Category Archives: Schools

Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

FSHS Tiger Newsletter

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This newly released NPS youth conservation corps recruitment video features FSHS Tiger students Stewart Davenport, Elsie Hurd, Bryson Morrell, Adelynn Nolan, Aiden Sigafoos and Kiara Thompson.
Join the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
Join the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)

Ever wondered what the Youth Conservation Corps Program (YCC) is all about? Check out this short video to hear from the youth and staff themselves on their YCC experience. From historic preservation to trail maintenance, the arts to living history, and more, see what you could do as a YCC member and beyond!

Outgoing link icon nps.gov
👉SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES IN APRIL!👈
👉TIGER SPRING GOLF, SWIM, TENNIS👈
TIGER PRIDE!

March 18th: Each year at the State Basketball tournaments, KSHSAA appoints a special committee to evaluate and rate each school based on the team, its coaches, cheerleaders, school cheering section and fans, both adult and non-high school followers. A rating system is used and a certain score must be reached to receive an award.

Teams that make it to the semifinal rounds are eligible to receive a plaque. Teams that do not advance past the first round are eligible to receive a certificate.

KSHSAA announced the winners last week and Fort Scott High School received both a plaque for the Girls Basketball team and a certificate for the Boys Basketball team! This is a tremendous accomplishment and a great reflection of our school and community!

KSHSAA sent us a copy of the rating sheets and they were filled with positive comments about all involved at State: cheerleaders, student section, the players on the floor, coaching staffs, adult fans and also mentioned were our Band that performed Wednesday and Thursday and our Orchestra that performed Thursday.

Thank you to all involved in making the week in Salina a special time and for representing our school and community in such a positive manner. So much to be proud of! Tiger Pride was on full display in Salina!

–Jeff DeLaTorre, FSHS Athletic/Activities Director
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4AN7fvxZis
👉THREE-PEAT!!!👈
"MARCH"ing ON!
👉Future Business Leaders!👈
The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge at FSHS on March 5th required students to conceptualize a business, including a plan for that business and a tradeshow-style presentation. These students then presented their business to local business leaders who served as judges for the challenge.Here are the prize-winning owners/businesses:

1st ($1,000) – Jasper Anderson – Fresh Start

2nd ($750) – Kaylie Dinneen – EmpowHer

3rd ($500) – Ivy Lee – Little Town Decor

Judges Choice Tradeshow ($250) – Ivy Lee – Little Town Decor

Additionally, the tradeshow was open to the public to attend and vote:

Community Choice Tradeshow ($250) – Ella Regan & Camrie Hunziker

Thank you all who attended!

from left: Lindsay Madison, judge; Josh Jones, judge; Jasper Anderson, creator of Fresh Start cleaning and grand prize winner; Deb McKenney, judge; Carissa Bowman, judge; Katie Casper, judge
Future Farmers!
FUTURE OFFICERS

The FSHS Chapter announces the 2024-25 FFA Officer Team:

President: Dakota Hazelbaker

Vice-President: Blaiton Terry

Secretary: Gracin Pitts

Treasurer: Jaidyn Crumby

Reporter: Raylee Cowan

Sentinel: Teegan Stiles

Parliamentarian: Kaden Cannon

Historian: Treyton Valentine
👉FSHS Math Team Victories Add Up!👈

front row, from left: Landon McDaniel; Elsa Bishop; Adelynn Nolan; Caroline Barnes; Nick Davis; Savanna Cunningham; Jayden Newman

back row, from left: Molly Claypool (behind Elsa); Zaida Summers; Raj Gugnani; Cody Geiger; Rylan Miller; Sypher Cannon; Daetyn Fowler; Ben Phillips 😂; Aden Koppa

not pictured: Joy Self

Several of our FSHS students participated in the Allen Community College Math Competition on Tuesday, March 19th. This year, ACC decided to recognize the top two students from the sophomore, junior and senior levels and FSHS had TWO students ranked!

Nick Davis was in the top two seniors and Joy Self was in the top two juniors.

The ACC math competition included around 220 students from 11 schools. This is a great honor for both Nick and Joy. They are each being awarded with a free 3-5 credit course from ACC for the next academic year!
Future Health Professionals!

front row, from left: Jasmine James; Eden Haught; Hattie Jackson; Kathryn Williams

back row, from left: Delani Weddle; Cadence Hunziker; Luci Dunkeson; Caitlynn Tate; Tiffany Salazar

As members of the newly-formed FSHS Chapter of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), these students attended the “Inspiring Women in Healthcare” conference in Pittsburg on March 20th.

