Category Archives: Schools

USD234 News Release

NEWS RELEASE

 

Friday, April 29, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 424 S. Main for a special board meeting on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

The board approved participation in the KanAWARE Grant.

Board members discussed the timeline and process of the superintendent search.

Board members approved removing the following agenda items:

 

·       An executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel

·       Consider employment

 

The board adjourned

USD234 Superintendent Search Update

 

USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

April 29, 2022

 

Message for Stakeholders:

 

On behalf of the board, we would like to update our stakeholders and staff on the Superintendent Search process, specifically the opportunities for input and feedback on candidates.

 

The first opportunity was with the online survey, there was an amazing response – thank you. The next opportunity for feedback will occur during the candidate interview process.

 

There will be two “meet and greet” receptions open to all staff and community members during the candidate’s visit and tour of our district.

On each day of finalist interviews, scheduled for May 10, 11 and/or 12, the district will host public receptions at 4:00 p.m. and again at 5:30 p.m. It is our hope that providing two times on each day will allow staff and community to select the time that best fits their personal and work schedules.

 

KASB will collect feedback from each of these events and provide the data to the board for consideration. More specific information regarding location and specific dates will be shared as soon as the board determines the number of finalists for interviews.

 

The USD 234 Board of Education wants to use the opportunities provided through the search process to engage the voices of our staff and patrons in helping us identify the best course forward for our district.

Submitted by

USD 234 Fort Scott Board of Education

 

USD234 Met In Special Session

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at their offices at 424 S Main on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in special session.

 

The board received an update from KASB consultant, Sue Givens, about the timeline and process for the Superintendent Search.  The board was extremely grateful and pleased with the participation from our community, staff, and parents.  Over 700 survey results were received.  Givens shared and discussed the details and rankings of the survey.  For details on the results and to keep up to date with USD 234’s Superintendent Search, please visit our website www.usd234.org under Board of Education.  The meeting can be viewed via the district’s YouTube channel: USD 234 Board of Education.

 

The board adjourned into executive session and then returned to open session.  The board approved the following employment matters:

  1. Resignation of Elizabeth Alexander, Winfield Scott Kindergarten teacher
  2. Employment of Bethany Anderson as a high school English teacher
  3. Employment of Megan Webb as an early childhood special education teacher

 

The board adjourned.

FS Christian Heights School Country Store and Auction Is May 7

Fort Scott Christian Heights
56th Annual
Country Store & Auction
Saturday, May 7th | Opens at 9am
Crusader Charge
5k and 2 Mile Fun Run
Saturday, May 7th
Register below.
Country Store: 9am-3pm
The entire gym and all of the classrooms will be filled with items for sale.
Also featuring a big bakery room with every treat imaginable.
Buffet Dinner: 4pm
Fried chicken, B-B-Q Beef, Salads, Rolls and Handmade Fries
Adults $6 | Children $3
Benefit Auction: 6pm
NEW & USED items from local businesses and individuals will be auctioned. All proceeds will be used to purchase needed equipment for the school.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Race and fun walk will be conducted on Margrave Street.
Registration begins at 7A.M. on Margrave between 10th & 12th Streets.
Race and walk begin at 7:30A.M.
Entry Fee: $15.00
Categories:
Male- 12-18 years Female- 12-18 years
Male- 19-30 years Female- 19-31 years
Male- 31years & up Female- 31 years & up

Input Desired on Next USD234 Superintendent

PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK
The Kansas Association of School Boards in coordination with the Ft. Scott school district is conducting an online survey to seek community input on desired characteristics of the next superintendent.
The survey will close at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, April 27.
The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete and can be accessed at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TX2MW7Z

Eight FSHS Debate Forensics Students Qualify For Nationals

Submitted by Angella Curran

 

The results are in and Fort Scott has qualified EIGHT students to Nationals in debate and Forensics!

First of all, Everyone did their very best and really showed up and showed out for the qualifying tournaments. I’m very proud of all of you!
Your 2022 NSDA National Qualifiers headed to Louisville, KY in June are:
Lillian Collins and Kinsley Davis – Policy Debate
Shekhar Gugnani – House
Berkley Wood and Khris Patel -Punlic Forum
Thade Yates – Foreign Extemp
Neil Gugnani- US Extemp
Silvia Moreno- POI
Congratulations!!
The final leg of the tournament was Saturday in Coffeyville. The Results:
Jase Anderson (Fr)- 2nd alternate Oratory
Caitlynn Tate (So)-5th Oratory
Caroline Barnes (Fr) – 2nd alternate HI
Joy Self (Fr) – 5th HI
Silvia Moreno (So)- 2nd alternate POI
Kinsley Davis (Jr) – 5th place POI
Lillian Collins (Jr) – 6th place POI
Shekhar Gugnani (Sr) – District Champ FX
Thade Yates (Sr) – 1st alternate FX
Neil Gugnani (Sr)- District Champ USX
Joy Self/Caroline Barnes (Fr) – 1st alternates DUO
Anna Laubenstein (Jr)/Regen Wells (So) – 2nd alternates DUO
Fort Scott – 2nd place in debate sweeps!
What a way to complete the Districts! Go Tigers!!!

