Category Archives: Schools

Fort Scott, Schools

Winfield Scott Assistant Principal: Krystle Mayginnes

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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

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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

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Reunion Back On Track: Starts June 24

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All the graphics courtesy of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
The upcoming Fort Scott High School All Class Reunion has been in the making for about three years.
Fort Scott High School.
“We have been planning since 2019,” Lori Potter Farmer, FSHS Alumni President said.  “The regularly scheduled reunion would have been in 2020, however with (the) COVID (pandemic) we’ve had to bump it back twice.”
 “FSHS alumni has the all school reunion every five years on the 5,” she said.  “Our next scheduled reunion will be in 2025, barring any problems.”
“The purpose (of the reunion) is to bring as many alumni back to one location, as well as their home town to gather with friends and family,” she said.  “The alumni board works really hard to get as many people back as possible and to plan a great weekend for everyone.”
“Seeing those you went to school with most of your childhood is always a great time,” Farmer said.  “Memories from the past are shared as well as new memories are made.  It’s always fun to drag out the old annuals and look at pictures of classmates as well as teachers from the past.”
Registration starts at 9 a.m. on June 24 at the Fort Scott High School Gym.
Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Alumni: Parade

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The Fort Scott High School Alumni Association will honor two Fort Scottians during the all-class reunion parade. Fred Campbell and Don Miller were selected to be honored.

The parade starts at 5 p.m. on June 24 from the location of 4th and Judson Street to travel the typical parade route EXCEPT in light of past memories – it will be going backwards and will finish up at the high school. Classes will be displaying their class spirit as they travel south on Main Street.

The Alumni Association encourages citizens to line the parade route to welcome the alumni home.

Craig Campbell, Class of 1977, is the Parade Chairman.

 

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

U234 Board News Release

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NEWS RELEASE

 

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on June 21, 2022, for a special board meeting.

President James Wood opened the meeting and budget hearing.  There were no comments, and the budget hearing was closed.  Board members approved republishing the budget.

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

 

A.    Resignation of James Harrison, high school paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

B.    Employment of Michael Freeze as a high school paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year

C.    Employment of Lacey Miles as a 6.5-hour Eugene Ware cook for the 2022-23 school year

D.    Employment of Janet Fairbanks as a middle school teacher for the 2022-23 school year

 

The board adjourned.

 

Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS All Classes Reunion June 24-26

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The FSHS All Classes Reunion
is coming next weekend,
June 24th-26th!
(The Chamber encourages all locals to be ready to welcome alumni home by making sure the area around your
business and residence is spruced up and welcoming!)
See below for the full schedule of events for the
all-class activities, then many individual classes
have their own events planned, too!
TODAY is the last day to purchase Chicken Dinner tix,
see below.
LAST CALL!
Today is the last day to purchase chicken dinner tickets for the
All Classes Reunion.
Schedule of events below.
Fort Scott High School
All Classes Reunion Schedule
June 24-26th, 2022
Friday, June 24th
Registration
Friday, June 24th | 9am-4pm
FSHS Gym
Reunion Parade
Friday, June 24th
Starts at 5pm
Click here to enter parade.
Chicken Dinner
Friday, June 24th, 6pm
FSHS Commons Area
The All-Star Reunion Band
Friday, June 24th | 8pm-12am
The Liberty Theatre
*Cash Bar Only
Saturday, June 25th
Registration
Saturday, June 25th | 9am-12pm
FSHS Gym
Luncheon for Classes 1950 & Earlier
Saturday, June 25th | 11:30am
FSHS Commons Area
Teacher Reception
Saturday, June 25th | 3-5pm
FSHS Commons Area
Rock Sanctuary & Bourbon County Revival
Saturday, June 25th | 8pm
Liberty Theatre
*Cash bar only
The Crayons
60’s-70’s Era Band
Saturday, June 25th | 8pm
Skubitz Plaza
The Stolen Winnebago’s
80’s-90’s Era Band
Saturday, June 25th | 8pm
3rd & Main
REMINDER: NO GLASS CONTAINERS DOWNTOWN, PLEASE –
WHEN YOU ARE DOWNTOWN FOR VARIOUS EVENTS!
Thank you to our Chamber Champions listed below!
Bourbon County, Schools

New School Administrator Series: Tema Gilion

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Tema Gilion. Submitted photo.

This is part of a series helping the public get to know the new school administrators in Bourbon County.