Area professionals provided information and answered questions about their respective fields, encouraging those interested to consider a career in healthcare.

–submitted by HOSA sponsor and FSHS Health Sciences teacher Julie Heatherly
A FOUR-PEAT QUALIFIER AND A FIRST AT STATE!

A round of applause and tip of the hat for Lady Tiger Wrestlers Gabby Rusk and Kenna Miles! In her fourth and final season, Gabby celebrated 100 career wins and is the first girls’ wrestler to qualify for state all four seasons! Kenna, a sophomore, captured the first girls state wrestling championship in school history!

In last month’s Tiger Newsletter, we shared that senior Jasper Allison celebrated 150 career wins in his four years as a standout Tiger wrestler. Jasper finished as runner-up at the Class 4A State Wrestling Championships in Salina. Congratulations, Jasper!
2024-2025 FSHS SPIRIT SQUAD MEMBERS CHOSEN
Tryouts for Tiger Dance & Cheer teams were held the week of March 18th.2024-25 Tiger Dance Team

Seniors: Kendal Armstrong; Graycyn Brown; Kinsley Brown; Abbie Eastwood; Annabelle Gorman

Juniors: Jozie Fisher; Bryleigh Hymer

Sophomores: Kodi Casper; Lillian Jackson; Sydnee Lane; Riley Marchiano

Freshmen: Laurali Clark; Gianna Gorman; Ahlonna Johnson

2024-25 Tiger Cheer Team

Seniors: Maddi Cook; Jaidyn Crumby; Jocelyn Fess; Cadence Hunziker;

Emersyn Logue; Emilly Moore

Juniors: Sadie Claypool; Kinley Dillow; Anna Farrington; Katlyn Parker

Sophomores: Molly Claypool; Camrie Hunziker; Gabby Majors; Jerri Smith
👉Headed to Des Moines!👈

March 25th: Tigers had a great showing at this NSDA National Qualifier. Only two can qualify per event and both Lincoln-Douglas debate qualifiers are from FSHS: Annelise Hall, senior, and Grace Walker, sophomore! The team’s other LD debater, freshman Joseph Moberg, is second alternate. Also, due to shifts in entries, Regen Wells will represent Fort Scott at Nationals in Senate Debate. The Tigers are Nationals-bound with one more qualifier to go!

–Tyler Slinkard, FSHS Debate/Forensics

pictured: Grace Walker, left; Annelise Hall, right
ALL-SEK!
BASKETBALL!

Congratulations to these Tiger/Lady Tiger Basketball players who earned All-SEK League honors!

First Team: Keegan Yarick (unanimous); Rocco Loffredo

Second Team: Allie Brown; Kylee Comstock; Dierks Kegler

Honorable Mention: Abbie Gorman; Dub Chipman
…
Bourbon County, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, Schools, Youth

Update on Uniontown Teacher Accused of Felony With A Student

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Breanna Hampton Taylor, taken from the USD235 website.

Breanna Janise Hampton Taylor was arrested on February 25, 2024, by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for unlawful sexual relations of a teacher with a student 16 + years of age, according to Bourbon County District Court Documents.

This was Taylor’s first year of teaching.

The offense date was February 17 and was outside the school environment, according to a press release from the school.

Taylor, who in court documents is now using her maiden name, Hampton, was arrested on February 25, and a $10,000 bond was posted on February 29. The case is listed as pending.

Her first appearance hearing was February 29, and her next court date, a preliminary examination, is March 28.

In the State of Kansas VS Breanna Janise Hampton, the prosecuting attorney is Bourbon County Attorney Tiana McElroy and the defense attorney is Geoffrey Clark.

Mark Ward is the judicial officer.

Hampton is being charged a Level 5 Person Felony in violation of K.S.A. 21-5572 ((a)(9)) and (b)(2).

The penalty range is a minimum of 31 months to a maximum of 136 months in prison and/or fines of up to $300,000 and 24 months post-release supervision.

The presumption of innocence in a criminal case is considered a due process of the law:

To view the  USD 235 press release on February 25, about the arrest:

Uniontown Teacher Arrested for Allegation of Inappropriate Conduct Towards a Student

 

Church news, Fort Scott, Schools

St. Mary’s Catholic School Dinner and Auction is April 13

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member Saint Mary’s Catholic School…

Dinner + Auction

You’re invited to Saint Mary’s Dinner + Auction at Liberty Theatre!

