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Category Archives: Schools
FSHS Thespians Announce Auditions for Children’s Christmas Show
The Fort Scott High School Thespians are holding auditions for A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller.
Auditions are open to children in 1st-8th grades and take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 17 OR 18 in the FSHS Auditorium. Children do not need to prepare anything in advance, but should plan to stay for the duration of the audition time on one of the nights. Parents should be present at the beginning for information and to fill out audition forms.
Rehearsals are Nov. 19 & 20, Dec. 1-4, and Dec. 9-11 from 6-8 pm. Productions are Dec. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. There is a $30 participation fee for children cast in the show.
A Christmas Carol is produced by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with direction and design by the FSHS Thespians. Please contact Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622 with any questions.
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Fort Scott High School Performs “Between the Lines”
Fort Scott High School students will perform the new musical Between the Lines at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11, 13, and 15 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the FSHS Auditorium.
Between the Lines is based on the novel by international bestselling author Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer, featuring a book by Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, The Big One-Oh!) and score by Elyssa Samsel & Kate Anderson (Apple TV+’s “Central Park”).
“Between the Lines is an empowering and enchanting story for anyone who has struggled to find their place in the world. An outsider in a new town and a new school, Delilah seeks comfort in the pages of her favorite book, where she feels heard and understood by the handsome Prince Oliver. But as the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur in extraordinary ways, Delilah realizes her dreams in the real world are worth fighting for,” according to publisher Music Theatre International.
The production features Senior Junie Fisher as Delilah and Senior Levi Fairchild as Prince Oliver. Nearly forty FSHS students perform in the cast or serve as designers or crew members for the musical.
“This particular musical was the perfect choice to feature two of our most outstanding seniors this year. Junie and Levi’s vocal talents are excellent on their own and so beautiful on their duets. Both plan to go into music or theatre and perhaps education as a future career and I could not be more proud of them in this show,” said Theatre Director Angie Bin.
Between the Lines is also directed by Music Director Taylor Jones, Choreographer Mesa Jones, and Assistant Director Abby Starkey. Bin and Fisher first learned of Between the Lines when they saw a production at the 2024 International Thespian Festival. Bin was then able to attend a workshop and meet with Jodi Picoult and the other authors of the musical in person.
Tickets are reserved seating in advance and available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com. Seating is limited, but some tickets may be available at the door. Adults are $8 and children are $6. A $14 VIP Ticket experience includes the opportunity to meet the cast and take an exclusive photo, a Between the Lines gift bag, concession snack, and concession drink.
USD235 Vocational Agriculture Building Is Prepared For The Future
The Uniontown school district has an expanded classroom and shop, all new workspaces, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation, along with new security features to take the vocational agriculture program at the junior high and high school into the future.
Vocational Agriculture Instructor Scott Sutton told attendees at the October 23 open house that there was a definite need for the renovation to the building constructed in 1967. The building is on the north side of the main campus building on Fifth Street in Uniontown.
The shop floor was uneven, there was no air conditioning, and the electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems needed to be upgraded. The roof was replaced about nine years ago and was still under warranty, Sutton said.
The classroom space was extended in size, and additionally, space was added to the shop by removing some stairs to a loft that was taken out. And now the teacher can see what is going on in the shop, while in the classroom, with a security camera.
“It’s ADA compliant, fire marshal approved,” he said.
The modernization of the 40-foot by 70-foot building began in February 2025. “It was gutted to the beams, the floor was torn out, and the new windows, electric, plumbing, ventilation system, air conditioning, and heating installed. We had heat, but no air conditioning,” Sutton said. “A new CNC Plasma Table to make metal parts will be here next week. It’s a common industry standard.”
Sutton is the only vo.ag. teacher in the district with 187 students in the junior/senior high school, and 59 of those students are enrolled in the vo.ag. classes.
Freshmen students are offered an agriculture science class. Sophomores are offered plant and animal science, Juniors- agriculture mechanics (welding, electrical, engines), Seniors- agriculture leadership and communication.
USD 235 Superintendent Vance Eden said the program helps students with the teaching of “presentation of self and team effort.”
Sutton said students have been very successful with livestock judging, meat judging, parliamentary procedure, and public speaking competitions in the program. “Several students have received scholarships for livestock and meat judging at the collegiate level. And there are a lot of other scholarship opportunities in the agriculture field and through FFA.
The renovation was sparked by an audit in 2021 that declared there was a need for a plan for the future of the building, USD235 Superintendent Vance Eden said. There was poor insulation, leaks and exhaust fume problems, among others.
A bond issue that included a renovation of the building failed in November 2023. COVID-19 Pandemic era funds were able to be set aside along with some Capital Improvement State Aide, Eden said. “We knew something was going to have to be done, so we saved for 3-4 years.”
The building renovation was just under one million dollars. There was also a donation from the Timken Foundation for the project.
Uniontown dominated at the South East Regional Eco Meet at Greenbush.
