All American schools, including local schools, will be impacted by the funding freeze that President Trump has directed the U.S. Department of Education to delay, pending a review.
Destry Brown, superintendent of USD 234, Fort Scott’s school district, wrote the following about how the funding freeze will affect his district.
Destry Brown. Submitted photo.
“The federal funding freeze has affected two of our Title funds.
“The first is Title IIA. This money is used for professional development for our teachers and administrators. Title IIA provides $120,000 toward professional development. This accounts for 90% of our professional development budget. The impact of withholding that funding is that we will not be able to send staff for professional development. The State no longer provides funds to be specifically used for professional development any longer. As we prepare our budget for this school year, we do not expect to be able to fill this gap in funding.
“The other fund that is impacted is Title IV. This fund provides funding for innovative programs that enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs in the district, to provide more hands-on, interactive learning activities for our students. Title IV provides $38,000 to the district for these activities. The loss in funding will impact our ability to provide some of these updates and enhancements. Any updates will be funded through our regular supply and equipment accounts for each building.
“Currently, the State (of Kansas government) has advised us to budget as if we will receive the funds and spend as if we will not. The State expects to hear more about this funding later this month. Our understanding is that the money is being held while the US Department of Education evaluates these two programs.”
To contact your elected representatives with your views on this matter, according to the Bourbon County, KS website:
US Senator
Roger Marshall – (R)
PO Box 1588
Great Bend, KS 67530
(202) 224-4774
Jerry Moran – (R)
PO Box 1372
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620-232-2286
Derek Schmidt (R)
1223 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6601
This graphic is taken from a Newsweek online story dated July 7, 2025.
All American schools, including local schools, will be impacted by the funding freeze that President Trump has directed the U.S. Department of Education to delay, pending a review.
Vance Eden, superintendent for USD 235. Photo from the school districts website.
USD235 Superintendent Vance Eden remains hopeful that the Trump administration will unfreeze funds, enabling schools to continue operations as authorized by Congress, he said.
Here is his statement
“The Uniontown USD 235 School District receives federal “Title” funds to support students. Currently, the Trump administration has directed the US Department of Education to delay reimbursement of some of these funds until a review can be completed. These Title funds aren’t a single lump of money, but instead are received by the district with individual designations for individual purposes. While we don’t qualify in all categories, the following three specifically apply to Uniontown.
Title IIA- These funds can be used to reduce class sizes and were initially used to add a teacher, and that position has continued to be paid with Title II funds. Our allocation for the coming year is $25,222. While not all funds the district receives can be used for teacher salaries, this can and has been a meaningful part of our budget and the goal of maintaining a quality salary schedule. The removal of this funding stream will make it more difficult to continue this practice.
Title IVA- These funds can’t be used on people and but instead are used primarily on safety and security items and also things that “extend the curriculum.” Our next year allocation was set at $17,492. While most are likely unaware if anything in their classroom has been purchased with these funds, the reality is that probably all of them have had some benefit. I manage these funds and purchase qualifying items throughout the school year as teachers submit requisitions that can qualify. As an example, field trips, science experiment supplies, digital cameras for the yearbook team, a pottery wheel, the window display at WBE, and a good chunk of the smartboards in the district are all things that have been purchased with these funds over the past few years. These funds invite creativity and foster a robust and quality learning experience. Losing these funds directly impacts our ability to maintain this commitment in the future without cutting from other areas or increasing the mill levy (which no one wants).
Title IVB- These funds pay for the WBE after-school program and summer program. Without this allocation, the district will not be able to afford to continue to offer this to students and parents.
We also receive Title I funds, which are used to support math and reading support at WBE. These funds are stated to still be usable for the coming year. This is good news as it represents our largest area of allocation and would be extremely difficult to adjust for in its absence.
I’d encourage you to visit with our federal legislators during this period of review to help them consider this change in direction and priority, as ultimately, they SHOULD control the disbursement of funds. Most likely, none of us enjoys making these contacts, but I want you to be informed and involved, as these decisions will affect us all.”
To contact your elected representatives, according to the Bourbon County, KS website:
US Senator
Roger Marshall – (R)
PO Box 1588
Great Bend, KS 67530
(202) 224-4774
Jerry Moran – (R)
PO Box 1372
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620-232-2286
Derek Schmidt
1223 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6601
This graphic is taken from a Newsweek online story dated July 7, 2025.
Executive Summary
The Business Retention and Expansion Survey (BRES) was
conducted by HBCAT in collaboration with the City of Fort Scott
to assess the local business climate. The survey gathered 34
responses and six in-person interviews, reflecting ongoing
challenges in the region due to business closures.
Key Findings:
• Industry Composition: The largest sectors represented were Services (37.1%), Retail
Trade (22.9%), and Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (14.3%).
