Category Archives: Schools

USD234 Press Release of Jan. 11 BOE Meeting

USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, January 11, 2021

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, January 11, 2021, for their regular monthly meeting.

President David Stewart 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 – December 18, 2020 – $1,425,514.45

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity Fund accounts

 

Board members heard reports from building principals and Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics.

In addition, Superintendent Hessong gave a KSDE update, discussed vaccine distribution, negotiations update, the USD 234 COVID-19 Attendance Dashboard update, and recognized school board members for their service for January School Board Recognition Month.

Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk, presented a report on CARES funds, quarantine and COVID-19 leave, payroll and finance work, and upcoming negotiations.

Board members approved the following items:

 

·       Health insurance rates for 2021

·       A resolution to establish election of school board officers

·       A resolution to set board meeting dates for 2021

·       Board policy updates

 

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting

The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Early retirement request from Kyle Parks, high school vocational agriculture teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

B.    Early retirement request from Martha Clements, middle school history/geography teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

C.    Early retirement request from Patricia Giltner, middle school language arts/reading teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

D.    Early retirement request from Ronda Peterson, middle school math teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

E.     Early retirement request from Donna Davis, Winfield Scott special education teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

F.     Early retirement request from Leslie McDonald, Winfield Scott counselor, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

G.    Early retirement request from Lois Herman, Eugene Ware technology teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

H.    Retirement of Sondra Ruhl, Eugene Ware special education teacher, effective August 1, 2021

I.      Resignation of Mariela Rico, athletic trainer, effective January 24, 2021

J.      Leave of absence for Brooklyn Newell, Winfield Scott kindergarten teacher

K.    Adjustment of work schedule for Judy Warren, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, from five days per week to two days per week; employment of Laura Gulley as a Eugene Ware paraprofessional for three days per week

L.     Termination of Allison Nighswonger, high school paraprofessional, effective December 15, 2020

M.   Employment of Baylee Newman as a Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year

N.    Employment of Lucretia Olsen as a high school paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year

O.    Employment of Aaron Shockley as a mentor teacher for the 2020-21 school year

P.     Employment of Mary Jo Harper as the high school musical music director; employment of Taylor Qualls as a high school second play assistant; removal of the high school after-school choir position; employment of Whitley Chesney for the high school vocal presentations position for the 2020-21 school year

Q.    Removal of the middle school after-school choral club position for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year

R.    Employment of Whitley Chesney for the middle school vocal presentations position for the 2020-21 school year

S.     Extension of Superintendent Hessong’s contract through the 2022-23 school year

T.     Retirement of RoAnn Blake, Eugene Ware third grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

The board adjourned.

 

 

USD 235: COVID-19 Policy Remains For Second Semester

USD235 Superintendent Brett Howard. From the district website.
The  COVID-19 pandemic mitigation policies of the Uniontown school district were approved by the board of education on November 24, 2020.
“We will not be changing any of our policies/regulations regarding COVID-19 for the second semester,” USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard said.  “Masks are required.  We are still doing temp checks at the doors and will be social distancing as much as we can. “
USD 235 returned to in-person classes today, January 5.
The following is the policy the board approved:

USD 235 Board of Education Reopening Plan
(Approved November 24, 2020)

This is a working document and a fluid situation that can change with little warning or notice. For that reason, adjustments to the model of instruction, the requirements for personal protective equipment, and the suggestions listed within this document may change.

Learning Models- In-Person, Hybrid, Remote Partnership

Masks- Masks are Required

Winter Activities Students who choose the Remote Learning option will not be eligible to participate in KSHSAA or School-sponsored
extra-curricular activities.

USD #235 is planning on having all students who feel comfortable using the in-person model.

For those who feel concerned about that context, we are offering the Remote Partnership.

Students in this partnership would be able to transition to the In-Person model with ease.

The Hybrid model will only be used as deemed necessary by the Bourbon County Health Department.