Eco-Meets are competitions that test high school students’ knowledge of Kansas’ wildlife and plants, rewarding the most naturally-qualified students with scholarships. Students are tested in four areas, which are updated annually: a particular habitat, a focus group (of animals), an outdoor scavenger hunt (to assess identification skills), and a fun interpretive event, according tohttps://www.kansasecomeet.org/faqs/
Uniontown High School students participated in Southeast Kansas Regional Eco-Meet at Greenbush, KS on October 22, according to https://www.kansasecomeet.org/southeast-kansas-regional-eco-meet/
Team A, consisting of Aryonnah Beaton, Mathew Knight, Payton McAfee and Ziggy Barbour took 1st place overall.
Team C, consisting of Liliyan Robinson, Ash Sporleder, Lexie Irsik and Scarlett McCullough took 2nd place overall. Both of those teams will advance to the State competition held at Rock Springs Ranch in Junction City on November 6.
In addition to taking the top two team awards, Uniontown captured the four top individual awards!
Aryonnah Beaton placed 1st in Aquatics and Payton McAfee placed 2nd.
Lilian Robinson placed 1st in Invertebrates and Ty Shelton placed 2nd.
Team B, consisting of Austin Maycomber, Ty Shelton, Braydon Russell and Chandler Hall and Team D, consisting of Macy Hueston, Karsyn Woods, Cristian Gonzalez and Catherine Cox also did a fantastic job yesterday but unfortunately did not qualify for State.
Uniontown brought home the traveling trophy and since 2019 Colgan has been the winner. For 2025, the trophy will stay in Uniontown High School!
Submitted by
Christal Martin
Alyson Weston
Brad Johnson
Carrie Sutcliffe
From row: (left to right)Karsyn Woods, Macy Hueston, Cristian Gonzalez, Lillyan Robinson, Lexi Irsik, Ash Sporleder, & Scarlett McCullough.
Back row: (left to right) Payton McAfee, Mathew Knight, Ziggy Barbour, Aryonnah Beaton, Chandler Hall, Austin Maycumber, Braydon Russell and Ty Shelton.
News Release from the U234 Board of Education from October 13
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
October 13, 2025 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA PUBLIC
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, 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 Board Minutes
09-11-25
4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – September 20, 2025 – $1,796,795.06
4.5 Activity Funds Accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 Resolution 25-12 – Add/Correct Bank Signers Middle School
4.8 Declare Surplus Property – Vehicles to be sold at auction
5.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
5.1 Superintendent’s Report (Destry)
5.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Zach)
5.3 Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Terry)
5.4 Special Education Director’s Report
6.0 Winfield Scott Presentation
7.0 New Business
7.1 Donation to Fort Scott Community College – Bus #14 (Action Item)
7.2 2026 Health Insurance Renewal (Action Item)
7.3 Wrestling Mats and Wall Pads Purchase (Action Item)
7.4 Wrestling Locker Room Lockers and Benches Bids (Action Item)
8.0 Public Forum
9.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________
10.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
USD234 Board Agenda For Oct. 13
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
October 13, 2025 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA PUBLIC
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, 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 Board Minutes
09-11-25
4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – September 20, 2025 – $1,796,795.06
4.5 Activity Funds Accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 Resolution 25-12 – Add/Correct Bank Signers Middle School
4.8 Declare Surplus Property – Vehicles to be sold at auction
5.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
5.1 Superintendent’s Report (Destry)
5.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Zach)
5.3 Assistant Superintendent’s Report (Terry)
5.4 Special Education Director’s Report
6.0 Winfield Scott Presentation
7.0 New Business
7.1 Donation to Fort Scott Community College – Bus #14 (Action Item)
7.2 2026 Health Insurance Renewal (Action Item)
7.3 Wrestling Mats and Wall Pads Purchase (Action Item)
7.4 Wrestling Locker Room Lockers and Benches Bids (Action Item)
8.0 Public Forum
9.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________
10.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
Early Childhood Trunk Or Treat Is October 30
Walk and Roll To School Day Oct. 8: Winfield Scott, Fort Scott
Kansas students celebrate Walk and Roll to School Day on Oct. 8
Schools across Kansas will be celebrating International Walk and Roll to School Day on Oct. 8, with support from the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. This annual event promotes safe behaviors and community connection by encouraging students and families to walk, bike and/or roll to school.
Currently, there are 27 schools across the state participating. Schools are encouraged to register for the event and download free materials at saferoutes.ksdot.gov/iwrsd.
October is also National Pedestrian Safety Month, a time to focus on enhancing safety for people walking. Pedestrians of all ages are vulnerable, especially children. By promoting awareness of people walking and using other active modes, Walk and Roll to School Day contributes to improving roadway safety roadways for everyone.
A few safety tips to keep in mind this October and all year long:
- All: Follow the rules of the road; obey signs and signals.
- Drivers: Watch for pedestrians, yield to pedestrians in or at crosswalks and never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. Always use caution when backing up or driving in hard-to-see conditions.