• Employment Trends: 24% of businesses reported employment growth, 59% remained
stable, and 18% experienced declines.
• Workforce Challenges: 73% of respondents struggled with recruiting and retaining
workers, especially unskilled (38%) and semi-skilled employees (35%).
• Business Expansion & Financing: 18% of businesses plan to expand within two years,
while 15% reported forgoing expansion due to lack of financing.
Business Information Needs
Local businesses expressed a strong desire for more information on:
• Small business and entrepreneurial support resources tailored to the needs of startups and
local business owners.
• Workforce and job training programs to improve access to skilled labor and reduce hiring
challenges.
• Local market matching programs to connect businesses with regional suppliers,
customers, and partners.
• Access to capital and financing to support expansion, equipment upgrades, and working capital needs.
• Improved communication between local and state governments and businesses, to increase transparency and responsiveness.
Possible Actions Local Government Could Take:
1. Improve Marketing of the City – Increase promotional efforts to attract new residents, visitors, and businesses by showcasing Fort Scott’s assets, events, and opportunities.
2. Enhance Communication – Create clearer, more consistent communication channels between the City and the business community, including regular updates and outreach.
3. Develop Incentive Programs – Introduce or expand financial and regulatory incentives for new and existing businesses looking to launch or grow in Fort Scott.
4. Increase Workforce Development Efforts – Collaborate with HBCAT and other partners to create stronger pipelines for skilled labor and job training programs.
5. Address Housing as a Critical Need – Prioritize policies, partnerships, and development strategies that expand housing options for workers and families to support long-term
economic stability.
Next Steps for The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:
1. Launch an Employer Learning Collaborative – Convene local employers to clarify their workforce needs, discuss shared challenges, and identify specific skill gaps, particularly around unskilled and semi-skilled labor. HBCAT may host panel discussions
and is seeking facilitation support to guide this effort.
2. Engage High School Students Through Mentorship and Incentives – Partner with high school business classes to connect students with the RCP Mentorship Program and Community Health Workers, and link them to financial incentives available through the
City’s small business grant program and local community college resources.
3. Explore Soft Skill Curriculum Implementation – Evaluate the existing soft skills curriculum used by SEK KANSASWORKS in other districts to determine cost and feasibility of implementing it in Fort Scott schools, with the goal of aligning with local employer expectations.
The 2025 Fort Scott All-Classes Reunion committee has planned an extraordinary number of events to help former students reconnect this weekend.
“This reunion has been going on since 1961,” said board member Craig Campbell. “It’s a chance to get together and reconnect with not only your class, but the ones before and after.”
There was a hiatus in 2020 because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the event was changed to 2022.
“We decided to continue every five years on the 5 and O years,” he said.
New this year is a golf scramble, a fun event that will help raise money for FSHS scholarships.
“The Woodland Hills Golf Course is a gem, a great course,” Campbell said. “Please register as soon as possible for a lunch count for the event at www.fshsalumni.org
Registration
Registration for the alumni weekend will be at the FSHS Gym through the east side entrance of the building from 9 am to 4 p.m., according to the group’s Facebook page.
Golf cart transportation will be available for those who need assistance getting from their parking spot to the building.
FSHS t-shirts will be available for purchase, as well as other vendor information, at registration.
Parade
The parade kicks off the weekend at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 27. The parade emcee will be David Brown, a former Fort Scott Middle School Principal. There is still time to register to be in the parade. Please go to the website http://www.fshsalumni.org to do so.
Parade line-up starts at 5 p.m. this Friday near the Fisher Park Concession Stand. Registrants will be given a lineup number. Everyone else is behind the horses in the parade.
The parade will start from 6th & Main, north to Wall Street, then west to National Avenue, and south to 6th & National. Each class is encouraged to participate in the parade; the parade organizer is Craig Campbell, and he can be reached at [email protected] or via phone at 620-224-0167.
Food
Food trucks will be available at 3rd & Main both Friday
night and Saturday. There will be several options available, including local restaurants. There will not be a traditional chicken dinner this year because it has declined in popularity in recent years, so there is
something different for 2025.
Music
The All-Star Reunion Band will be performing at the Liberty Theater from 8 p.m. to midnight, with a cash bar available. This is a reunion tradition!
Additionally, Bourbon County Revival will be live music at 3rd & Main. A cash bar will also be available in this area.
Saturday night’s activities will be focused on 3rd & Main with music by the Teresa Deaton Band and food trucks.
Main Street will be closed to traffic to allow alumni to move between the food trucks and outdoor music.
Entertainment will begin at 8 p.m., and all entertainment is free of charge.
The City of Fort Scott is allowing you to bring in your own beverages (no glass containers, please) during these events; however, a cash bar will be available as well.
Luncheon and Reception
There will be a luncheon for the classes of 1963 and earlier at the FSHS commons area starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28. The Tigers Honors Luncheon is hosted by the Reunion.
