May 2023 be all you wish it to be!
With courage, faith and effort, we shall always walk the glory road.
Happy New Year!— Pam Hutchison
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Category Archives: Schools
Preschool to Move to the Former Mercy Building in August 2023
The plans are getting close to being finalized for the Fort Scott Preschool move to the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills. It currently is located at 409 S.
Judson.
“We are planning to open the preschool at the new site in August,” USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown said.
The new preschool will be located in the lower level of the hospital, Brown said. “There is a secure entrance to the facility in that part of the building and we can secure the preschool wing on the other end of the hallway as well.”
The Need For More Room
“Currently, we have around 100 students being served at the preschool,” Brown said. “We would like to double that in the near future.”
“We will be adding two more classrooms for preschool in this new building,” he said. Currently the school has four teachers and eight para-professionals.
“We also have a couple of other programs that support families with preschoolers who are housed at the preschool,” Brown said. “There is also one Head Start classroom that will be joining us at the new site.”
“We do not have any space to expand in our current location,” Brown said. ” We have two classrooms in the building on Judson and one at the Happy Kids Daycare Center. This will allow for growth and for all programs to be in one location.”
Remodel
“There will be remodeling to take place as soon as we get some financial estimates on the costs of the remodel, the mechanisms for funding, and board approval,” he said. “This should all come together in the next two months so construction can be under way. The Legacy Health Group (who received the Mercy building from the Bourbon County Commission) has told me they can meet the date of August.”
The Preschool Mission
The Fort Scott Preschool’s mission is to provide free preschool opportunities for all kids so that they are prepared to enter kindergarten successfully, Brown said.
Bourbon County Schools Face Illnesses as The Semester Winds Down
Bourbon County schools are experiencing school and staff illness in the last few weeks before school is out for Christmas break.
Fort Scott
“We have had a large number of students and staff out the last several weeks with the flu, RSV and COVID 19; mostly the Influenza A,” USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown said.
On Monday, the district had 204 students out sick, which is down from last week by around 100, he said. There were seven teachers out Monday with illness themselves or they have sick children.
The district has 1,856 students enrolled.
The district has had to postpone a music concert because of illness.
“The choir concert… has been rescheduled to January 11th at the Ellis Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.,” Brown said.
“On Friday, the choir spent the day singing at different schools and other venues around town,” he said. “I suspect that they shared the bug with each other that day. Whatever the case, their concert is postponed because of illness.”
U234 will dismiss school on Dec. 15 with a teacher workday on Dec. 16 and school will resume on January 3.
Staff Positions
The district currently has openings that will be posted from retirements in the following areas:
Elementary Physical Education
Occupational Therapist
One teaching position
“I anticipate additional openings after the first of the year due to retirements,” Brown said.
Uniontown
Uniontown School District had 63 students gone on Monday, with a “handful of staff,” Vance Eden, USD 235 Superintendent said. There are no postponements of school events at this time.
“We have been able to cover all classes needing substitutes,” Eden said.
There are 479 students in this district.
The last day of school for this district is Friday, Dec. 16 for Christmas break. Staff will return on January 3 for professional development and students will return on January 4.
U235 Openings For Next Year
There are several openings being posted for U235 for the 2023-24 school year.
So far a junior/senior high school principal position, a jr./sr. English teacher and a high school science teacher.
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING NEWS RELEASE
Monday, December 12, 2022
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 12, 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:
- Minutes from November 12, 2022, Board of Education meeting
- Financials – Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – November 18, 2022 – $1,927,977.43
- Activity Fund accounts
- Orchestra Extended Trip Application
- Band and Choir Fundraiser Application
- Substitute Pay Schedule
- Sale of Decommissioned Student Equipment
Yasmina Query, Eugene Ware Elementary, introduced six students from Eugene Ware Leadership Club. Students Landen Brown, Myah Chaplin, Logan Flanner, Georgia Hurd, Jentry Palmer, and Hunter Yarick shared information with the board about various projects the leadership club does to help the community, their school, and staff.