 

Tema Gilion, is the new West Bourbon Elementary School Principal, Uniontown. She is replacing Vance Eden, who is the new USD 235 Superintendent.
West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown.
Gilion completed her administrative preparation program at Pittsburg State University.
She has experience in elementary, middle and high school teaching-1st and 3rd general education, 5th grade math, high school Spanish and English as a Second Language and a sub-director and teacher at a private bilingual school.
When not teaching she loves traveling, reading, gardening, and time with family.
Her hometown is Carthage, MO.
Why did you become an educator?
“I was privileged to have some amazing teachers in the Carthage school system who inspired me to become a teacher. I’ve always loved school and learning, so becoming an educator was a very natural path for me to follow.”
I enjoy seeing students learn and grow academically as well as in character. Inspiring students to be life-long learners is something for which I strive as an educator.
Fort Scott, Schools

News Release from USD 234

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NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, June 13, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at their offices on Monday, June 13, 2022, for their regular monthly meeting.

President James Wood opened the meeting.  The board approved the official agenda.  The board also approved the consent agenda:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – May 20, 2022 – $1,554,551.40

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity fund accounts­­­­­­

F.     Fundraiser applications

G.    Extended trip applications

H.    Site Council reports

I.      2022-23 Site Council members; dates and times of meetings

J.      2021-22 Gifts

K.    Point of Information – Special Board Meeting – June 21 – 5:30 p.m – Budget hearing

 

Mike Trim, SRO Officer, spoke in the public forum section of the meeting.  Dalaina Smith, Academic Director; and Gina Shelton, Board Clerk/Finance Director, shared reports with board members.

 

The board approved the following

·       Renewal of property, general liability, employment, cyber, and automobile insurance with KERMP

·       Computer pre-bid purchase

·       2022-23 MAP renewal for math, reading, and science

·       Eureka math proposal

·       PLC Professional Development proposal for 2022-23

·       1,116-hour calendar for the 2022-23 school year

·       KASB Board Policy updates

 

The board tabled approval of handbooks.  The board reviewed the Last Day Enrollment Count report.  Board members shared comments and then went into an 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 meeting and approved ratification of the 2022-23 negotiated agreement, Resolution 21-14 – final action on the nonrenewal of a teacher’s contract, and the following employment matters:

 

a.      Retirement of Sue Ann Fredericksen, high school special education teacher, effective July 1, 2022

b.     Resignation of Lora Jett as a high school English teacher for the 2022-23 school year

c.      Resignation of Angelica Gonzales, middle school paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

d.     Resignation of Sarah Long as a high school paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year

e.      Fort Scott Middle School content positions for 2022-23

f.      Resignation of Andon Prestley, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

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

h.     Transfer of John Metcalf, middle school Student Success Center teacher, to middle school elective teacher for the 2022-23 school year

i.       Transfer of Brendon Blackburn, middle school elective teacher, to middle school Student Success Center teacher for the 2022-23 school year

j.       Leave of absence request from Peyton Guiles, Eugene Ware special education teacher

k.     Clarification for Assistant Superintendent position

l.       Change in work agreement for Rhonda Dawson, high school activities secretary/district treasurer, and Angie DeLaTorre, high school secretary/registrar for the 2022-23 school year

m.   Addition of a district ESOL Coordinator for the 2022-23 school year

n.     Employment of Sarah Hendricks as a Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year

o.     Employment of Samantha Short as a middle school teacher for the 2022-23 school year

p.     Employment of Michael Krull as a high school physical education teacher and head boys’ basketball coach for the 2022-23 school year

q.     Employment of Chad Ruddick as a high school English teacher for the 2022-23 school year

r.      Employment of Sarah Shaw as a preschool paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year

s.      Employment of central office classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

t.       Employment of technology classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

u.     Employment of food service classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

v.     Employment of transportation classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

w.    Employment of maintenance classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

x.     Employment of Fort Scott High School classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

y.     Employment of Fort Scott Middle School classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

z.      Employment of Eugene Ware classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

aa.   Employment of Winfield Scott classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

bb.  Employment of Fort Scott Preschool Center classified personnel for the 2022-23 school year

cc.   Employment of district supplemental personnel for the 2022-23 school year

dd.  Employment of Fort Scott High School supplemental personnel for the 2022-23 school year

ee.   Employment of Fort Scott Middle School supplemental personnel for the 2022-23 school year