USD234 Press Release

NEWS RELEASE

 

Thursday, April 21, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 424 S. Main for a special board meeting on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 5:30 p.m.

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

 

A.    Retirement of David Brown, Fort Scott Middle School Principal, effective July 1, 2022

B.    Resignation of Ted Hessong, Superintendent, effective June 30, 2022

C.    Resignation of Nina Merriman-Reed, middle school paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

D.    Change of title for Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics, to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the 2022-23 school year

E.    Work schedule adjustment for Staci Sinn-Black, technician, to include two periods of teaching middle school Business Essentials for the 2022-23 school year

F.     Addition of a special education early childhood teaching position for the 2022-23 school year

G.    Adjustment in a middle school half-time teacher aide position to a full-time teacher aide position for the 2022-23 school year

 

The board adjourned.

 

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 424 S. Main for a second special board meeting on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 6:48 p.m.

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

The board adjourned.

 

Ted Hessong Resigns as Superintendent

USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong resigned last evening at a special meeting of the board of education, effective the end of the school year, June 30, 2022.
A search is underway by the district for a new superintendent.
“The Kansas Association of School Boards in coordination with the Ft. Scott school district is conducting an online survey to seek community input on desired characteristics of the next superintendent. The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete and can be accessed at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TX2MW7Z
The survey will close at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, April 27,’ according to a press release from board clerk Gina Shelton.

Uniontown School Reopens Fitness Center

Uniontown High School.
The USD 235 School District reopened Uniontown Fitness Center to the public. The fitness center is located on the southeast corner of the junior/senior high school, and has its’ own door with a key entry.
It re-opened to the public April 13.
The fitness center was closed to the public by the administration in November 2021, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
It  also was closed from November 2021 through March 2022 for the junior high, high school, and Kids Club Wrestling season.  They previously had used the fitness center as a practice room, Superintendent Bret Howard said. The room was the former library room.
The center is open before and after school.

“The fitness center is available to our physical education classes,” he said. “Our junior high and high school classes really don’t use it as they have the weight room. Our elementary PE classes used it on Friday’s before COVID. That hasn’t resumed post-Covid at this time.”

The Uniontown Fitness Center has a separate door to the district’s building, on the southeast side of the building.
Bret Howard, Superintendent of USD 235. Submitted. photo.

A keycard is sold to USD235 District residents for $10, a one time fee, unless the card is lost.

“For those of you who have a keycard, those should still work,”  Howard said. “To obtain a key card to access the fitness center you will need to contact Mr. Vance Eden, Principal at West Bourbon Elementary School.”
For any additional questions, contact  Eden at (620) 756-4335 or Howard at (620) 756-4302.

“You will be required to sign a sheet acknowledging you will agree to follow the rules and regulations for the Uniontown Fitness Center,” he said.  “You will also need to pay a one-time fee of $10. Once you have done those two things, you will be given a keycard and may begin using the Uniontown Fitness Center.”

Hours of availability to the public: Monday – Friday from 5 to 7 AM and 5:30 to 9:30 PM.  Saturday and Sunday from 6 AM to 7 PM.
Picture of the Rules and Regulations to the USD 235 Uniontown Fitness Center
The fitness center first opened in 2018 following the receiving of a grant.
U235 Students were trained how to use the equipment in this 2018 photo. Four students from each grade, 4th through 12th, were randomly selected to be student fitness ambassadors. They were given prior training in the weeks leading up to the official ribbon cutting.Submitted.
To learn more about the history of the center:

 

U234 Board of Education: New Principals, New Teachers

NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, April 11, 2022

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Board of Education office on Monday, April 11, 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 as follows:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – March 10, 2022 – $1,437,997.40

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity fund accounts­­­­­­

F.     FCCLA Fundraiser Application

G.    Parent/Teacher Conference statistics

H.    KASB Dues and Legal Assistance Fund

I.      Negotiations lists for 2022-23

J.      Use of a school bus for the Class of 1966 for June 25

K.    Memorandum of Understanding with Greenbush Food Purchasing Consortium

L.     Extended Trip Application – Film Festival Competition

 

The Fort Scott High School Sociology students gave a presentation on Hats in School.  They reported their research, observations, and surveys for allowing students to wear hats to school.

Board members approved Resolution 21-12 Authorizing and Providing for the Sale, Issuance, and Delivery of Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bonds.

Brenda Hill, Fort Scott KNEA President, gave a report on year-end activities.

Written reports were shared by principals.