Classified Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Tanya Lockwood as the Classified Tiger Team Member of the Month. Mrs. Lockwood is a custodian at the high school who demonstrates how to build great relationships with kids. She greets students, encourages them, and sets a great tone for them.
Licensed Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Linda Minor as the Licensed Tiger Team Member of the Month. Mrs. Minor is a 2nd grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary and is the Leadership Club sponsor. She is very good at building relationships with kids, supporting other staff, and creating a positive environment. She is often heard telling students and staff to “Go Be Great!”
Superintendent Brown reported on an expansion of the Construction Trades Program at Fort Scott High School made possible with collaboration with Fort Scott Community College. This will allow students to achieve NCCR Certification, be OSHA certified, and graduate high school with 28 college credits.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, updated the board on the ESSER submission, the investment of funds, and reported that the district had 57 employees complete the wellness stipend challenge. Mrs. Shelton discussed the importance of special education funding and provided the board with a handout explaining how special education funding works.
The board received an update on District Communications from Shawnee Lorenz with Trajectory Strategies, which is a strategic development firm. Mrs. Lorenz went over the assessment conducted, the major findings, and the recommendations to the board for next steps.
Merrill Atwater and Jennifer Massey with Legacy Health, along with Superintendent Brown updated the board on the progress of the preschool expansion at the old Mercy Hospital building.
The board approved the following items:
- Agreement for Hourly Rate Professional Services for Preliminary Design for Special Education Department Spaces at Fort Scott High School in the amount of $2,960 that will be covered by the CHC grant
- Delos Indoor Air Quality Research Program Quote in the amount of $24,411 that will be covered by the KDHE Test to Stay Grant
- Workers Compensation Proposal from KASB Workers Compensation Fund, Inc.
- Request to refund a donation contingent upon no concerns from KASB attorneys
- Personnel Report – following
The board tabled a change to the Drug Testing Policy at FSHS until next month.
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Stewart Guss – Retirement – Eugene Ware custodian, effective January 31, 2023
- Jessica Smith – Resignation – FSHS paraprofessional, effective December 16, 2022
- Kristi Hartman – Resignation – Occupational Therapist, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Russ Hughes – FSMS Track Assistant, effective December 12, 2022
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS – FOR THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
- Sharonda Edwards – Winfield Scott 7.5-hour paraprofessional
- Michelle Lisica – Eugene Ware 7.5-hour paraprofessional
- Matthew Prock – Winfield Scott 7.5-hour teacher aide
- Billi Jo Shoemaker – Winfield Scott paraprofessional to Eugene Ware behavior interventionist teacher, effective January 3, 2023
- Amanda Jamison – Winfield Scott paraprofessional to Head Start teacher, effective January 3, 2023
- Michelle Martin – mentor for Lienna Upchurch
U234 Board of Education Agenda for Dec. 12
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2022 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY
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 November 12, 2022, Board of Education Meeting
4.2 Financials-Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – November 18, 2022 – $1,927,977.43
4.5 Activity Fund accounts
4.6 Orchestra Extended Trip Application
4.7 Band and Choir Fundraiser Application
4.8 Substitute Pay
4.9 Sale of decommissioned student equipment
5.0 Employee Recognition – Linda Minor and Tanya Lockwood
6.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion)
6.1 Fort Scott KNEA Report
6.2 Superintendent’s Report
6.3 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
6.4 Finance Director’s Report
7.0 Old Business
7.1 Communications Audit and Plan (Information/Discussion)
8.0 New Business
8.1 Legacy Health Representatives (Information/Discussion)
8.2 Agreement for Hourly Rate Professional Services for “Preliminary Design for Special Education Department Spaces at Fort Scott High School” (Action Item)
8.3 Delos Indoor Air Quality Research Program Quote (Action Item)
8.4 Drug Testing Policy (Action Item)
8.5 Workers Compensation Insurance Recommendation (Action Item)
8.6 Request to refund a donation (Action Item)
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
10.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
10.2 Exit Executive Session
10.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
11.0 Adjourn Meeting
President Brown
Margaret Marino Awarded a Classroom Grant
Manhattan, KS — Ms. Margaret Marino, K-2 Math and Reading Special Education Instructor, Winfield Scott Elementary School, USD 234, Fort Scott, was recently awarded a $500 Classroom Grant by the Kansas Association of American Educators (KANAAE), a non-union professional educators’ association serving Kansas educators. Ms. Marino will be using the grant to purchase supplies to supplement the Orton Gillingham training she attended this past summer!
