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Fort Scott Community College

Ronda Bailey Retires From FSCC

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Ronda Bailey, submitted photo.

This is part of a series highlighting educators who will retire this school year.

In spite of the world crisis, life goes on, and FortScott.Biz will continue to  feature stories of local interest.

 

Ronda Bailey, 63, has been an educator at Fort Scott Community College for 36 years, teaching English, music and education.

She is retiring this year.

The best part of teaching for Bailey has been being with the students, she said. ” I love the classroom. I love seeing them succeed when they never thought they would; or sharpen their skills. Also, I enjoy watching them discover who they are and what they want to do with their lives.”

” I am heartbroken that I will not get to have the remainder of this year with the students who were in my classes, but I also know that some of them will be in my life after this is over. Many of my former students stay in touch, and I love it.  I am excited for the all-school reunion at Uniontown later this year.”

 

How did you become an educator?

“I remember sitting in my seventh-grade music class in Bronaugh listening to my band teacher Betty Jo Laflen. As I sat there, I realized I wanted to do what she did.  I am excited that this fall, I will be substituting for Bronaugh’s current band director while she is on maternity leave. It is exciting for me to go back to the room where my career started.”

 

Did someone inspire you to teach?

“There were many, but four come to mind. The first was my Aunt, Florence Mason. She taught in many of the one-room schools in Bourbon County.  She took me with her to school one day. I believe that was the day I thought teaching could be fun. I already mentioned Betty Jo Laflen. I told her that I wanted to do what she did.  She then mentored me.  She encouraged me by having me take solos to contest,  perform in ensembles at Bronaugh and PSU, and take voice, piano, and clarinet lessons. She continued in that mentor role throughout my career. Sharon Pruitt was the band director at Bronaugh after Mrs. Laflen resigned. Sharon has been a mentor too, and she was piano teacher my senior year. She prepared me for college. All of these women were positive role models that I was fortunate to have in my life. The last person taught me community college teaching, band directing, and recruiting was Robert Estes. He would explain the how and why he directed a composition a certain way, how to organize a music festival and much more.  My Aunt Florence died several years ago, but the other three are still very much in my life.  I am blessed.”

 

What have been the greatest challenges?

“Leaving Uniontown School District and leaving Fort Scott Community College.

The Uniontown school district, parents, and children accepted me with open arms. It was a time of great music there. We all worked toward a common goal, and we were successful marching, competing in contest competitions, and learning to love music. It was a wonderful time in my life, and it was so hard to leave..

” Leaving FSCC is a challenge too.  FSCC has been in my life for nearly 40 years. I walked on that campus a scared girl from Bronaugh who did not think she could achieve her dream of teaching, but FSCC was the perfect fit. I was in every music ensemble, second runner-up homecoming queen representing Christians on Campus, and student government. I was the Greyhound Express editor, and Bernita Hill, the sponsor, taught me so much about journalism and English. I have taught, in some capacity, at FSCC thirty-six years.  Walking out that door for the last time is hard.”

 

Thoughts on retiring?

“As I said previously, I am going to be a substitute at Bronaugh, Mo. I am excited to have my first summer without teaching summer classes for the first time in fifteen years. I want to read some of the good books that I have not had a chance to read for a while and sew some.

“Hopefully, this pandemic will pass soon and my husband and I will be able to travel some. Until then we will work on our cattle ranch.”

 

 

Bailey received an AA from FSCC in 1976,   a BSED K-12 instrumental and choral music education from Missouri Southern State University,  a master’s in music and also an English certification for 7-12 and Advanced Studies English from Pittsburg State University, in addition, she attended Baker University for Advanced Studies English.

 

 

Bailey’s hometown is Bronaugh, Mo. She is married to  Roger and they have a daughter, Taylor.

 

 

Bailey has been involved in the community in the following ways: Bourbon County Arts Council Member, Bourbon County Fair Fashion Revue Superintendent, Bourbon County Fair Extension Unit Sewing Judge, Progressive Mother’s Club Member, and past president and vice president, Gordon Parks Center Board, member of Community Christian Church and worship accompanist.

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Schools

Karen Mix Retires From West Bourbon Elementary School

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Karen Mix. Submitted photo.

This is part of a series highlighting educators who will retire this school year.

In spite of the world crisis, life goes on, and FortScott.Biz will continue to  feature stories of local interest.

