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

January 8, 2024 – 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       Reorganization of New Board (Action Item)

            4.1 Appoint Board Member

            4.2 Election of Vice-President of the Board

5.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            5.1       Board Minutes

1. 12/11/23 Board Minutes

            5.2       Financials-Cash Flow Report

            5.3       Check Register

            5.4       Payroll – December 18, 2023 – $1,689,996.80

            5.5       Activity Fund accounts

5.6       USD 234 Gifts

5.7       CTE Math 2023-2024 Fundraising

5.8       Update Officers

            Appoint KPERS Designated Agent

5.9       Resolution 23-11 KMIP Signers

5.10     Resolution 23-12 Bank Account Signers

6.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

6.1 Employee Recognition

• Licensed
  • Speech Team
• Classified
  • Bus Driver
  • Bus Driver

7.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

7.1       Superintendent’s Report

            7.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            7.3       Special Education Director’s Report

            7.4       Finance Director’s Report

8.0       Old Business

            8.1       Core Communities Report

8.2       Board Vacancy (Discussion Item)

            8.3       Publish Board Seat Vacancy #1&4, #2&5 in the Fort Scott Tribune.  (Action Item)

9.0       New Business

9.1     Resolution 23-10 to adopt Open Enrollment Policy (Action Item)

9.2     Resolution 23-13 To Establish Regular Board Meetings 2024

9.3     Resolution 23-14 To Establish Election of School Board Officers

10.0     Public Forum

11.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

11.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

11.2     Exit Executive Session

11.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

12.0     Adjourn Meeting            David Stewart, President

James Wood has served as a member of the Board of Education in Fort Scott for four years. He was just recently re-elected in November for a second term. James works at Diehl Banwart Bolton CPAs, PA. In late November, James was promoted to a partner position with Diehl Banwart Bolton CPAs, PA, which changed his responsibilities at the firm. Consequently, James is resigning his position on the USD # 234 school board effective January 1, 2024.

On December 11, the USD 234 School Board approved the purchase of the former Family Physicians building located at 902 S. Horton Street from Fort Scott Community College.

The building is slated to become the school district’s new Early Childhood Center, according to a press release from the center’s principal, Nick Johnson.

The Fort Scott Preschool Center is currently located at 409 S. Judson Street.

“This building houses three preschool classrooms, two operated by USD 234 and one operated by Head Start,” Johnson said.  “USD 234 also leases a classroom in the Happy Kids Daycare and Preschool building.”

“All USD 234 preschool classrooms are half-day, blended classrooms,” he said.  “The blended classrooms contain a combination of students who qualify for an Individualized Education Program, students who qualify for the state Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program, and peer models.”

“All students participate in an engaging, interactive curriculum that is aligned with the Kansas Early Learning Standards and focuses on physical, academic, and social-emotional development,” Johnson said.  “Special Education staff provide cognitive and social-emotional intervention, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to students with developmental delays.”

In addition to providing special education services for students attending classes, the preschool staff also provides services to home-based students and students in community-based preschool programs.

“Through partnerships with the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center and Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, students and families have access to a variety of mental health and healthcare services,” he said.

The Fort Scott Preschool staff members include four Early Childhood Special Education teachers, one part-time intervention teacher, and ten paraprofessionals.

“The new building will bring the three existing preschool classrooms and two additional preschool classrooms under one roof,” Johnson said.  “Two new classrooms are much needed as the desire for early childhood education continues to grow.”

The current preschool has 103 students enrolled, with 29 on the waiting list.

“The two additional classrooms will increase the program’s maximum capacity to 180 students which will eliminate the need for a waitlist and reduce class sizes,” Johnson said.

District staff have been working with representatives from Greenbush Education Service Center and Hight Jackson Architects to apply for the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator Grant administered by the Kansas Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund, he said.

If awarded, grant funds will be used to remodel the existing building so that it can meet the range of employment, health, education, and childcare needs of families in the community.

To fulfill the grant requirements, current plans for the building include space for preschool classrooms, a small health clinic, a workforce development room, and a daycare area, he said.

“These new opportunities, combined with existing partnerships, will allow the Fort Scott Scott Preschool Center to achieve its vision of a community working together to support the academic, social-emotional, and physical development of each child to ensure that they are ready for Kindergarten and beyond,” he said.