ff.    Employment of Eugene Ware supplemental personnel for the 2022-23 school year

gg.  Employment of Fort Scott Preschool Center supplemental personnel for the 2022-23 schoolyear

hh.  Resignation of Whitley Chesney as the director of the high school musical, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

ii.     Rescinded resignation from Elizabeth Rose, preschool paraprofessional

jj.     Transfer of Elizabeth Rose, preschool paraprofessional, to high school paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year

kk.  Transfer of Dixie Jackson, high school paraprofessional, to a 12-month custodian position for the 2022-23 school year

ll.     Employment of Anthony Ogle as a 12-month custodian for the 2022-23 school year

mm.        Transfer of Nick Johnson, middle school teacher, to Fort Scott Preschool Principal for the 2022-23 school year, and the resignation of Nick Johnson as a middle school assistant football and middle school assistant basketball coach for the 2022-23 school year

 

The board adjourned

 

Bourbon County, Schools

Smith Returns As Uniontown Junior/Senior High School Principal

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Tracy Smith and wife, Teresa. Submitted photo.
This is part of a series helping the public get to know the new school administrators in Bourbon County.
 Tracy Smith, 64, was hired as the 2022-23 Uniontown Junior High/High School Principal.
Smith earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Ottawa in 1979 and his Masters In School Administration in 1992 from Pittsburg State University for Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.
He was an Art Teacher/Coach at Louisburg (1979-82),
Art Teacher, Athletic Director, Coach at Maize (1982-85),
Assoc. Director of Development at Ottawa University (1985-87),
and previously served at Uniontown Schools-(1987-2015) at the K-12 Art/Coach (87-92,) JH/HS Principal (1992-2010)and West Bourbon Elementary School Principal (2010-15).
He has been married to Teresa for 34 years and has three adult children, all married, all graduates of UHS: Dain, Kaity, and Abbie.
“We  have seven grandchildren plus #8 arriving in August from my son in California,” he said.
“Since my retirement seven years ago I have been actively involved in the United Methodist Church,” he said.  “I am a local licensed pastor and currently serve three area churches: Bronson, Moran, and Mildred UMC’s.”
In his spare time he spends time with grandkids, woodworking, art projects, and officiating volleyball and is a track starter with the Kansas State High School Athletic Association.
His hometown is Richmond, Kansas.
Why did you become an educator? 
“Art has always been a gift that I’ve had and it was/is something that was a natural fit. Teaching/showing/leading others has also been a gift.  My career has been enjoyable and I’ve never been disappointed any day.  I like and step up to the challenges each and every day in working with my team of teachers and our kids we are assigned to lead.”
Did someone inspire you?
“I come from a long line of teachers in my family.  Grandfather French Booher was a principal in southeast Kansas. My  Grandmother and Mother we’re both teachers. Teresa my wife, now retired, was a lifetime teacher and Kaity, my daughter is also this year returning to teaching (5th grade) at WBE.”
What is the best thing about being an educator?
“Making a difference with kids.  That’s what it is all about. Period.  Being part of a group of professional educators  is a great inspiration for me. Watching them bring a kid from A to Z is exciting and a blessing to be associated with these teachers. Uniontown has always been a great place/school.  Time after time, the Eagles prove success in college readiness, vocational success, and leadership skills when they leave us.”
What is a challenge?
“Change.  Happens every day.  Global, Society, Requirements from Fed, State….  For me to create a environment of success, top down, where all children can be safe, comfortable and hungry to learn and to succeed is my personal goal.  I feel stepping back into the ‘U’ I have a little advantage, due to a long relationship with the parents in the past, and yet with my tenure, at some point grandparents….I’m old, I admit.  We all need to work together, because bottom line, it’s about your kids, our future and our heritage of having one of the best school systems in Kansas. ‘Go Eagles’.”
Fort Scott, Schools