The Fort Scott KNEA will be hosting the Retired Teachers’ Reception on Saturday, June 28, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the FSHS Commons area. Come back and visit with a favorite teacher.
A commemorative reunion photo will be taken under the new City entrance arch on Wall Street near 69 Highway.
The reunion board will have a roving photographer taking candid shots of the reunion weekend.
2025 Fort Scott High School All-Classes Reunion Schedule of Events
Friday, June 27
9 am – 4 pm Registration FSHS Gym
6 pm Parade Downtown
8 pm – midnight 80s Classes Party Memorial Hall
8 pm – midnight All Star Reunion Band Liberty Theatre
8 pm – midnight Bourbon County Revival 3rd Street Stage (3rd & Main) Saturday, June 28
7 am 1st Annual Alumni Golf Tournament Woodland Hills Golf Course
9 – 11 am Registration FSHS Gym
11:30 am Honors Tiger Luncheon FSHS Commons Area
1 – 3 pm Theater/Debate Improv Show FSHS Auditorium
3 – 5 pm Teacher/Employee Reception FSHS/FSMS TBD
8 pm – midnight Teresa Deaton Band 3rd Street Stage (3rd & Main)
The planning board is comprised of:
President (2025): Rhonda Dunn, graduate of 1984 Vice-President /President-Elect: Sydney Cullison, 2015 Past President (in 2022): Lori Potter Farmer, 1983 Recording Secretary: Haley Jones, 2013 Corresponding Secretary: Ronette Center, 1984 Treasurer: Gina Findley Shelton, 1997 Parade Chair: Craig Campbell, 1977 Registration Chair: Debbie West, 1976
Nine students and three coaches from Fort Scott High School attended the National Speech and Debate Conference this week in Des Moines, IA.
During the finals round of one of the competitions and unknown person walked onto the stage and interrupted the speech. They evacuated the auditorium thinking he was an active shooter. Later the National Speech and Debate Conference posted the following announcement:
This afternoon, an unidentified attendee entered the stage during the Humorous Interpretation Finals, interrupting the round. The individual has been subdued and removed from the premises. There were no weapons involved, and no threats were made. The hall was evacuated and there are no reported injuries. The rest of the venue has been swept for any potential threats by members of law enforcement. We understand the concerns people have, and we want to assure everyone that this is an isolated incident. We plan to resume the tournament later today and will aim to update attendees on the revised schedule by 4 PM CT.
The reunification area for all participants is the North parking lot, outside the Memorial Hall entrance.
All our students and coaches are safe and accounted for. The district administrators along with the sponsors on the trip have made the decision to bring everyone home this evening. Upon their arrival home, in addition to their families, our high school counselors and other support staff will be there to meet them at the school. We want to make sure our students, sponsors, and parents are given any support they may need in the coming days as a result of this very scary situation.
Mr. Slinkard, our debate and forensics coach, reported that our kids reacted very calmly and maturely during the evacuation and were helping each other as well as other kids from around the country get to safety. He is very proud of the way our kids and coaches conducted themselves during this situation.
We are very thankful that everyone is safe and on their way back home.
Submitted by Destry Brown, Superintendent of USD234
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
June 13, 2025 – 7:30 A.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________
4.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
4.2 Exit Executive Session – _______ (Time)
4.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
5.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
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, June 9, 2025
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, for their
regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
05-12-25
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – May 15, 2025 – $1,707,170.52
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the mental health grant that has been approved for the
district.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided the Board with an update of summer facilities,
budget closing for the fiscal year, and an update to the Preschool building.
Special Education Director Tonya Barnes updated the board on Extended School Year and the
various summer projects that are being completed.
The Board Approved the following items:
• Purchase of 385 Student Chrome Books
• Purchase of 90 Staff Laptops
• Purchase of 10 Passenger Van
• Purchase of two 71 Passenger Buses
• Purchase of Passenger Car
• Continued participation in the National School Lunch Program
• Revision to the Policy EE – Food Service Management for “unpaid meal charges”
• E-Rate Category 2 Funding – Purchase of Wireless Access Points
• Renewal of Kansas Insurance Cooperative for Schools Property and Casualty
Insurance
There were none present for public forum.