Featuring: Premium Full Course Meal catered by Crooner’s + Open Bar

Auction:

Live and Silent Unique and exclusive items, packages +collectibles

Details: 13th of April 2024 | 5pm

The Liberty Theatre

Cocktail Attire

Tickets on sale March 18th

More information to come via Facebook @ Saint Mary’s Catholic Dinner and Auction

All proceeds to benefit St. Mary’s Catholic School
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Exercise, Schools

Improved Walking Trail In The Making For Uniontown Community

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Old asphalt is coming off the Uniontown Walking Trail this week. This view is in the back of the high school. Two residents, Brian Stewart and Jason Koch are donating their time and resources to demolish the current asphalt trail.
An improved walking trail around the USD 235 Campus is in the making. The trail is an oval around the two school buildings in Uniontown and is used by many in the community.
 Work began on March 11 to dig up the old asphalt.
“Everything that was asphalt will be replaced with concrete,” said Uniontown Schools Superintendent Vance Eden.  “The new path will be 5 feet wide and ADA compliant.”
Vance Eden, superintendent for USD 235. Photo from the school district’s website.

“Excavation/demolition is being donated by Brian Stewart and Jason Koch.” Vance said.  “The  (concrete) replacement is being done by Tri-state  Building of Pittsburg.  The project was bid by several contractors and they had the winning bid.”

The major part of the community improvement project is through the Recreational Trails Program by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, he said.

“The district will cover its portion through in-kind donations and also our Capital Outlay Fund,” Eden said.  “Donations of the excavation by Brian Stewart and Jason Koch, a gravel donation of 800 tons by Mary and Don Pemberton of Bandera Stone, and a donation of the rock hauling by Bourbon County (Public Works Department) all help us minimize the district’s cash portion.
The old asphalt is coming off in preparation of the improved walking rail in Uniontown. This view is on Clay Street looking east to the West Bourbon Elementary School playground.
The project should be completed by late April or early May.
“Spring weather could be a factor but we are planning on it taking around 6 to 8 weeks,” he said.
The Uniontown Walking Trail looking south on 75th Street in January 2024.
The Uniontown Hiking Trail looking north on 75th Street on January 2024.
Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

FSHS Floriculture Students Start New Venture Selling Products They Make

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Fort Scott High School Floriculture Teacher Sydney Cullison’s students plan to create and sell some of the products they have learned to make.

“Students in floriculture are looking to create Easter-themed centerpiece arrangements,” she said. “This is a learning experience for students and each arrangement may vary slightly.”

This is a sample of a floral arrangement the students made. Submitted photo.

This is the first year for floriculture in FSHS.

“Our source of flowers is Flowers By Leanna,” she said. “She sells them wholesale to us. We have done a workshop there with her.”

“It’s the first time we’ve ever sold arrangements,” Cullison said. “We are testing the waters.”

“We plan to make corsages and boutonnieres,” she said.

“We are lucky to have several floral shops in town, some rural towns don’t, but we want to give the kids the experiences at the same time,” she said.

“The proceeds will be used for future floriculture things,” she said.

Orders for the Easter arrangements are due by March 17.

Each arrangement is $30. Flowers to be possibly included are: white easter lilies, tulips, stock, carnations, static, and leather leaf in a 5.5″ tall tin bucket with ribbon.

Cash or Check to Fort Scott FFA. Venmo @Sydney-Cullison

Delivery inside city limits is available for $5.

Pick up at FSHS Ag Shop.

Delivery and pick up on March 27 by 4 p.m.

Order Link: https://forms.gle/FjGKkCZYwtoD5P4K8

Left to right: Dakota Hazelbaker, Jaidyn Crumby, Blaiton Terry, Bradley Hicks. Submitted photo.

Sydney Cullison has taught agriculture at FSHS for three years and is also the FFA Advisor. She graduated from FSHS in 2015.

Sydney Cullison. Submitted photo.
Bourbon County, Schools, Sports, Youth

St.Martin’s Academy Rugby Players: David VS Goliath Story

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The St. Martin’s Academy Rugby Team.Top, from left to right: Finn Burch, Prosper Owen, Will Van De Ryt, Robbie Ritson, Joseph Moleski (Captain), Benedict Sullivan (Co-Captain), Berkely Nordhus, Ben Walsh, Colin Egger.
Bottom, from left to right: Sam Egger, Ben Skinner, Patrick Mulholland, Peter McDonald, Ethan Blakie, Liam Pluta. Submitted photo.