Furthermore, using the Remote Partnership for all students will only be used in extreme cases where students are not allowed to come to the buildings. We hope to be able to provide some advanced warning of the need to transition, but we have not received a clarification on how much notice we can expect.

IN-PERSON

HEALTH

● Visitors-
○ In general, visitors will not be permitted to enter the building. The speaker connected to our door system will be utilized or someone will come to the door to address any situation needing attention from an outside party.
○ Students being picked up from school will be taken to their party at the main entry instead of the visitor entering the facility.
○ IEP meeting attendees will be required to complete the adult screening process and wearing a mask is required while in the building. Failure to pass the screening process by key stakeholders will result in a rescheduling of that meeting.
○ School Parties – At this time we will not allow outside visitors.
○ Lunch Visitors – No lunch visitors allowed.
○ TeamMates Mentoring- No mentors will be allowed.

● Masks-

○ All students and staff are required to wear a mask except when meeting the criteria listed in the executive order (20-68).
■ a. Persons age five years or under—children age two years and under in particular should not wear a face-covering because of the risk of suffocation;
■ b. Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face-covering—this includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face-covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face- covering without assistance;
■ c. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
■ d. Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines;
■ e. Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face-covering is necessary to perform the service;
■ f. Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment thatoffers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking,provided they maintain a 6-foor distance between individuals (not including individuals who reside together) with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity;
■ g. Athletes who are engaged in an organized sports activity that allows athletes to maintain a 6-foot distance from others ;
■ h. Persons engaged in any lawful activity during which wearing a mask or other face-covering is prohibited by law.

○ Mask Definition-

■ a. “Face covering” means a covering of the nose and mouth that is
secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is simply wrapped around the lower face. A face covering can be made of a variety of synthetic and nature fabrics, including cotton, silk, or linen. Ideally, a face covering has two or more layers.
○ A face shield may be worn in conjunction with a mask, but does not meet the requirements in and of itself.
● Hand-washing or Hand-sanitizing
○ Students must complete one or the other at an interval no less than 1 hour. (20-59)
● Screening- To be completed once per day before entering the building.

○ Adults
■ Affirmation that they have not been in close contact with anyone who has COVID-19.
■ Questionnaire of symptoms – Must exhibit fewer than 2.
■ Has a temperature of less than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
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○ Students
■ We would ask parents to check for symptoms and/or temperature while still at home.
● Please error on the side of caution when possible.
■ Has a temperature of less than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
● Students with a temperature between 99 and 100.4 degrees will be sent to the School Nurse for additional screening

● Social Distancing
○ All individuals are required to maintain 6 ft. of social distancing except for while during in-person instruction in a classroom or while a mask is being worn.
● Isolation of Symptomatic Students
○ Any student who is exhibiting symptoms will be sent to a specific isolation room to be held there until someone arrives to take them home.

○ Staff supervising the student/s will:
■ Maintain 6 ft of social distancing unless emergency medical attention is needed.
■ Wear gloves while touching the student or his/her belongings
■ A mask is highly recommended.

○ COVID 19 Symptoms Screening List
■ Fever (100.4 or higher)
■ Chills
■ Rigors
■ Body or Muscle Ache
■ Fatigue
■ Head-Ache
■ Sore Throat
■ Lower Respiratory Illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing)
■ New loss of taste or smell
■ Diarrhea

● Exclusion from school
○ Students exhibiting 2 or more symptoms without other obvious explanations, will be sent home.
○ Symptomatic and untested
● 10 calendar days have passed since the first date of symptoms AND
● Fever-free for 72 hours without fever-reducing medication
○ Symptomatic and tested
■ Confirmed COVID Negative
● May return to school
■ Confirmed COVID Positive
● 10 calendar days have passed since the first date of symptoms AND
● Fever-free for 72 hours without fever-reducing medication AND
● Released to return to school by the Multi-County Health Department.

