Category Archives: Schools
USD234 Board of Education Agenda For August 11
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
August 11, 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
07-14-25
4.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – July 18, 2025 – $1,681,850.38
4.5 Activity Funds Accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 Resolution 25-08 – Remove Bank Signers
4.8 Resolution 25-09 – Add Bank Signers
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 New Business
6.1 2025-26 High School Handbook (Action) Handbook Edits
6.2 Parent Expectation Policy (Action)
6.3 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget Report with Needs Assessment (Info only)
6.4 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget Presentation
6.5 Audit Contract with Diehl, Banwart, and Bolton, CPA’s, P.A. (Action)
6.6 MOU for IT Services between USD 234 and City of Fort Scott (Action)
6.7 All-Weather Track Structural Spray Bids (Action)
6.8 Purchase of Transit Van (Action)
7.0 Public Forum
8.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________
8.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
8.2 Exit Executive Session – _______ (Time)
8.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
9.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
Fort Scott School District U234 Starts Classes on August 15
This is part of a series on the schools starting the 2025 school year in our community.
Destry Brown is the superintendent of schools for Fort Scott’s School District, USD234.
“We are looking forward to another great year in Tiger Land!” he told Fort Scott Biz in an interview.
The first day of school for teachers in 2025 is August 11, with students first day of August 15.
He said student school supply lists are all posted on the district’s Facebook page.
Vaccinations are a part of the new school year in schools across the nation.
“If students have started their immunizations before school starts, we work with the families to get them completed by a deadline,” Brown said. “We have not set that deadline for this year yet. It is usually in late September. If the family claims a religious reason for not getting the immunizations, they need to contact the school nurse and complete a form stating that.”
The USD234 student enrollment is approximately the same as last year, 1,750 students in five buildings across the town.
A more accurate number will be after the first couple of weeks of school, he said.
The following are the names of the school district’s 20 new teachers and administrators assigned to each building.
Winfield Scott Elementary:
Amanda Karleskint – 2nd grade
Shana Staton – Special Education
Amanda Johnson – Music
Kendal Bowles – Special Education
Eugene Ware Elementary:
Billie Marlow – 5th Grade
Angela Christy – 3rd Grade
Fort Scott Middle School:
D.J. Brown – Principal
Trey Brown – 7th Grade Social Studies
Kiel Simas – Physical Education
Fort Scott High School:
Jeff Johnson – Principal
Josh Regan – Assistant Principal
Drew Carney – Physical Education
Aleana Erie – English
Eliya Deckinger – Counselor
Marjorie Campbell – Special Education
Chloe Whitt – Drivers’ Education and Business
Jake Durossette – Business
Johnathon Stark – Physical Education
Jesse Turner – Special Education
Kansas Renewal Institute:
Christina Ellis – Elementary
New this year are textbooks and resources for middle and high school English Language Arts classes.
“We have also added a new curriculum for teaching Social and Emotional skills for Kindergarten through 12th grade called Satchel Pulse. The counselors will be using the curriculum to teach weekly lessons to our students throughout the district.”
On the horizon is a new preschool location.
“We are awaiting the architectural drawings for the new preschool building on Horton (at the intersection of 9th Street) to be approved by the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office. As soon as those are approved, we will go out to bid on the work inside the building. In the meantime, we will be having dirt work and waterproofing done on the outside of the building.”
SparkWheel- Sparking Success for Students in Uniontown Receives Grant
CFSEK Awards $180,000 in 2025 General Funds Grants
Since 2001, the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) General Funds grant cycle has been making a difference across the region. This year is no different, with $180,000 granted to 68 organizations in 20 towns across 10 SEK counties for projects in the focus areas of Arts & Culture, Basic Human Needs, and Youth Activities. Since 2001, the CFSEK General Funds grant cycle has awarded over $2,100,000 in competitive grants across SEK!
“Our General Funds grant cycle is always a highlight for us because it allows us to support all of Southeast Kansas,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “Our review committee has the opportunity to evaluate proposals from so many different communities, each with their own unique needs. We are proud to support these wonderful organizations that work hard to improve our region.”