“KANAAE is thrilled to be able to provide funding to purchase needed materials and supplies for Margaret’s classroom,” said Garry Sigle, KANAAE executive director. “As a professional association we are committed to helping educator’s purchase items through our scholarship and grant program they may not otherwise be able to obtain. We know it’s the students who ultimately benefit.”
The winners of the KANAAE Teacher Scholarships and Classroom Grants are selected by a committee of their peers from across Kansas. All educators are encouraged to apply.
KANAAE is an affordable, non-union professional education association that provides teacher scholarships and classroom grants exclusively for Kansas educators twice a year. The grants can help pay for a variety of materials for the classroom and scholarships can be used to cover a wide variety of expenses including tuition, books, conferences, and workshops. The next application deadline is March 1, 2023. For more information visit www.kanaae.org.
Shop and Support the FSHS Swim Team at Fall Extravaganza
The season of craft and small business vendor sales is in full swing.
Monday November 21 from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School will be the annual Fall Extravaganza, a 40-plus craft/vendor fair.
Madeline Martin, Fort Scott High School Counselor and swim coach, is organizing the event this year.
“We took it over from (Fort Scott Middle School Teacher) Stephanie George and the VIP’s (organization) at the middle school,” Martin said. “Stephanie knew that the swim team was looking for more fundraising opportunities so she reached out to us asking we were interested in organizing it for this year.”
“The purpose of this event is to continue the holiday shopping tradition,” Martin said. “This has been a popular event in the community for over 10 years and we want to keep this tradition going. We have 40+ vendors that are joining us this year and we are super excited.”
“The swim team hopes that the funds raised through this event will help us purchase swim parkas for each participant as well as help offset costs for the year,” she said.
The FSHS Swim Team will be selling a pulled pork dinner also as a fundraiser.
The vendors scheduled to set up are:
KNM Clay
One of a Kind Wood Creations
TSM Creations & Decor
Amy Maxwell
Better in Bourbon
Jessee Cox
Maria Whitson
Arbonne- Lindsay Hill
TFI Family Services
Donna Jo Beerbower
Mary Kay- Lauren Hardwick
Mmm Flavor Shop
Our Little Village
Redbud Farms & Nurseries
Desert Bloom
Gentry Warren Art
Twigs & Berries
Anita Moore
Sugar Bakery/Walker’s Bakery
WellSpring Acres Alpaca Farm
SOS Grad Party
Grazing Fort Scott
Perry’s Porkrinds
FSHS Industrial Arts
The Sister’s Oven
FSHS FCCLA
Tin Man Alley
JP Custom Leather
Tiiger Threads
Be-You-tiful Designs
The Lavender Patch Farm
Locust HIll Lamachas
Micki Kraft
Sunshine Boutique
Buckin A’ Ranch
Wilbur Fleming
Funky Junktiques
Paparazzi Jewelry & Norwex- Brenda Hunter
The Purse Lady
Happy Little Candle Factory
Tupperware- Shawn O’Brien
Sassy’s Grandmas Stencils
Bids & Dibs/ Angie Dawns
About the swim team:
The Fort Scott High School boys swim team had their first season in the winter of 2019. The girls swim started the spring of 2020, but their season was cancelled because of the COVID 19 Pandemic.