○ Asymptomatic close-contact and untested (within 6 ft for 10 or more minutes)● 14-day required quarantine starting at last contact regardless of symptoms.

○ Asymptomatic close-contact and tested
■ Confirmed COVID Positive
● Released to return to school by the Multi-County Health Department. AND
● No less than 10 days from the date of testing.

■ Confirmed COVID Negative
● Must complete 14-day quarantine since last date of contact regardless of symptoms

○ Travel Related Quarantine- Students or staff that have traveled to a location listed on the KDHE Travel Related Quarantine List are required to quarantine for 14 days.
■ List can be found at the following link
● https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran

● School Response to Isolation or Quarantine
○ Block off the area until cleaning is complete.
○ Immediately clean all desks, lockers, and workspaces of the person with disinfectant.
○ Immediately identify close contacts (within 6 ft for 10 or more minutes) and collect the following information where applicable.
■ Names
■ Email Addresses
■ Phone Numbers
○ Immediately notify guardians (the individual with COVID must not be explicitly or implicitly identified)
○ 14-day quarantine starts the day after the last contact (next calendar day)
○ Share a list of close contacts with the local health dept. (Rebecca Johnson/ Alice Maffett)

 

CLASSROOMS
● Use Hand-sanitizer at the beginning of class.
○ Teachers will distribute sanitizer.
● Furniture – Remove excess furniture or items of a nature that makes cleaning/disinfecting difficult.
● Arrangement-
○ Space students with as much social distancing as possible.
○ All students should face the same direction.
○ All students should have assigned seating

● Hygiene
○ Teach and model the following
■ Hand-washing
■ Mask usage and disposal
■ Coughing or sneezing into the elbow
■ No-touch celebrations (instead of high fives or handshakes)
5
○ Disinfect after shared usage of spaces or items

● Breaks – We hope to be able to offer opportunities for students to go outside and remove their mask while social distancing. We hope to be mindful and empathetic to the need for students to have a break from wearing their mask.

 

COMMON SPACES

● Commons Area
○ All staff and students will be required to enter the building at the designated entrances for screening
○ If no screening adult is available, staff will report to the screening station at 7:30
● Hallways
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to leaving.
○ Students will move through the hallways directionally in accordance with posted signs to access other spaces and limit bidirectional traffic.
○ Students will travel down the center of the hallway to limit touching of the wall/ lockers or interaction with other students.
○ Social Distancing should be maintained
● Lockers
○ Locker access will be limited as determined by the administration.
● Restrooms
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to leaving the room.
○ Social distancing should be maintained
○ Students waiting to enter should not lean against the wall.
○ Custodial Staff will frequently clean handles, faucets, partition latches

● Cafeteria
○ Breakfast
■ Grab-and-go format available as students enter for those interested in participation.
■ Students will take their grab-and-go breakfast items to their homeroom/1st-hour class as they enter the building
■ Regular pricing per the Free and Reduced Lunch Application form will be applied.

○ Lunch
■ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to entering the cafeteria.
■ Social distancing should be maintained. Students are only allowed to sit in designated seats.
■ Space in the cafeteria and commons area will be utilized.
■ Students will be served by kitchen staff instead of serving themselves.
■ Masks are not required while eating.
■ Tables should be thoroughly disinfected after each group of seated students
■ Regular pricing per the Free and Reduced Lunch Application form will be applied

● Playground-WBE
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to leaving the room.
○ The playground will be divided into 4 quadrants. Students will play in their designated space during their recess.
○ Quadrants will rotate on a weekly basis.
○ Limited playground equipment will be available and be cleaned after recess sessions.
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to entering the building for lunch

● Library-WBE
○ Hand-sanitizing should be done prior to entering the library and also before leaving.
○ Books must remain at school.

● Specials-WBE
○ Art, Music, Guidance
■ Staff will travel to the students or use an outside space.
■ Supplies cleaned between uses.

○ PE
■ Outside when possible, inside the gym as needed.
■ Supplies must be cleaned between uses.