This year’s recipients are:
Arts & Culture
- Altamont Flag Day INC- Bringing Art and Culture to Altamont Flag Day 2026
- Cato Historical Preservation Association, Inc.- Cato Celebration for Kids (Cato Kids Day)
- First Baptist Church Riverton- BE THE ART
- Josiah Fletcher Foundation- Josiah Fletcher Jazz Camp Theme
- Northeast Unified School District #246- Less Stress Through Crafting
- Oswego Historical Society- Historic Arts Workshop Series for Youth
- Safe Families for Children- Support Through Reading
Basic Human Needs
- Building Health, Inc.- Unlocking Home
- Caney Valley Agape Network, Inc.- Family Crisis Intervention
- Care Cupboard Hygiene Pantry- Hygiene for Hope
- Catholic Charities Inc.- Housing and Homeless Services
- Catholic Diocese of Wichita – The Lord’s Diner-Pittsburg- Healthy Bodies, Healthy Living
- Cherokee County Health Department- Good Night, Sleep Tight, Protecting Babies, With All of Our Might
- CLASS LTD- Client Emergency Assistance Fund
- Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas- SEK Diaper Stock
- Cornerstones of Care- Stopping the Spiral
- Crosstimbers Food Pantry Association- Cooking on a Budget with Shelf Stable Foods
- DBLO Association- No Longer Sleeping on the Floor for SEK Children
- Dream Center of the 4 States- Help and Hope Community Meal Project
- Family Resource Center, Inc.- Detection and Prevention of Bed Bugs in Cherokee and Crawford Counties
- First Baptist Church Riverton- Share with Love Food Pantry
- First United Methodist Church Wesley House- One Monty Supply for Food Pantry
- Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries- Restore
- Foster Adopt Connect, Inc.- Family Stabilization Assistance
- Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County KS, Inc- Handicap Accessible Ramps for Two Crawford County Families
- Homer Cole Community Center Inc- Height Matters…
- Hospital District 1 Crawford County Foundation- Pressure Check: Expanding Access to Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Integrated Behavioral Technologies, Inc- Acquisition of Needed Assessments and Program Materials for SEK Autism Program
- Labette County Emergency Assistance Center- Emergency funds for Labette County Residents
- Mosaic- Making Healthy Lives Happen for People with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities in SE KS
- Outside the Wire Veterans Foundation- Unit Reunification and Mental Health Wellness retreat
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States- Meeting Basic Human Needs for Families with Hospitalized Children
- Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc- Soles for Survivors
- SE Kansas Women Helping Women- Basic Needs
- Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging- 60+ Nutrition Kitchen Upgrades
- Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center- Assertive Community Treatment
- Southwind Extension Education Foundation Inc- Libraries with Heart: Empowering Rural Communities to Take Charge of their heart Health
- Stay Strong Live Long Wilson County- Free Community Baby Shower
Youth Activities
- Arma Rec- Arma Rec Free Signup for Basketball and 2 New Goals
- Caney Valley Agape Network, Inc.- At-Risk Youth Support
- Care to Share Cancer Support Group of Bourbon County, Kansas, Inc.- FortFest 25
- Chanute Public Library- Literacy4Littles
- City of Mulberry- New Playground Equipment for Park
- City of Pittsburg – Memorial Auditorium- 2025/2026 School Outreach Series
- City of West Mineral, Kansas- A Gathering Place for All
- Compass Academy Network, Inc.- Pitsco Modules at Compass Academy Network in SEK, 2026
- Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Inc.- Exploration Through Energy Release
- Families and Children Together Inc.- Autism Safe and Play
- Fostering Connections- Teen Impact Events
- Frontenac USD 249- Next Gen Assembly at Frontenac USD 250
- Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland- First Aid and Safety Fair
- Inspire Health Foundation, Inc.- Inspire Health Careers
- Kids First Daycare- New Playground Equipment
- Learning Tree Institute at Greenbush- Interactive Video Wall
- Miners Hall Museum Foundation- Franklin Community Park Playground Improvements
- Oswego Historical Society- Voices of Oswego: Youth Oral History Recording and Digital Access Project
- Our Lady of Lourdes Parish/St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools- Playground Fun
- Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America- Ozark Trails Council Recruitment Activity Materials
- Pittsburg Kiwanis Club (Noon)- Kiwanis Park Improvements
- Reach One Teach One Foundation- Youth QPR Suicide Prevention Training
- SEK Running Camp- The Running Camp
- SparkWheel- Sparking Success for Students in Uniontown
- Special Olympics Kansas- Unified Games in Southeast Kansas
- Spring River Mental Health and Wellness- Pathfinders 2025-2026
- The Foster Closet, Inc.- Family Enrichment Events
- The Salvation Army- Gifting Indoor & Outdoor Play Items
- USD 257- Writing Our Way Out: Publishing Youth Perspectives in Allen County
- Victory Life Church- Back2School Event 2025
CFSEK also granted $5,000 for youth activities to each of its affiliate foundations in Columbus, Fort Scott, and Girard.