Saint Martin’s Academy is a Catholic boarding school for boys that combines classical academics with a practical work program on a sustainable farm. and is located southwest of Fort Scott.

It seems they have some athletes as well.

“We are the reigning Kansas State Rugby Champions, ” said school headmaster Daniel Kerr. ” Currently, we are ranked #9 in the country for all schools of any size according to the Goff Rugby Report.”

Saint Martin’s Academy rugby players, the Kingfishers, beat the Thomas Aquinas Saints, Overland Park, who had won state the previous 14 years in a row in May 2023.
“We are currently 9-1, having already defeated three reigning state champions: Missouri Champion SLUH (St. Louis University High School) by a score of 34-17; Pennsylvania Champs Gregory the Great by a score of 47-3; Tennessee Champs Germantown by a score of 44-7,” Kerr said.  “We will play reigning Oklahoma State Champs Bixby on March 16th on our home field.  Our one loss was to the #3 ranked Club Team, Woodlands by a score of 8-15.”
“We received … an invitation this year, a couple of weeks ago, from the governing body of USA Rugby and will be headed to Elkhart, Indiana to compete against the best teams in the country from May 23rd-25th,” Kerr said.  “Nearly all the teams there will be from schools with several thousand students.  For us to be in that league having only 68  students total is an extraordinary accomplishment.  Most of the teams will have more boys in their rugby program than we have in our entire school body.  It’s a true Hoosiers story – David vs. Goliath.”
The athletes ages are from 14-18, and are all students at St. Martin’s.

“To be a rugby player at St. Martin’s Academy is to be part of something larger than yourself,” said Coach John Prezzia.  “It’s to be a band of brothers; a small group of young men united in the forge of intense battle amongst each other, where they are truly, ‘ironing sharpening iron’. This creates a bond amongst them that is so tight, that every one of them is completely willing to sacrifice all of himself for the sake of each brother next to him, and the team as a whole”

“This unity of purpose and toughness is how we continually punch above our weight, and with only 68 boys total enrolled at the school, we can compete with the very best teams in the country,” he said. “We have just been invited to the National Tournament…and are currently in the planning and fundraising phase. The boys have worked unbelievably hard to get to this level, and are incredibly excited to compete with the best.”

We got the invite last Tuesday, and when I announced it to the boys, they just about brought the house down with their hooting and hollering,” Prezzia said. “It was a pretty special way to kick off this journey to try and bring a Rugby National Title back to Fort Scott.”

 

The St. Martin’s Academy Rugby Team prays before playing. Submitted.
John Prezzia has been the head coach of the Kingfishers, since 2022.
He was the assistant rugby coach at Gregory the Great Academy in Elmhurst, PA before taking the helm as head coach for the Kingfishers in 2022, Kerr said.
Prezzia is a native of Pittsburg, PA, where he wrestled collegiately for Wisconsin.  He and his wife Michaela were married last summer and are expecting their first child in April.
About Rugby:
“Rugby, a “barbarian’s sport played by gentlemen”, was invented in Rugby, England in 1823 when William Webb Ellis picked up a soccer ball and ran with it,” Kerr said.  “It is the progenitor of American football.  For example, the name ‘touchdown’ comes from the rule in rugby where you have to physically touch the ball down in the endzone for the score to count.  Rugby combines the fluidity and continuous play of soccer with the physicality and roughness of American football.  There are 15 players on the field and like soccer, they play both offense and defense as the ball changes possession.  Like American football, the aim is to carry the ball across the opponents goal line and touch the ball down in the opponents end-zone or ‘try zone’.  A ‘touchdown’ is called a ‘try’ in Rugby.  A try is worth 5 points and the subsequent conversion kick is worth 2 points.”
Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

Four Christian Learning Center Students Win $1,000 Scholarships Each In Solar Competition

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A Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative sponsored team from Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott was named Grand Champion at the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge held Feb. 5 in Topeka. Eleven teams from across the state competed at the event. Pictured from left to right: Science teacher (and Heartland member) Scott Cain, Ethan Hill, Ryan Koch, James Kobernat, and Sam Love. Submitted photo.

Scott Cain is a Science and Math teacher at Christian Learning Center, Fort Scott.