TRANSITIONS
● Arrival
○ Buses and parent drop-offs will not be allowed prior to 7:40
○ Temperature screening of all students and staff
○ Must be less than 100.4 degree Fahrenheit
■ Isolation to the conference room if needed.
○ Students will go directly to class
■ Grab-and-Go Breakfast available to be consumed in the classroom

● During the day
○ Teachers will open and close the classroom doors to:
■ Aide in the supervision during transitions
■ Monitor directional hallway traffic and social distancing
■ Minimize contact spread opportunity on door knobs/handles

○ Social distancing should be employed
○ Travel directionally in hallways per posted signage
○ Hand-sanitizer upon entry of each new space

● Dismissal
○ Staggered release by cohort

FACILITIES
● Hand Sanitizing Stations
○ Main Entrances
○ Office Spaces
○ Cafeterias
● Signage
○ Directional Signs in Hallway
○ Social Distancing Markers
■ Cafeteria
■ Main Entrance

● Trash
○ Bags replaced daily by custodians wearing both gloves and a mask is highly recommended.

● Ventilation
○ Full-time use of ERV to constantly introduce outside air.
○ Ion scrubbers in HVAC systems

● Water Fountains
○ Water-bottle filling station utilized
○ Drinking fountain will be turned off and not be available

● Custodial Disinfecting
○ Fogging Disinfectant Daily
○ Touchpoint Cleaning- Daily
■ Doors/ Handles
■ Restroom Fixtures
■ Water Fountains
● Grounds and Exterior Surfaces
○ Playground Equipment (limited)- cleaning daily
○ Touchpoint cleaning on high-touch surfaces of playground structures

● Building Access/Use by Outside Group or Individuals – By Administrative Approval Only

FOOD SERVICE
● Breakfast
○ Grab-and-Go
○ Students eat in the classroom
○ Waste retrieved at 8:30 am by custodial staff
● Lunch
○ Hand-sanitizing before entering the cafeteria
○ Served lunches by the kitchen staff
○ Assigned seating that is social distanced
○ Disinfect tables/ seats between uses

● Vendors
○ All vendors must complete the screening requirements before entry.

TRANSPORTATION- BUS
● Sanitization- after each route
○ High touchpoint areas (rails, seat tops, etc.)
○ Vacuum seats
● Students
○ Assigned Seating
○ Hand-sanitizer for students entering buses
○ Social distance to the greatest extent possible
○ Masks are required.
● Drivers
○ Complete employee health screener prior to the 1st route of the day.
○ Masks are required.
● Screening
○ Daily temperature screening will be conducted when the bus arrives at school.
○ Students exhibiting symptoms of a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees will be sent home.
● Parent Drop-off/ Pick-up

○ WBE
■ Entry
● Students/ staff will enter through the East gym entrance
● Parents or other visitors will not be allowed entry unless for a pre-approved meeting.
● Staff will complete temperature screening upon entry.
● Guardians are asked to not pull away until this screening has taken place.
● Grab-and-go breakfast available
■ Exit/ Release
● All parent pickups will happen through the East gym doors.

○ UHS
■ Entry
● Students arriving who have not been transported by the bus will need to enter the East entrance (JH/ Board Office Entry).
● Temperature screening will be taken at the entry doors.
● If the student is being dropped off, please do not pull away until screening is complete.
■ Release
● Students will be released in a staggered format to limit hallway congestion.
● Students will need to abide by directional hallway rules during release.

Bourbon County Coalition Meets Via Zoom Jan. 6

“We will be having a Zoom meeting at noon on Wednesday, January 6, thanks to Robin and Allen County Thrive,” Billie Jo Drake, the chairwoman, said in an email.

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

January 6, 2021

  1. Welcome:
  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:
  1. Program (no programs for Zoom meetings)
  1. Open Forum:
  1. Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be February 3, 2021.

SPARK Recipients Working To Complete Spending

The north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse houses the county clerk, treasurer and commission offices.