 

Karen Mix, 61, 30-year kindergarten teacher at West Bourbon Elementary School is retiring.

“I have been blessed to work at the USD 235 district,” Mix said.

She substituted in the district for three years, taught fifth-grade for one year, then began her career in kindergarten.

“There is so much satisfaction in teaching kindergarten,” Mix said. “It is amazing what these little ones can achieve in a year. The gains they make in knowledge, self-confidence, and social skills…I have gone to work to do a job that I love to do!  I have been able to sing, dance, laugh and have snacks every day!  Plus, I have actually gotten paid to do it!  I can only hope that I have touched my students’ lives in as many ways as they have mine.”

” I felt it was important to teach kindness and respect for each other,” she said. ” We said the Golden Rule every day, I always told them that it was not just a 5-year-olds rule but a rule for all your life!
I think sometimes a kindergarten teacher’s role in a child’s life is not always understood by many people. Many times I have been the first role model they have met since leaving their parents. I have so many roles in class…drying tears, hugging fears away, fixing girls hair, zipping, tying shoes, teaching them to look, listen, learn and have fun. It has been a crazy ride and I have loved every minute of it!!!

Mix received her education from Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott Community College, then Pittsburg State University and finally Walden University where she earned her Masters Degree in Reading.

Her second-grade teacher who became her aunt, Hazel Ploeger, inspired her to teach, she said.

Her hometown is  Independence, Mo.  but she moved to Fort Scott, when 17 years old.

Mix married her husband,  Mike, at 19 years old and they bought the farm they have lived on since.

“We have two sons, Evan married to Marci,  one grandson, and twins due in April. And our youngest son, Matthew.”

Mix has been involved in her community as a member of the Fulton United Methodist Church.

One of the greatest challenges in teaching for Mix was keeping up with the many changes that the state requires of schools, she said.

Retirement?

“I am looking forward to spending more time with my husband and my grandchildren,” she said.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Read An Ebook During This Time Of Social Distancing

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Fort Scott Public Library

 

Fort Scott Public Library Director Lisa Walther is working to get access to reading books from your cellphone or computer during this time of social distancing.

You can sign up for a library card.

“If you already have an account with us and need assistance getting ebooks, please email me and I will try to troubleshoot for you, Walther said. “If you DO NOT have an account with us, go to our catalog at www.seknfind.org and create an account. I will adjust that account so you will be able to check out from our electronic resources. If you have a library card, you already have access. Our intent is to provide access to those of you who don’t have an account.

This is for Bourbon County residents only, she said.

The following is a press release sent by Walther.

 

“If you don’t have an account/card with us, we now have a way for you to access our online ebook resources. Go to www.seknfind.org and create an account. Be sure you make note of your password and that your email is correct. I recommend that you sign in and change your password.

If you want access on the day that you create your account, email me at either [email protected] or [email protected] Please include your full name in your email. If you wait, I will run a report every morning and convert accounts at that time.

““I will edit your account so that you have access to our digital resources hoopladigital and sunflowerelibrary Then I will send you an email with your digital account number and your username. If you have a particular username that you prefer, please let me know by email. The system automatically assigns a name: firstname.lastname. but I can change that if you wish.

See our website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org for links and more information. Since this is an experiment, it’s likely we’ll add updates as questions and problems arise.

At this time, we are limiting our digital accounts to Bourbon County residents.

If you already have a card with us, please don’t create a new account. Email me with your question, and I’ll try to resolve it. Please include your name and card number in your email.

If you are interested in the Kansas Library eCard, I can set you up. Email me with your name, including middle initial, birthdate, and verify that you live in Kansas.”

Business, Fort Scott

Common Ground Open And Has New Drive-Through Window

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Brady Masters, Fort Scott,  gives change to a coffee customer at the new Common Ground Coffee Co. ‘drive-through window, which opened March 23.. Courtesy photo.

Common Ground Coffee Co. moved locations a few blocks down and around the corner and  is now located at 12 E. Wall.

A new drive-through window was opened yesterday, March 23 and can be accessed in the alley east of the coffee shop.

“We were closed March 7th-10th and reopened on Wednesday, March 11th,” Kaitlynn Davis, events planner for the coffee company said.  “If you give our Facebook profile a follow at Common Ground Coffee Co., you will be able to find our… menu.”

Menu on the wall of Common Ground Coffee Company. Kenny Felt Photography.