The Board went into an executive session for negotiations review.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
June 09, 2025
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Altic, Doug – Retirement – Counselor – High School
Hendrickson, Ela – Resignation – Special Education Teacher – High School
Hunsaker – Josseline – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Karleskint, Amanda – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Stepps, Abby – Resignation – 5th Grade Teacher – Eugene Ware
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations
Brown, Trey – 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher – Middle School
Campbell, Marjorie – Special Education Teacher – High School
Ellis, Christina – Special Education Teacher – KRI
Johnson, Amanda – Music Teacher – Winfield Scott
Kemmerer, Angie – 8th Grade Science/Social Studies Teacher – Middle School
Mena, Kati – SLP Tele-therapy
Stanley, Tammy – 6th Grade Science Teacher – Middle School
Turner, Jesse – Special Education Teacher – High School
Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year
Bradbury, Luke – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Bruner, Genea – MIS Tech Support
Clayton, Emily – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Dawson, Jamie – Behavioral Analyst
Hill, Landon – IT Help Desk
Hill, Katherine – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Montojo, Anthea – Cook – Winfield Scott
Prine, Aubrey – Part Time Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Reichard, Besty – MIS Tech Support
Stephens, Emily – MIS Tech Support
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
Barner, Alex – Assistant Football Coach – High School
Brown, Trey – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – Middle School
Coen, Jessica – Special Education Teacher – Extended School Year
Coen, Serenity – Paraprofessional – Extended School Year
Davenport, Heather – Summer School Teacher
Durossette, Jake – Assistant Wrestling Coach – Middle School
Durrosette, Jake – Girl’s Summer Conditioning – High School
Eugene Ware Site Council
Eugene Ware Supplemental
Hall, Addisyn – Paraprofessional – Extended School Year
Kegler, Terra – Paraprofessional – Extended School Year
Merriman, Virginia – Paraprofessional – Extended School Year
Middle School Supplemental
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
June 09, 2025 – 5:30 P.M.
AGENDA SUMMARY WITH COMMENTARY
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
05-12-25
4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – May 15, 2025 – $1,707,170.52
4.5 Activity Funds Accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
5.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
6.0 New Business
6.1 Student Chromebook Purchase (Action)
6.2 Staff Laptop Purchase (Action)
6.3 10 Passenger Van Purchase (Action)
6.4 71 Passenger Buses Purchase (Action)
6.5 Passenger Car Purchase (Action)
6.6 Participation in the National School Lunch Program (Action)
6.7 Revision to Policy EE – Food Services Management (Action)
6.8 E-Rate Category 2 Funding – Wireless Access Point (Action)
6.9 Kansas Insurance Cooperative for Schools Property and Casualty Insurance Renewal
7.0 Public Forum
8.0 Other Business –Negotiations _____(Time)
9.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________
10.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
Katy Shead, Fort Scott, has been selected as a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Katy homeschooled through Veritas Scholars Academy (VSA), which is an online school based in Lancaster, PA. On May 30th, she graduated as valedictorian in her class of 115 other students from all over the world.
Katy Shead speaking as class valedictorian at her school on May 30. Submitted photo.
Her most difficult class was chemistry, she said. “But it was also the most interesting.”
Despite it not being easy, she has chosen it as a major.
Katy will major in chemistry at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan (student population 1400-1800 students) beginning this fall. She will minor in Greek and Classical Education, she said.
Her goal with this education plan:
“I want to read the Greek Bible on my own, and I want to teach chemistry, or something, science or math at a classical school, especially online.”
“I want to study the Greeks and Romans and the original texts, not just the stuff that people wrote about them,” she said.
Katy has had a classical education.
Classical education has three different stages of learning, she said.
“First is grammar and lots of memorization, foundational knowledge. Second is logic, around middle school age, which is how you make a coherent argument with clear and logical thinking, recognizing fallacies. To connect ‘Oh, this happened in this year and it did affect this.’ The third stage is taking the connections in the logic stage, and using information you already have, and communicating it.”
Katy used this education, this past year, to come up with her own research statement and defended it in a paper and a presentation.
A person in Scotland with expertise in the field and a PhD read her paper and asked questions. A professor guided the process and graded it.
Her research statement was Imago Dei Impact on the Church’s Perception of Autism.
“It was about the inherent value that God gave humans when He created them in His image. The paper argues that if the church recognizes autistic people’s intrinsic value, then they’ll be empowered to love them as they should,” she said. “The point of the paper is that sometimes the autistic members are viewed as charity cases.”
Other awards she has received during her high school years: Dean’s List at VSA from 2021 to 2024, a national award at the 2023 Classical Learning Test, Summa Cum Laude on the 2023 National Latin Exam, inducted into the 202Highest Honors Class at VSA, and Cum Honore Maximo Egregio in 2021, a National Latin Exam she took, earning a perfect score.
During high school, Katy has been a student mentor, an independent tutor of maths and sciences, a literature club co-chair, and a volunteer at K-7 Kanakuk Camp, Missouri. She also worked with special needs people at Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Kansas, and Camp Barnabas, Missouri. She also volunteered at her grandparents’ annual Shead Farm Festival near Garland.
She is the daughter of Haley and Mark Shead.
About National Merit Scholars
16,000 semifinalists competed in the 70th annual National Merit
Scholarship Program, according to an NMS press release. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award,
Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.
To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official must submit a scholarship application, providing information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received, according to the press release. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