CFSEK would like to congratulate this year’s recipients and thank them for their work in Southeast Kansas every day, making this a great place to call home.
USD234 Minutes from July 14
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
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, July 14, 2025
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.
Vice President Stewart Gulager opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
06-09-2025
06-13-2025
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – June 20, 2025 – $2,017,520.07
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
June KASB Policy Updates
Extended Trips 2025-26
Fundraising Applications 2025-26
Resolution 25-01 Destructions of Records
Resolution 25-02 Waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Resolution 25-03 Rescinding Policy Statements found in Board Minutes
Resolution 25-04 Establish Home Rule by Board of Education
Designation of Banks for deposit of school funds
FSHS activity funds – City State Bank
FSM activity funds – Union State Bank
Eugene Ware activity funds – UMB Bank
Winfield Scott activity funds – UMB Bank
USD 234 District-Landmark National Bank, UMB Bank, KMIP, Citizens Bank
Set fees for copying records.
10 cents per page for employees
10 cents per page for alumni
15 cents per page for non-employees
20 cents per page for color copies
Mileage reimbursement – current state mileage rate
For information only – as of 01/01/25 – 70 cents
2025-26 School Fees
Recreation Commission Board Member Term
Tammy Hill – June 30, 2026
Vincent Ratcliff – June 30, 2027
Dave Fly – June 30, 2027
Adam Lancaster – June 30, 2026
Dillon Duffy – June 30, 2026
Designation of newspaper for official school publications – Fort Scott Tribune
Offices for the 2025-26 School Year
KASB Government Relations Network Representative – Board President
Food Service Hearing Officer/Compliance Coordinator for Federal
Anti-Discrimination Laws – Terry Mayfield
Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act/Coordinator/Point of Contact for Child Welfare Agencies – Destry Brown & Zach Johnson
District Foster Care Liaison – Zach Johnson
Freedom of Information Officer – Haley Houdashelt
Food Service Program Representative – Robin Button
Clerk – Candace Jobe
Deputy Clerk – Terry Mayfield
KPERS Representative/KiCS Designated Representative Member – Angela Robinson
Treasurer – Rhonda Dawson
LCP Coordinator/Coordinator for Homeless Children/ 504 Coordinator – Zach Johnson
Fort Scott High School Attendance Officer – Assistant Principal
Fort Scott Middle School Attendance Officer – Matt Harris
Eugene Ware Attendance Officer – Brandon Boyd
Winfield Scott Attendance Officer – Nicole Gilmore
Resolution 25-05 KMIP Signers
Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the Patterson Grant that the district as applied for. He also gave a shared report about JAG and the great work Kevin Flanner has done with the class this last school year.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided the Board with an update on the Preschool building and the progress being made in the facility. He updated on summer projects in each department and how each is gearing up for the new school year. Last school year’s budget has been closed and they are beginning to work on this year.
Assistant Superintendent Zach Johnson updated the Board on being a part of interviewing potential employees. He also will be bringing reports in the upcoming Board Meeting with the iReady scores.