They are not open for the dine-in option currently, because of the emergency disaster declaration from the government due to COVID 19 virus fears.

There is online ordering or a take-out menu can be picked up at the drive-through window, Brady Masters, an employee said.

Approach the new drive-thru window from  First Street in the alley between National Avenue and Main St.

“You will have to dodge some holes, poles and a dumpster but it will be worth it,” according to the Common Ground Coffee Company Facebook page.

“All you have to do is give Common Ground Coffee a call at 620-223-2499, and we will be more than happy to serve you,” Davis said. The hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Common Ground Coffee Company, 12 E. Wall. Kenny Felt Photography.

“The current up to date menu for Common Ground Coffee Company is on our website, which is Fscommonground.com,” Davis said.

 

“We have 17 hard-working employees…” Davis said.  “All of our employees are put through a training process that takes place in Kansas City, Kansas. They all learn specialized skills in Kansas City that they bring to the coffee shop and use to serve our beloved costumers.”

Common Ground Coffee Company, 12 E. Wall. Kenny Felt Photography.

The owner of Common Ground is the Fort Scott Nazarene Church, the owners of the newly restored building in which it is housed are Adam and Jennifer LaRoche, Davis said.

Common Ground is a non-profit organization owned by Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene. They strive to unite the community by providing a “Common Ground” experience.

“All who wish to stop in, newcomers and regulars alike, are welcome as they partner with us to benefit our community with all profits made,” according to its’ Facebook page.

Common Ground Coffee Company, 12 E. Wall. Kenny Felt Photography.

Did You Display Art Work At the Former Coffee Shop Site?

The former coffee shop space had many artist’s paintings displayed.  The paintings were not able to move with the shop.

See their Facebook page for photos of the artwork that is looking for its’ owner.

Area News, Fort Scott Community College

Larry Shead Retiring From FSCC

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Larry Shead. Submitted photo.
Larry Shead, 69,  instructor at Fort Scott Community College will retire in May.
A  teacher of computer science classes at the college for the last 20 years,  Shead worked in private business, then as principal of a local school and began his career at FSCC in 2000.
Even though his college degree is in mathematics, his involvement in his church got him into eduction.
“When our church started Faith Christian Academy and our children attended there, I was involved as a parent,” he said. “Later, I was involved as the principal of the school.”
” I have several preachers and teachers in my ancestry.,” Shead said. “However,  my children are the main reason I got involved in education.  I believe that children get a much better education when their parents are involved in their education.  All of my grandchildren are being home-schooled by their parents.  They are very involved.”
“When my family moved to Garland from Joplin, in 1978, I had a job as a computer programmer at the Western Insurance Companies,” Shead said.  “After that, I worked for Midwestern Distribution for a short period, then Farm and Home in Nevada.  I got more into education after that as the Principal of Faith Christian Academy for 10 years.  I taught at FSCC as a night time adjunct instructor while working at the Western.  In 2000, I began as a full-time employee at FSCC and soon became the Computer Science teacher when Dennis Smirl retired.”
Shead attended  Arcadia High School, then graduated from Pittsburg  High School, Pittsburg, before earning a  Bachelor of Science – Mathematics from Kansas State College of Pittsburg. and also attended  Ozark Christian College for one year. He received a Master of Arts in Education from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK.
His hometown is Arcadia, KS and has been married to his wife, Vickie for 47 years.
They have four married children-Mark (Haley) Shead, Fort Scott, Michael (Chrisi) Shead, Chichicastenango, Guatemala; Maria (Clayton) Whitson, Garland, KS; Mitzi (Joel) Ray, Tulsa, OK and  20 grandchildren.
His community involvement is Faith Church on the prayer team; Bourbon County Republican Central Committee; Christians on Campus Faculty Sponsor;  and International Student Coordinator at FSCC.
The best part of teaching  for Shead is  graduation, he said.  “Seeing these young people having completed their associate’s degree, or certificate and moving on to the next phase of life!”
The greatest challenge for Shead has been keeping students attention., he said.  “This age of gadgets has many distractions even in the classroom.”
” Some people ask me what I will do when I retire,” Shead said. ” I tell them, I have a farm.  I will not lack for something to do.  As my wife and I made a short trip recently, we made a list of items we need to do on our farm.   Also, our family in Guatemala has a new baby we have not seen.  We plan to make a trip to see them.  Hanging out with grandchildren is big on the list, too.”
Business, Fort Scott

Lance’s Looking At Bringing Groceries to Downtown Fort Scott

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Loren and Regena Lance, owners of Mildred Store in Allen County. Submitted photo.