“This past year we grew as a team and added some members through a cooperative agreement with area schools,” Martin said. “Last year the boys team took 3rd in the league and Bobby Kemmerer went to state where he brought home two medals for the two events he swam. The boys have also sent one other swimmer, Oliver Witt, to state in the past.”
“Girls season last year hit a huge goal of winning the league and Fort Scott sent their first female swimmer, Avery Stewart, to state. Along the way we have had swimmers from Frontenac, Pittsburg, Chanute, Northeast-Arma, Humboldt, and this year we are adding St. Mary’s Colgan and Uniontown to our girls team. I love that Fort Scott is setting a standard of providing kids the opportunity to compete in a sport that they love.”
“This year, for boys season, we have three young men joining us from Pittsburg and four young men joining us from Frontenac,” she said. “Girls season we have individual swimmers joining us from Arma, Uniontown, Humboldt, and Colgan. We will have a few girls join us from Frontenac and Pittsburg as well.”
They drive each day to the Pittsburg YMCA to practice.
“Our swimmers are very dedicated and our out-of-town kids drive up to an hour just to get to practice each day,” she said. “I am looking forward to another successful season and for Fort Scott to continue to make a big splash in the SEK and in our League.”
U234 Thanksgiving Vacation Starts Next Wednesday
USD 234 schools will be closed Wednesday through Friday, November 23-25, for Thanksgiving vacation. Classes will resume on Monday, November 28, 2022.
Notice of Gathering of the USD 234 Board Members On Nov. 16
Submitted by Gina Shelton, Board Clerk, USD 234
Notice of Gathering Wednesday, November 16, 2022
5:30 p.m.
Bourbon County REDI Visioning Session
Liberty Theater
There may be a majority of USD 234 Board Members present at the Bourbon County REDI Visioning Session to be held at the Liberty Theater, 113 S Main, Fort Scott, Kansas, on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. Even though a majority may be present, no school district business will be conducted.
Press Release from U234
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, November 14, 2022
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 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:
- Minutes from October 10, 2022, Board of Education meeting
- Financials – Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – October 20, 2022 – $1,572,916.54
- Activity Fund accounts
- Parent/Teacher Conference Statistics
- FSPC – 92%, Winfield Scott – 94%, Eugene Ware – 89%, FSMS – 56%, FSHS – 63%
Scott Kimble, Fort Scott High School Principal, introduced Anna Laubenstein, a senior at FSHS, who provided an update on the varsity Cinematography Challenge at the 4-State Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting Film Festival in Springfield, Missouri. Anna, along with FSHS students Lily Brown, Elena Robison, and Zaida Gomez, all competed in the festival with 30 other schools. In total, eleven students from FSHS were able to attend. The students shared information with the board on the competition and the Digital Media program at the high school that they are a part of.
Terry Sercer, CPA, with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton CPAs, P.A., presented the financial audit for 2021-22 year. There were no violations.
Superintendent Destry Brown noted that the final Visioning Session hosted by Bourbon County REDI will be Wednesday, November 16th at 5:30 p.m. at the Liberty Theater. Mr. Brown discussed the district’s preschool expansion project to take place at the old Mercy Hospital and how the current location on Judson will then be utilized for an elementary school specific for behaviors. Mr. Brown updated the board on the delivery and installation of the air purifiers purchased with KDHE grant funds. Superintendent Brown closed with discussing the “40 Developmental Assets” that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible and how these are things our community can take part in to support our students.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith thanked the board and community for their support of PLC time. Mrs. Smith discussed conversations happening regarding attendance at PLC conferences or whether that training should be held in-house. Mrs. Smith provided an update on the cases purchased to protect student technology devices and the Science adoption that will come to the board for approval in March.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, reported on the workers compensation renewal, federal funds, open enrollment for employee benefits, and staff retirements.
The board received an update on District Communications from Superintendent Brown.