New School Admin Series: Zach Johnson

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This is part of a series helping the public get to know the new school administrators in Bourbon County.
Zach Johnson is the new Fort Scott Middle School Principal. Submitted photo.
Zach Johnson, 34, is the new Fort Scott Middle School Head Principal.
Fort Scott Middle School.
Johnson received his bachelors and masters degree from Evangel University in Springfield MO and also has a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Lindenwood University in St. Charles MO.
“The past four years I have served as the Activities Director/Assistant Principal at Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville,” he said. “Before that I taught technology courses, physical education, construction and manufacturing, in Neosho MO. I also served as the head baseball coach for three years in Pleasant Hope, Mo just north of Springfield.”
He is married to Bethany and have three kids Cole, Greyson, and Sadie.
“Cole will begin kindergarten in the fall,” he said. “My wife is from Liberal MO. She has worked for a non for profit counseling clinic out of Springfield. However, she has been a stay at home mom for the past six years.”
His  interests include spending as much time with family as possible. “We enjoy just about anything outdoors such as hunting, fishing, sports, and hiking,” he said. “We also enjoy having our kids in sports and attending their events throughout the year.”
Johnson’s hometown is Willard MO.
Why did you become an educator?
“I became an educator to make a positive difference in the lives of the people around me. I believe education provides a platform to impact people in a way that can be transformational.”
Did someone inspire you?
“I had a baseball coach in high school that was influential in my life during that time and is still influential to this day.”
What is the best thing about being an educator?
“The best thing about being an educator is the lifelong relationships that are built with kids and staff.”
What is a challenge?
I believe a challenge is the impact that COVID has had on education.”
Bourbon County, Schools

Communities In Schools Programs Receives Grant to Assist Students

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From left: Ryan Irsik, Walmart Public Affairs & Government Relations CO, KS, NE, SD; Rhonda Hoener, Student Support Coordinator Communities in Schools of Mid-America,
Uniontown Public Schools and Heather Magruder, Walmart Fort Scott Store Manager.

Two Bourbon County school districts recently received a $10,000 grant each for student support from Walmart to help with the Communities In Schools programs.

The mission of  Communities In Schools is to  surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life, according to https://www.communitiesinschools.org/.

The name of the grant is the Walmart Community Grant – Communities In Schools Programming in Uniontown and Fort Scott, Kansas

Rhonda Hoener is the Student Support Coordinator for Communities In Schools at Uniontown, and wrote the grant proposal.

Uniontown High School.

Her counterparts in  USD 234,  are Lewis Dunkeson at Fort Scott High School and Winter Moore at Fort Scott Middle School.

Walmart presented the check for $20,000 to Communities In Schools via Hoener, recently.

“This grant will support our work helping more than 1,400 students and their families served by Communities In Schools of Mid-America programming in Uniontown and Fort Scott, Kansas,” according to a press release, from  Cheri Faunce, Vice President of Resource Development for Communities in School of Mid-America and Victoria Partidge, Vice President of Communications.

“Communities In Schools of Mid-America is addressing the academic and non-academic impacts due to the extended time out of school buildings from the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the press release. “Our program works by building trusting relationships, re-engaging students in the learning process, and helping students identify and break down barriers preventing them from reaching their goals.”

The Student Support Coordinators (SSCs) provide whole-school programming to promote a positive school climate and combat risk factors.

Youth risk factors include low attendance, student and parent disengagement, and access to basic needs such as food, clothing, school supplies, hygiene products.

SSCs also work one-to-one with a minimum of 55 caseload students per school to help with academic, attendance, and/or behavior/social-emotional concerns and the students are at high risk for dropping out.

Examples of programming include, but are not limited to, lunch hour mentoring, life/social skills, behavioral interventions, resource referrals to other social service providers, and grief support.

In the Uniontown program, Hoener has helped with:

  • Family Engagement Night at West Bourbon Elementary School
  • Guest speaker Julia Cook at WBE
  • Attendance incentives at Uniontown Junior and Senior High School
  • Guest speaker Mark Potter at UHS/UJH
  • Both buildings provided are provided with basic need items

For caseload students only, she has helped wit:

  • Academic support
  • Behavior support
  • Social emotional learning support
  • Attendance support
  • Referrals to other agencies
  • Utility/rent/ grocery/gas assistance to families
  • College visit
  • College/career conversations with outside agencies
Fort Scott Middle School, 2019.

At Fort Scott Middle School, Winter has helped with:

  • – School-wide academic incentives
  • – One-on-one behavior intervention
  • – Homework assistance
  • – Individual grade and attendance checks
  • – Basic needs distribution (school supplies, food, snacks, hygiene products)
Fort Scott High School.

At Fort Scott High School, Dunkeson has helped with:

  • – FutureNow: Finance
  • – Career Fair
  • – Homework assistance
  • – Individual grade and credit checks
  • – Mentoring program
  • – Basic needs distribution (school supplies, food, snacks, hygiene products)