The SPARK recipients are working to complete COVID-19 related projects by the end of 2020, as required by the grant program.

SPARK is responsible for the statewide distribution of the U.S. Coronavirus Relief Fund.

The total amount of grants disbursed in Bourbon County to over 100 entities was $2,835,212.86 on October 21, 2020, according to Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener.

To see the list of recipients:

https://fortscott.biz/news/spark-projects-in-bourbon-county

The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) taskforce is leading the state through recovery from the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, according to its’ website. https://covid.ks.gov/spark-recovery-office/

 

“Congress recently passed the new COVID bill that gave an extension to states and cities on spending this money for a year,” said Jody Hoener, the Bourbon County Economic Development Director. “The State of Kansas Recovery Office indicated there will be an extension on our spending plans, but unknown at this time how much of an extension we will receive.”

 

Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Development Director. Submitted photo.

 

Locally, SPARK recipients have been balancing and reconciling expenses.

 

“At the county level we gathered the department heads who have been awarded funds for programs,” Hoener said. ” We went through every single dollar amount from the department and made sure it matched exactly what the County Clerks Office cut for a check and what Greenbush have in their reports.  Any errors are caught and quickly corrected.  From there, we subtract the total amount spent from the total amount allocated and have a final amount left to spend.”

 

The other recipients are also required to submit receipts and invoices of SPARK money, she said.

 

“For the community’s grant/award expenses( they) need to submit receipts and invoices to show dollars spent,” she said. “Greenbush is going through every single receipt and invoice with a fine-tooth comb.  It is very time-consuming as you can imagine.  From this, we have a very clear understanding of the amount spent and how much is left to be spent.”

 

The Southeast Kansas Educational Service Center (also known as Greenbush) was hired by the county commission to administer the SPARK distribution and oversight.

 

“Greenbush was contracted to administer the county SPARK funds,” Hoener said.

 

 

Sunbeam Preschool Receives SPARK Funds To Keep Doors Open

As with life in America at all levels, the COVID-19 Pandemic has affected schools.

Sunbeam Christian Preschool received SPARK funds to help them continue to teach young children, said owner Lindsay Hill.

“We are very thankful for the SPARK grant as it helped keep our doors open for another year,” she said. ” We are a private preschool, so we rely on tuition to pay bills and staff. We did not collect tuition after March but continued to provide online services for our preschoolers. This grant allowed us to continue to pay our staff and bills.”

 

“Although enrollment is down this fall because of COVID, Sunbeam Christian Preschool continues to provide a Christian learning experience for all their Sunbeamers,” she said.

 

“Sunbeam Christian Preschool has taken extra precautions to make sure their students can continue in-person learning, with extra cleaning, temperature checks at the door of children entering the building, no parents or adults allowed in the building, and much more,” Hill said.

 

History of Sunshine Christian Preschool

Sunbeam has been in operation since 1985,  30 years under the direction of Marilyn Barker.

Sunbeam Christian Preschool is now owned by Lindsay Hill and directed by Tonya Defebaugh.

The preschool has 3-5-year-olds and offers three different class times:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12-1:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

 

“We are extremely blessed to be apart of the Fort Scott community and thankful for First Baptist Church, where our classroom is located,” she said. The church is located in downtown Fort Scott at the corner and Second and State Streets.

 

SPARK, The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas program, is federal COVID-19 Pandemic recovery money that was given to the states and then to local entities.

FSHS Talking Tigers:Third in Regionals

Congratulations to our Fort Scott High School 2020-2021 4A State Qualifiers in 4-Speaker debate!

Trent Toth and Sam Deloney on the Affirmative with Regen Wells as alternate and Kinsley Davis and Lillian Collins on the Negative with Anna Hall as the alternate.

Fort Scott placed 3rd at regionals with a 5-5 record and 14 ballots!