Recently, a team of boys that he taught won the top prize at the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge, a statewide solar energy competition founded by the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Ten80 Education, and Pitsco Education.

Sam Love (16), Ethan Hill (17), James Kobernat (17), and Ryan Koch (18) were the students who were a part of the CLC team, each winning a $1,000 scholarship.

Sam’s parents are Kelly and Jason Love, Fort Scott; Ethan’s parents are Garrett and Kaleigh Hill, Nevada, MO; Jame’s parents are Dan and Amy Kobernat, Fort Scott; and Ryan’s parents are Jason and Holly Koch, Uniontown.

 

From left, Christian Learning Center students Ryan Koch, Sam Love, Ethan Hill, and James Kobernat work on their strategy for optimizing solar production during the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge, held Feb. 5 in Topeka. The CLC team was named the Overall Champion at the event.

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative sponsored the team.

The boys were taught in a curriculum before the competition: how to wire circuits in series and in parallel, how types of circuits affect amps and volts, how to evaluate a site for optimal placement of solar panels, how to use latitude, time of year, and nearby obstacles, such as trees to angle solar panels for maximum output, how to consider the day-time usage of a household to calculate number of panels, where they should be located, and cost of installation.

“The competition involved several categories of scoring, said teacher Scott Cain.  “The highest total point scored was the winner.”

What the students were judged on:

  1. Skills challenges: a problem to solve and calculate.
  2. A slideshow presentation to a panel talking about what they had learned through the process of the semester and the curriculum
  3. Branding and Curb Appeal (how the teams constructed house looked, the matching t-shirts, etc.)
  4. A cooperative challenge solving a problem with other teams
  5. Keeping a logbook of the curriculum
  6.  Given daytime household usage and criteria of a house’s location, etc.,  the team designed a mount of the proper type of solar cells to reach a desired output, while maintaining a given range of volts.
Christian Learning Center.

About the private school, taken from its website:

The Christian Learning Center (CLC) was founded in 2000, by Mr. Harold Kraft. 

MISSION STATEMENT
“To educate and encourage students to live a Christ-centered life; to impart necessary skills to meet the demands of an ever-changing world; and to develop mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical strengths so that each child may live up to his or her God-given talents in the surroundings of a stable, Christian school environment.”

We fulfill this mission by assisting Christian parents in performing their Biblical responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go” and “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4).  All subjects are taught from a Biblical worldview.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).

Fort Scott, Schools

The USD 234 Board of Education Met March 4

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, March 04, 2024

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 04, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

 

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

The board appointed Joe Wimmer as board member for the next two years.

 

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

02/12/24 Board Minutes

Payroll – February 20, 2024 – $1,658,014.61

USD 234 Gifts

Middle School Principal Zach Johnson and Counselor Kerri Hanson recognized the first year of FSMS STUCO students. These students were nominated by their teachers for this leadership role. They have been to Greenbush to attend Leadership Workshops that enabled the students to collaborate with other schools in various situations. On Wednesday they will be heading to Eugene Ware to do a reading project and eat lunch with them. Also, STUCO participated in organizing the Veteran’s Day Assembly. Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Hanson commended this group for working with Administration to have a voice in improving the school.

First Row- Lucus Bukowski, Sterling Coon
Second Row- Tammy Claypool, Abel Chaplin, Riley Stephan, Madilynn Isaac, Theodore Bowman, Jentry Palmer
Third Row- Gianna Gorman, Laurali Clark, Presliegh Seabolt, John Hill, Joe Lewis, Kerri Hanson – STUCO Team

Angie Bin, Fort Scott High School Drama Teacher, presented about March being Theatre in our Schools and Music in our Schools Month. Lexi Hill, senior at FSHS, is the Thespian President and Cooper George, junior at FSHS, is Thespian Vice President. Lexi is a huge advocate for theatre because of her experience starting in sixth grade and continuing into a future career. She explained about the skills she has learned throughout the years in Theatre. She is also receiving a scholarship that only ten seniors in Kansas receive. Cooper shared the opportunities he has been given through the Theatre department such as being a Stage Manager and Director. He explained all the various shows, fundraising, and many other events this department has done through this last year. An upcoming event will be on March 26 which is the Theatre Talent Show at 7PM.

Lexi Hill, Cooper George – FSHS Drama Department
Kenna Miles – State Wrestling Champ

Scott Kimble, Fort Scott High School Principal, recognized Kenna Miles, sophomore at FSHS. She was the first female State Wrestling Champion from FSHS. Kenna said she was nervous but by the time Finals started she was ready to do her best. She ended the season 40-3.