In addition, the board heard a report from Dalaina Smith, Academics Director.  Board members approved a PLC Summer Institute for teachers.

Ted Hessong, Superintendent; and Gina Shelton, Finance Director/Board Clerk. presented reports.

Board members approved the following items:

·       Academic calendar for the 2022-23 school year

·       High School course changes/additions for the 2022-23 school year

·       Make-up snow days

·       Virtual Academy Memorandum of Understanding with Greenbush

 

Superintendent Hessong gave an ESSER III update.

The board approved a Benchmark change order to add Winfield Scott roofing to the bid documents.

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel.  The board returned to open meeting and amended the agenda.  Board members approved the creation of a board-member committee to have exit interviews with administrators.  The committee would consist of four board members in a special meeting with an executive session.  The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Resignation of Melissa Miller, Winfield Scott Principal, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

B.    Resignation of Martin Altieri, Winfield Scott Assistant Principal, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

C.    Resignation of Andrea Scott, Fort Scott Preschool Principal/Special Education Coordinator, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

D.    Resignation of Abby Dixon, Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

E.     Resignation of Kerry Pommier, Eugene Ware counselor, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

F.     Resignation of Torrie Singmaster, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

G.    Resignation of Kelcy Schnaufer, preschool teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

H.    Resignation of Travis Toth, high school social science teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

I.      Resignation of Renee Scales, middle school special education teacher, effective May 17, 2022

J.      Resignation of Lindsay Knopp, Winfield Scott second grade teacher, effective May 13, 2022

K.    Resignation of Shytanna Reed, middle school paraprofessional, effective March 15, 2022

L.     Resignation of Elizabeth Rose, preschool paraprofessional, effective May 13, 2022

M.   Resignation of Shana Staton, preschool paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

N.    Resignation of Afton Brown, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

O.    Termination of Adrianne Wisdom, high school paraprofessional, effective February 17, 2022

P.     Transfer of Jamie Rogers, middle school math teacher, to high school math teacher for the 2022-23 school year

Q.    Transfer of Ashlea Taylor, Winfield Scott special education teacher, to first grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year; transfer of Kaitlin Arnold, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, to second grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year; transfer of Tyler Ericson, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, to second grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year

R.    Transfer of Kim Eastwood, Winfield Scott second grade teacher, to Eugene Ware music teacher for the 2022-23 school year

S.     Transfer of Madeline Martin to the high school counselor position for the 2022-23 school year

T.     Transfer of Angie DeLaTorre, Eugene Ware secretary, to high school secretary/registrar for the 2022-23 school year

U.    Transfer of Brandi Pitts, high school custodian, to central office head custodian, effective May 13, 2022

V.    Employment of David Heidrick as a middle school special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year

W.  Employment of Michael Durnell as a high school math teacher for the 2022-23 school year

X.    Employment of Sydney Crapson as a Winfield Scott first grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year

Y.    Employment of Evangelina Korinke as a Winfield Scott first grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year

Z.     Employment of Anna Kim as a Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year

AA.                   Employment of Abigail Duffy as a Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year

BB.                    Employment of Kim Carpenter as a Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year

CC.                    Employment of Toni Burton as a middle school part-time teacher aide for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

DD.                               Employment of Angela Colvin as a middle school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

EE.            Employment of Sean Herring as a Eugene Ware 6.5-hour cook for the 2022-23 school year

FF. Employment of Fort Scott Preschool Center licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year

GG.                   Employment of Winfield Scott licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year

HH.                               Employment of Eugene Ware licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year

II.                Employment of Fort Scott Middle School licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year

JJ.   Employment of Fort Scott High School licensed staff for the 2022-23 school year

KK.                               Employment of licensed special education and technology staff for the 2022-23 school year

LL.Transfer of Erin Campbell, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, to Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

MM.                 Transfer of Tiffnie Spears, Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year

NN.                   Transfer of Jeffery Pommier, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher for the 2022-23 school year

OO.                               Transfer of Danielle Cavin, Eugene Ware special education teacher, to Fort Scott Middle School special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year

PP.             Employment of Dale Brauer as a middle school math teacher for the 2022-23 school year

QQ.                   Employment of Lienna Upchurch as a Eugene Ware special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year

RR.                                Employment of Karen Gordon as Eugene Ware counselor for the 2022-23 school year

SS.             Employment of Sierra Muellner as a Winfield Scott low incidence special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year

TT.            Employment of Cynthia Hemphill-Witham as a preschool center paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year

UU.                   Employment of Angelica Gonzalez as a middle school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

VV.                   Termination of Susan Karleskint, high school one-day-a-week ESOL teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year

WW.                Addition of After-School Program coordinator positions for Winfield Scott, Eugene Ware, and Fort Scott Middle School for the 2022-23 school year

 

The board adjourned.