The board approved the following items:
- ESSER III Budget – information, including the budget can be found on the USD 234 website.
- Contract with Benchmark Inc. for a full-time project management service for the roof replacement project in the amount of $178,000.
- Resolution to join Kansas Municipal Investment Pool and investment of funds into the KMIP for 180-days, with an interest rate of 3.96%.
- Acceptance of quote from City State Bank for a 90-day CD, with an interest rate of 3.13% with revaluation in 90 days.
- RPS Benefits by Design, Inc Consulting Agreement for health insurance broker services.
- Premium Rate Schedule for 2022-23.
- District Benefit Committee Recommendation with no increase to health insurance premiums, increase in Wellness Stipend to $350.00, and change in accident/cancer policy options.
- Personnel Report – following
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters and the superintendent evaluation process.
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Amy Lybarger – Early retirement as Eugene Ware third grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Chris Sather – Early retirement as Winfield Scott physical education teacher, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Rachel Patton – Resignation as Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective Oct. 19, 2022
- Kaylie Harper – Resignation as Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective Oct. 26, 2022
- Elizabeth Rose – Resignation as FSHS paraprofessional, effective Nov. 11, 2022
- Amaiya Terry – Resignation as FSHS paraprofessional, effective Nov. 11, 2022
- Bethany Higgins – Eugene Ware teacher, leave of absence
- Andi Heckman – FSPC teacher, leave of absence
- Francis Torres – Winfield Scott paraprofessional, leave of absence
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS – FOR THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR
- Brad Wright – Central Office HVAC Maintenance
- Kathryn Harrington – FSMS paraprofessional
- Robert West – Eugene Ware/FSPC custodian
- Belinda Pitts – FSHS paraprofessional
- Billi Jo Shoemaker – Winfield Scott 7.5-hour paraprofessional
- Amanda Jamison – Winfield Scot 7.5-hour paraprofessional
- FSHS newspaper sponsor change from Brian Pommier to Bethany Anderson for the second semester
- Langdon Giddens – Tech Department paid intern
- Sara Schnichels – FSMS paraprofessional
- John Metcalf – FSHS assistant wrestling coach
- Colin Downey – FSHS assistant freshman boys basketball coach
USD 234 Preschool Screening
Unified School District 234
424 south Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
www.usd234.org
520-223-0800 Fax 620-223-27 60
DESTRY BROWN, Superintendent
November 15,2022
USD 234 will provide preschool screenings for children up to the age of5 years on December 2,2022. Children may have vision, hearing, speech/communication, motor skills, socialization skills, and general development screened.
The purpose of the screenings is to locate and identify children with
possible developmental delays who may need special education preschool and/or related services.
Appointments may be scheduled by calling Tammy Catron, Fort Scott Preschool Center,223-8965, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The deadline for scheduling an appointment is November 22,
2022
U234 Board of Education Agenda for Nov. 14
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 14, 2022 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY
1.0 Call Meeting to Order
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 October 10, 2022, Board of Education Meeting
4.2 Financials-Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – October 20, 2022 – $1,572,916.54
4.5 Activity Fund accounts
4.6 Parent/Teacher Conference Statistics
4.7 Orchestra Extended Trip Application
5.0 Student Recognition – Anna Laubenstein
6.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion)
6.1 Fort Scott KNEA Report
6.2 Superintendent’s Report
6.3 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
6.4 Finance Director’s Report
7.0 Old Business
7.1 Communications Update
7.2 ESSER III Budget Approval (Action Item)
8.0 New Business
8.1 Proposal for full-time construction services for the roof replacement proje
8.2 State of Kansas Municipal Investment Pool Resolution
8.3 RPS Benefits By Design, Inc. Consulting Agreement
8.4 Premium Rate Schedule
8.5 District Health Insurance Recommendation
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
10.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
10.2 Exit Executive Session
10.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
11.0 Adjourn Meeting