 

          Tonya Barnes and Mina Query recognized three Paraprofessionals from Eugene Ware. Tabitha Hardesty was thanked for taking on a significant role in the school’s focus room. She was commended for her patience and making great connections with the students.

Erin Thurston, Tabitha Hardesty, Brad Wright, Sherry Lindsay–

Sara Rood is in her second year, but she has taken on small group instruction and has excelled. She is entering the Para to Teach program through Pitt State.

Erin Thurston has only been with the district starting this year but was thanked for being kind, and consistently showing up for the students in whatever area is needed.

Mina Query, Principal at Eugene Ware, recognized Sherry Lindsay, Title Teacher, for her longevity and being a role model for all teachers in the building. Sherry is willing to take on whatever new project there is and never complains. Eugene Ware is very thankful to have Sherry.

Dan Koppa, Director of Facilities, thanked Brad Wright for all he has done for the district. There is an extensive list of qualities that Brad has brought to the team. He has a great standing in the community and an impressive work ethic that has not gone unnoticed. Brad is willing to jump in and help, brainstorm, take on projects, and much more.

 

Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the current enrollment from September to March.

Scott Kimble, High School Principal, and Josh Messer, High School Counselor, came and presented about Kansas’ new High School Graduation requirements that will take effect starting with the graduating class of 2028. These are still being finalized at the State Level. Mr. Kimble and Mr. Messer will continue to keep the Board updated on changes.

Mr. Brown reviewed a couple of legislation that could possibly affect the district in the future.

The Preschool building is in the beginning stages of designs and is moving forward.

Kansas Renewal Institute will be implementing a facility in Fort Scott and the District will be working with this group. Superintendent Brown reported about investments and the April staff premium pay.

 

Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith gave a printout to the Board about the IREADY Fall/Winter scores. She was extremely optimistic about these improvements. She wanted to recognize that teachers and all the demanding work with interventions and extra time they are putting in to help the improve scores.

 

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, presented the Board with an update on Categorical State Aid and Medicaid Reports. She is working with each building to ensure smooth transitions for students moving buildings for the next school year.

As a discussion item, Superintendent Brown updated about the cell phone policy. The specifics are still being worked through with staff.

The board approved the following items:

  • 2024-25 School Calendar (Pending Negotiations)
  • Purchase of School Bus
  • Resolution 23-16

 

The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT

March 04, 2024

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

Buntain, Theresa – Retirement – Band Teacher Aide – Middle School

Davis, Gaven – Termination – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware

Duffy, Kristin – Resignation – Head Cheerleading Coach – High School

Hampton, Breanna – Termination – 6th Grade ELA

Skaggs, Gwen – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Middle School

 

TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

Certified:

Cross, Jennifer – Transfer from 2nd Grade to Title 1 Teacher -Winfield Scott – 2024-25

Garzone, Chris – Transfer from Assistant Principal to Principal – Winfield Scott – 2024-25

 

EMPLOYMENT:

Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

Reichard, Betsy – Part Time Process Coordinator – 2024-25

Hoener, Rhonda – Part time School Psychologist Paraprofessional – 2024-25

 

Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:

Hernandez, Samara – Part Time Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware

Johnson, Corinna – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

 

Area News, Entertainment, Schools

Preparing for prom: Fairy Godmother Boutique set for March 16

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PITTSBURG — Thanks to generous donors and the Fairy Godmother Boutique, area high school students can pick out new and gently used dresses. Many don’t look forward to prom
because they can’t afford to purchase a dress and accessories.

“The Fairy Godmother Boutique was created to help these students get the prom experience we all dream of — the perfect dress, the hair, the shoes,” Patient Education & Support Manager
Julie Laverack says.

The pop-up boutique is set for Saturday, March 16, at CHC/SEK in Pittsburg, at 3011 N. Michigan (Pittsburg). To shop for a free dress, prom goers must book an appointment by calling 620-231-
9873 and ask for a Family Resource Specialist.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas staff and community recently gathered their lightly used and nearly new prom dresses to give to the Fairy Godmother Boutique. Additionally,
sponsor Sara Loree’s Bridal and Formal, donated many dresses as well.

“We’ve had tremendous community support,” Laverack says. “Thank you all for donating these beautiful dresses. Another huge thank you to those who signed up to be volunteer stylists during the event.”

