 

Thursday, May 12, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2022, for a special board meeting.

President James Wood opened the meeting.

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel.  The board returned to open meeting and adjourned.

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Meet and Greet For Second U234 Super Candidate Today

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The Board encourages the community to come meet the candidate at the Meet & Greet opportunity on Thursday, May 12th. This will be held at the Fort Scott Middle School Flex space from 4-5 pm and from 5:30-6:15 pm. Please enter through the south doors.

Those who attend the Meet & Greet receptions will be given a paper survey to provide feedback. Be sure to turn this in before you leave to provide your feedback. The responses will be tallied and provided to the board in summary.

The Board will then meet in executive session at the board office at 6:30 pm on Thursday evening for purposes of interviewing the candidate.

Submitted by
Gina Shelton, U234 Board Clerk

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Press Release from May 9 Meeting

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NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, May 9, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Board of Education office on Monday, May 9, 2022, for their regular monthly meeting.

President James Wood opened the budget hearing.  There were no comments; the budget hearing was closed.  The board approved the official agenda.  The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – April 20, 2022 – $1,443,359.12

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity fund accounts­­­­­­

F.     Point of Information

G.    LCP Assurances

H.    Greenbush Energy Group Participation Agreement and Hedging Authorization for 2022-23

 

There were no comments in the public forum. Representatives from HTK Architects presented ideas and concepts for the Fort Scott Preschool Center.

Board members reviewed the principals’ reports.  In addition, board members heard reports from Dalaina Smith, Academics Director; Ted Hessong, Superintendent; and Gina Shelton, Finance Director.

The board approved the budget adoption.  Dan Koppa, Facilities Director, reported on summer maintenance projects.  Superintendent Hessong gave a KESA update and ESSER III update.

The board approved the following

·       High school science curriculum recommendation

·       Summer camps

·       2022-23 lunch fees

·       2022-23 fees

 

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss employer-employee negotiations.  The board returned to open session and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel. The board returned to open session and approved Resolution 21-13 – Intent to nonrenew a teacher’s contract.  The board approved the following employment matters:

A.    Resignation of Jeff Dillow, central office HVAC maintenance, effective June 30, 2022

B.    Resignation of Raymond Allen, high school custodian, effective May 13, 2022

C.    Resignation of Amanda Jamison, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

D.    Transfer of Sabrina Keating, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to high school/Eugene Ware gifted teacher for the 2022-23 school year

E.     Transfer of Moriah Dillow, Winfield Scott focus room teacher, to Winfield Scott kindergarten teacher for the 2022-23 school year

F.     Transfer of Stuart Troutman, central office maintenance, to central office technology help desk specialist beginning May 10, 2022

G.    Employment of Hannelie Smit as a district occupational therapist for the 2022-23 school year

H.    Employment of Jessica Johnson as a Eugene Ware secretary for the 2022-23 school year

I.      Extended contract request from Angella Curran, high school debate/forensics teacher

J.      Resignation of Torrie Singmaster, middle school girls’ basketball coach, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

K.    Resignation of Jared Martin as high school summer conditioning coordinator

L.     Addition of a middle school summer conditioning position for the upcoming summer

M.   Resignation of Reyna Valenzuela, high school English teacher, effective May 9, 2022

N.    Resignation of Clint Heffern, high school physical education teacher and high school head boys’ basketball coach, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

O.    Resignation of Laura Howard, middle school language arts teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

P.     Resignation of Zach Hart, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective May 12, 2022

Q.    Employment of Shelly Charter as Winfield Scott Principal for the 2022-23 school year

R.    Employment of Krystle Griem as Winfield Scott Assistant Principal for the 2022-23 school year

S.     Employment of Colin Downey as a high school social studies teacher for the 2022-23 school year

T.     Employment of Christina Lutter-Smith as a speech/language pathologist for the 2022-23 school year

U.    Employment of Lori Jett as a high school English teacher for the 2022-23 school year

V.    Employment of Andrew Ables as a middle school seventh grade science teacher for the 2022-23 school year

W.  Employment of Sarah Long as a high school paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year

X.    Employment of Bo Graham as high school summer conditioning coordinator for the 2022-23 school year

 

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel.  The board returned to open meeting and adjourned.

 

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 To Interview Superintendent Candidate Destry Brown

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The Fort Scott Board of Education encourages the community to come meet the candidates at the Meet & Greet opportunities on Tuesday (05/10) and Thursday (05/12).  These will be held at the Fort Scott Middle School Flex space from 4-5 pm and from 5:30-6:15 pm.  Please enter through the south doors.

Those who attend the Meet & Greet receptions will be given a paper survey to provide feedback.  Be sure to turn this in before you leave to provide your feedback.  The responses will be tallied and provided to the board in summary.  The Board will then meet in executive session at the board office for purposes of interviewing each candidate Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm.

Submitted by Gina Shelton, U234 Board Clerk

 

 

USD 234

Mr. Destry Brown will be interviewing for the position of superintendent with the board of education on May 10, 2022.

Mr. Destry Brown is the first of two candidates that the USD 234 Fort Scott board of education will be interviewing. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and an online community survey utilized during the search process.

Mr. Destry Brown is currently serving as the Superintendent of the Clinton, Missouri schools.   Mr. Brown has also served as superintendent of schools in Pittsburg, KS, Frontenac, KS and has been an elementary principal.

 

Mr. Destry Brown’s Schedule

05/10/2022

 

12:00 p.m. – 12:25 p.m. Meet with district office staff, directors, and administrators
12:30 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Tour of district school buildings with community host
3:00 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. Community tour with community host
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Meet & Greet with staff and community at FSMS Community Space
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Private time for candidate
5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Meet & Greet with staff and community at FSMS Community Space
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Dinner followed by formal interview with the candidate and the board in executive session.

 

The board of education will conclude interviews on May 12, 2022. They will then determine which candidate is the best fit for the superintendent position in USD 234 Fort Scott.