The Board Approved the following items:
- 2025-26 District Handbooks
- 2025-26 Emergency Operations
- Resolution 25-06 Revenue Neutral Declaration to the Bourbon County Clerk
- Resolution 25-07 Supplemental General Budget Percentage
- iReady Subscription Renewal
- Edgenuity License Renewal
- KASB 2025-26 Workers’ Compensation Renewal
- Preschool Gym Heater Bid with CDL Electric
- Eugene Ware/Winfield Scott Rooftop Unit Replacement bid with KtK Electric, LLC
- Classified Staff Salary Schedule
- Administrator’s Salary Schedule
- Special Services Salary Schedule
- Director’s Salary Schedule
- Supplemental Salary Schedule
- DATES SET FOR:
Revenue Neutral Declaration to County Clerk – July 14, 2025
Budget Presentation – August 11, 2025
Publication in Paper – August 12, 2025
Revenue Neutral Hearing – September 8, 2025
Budget Hearing – September 8, 2025
Budget Certified to State – Before September 20, 2025
Budget Certified to County Clerk – Before October 1, 2025
There were none present for public forum.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
Vice President Stewart Gulager adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
July 14, 2025
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations:
Johnson, Jeff – Principal – High School
Regan, Josh – Assistant Principal – High School
Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year:
Coen, Serenity – Paraprofessional – Preschool
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
High School Supplemental
U235 Board Agenda for July 14 at 7:30 p.m.
FSHS Senior Ali Simhiser Is Competing At The Junior National Wrestling Championship
Ali Simhiser, who will be a senior at Fort Scott High School this fall, is the only female Fort Scott wrestler to be invited to the 2025 U.S. Marine Corps Junior National Women’s Freestyle Wrestling Championship, held July 10-19 in Fargo, ND.
The event is at the Fargo Dome and men’s wrestling Freestyle and Greco-Roman athletes will also compete.
“It’s the largest in the world and a pretty big deal to be invited,” said her Aunt Stephannie Erie, who submitted the information. “She is the first female from First Scott to attend. She is also ranked 2nd in her weight class of 190lbs in the state for 4A.”
“She is a two-time state qualifier, placing 3rd at state, winning a Southeast Kansas League Championship, and reaching a huge milestone—100 career wins and pins as a junior.”
Alvin Metcalf is the head wrestling coach at Fort Scott High School.
Agenda for USD234 for July 14
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
July 14, 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 Reorganization of New Board (Action)
5.0 Financial Audit Review
6.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
6.1 Board Minutes
06-09-2025
06-13-2025
6.2 Financials – Cash Flow Report
6.3 Check Register
6.4 Payroll – June 20, 2025 – $2,017,520.07
6.5 Activity Funds Accounts
6.6 USD 234 Gifts
6.7 June KASB Policy Updates
6.8 Extended Trips 2025-26
6.9 Fundraising Applications 2025-26
6.10 Resolution 25-01 Destructions of Records
6.11 Resolution 25-02 Waiver of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
6.12 Resolution 25-03 Rescinding Policy Statements found in Board Minutes
6.13 Resolution 25-04 Establish Home Rule by Board of Education
6.14 Designation of Banks for deposit of school funds
6.15 Set fees for copying records
6.16 Mileage reimbursement – current state mileage rate
6.17 2025-26 School Fees
6.18 Recreation Commission Board Member Term
6.19 Designation of newspaper for official school publications
6.20 Offices for the 2025-26 School Year
6.21 Resolution 25-05 KMIP Signers
7.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
8.0 New Business
8.1 2025-26 District Handbooks (Action)
8.2 2025-26 Emergency Operations Procedures (Action)
8.3 Set Dates for Budget Presentation, Revenue Neutral Hearing and Budget Hearing (Action)
8.4 Revenue Neutral Declaration to the Bourbon County Clerk (Action)
Resolution 25-06
8.5 Resolution 25-07 Supplemental General Budget Percentage (Action)
8.6 iReady Subscription Renewal (Action)
8.7 Edgenuity License Renewal (Action)
8.8 2025-26 KASB Workers’ Compensation Renewal (Action)
8.9 Preschool Gym Heater Bids (Action)
8.10 Eugene Ware & Winfield Scott Rooftop Unit Replacement (Action)
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________
11.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
Federal Funding Freeze Will Affect USD 234
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.
“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
How Federal Education Funding Freeze Will Effect U235 School District
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.
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
U235 Special Negotiations Meeting Is June 30
The Business Retention and Expansion Survey Summary
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.
Submitted by Jody Love
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc.
Rural Community Partners
President and CEO
Office: 620-224-2563 Ext. 4
Cell: 620-215-2892
104 North National
Fort Scott, KS 66701