There will be dresses sizes 0-20 in a variety of styles. Personal stylists, makeup consultants and private dressing rooms will be available.
There are still opportunities to sign up and volunteer by reaching Laverack at 620-231-9873.
###

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Agenda For U234 Board of Education for March 4

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

March 4, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

 

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

  1. 02/12/24 Board Minutes

            4.4       Payroll – January 19, 2024 – $1,658,014.61

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

5.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

FSHS Drama Department will present

5.1 Employee Recognition

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report

  • Notable Legislation
  • Graduation Requirements
  • Enrollment Update

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report

            6.4       Finance Director’s Report

  • Investments
  • April Premium Pay

7.0       Old Business

            7.1       Cell Phone Policy (Discussion Item)                                  

 

8.0       New Business

8.1       Approval of 2024-25 School Calendar (Pending negotiations) (Action Item)

              8.2       Purchase of School Bus – $113,071.00 (Action Item)

 

9.0       Public Forum

10.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item

 

10.2     Exit Executive Session

10.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

           

 

11.0     Adjourn Meeting            David Stewart, President

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

Christian Learning Center Takes Top Prize in Heartland SunPowered Student Challenge

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A Heartland-sponsored team from Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott was named Grand Champion at the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge held Feb. 5 in Topeka. Eleven teams from across the state competed at the event. Pictured from left to right: Science teacher (and Heartland member) Scott Cain, Ethan Hill, Ryan Koch, James Kobernat and Sam Love.  
Two high school teams sponsored by Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative took home honors at the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge, a statewide solar energy competition founded by the Kansas Electric Cooperatives (KEC), Heartland REC, Ten80 Education, and Pitsco Education.
A Heartland-sponsored team from Christian Learning Center in Fort Scott took home the top prize, with each team member winning a $1,000 scholarship. Meanwhile, another Heartland-sponsored team consisting of students in Greenbush’s gifted education program received the “Powerful Presentation” award.
From left, Christian Learning Center students Ryan Koch, Sam Love, Ethan Hill and James Kobernat work on their strategy for optimizing solar production during the first-ever SunPowered Student Challenge, held Feb. 5 in Topeka. The CLC team was named Overall Champion at the event.
This brand-new competition sought to bring real-world electricity knowledge and industry practices to high school-age students across the state. As solar power becomes more prevalent in the United States, it becomes increasingly important to educate current and future electricity customers about responsible energy consumption, jobs in electricity, and even degrees obtainable in Kansas colleges.
Armed with newfound knowledge and hands-on practice obtained the prior semester, 11 student teams from across Kansas—as far west as Colby and as far east as Fort Scott—joined forces in Topeka on February 5 to perform real-time challenges, present findings, and prove their solar energy knowledge—all before industry professionals.
Event highlights included a speech by Mike Beene, Assistant Secretary of Kansas Department of Commerce and former educator, who spoke to the power of workforce development and Kansas’ desire to invest in its future; scholarships for the winning teams; and the following winners and their sponsors across all categories:
  • Overall Champion – Christian Learning Center (Fort Scott), Heartland REC
  • Creative Curb Appeal – Colby High School (Colby), Midwest Energy
  • Powerful Presentation – Greenbush Service Center (Girard), Heartland REC
  • Commendable Collaboration – Thomas More Prep-Marian (Hays), Midwest Energy; Solomon High School (Solomon), DSO; Boy Scouts of America Troop 222B/1222G (El Dorado), Butler Electric Cooperative
With teams already ramping up for next year’s competition, plus plans to expand the event to additional states, it’s looking like the Sunflower State’s inaugural competition will be the first of many. Team registration will be available in the coming months.
The SunPowered founders would like to thank all the 2024 sponsors: KEPCo, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, Evergy, Today’s Power, EDF Renewables, and especially the following Kansas electric co-ops who sponsored individual student teams:
  • 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative
  • Bluestem Electric Cooperative
  • Butler Electric Cooperative
  • DSO Electric Cooperative
  • Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative
  • FreeState Electric Cooperative
  • Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative
  • Midwest Energy
  • Pioneer Electric Cooperative
  • Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative
  • Sedgwick County Electric Cooperative
  • Southern Pioneer Electric Cooperative
  • Sumner-Cowley Electric Cooperative
  • Twin Valley Electric Cooperative
  • Victory Electric Cooperative