The 4A regional tournament was hosted virtually by Fort Scott High school.
We are looking forward to the New Year!  Go Talking Tigers!
Submitted by Angella Curran

FSHS Swimmers Take Some First and Second Places

FSHS swimmers. Submitted photo.

FSHS competed well last night in Emporia.

Oliver Witt took 1st in the 200 free swimming a state consideration and a personal best time of 2:00.97. He also got a personal best of  1:02.25 in the 100 Butterfly placing 4th.

Sam Mix took 2nd in the 50 Free and 9th in the 100 Breast taking 2 seconds off his previous best time.

Bobby Kemmerer took 1st in the 50 Free and 2nd in the Breaststroke swimming state consideration times in both events.

KSHSAA released the 2020-21 Boys Swimming and Diving  “Top Thirty” in all classes on 12/7/2020.
Representing the Tigers are
Bobby Kemmerer:  11th in the 50 yard freestyle  and 20th in the 100 back.
  Oliver Witt is ranked 18th in the 200 yard freestyle and 21st in the 100 yard butterfly.
This is quite the accomplishment,  as most the athletes on the list are from 6A schools.
Submitted by Angie Kemmerer

UNIONTOWN HS BASKETBALL RESULTS GAME 4 vs Yates Center

Adelay Martin. Submitted photo.

Tuesday was a successful night for the Uniontown Eagles. Both Varsity teams, as well as the girls’ JV, were victorious against the Yates Center Wildcats.

The Varsity Lady Eagles won their match against the Wildcats 57-25. Karleigh Schoenberger scored 21 points and had 4 boards. Danielle Howard followed with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 8 steals. Laney Covey, Gwenyth Fry, Sammie Hampton, and Kaydra Woods each scored 4 points, and Fry had 5 rebounds. The JV girls won 37-24, with Rylee Coulter leading the team with 14 points.

“Proud of the effort, attitude, and toughness that was displayed by the team tonight. Both the Varsity and Junior Varsity took care of business!” says Coach Miller. “We will get back to work tomorrow on those fundamental skills that make the game of basketball fun to play.”

The Varsity boys won their game 63-45. Jake Harvey scored 32 points and had 8 boards and 3 assists. Clay Sutterby followed with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Luke Perry also had 6 rebounds, as well as 4 assists. Drew Perry had 4 assists and 4 steals.

“The boys put together a complete game tonight. They got after it on the defensive end and played well together on offense. This was a great way to start league play,” said Coach Hays.

-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter

U234 Superintendent Corrects Information on COVID Quarantine

From USD234 Superintendent Ted Hessong:

 

“At our board meeting on Monday I inaccurately shared incorrect information with the Board and in the information I shared with families and staff yesterday,” Hessong said in a press release.

“I was informed that the Bourbon County Health Department has only adopted updating the quarantine from 14 days to 10 days. The information I referenced was from the Kansas Department of Education and I did not realize that the 7-day quarantine was not going to be used by the health department. I thought the 7-day and 10-day quarantine went “hand in hand” but that is not the case.

I apologize for providing incorrect information. See attached statement.”

Quarantine Correct Info

UNIONTOWN HS BASKETBALL RESULTS GAME 3

Adelay Martin. Submitted photo.

The final game of the Humboldt Pre-season Tournament saw Uniontown face the Crest Lancers. Both Varsity teams won against the Lancers.

The Lady Eagles defeated Crest 61-26. Danielle Howard scored 25 points and had 5 rebounds and 9 steals. Rylee Coulter scored twice and had 4 steals and 1 assist. Karleigh Schoenberger scored 16 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. She was also 2/2 on free throws. Sammie Hampton had 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Addisyn Hall, another freshman, also had 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Gwenyth Fry had 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

“It was good to get a win going into the weekend,” said Coach Miller. “It’s time to rest, regroup, and get back to practice. Looking forward to playing at home next Tuesday when we take on the Yates Center Wildcats.”