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                                                                                                                                            

PUBLIC NOTICE

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education have been invited to a Christmas Luncheon at Fort Scott High School.  This will take place December 18, 2023.  *NO official board action will take place.*

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, December 11, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 2023, for their
regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
11/13/23 Board Minutes
Financials-Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – November 17, 2023 – $2,058,098.00
Activity Fund accounts
USD 234 Gifts

Licensed Tiger Team Member of the Month was Erica Clark. She is an English Teacher at Fort Scott High School. Erica, Dave Watkins, and other volunteers have worked extremely hard on the Angel Tree at the High School. Each “tag” on the tree was adopted by staff or community member. This included seventy-four children
from thirty families. Last Friday, fifty-one volunteers help to wrap hundreds of presents in the High School Commons Area.

Classified Tiger Team Members of the Month were Terry Barrager and Alex Herring. Both were recognized by Dan Koppa. Terry is custodian at Eugene Ware, and Alex is custodian at Preschool. They both were recognized for their leadership and exemplary cleanliness in each of their buildings.

The Barkery Team from Fort Scott High School was recognized by Assistant Principal Alex Specht. Seniors – Cainen Wood, Christian Herrington, Juniors – Daniel Brown, Nicollette Brown, Klaire Graham, Donald Morris, Nolan Madison, Sophomores – Mayia Castleberry, Haley Maloun, Julia Maloun. Each student explained the process of buying the ingredients, making the dog treats, and selling to customers. They are also learning about
managing money and making change for customers.
Nikki Regan, Flo Tanner, and Kathryn Ogle were also recognized as part of the Barkery Team. Each were acknowledged for the devotion and love for the students.

Kellye Barrows, Danny Brown, and Lynette Jackson were recognized and thanked for their years of
service on the USD 234 Board of Education.

Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the Staff Christmas Lunch to be held next Monday and the grant that
the district is working on for the early childhood center.

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, gave a report on the process of hiring new paraprofessionals and
DCAP reports. Tonya was able to report about the numerous training opportunities that will be available for the
Special Education department in the coming months.
Superintendent Brown reported on the district’s State Aide that will be coming in soon and will be higher than predicted. He also reminded everyone that W2s will start coming out in January.

The board went into an executive session for possible purchase of property. The board approved purchase of new Preschool Building.
The board had a presentation by Hight Jackson Architect Firm for the new Preschool Building.

The Board discussed the options of filling the vacant board seat #5. It was decided to take letters of interest with Board recommendation.

The board approved the following items:
• Purchase of new Preschool Building
• Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas Grant for Linda Minor and Dakota Hall

● Personnel Report following
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
December 11, 2023

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Baugher, Mark – Retirement
Lockwood, Connie – Retirement
Matkin, Brad – Resignation
O’Brien, Shawn – Resignation
Reichard, Betsy – Resignation
Sweyko, Pauline Kate – Resignation
Wells, Matthew – Resignation
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Classified:
Palmer, Lana – Transfer from Van Driver to Full time Bus Driver
Schnichels, Laryn – Leave of Absence – Middle School Paraprofessional
Willard, Siarra – Transfer from Speech Paraprofessional to Full Time Eugene Ware Para
EMPLOYMENT:
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Madison, Kendall – Winfield Scott Paraprofessional – January 2, 2024
Martin, Emily – High School Paraprofessional
Palmer, William – Van Driver – January 3, 2024
Yocham, Shelly – Speech Paraprofessional – January 2, 2024
Supplemental
Clark, Erica – Teacher Mentor 2023-2024 school year

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

December 11, 2023 – 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. 11/13/23 Board Minutes

            4.2       Financials-Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – November 17, 2023 – $2,058,098.00

            4.5       Activity Fund accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts           

5.0       Open Enrollment Hearing (Information/Discussion)

            5.1       Open Enrollment Hearing (Action Item)

5.2       Hear from Patrons

5.3       Close Hearing (Action Item)           

6.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

6.1 Student Recognition

6.2 Employee Recognition

6.3 Board Member Recognition

7.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

7.1       Superintendent’s Report

            7.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            7.3       Special Education Director’s Report

            7.4       Finance Director’s Report

8.0       Old Business

8.1       Enter Executive Session – Purchase of Property 

8.2       Exit Executive Session

            8.3       Contract on New Preschool Building (Action Item)

8.4       Presentation – Hight Jackson – Architect (Information/Discussion)

8.5       Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation, Inc Grant (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