- Pedestrians: Stay focused, cross streets carefully at marked crosswalks when available, make eye contact with drivers who are slowing or stopped at a crossing and walk on sidewalks when available.
| Organization | City | |
| 1 | USD 417 – Prairie Heights Elementary School | Alta Vista |
| 2 | USD 268 – Cheney Public Schools | Cheney |
| 3 | USD 417 – Council Grove Elementary School | Council |
| 4 | USD 417 – Council Grove Middle School | Council |
| 5 | USD 396 – Douglass High School | Douglass |
| 6 | USD 396 – Sisk Middle School | Douglass |
| 7 | USD 396 – Seal Elementary School | Douglass |
| 8 | USD 253 – Walnut Elementary | Emporia |
| 9 | USD 234 – Ft. Scott Elementary School | Fort Scott |
| 10 | USD 457 – Charles Stones Intermediate Center | Garden City |
| 11 | USD 457 – Florence Wilson Elem | Garden City |
| 12 | USD 292 – Wheatland Schools | Grainfield |
| 13 | USD 500 – Frank Rushton | Kansas City |
| 14 | USD 500 – Quindaro Elementary | Kansas City |
| 15 | USD 395 – La Crosse Elementary School | La Crosse |
| 16 | USD 497 – Quail Run Elementary | Lawrence |
| 17 | USD 497 – Langston Hughes Elementary School | Lawrence |
| 18 | USD 383 – Oliver Brown Elementary School | Manhattan |
| 19 | USD 410 – Hillsboro Elementary School | Marion |
| 20 | USD 373 – Northridge Elementary | Newton |
| 21 | USD 233 – Havencroft Elementary School | Olathe |
| 22 | USD 233 – Scarborough Elementary School | Olathe |
| 23 | USD392 – Osborne County Schools | Osborne |
| 24 | USD 512 – John Diemer Elementary | Overland Park |
| 25 | USD 512 – Brookridge Elementary | Overland Park |
| 26 | USD 321 – Rossville Grade School | Rossville |
| 27 | USD 323 – St. George Elementary School | St. George |
About KDOT Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School is a comprehensive and effective approach to getting more kids biking, rolling and walking safely to school. Visit KDOT’s Safe Routes to School website at saferoutes.ksdot.gov to learn more and sign up for the quarterly e-newsletter.
Fort Scott Quarterback Club Begins At The High School
Johnathon Stark started as head football coach of the Fort Scott High School Tigers this year, and found there was good community support of the program.
“When I became the head football coach of FSHS, I had a lot of people reach out to me who wanted to support the program,” he said. “A number of these people brought up the idea of starting a quarterback club. Previously, I was an assistant coach at Pittsburg and they have one, so it was something I was familiar with, and I think it is a great thing for the community and the players on the team. I recruited Matt Harris and Jordan Witt to help me establish the QB Club, and they are the officers of the organization along with myself.”
“They are both alumni of the football program and the program means a lot to them. They want to see all players on the team have a great experience.”
“I just want to add clarification that the FS QB Club is not associated with USD 234,” Jordan Witt said. “Expenditure approval is done by the FS QB Club board members consisting of Matt Harris, Jordan Witt, and Johnathan Stark, not the school board. We are a separate organization, complementing the support the school district provides.”
“We applied a few months ago and were approved by the Internal Revenue Service on September 12, 2025 as a 501C3 (non-profit) organization. We are very excited about this because donors to the Fort Scott Quarterback Club can deduct the contribution as a charitable contribution.”
“ We want all Tiger football players to have the best experience playing football possible,” he said. “Quarterback clubs are common in other local communities and help provide financial support and resources to the team. School district budgets are already stretched thin and the Kansas State High School Activities Association does not allow school funds to be spent on certain things. The big advantage for Quarterback Clubs is we have the freedom to do and spend where necessary in order to support our Tiger football players both now and in the future. This is an organization that we want to see support the program for years to come.”
Currently there are 65 football players from freshman through senior years.
“I send out an email update throughout the season and we are in the process of organizing some meetings and events for all members. We also share information and photos on our Facebook page. If anyone would like more information, they can email us at [email protected].”
Memberships help purchase equipment, camp fees, team meals, and other team related expenses approved by the school board that are not covered by the school district.
It will also provide insight into the football program and season updates from Coach Stark.
An individual membership is $25 for the year, and a Corporate Membership is $100. Corporate Memberships are recognized on the organization’s Facebook Page.
To become a member send name, address, and email address, and send the payment in two ways:
- Venmo to: @fsqbclub
- Mail a check to: FS QB Club, 809 Meadow Lane, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Corporate Memberships please email your logo.
For more information: email at [email protected] and follow on Facebook at Fort Scott Tiger QB Club.
Join the FSHS Quarterback Club
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Parents: Learn the Real Differences Between IEPs and 504 Plans
Is Your Child Struggling in School?
Learn the Real Differences Between IEPs and 504 Plans
What’s the right plan for your child? How do you get one? What are your rights as a parent?Join us for a free, informative session with a Special Education Specialist who will walk us through the key differences between 504 Plans and IEPs, how to start the process, and how to advocate for your child effectively.
Open to all parents and caregivers of children with special needs (any physical or behavioral difference)— whether you’re just starting out or looking to better understand the system.
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: First Southern Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1818 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS
Guest Speaker: Tonya Barnes, USD 234 Special Education DirectorSubmitted by
Cherri Walrod
Community Health Worker
K-State Research and Extension Southwind District