The boys played a close game, winning 44-42. Jake Harvey led with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Luke Perry scored 12 points and had 3 assists. Drew Perry had 3 steals, Dawson Dreisbach had 2 steals, and Clay Sutterby had 15 rebounds.

Coach Hays said of the game, “I am proud of our boys. It wasn’t always pretty, but we executed a play late that was just enough to get us our first win. We defended and rebounded well enough to keep us in the game. We missed a lot of shots in the paint that we need to finish.”

Before winter break, the Eagles will face Yates Center at home on Tuesday, December 15, and Marmaton Valley at Moran on Friday, December 18.

-Adelay Martin, UHS Sports Media Reporter

U234 Board Meeting Press Release Dec. 14

Monday, December 14, 2020

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, December 14, 2020, for their regular monthly meeting.

President David Stewart 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 – November 20, 2020 – $1,424,756.14

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity Fund Accounts

F.     Fundraiser Application

 

There was one comment during the public forum.  Board members heard reports from the

following:

·       Brenda Hill, KNEA President

·       Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics

·       Ted Hessong, Superintendent

·       Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk

 

Superintendent Hessong discussed the Return-to-School Plan.  Board members approved an update to the length of quarantine time for close contacts to seven days if there is a negative COVID test taken along with no symptoms; otherwise the close contact quarantine is ten days.

Superintendent Hessong also reported on the KSHSAA COVID-19 guidelines.

Board member approved the following items:

 

·       The release of Dave Regan Tiger Tough Scholarship funds to the Regan family for future investment

·       Workers Compensation Insurance with Ryan Insurance

·       An adjustment in the 2020-21 school calendar for January 4, 2021, to change from a student contact day to a teacher collaboration day

·       Health insurance rates for 2021

·       Broker contract with RPS Benefits by Design Inc.

·       Technology purchase

 

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting

The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Retirement of Deb Rice, Winfield Scott special education teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

B.    Early retirement request from Larry Lawrence, high school technology teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

C.    Leave of absence request for Andrea Heckman, preschool teacher

D.    Employment of Jennifer Durkin as a high school paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year

E.     Employment of Allison Nighswonger as a high school paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year

F.     Addition of a Winfield Scott paraprofessional position; employment of Francis Torres as a Winfield Scott paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year

G.    Addition of a high school wrestling coach position; employment of Tyler Bell as a high school wrestling coach for the 2020-21 school year; cancellation of Strategic Games for the 2020-21 school year

H.    Resignation of Mikiah Anderson, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2020 year

The board adjourned.

 

 

UNIONTOWN HS 2020-21 BASKETBALL RESULTS GAME 2

Adelay Martin. Submitted photo.

Submitted by Adelay Martin, UHS Student Sports Reporter

The Eagles’ Varsity basketball teams traveled to Humboldt once again to face the Erie Red Devils. Both teams were defeated by Erie.

The Lady Eagles lost to Erie on Thursday 29-32. Sammie Hampton scored 10 points and had 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Gwenyth Fry had 1 assist and 8 rebounds, and Karleigh Schoenberger had 10 rebounds and 2 steals. Rylee Coulter, a freshman, had 4 rebounds and scored 4 points, one basket being a buzzer-beater that took us into a second overtime.

“As much as we hate losing, we really needed this experience tonight,” said Coach Miller. “Foul trouble, coupled with our usual top performers stumbling, required us to step outside of our comfort zone. This unfortunate outcome may have helped our team more than the sting of the loss will let us realize right now. Get bitter, or get BETTER. I know what these girls will choose.”

The boys’ Varsity team also lost to Erie 39-53. Jake Harvey scored 15 points and had 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Clay Sutterby scored 7 points and had 4 rebounds, and Luke Perry scored 6 points and had 5 rebounds. Drew Perry had 1 assist and 2 steals.

“I’m extremely proud of the guys on our team,” Coach Hays said. “We competed hard and left it all on the court. We defended and rebounded much better tonight. We need to continue to work on our chemistry on the offensive end, but that will come with time.”