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, January 12, 2026
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
David Stewart welcomed new Board Members.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
12-08-25
Financials – Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – December 20, 2025 – $1,831,678.21
Activity Funds Accounts
USD 234 Gifts
Superintendent Destry Brown informed the Board on the new Tiger Academy. As of now there are five students enrolled and they are doing well. Mr. Brown reviewed the handbook and daily routine of the Academy.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided a shared document. Mr. Mayfield provided an update on the Preschool building, Wrestling Facility, and budget information.
Assistant Superintendent Zach Johnson updated the Board on testing scores over the last ten years. Staff was thanked for the improvement in results. There will be a Board planning meeting to be set up in February.
Special Education Director Tonya Barnes shared an update on state reports. The district scored 100% on the Indicator 12. Mrs. Barnes thanked the SPED staff for the hard work on these reports.
The Board approved the following:
- Resolution 25-14 To Establish Regular Board Meetings 2026
- Resolution 25-15 To Establish Election of School Board Officers
Administration has updated and consolidated USD 234’s Human Resources Processes & Procedures to improve clarity, consistency, and fiscal stewardship related to staffing and hiring. The update formalizes vacancy review, centralizes HR coordination, and standardizes onboarding and exit procedures, while preserving existing board authority and hiring practices.
There were none present for public forum.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
January 12, 2026
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Able, Andrew – Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Speech Coach – Middle School
Black, Staci – Retirement – Business Teacher – Middle School – end of 2025-26 school year
Burton, Toni – Termination – Teacher’s Aide – Middle School
Dotson, Destiny – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
Guss, Stewart – Retirement – Bus Driver
Harper, Amy – Resignation – Math Teacher – High School – end of 2025-26 school year
Lail, Brandon – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Robertson, Tom – Supplemental Resignation – Head Boys Golf Coach – High School
Shaw, Mike – Termination – Custodian – Eugene Ware
Young, Annie – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Leave of Absence:
Engstrom, Lauren – Middle School – Jan 19 through April 7
TRANSFER:
Barnes, Jon – Supplemental – Assistant Boys Golf Coach to Head Boys Golf Coach – High School
Ruggero, Lucretia – Paraprofessional to ISS Supervisor – High School
EMPLOYMENT:
Classified Recommendations for 2025-26 School year:
Harper, Melonie – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Ingraham, Elizabeth – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Lemcke, Hailey – Paraprofessional – High School
VanBuskirk, Don – Student Support – Middle School
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
Collins, Clayton – Supplemental – Assistant Baseball Coach – High School
Nelson, Andrew – Supplemental – Academic Team – Winfield Scott
Ruggero, Lucretia – Supplemental – Assistant Debate & Forensics – High School