Loren and Regena Lance are contemplating duplicating what they have done to the Mildred Store in Allen County, in downtown Fort Scott. They have a grocery store in the town of Mildred, population 26.

See the end of this feature for how to give input to the Lance’s.

 

The Mildred Store in Mildred,KS, population 26.

“Loren and I purchased the Mildred Store six years ago this coming June,” Regena Lance said.  “We purchased the existing store because we saw a community need. We have taken a store in the middle of basically nowhere and made it a hub to the community and developed it into a destination business.”

Produce offered by the Mildred Store. Submitted photo.

“We feel after nearly six years in business we have an idea of how to be competitive and provide a great service to our community,” she said. “We would hope to be able to duplicate this in Fort Scott, if we decide to pursue this opportunity.”

Mildred Store is known for sandwiches and live music that happens monthly.

Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.

” Several people from Fort Scott visit our Mildred Store, especially on the third Saturday of the month which is our ‘Music Night’ and had commented on how nice it would be to have a store like this in the downtown area of Fort Scott,” Regena said.

“After thinking it over and discussing it with employees of the city of Fort Scott, we have decided to give it further consideration,” she said.

Submitted photo  of the Mildred Store.

“The situation in Fort Scott is similar to what we saw in Mildred,” Regena said. “There is a need in a community that could be fulfilled by a small store that stocks all the basic goods and a few specialty items. We are not trying to compete with any other existing businesses in Fort Scott just hoping to fill a void that has become apparent in the downtown area.”

Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.

Location

No location has been determined yet, she said, but the future grocery store would be in downtown Fort Scott.

 

When

“If we do decide to move forward with this venture we will be looking a late spring start up,” she said.

Submitted photo of the Mildred Store.

 

Community Input Sought

“We are looking for community input on what they would like to see in a future store, as far as staple goods, store hours and any other possible suggestions,” Regena said. ” We would like to invite anyone interested to come visit the Mildred Store to see how we could model a new store off of our existing one. Mildred Store is open seven days a week Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.  to 4 p.m.”

“Music night is this Saturday night starting at 6:30 if anyone is interested in coming to see what’s happening in Mildred,” she said.

To comment ideas for staple goods and store hours, use the store’s Facebook page: Mildred Store or call  the store at 620-439-5424.

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Boiler Room Brewhaus: A Little Different

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Bryan and Barbara Ritter stand in front of the renovated area of the Broiler Room Brewhaus on Jan. 9.

Barbara Ritter, owner of Boiler Room Brewhaus at 2 S. National, has been extra busy since the new year began.

Her sister, Peggy, is a co-owner with Barbara and her husband, Bryan is the brewer.

Bryan and Barbara were doing the final touches of a recent reno last week.

Fort Scott’s first microbrewery is located on the busy corner of Wall Street and National Ave. The Ritter’s feature beer tastings, by the glass and take out.

Since having the business rebranded in the fall, they realized they needed to take some time to do some new things in the microbrewery.

They have expanded their tap selection.

“We are going to have six of our brews on at a time,” Barbara said. “We have been canning our beer since fall.”

They have been doing some decorative changes as well.

“Basically, we did a lot of painting,” Barbara said. “Walls, doors, vanities, tables…in nostalgic colors.”

Nostalgic colors were added to fit with the mid-century design of the building.
The restroom vanity was painted.

Since the building was built in 1960, “we have added some elements from that time period,” to the decor, she said.

The Ritters are looking for vintage photos of the Downtowner Hotel, which now houses the microbrewery.

“If anyone has any vintage photos of the Downtowner or people, that they would be willing to share…to purchase or display,” Ritter said, please contact them at 913.636.4892 or 620-644-5032.

“This building was completed in February 1960,” she said.

A vintage photo of the Downtowner in the 1970s. Paul Milks found the photo and one of the Goodlander Hotel in the Bourbon County Genealogical Society library.
The Boiler Room Brewhaus, 2 South National Avenue, Jan. 9, 2020.
The Goodlander Hotel was the original building on the site. It was demolished for the construction of the Downtowner Hotel, Ritter said.

The Ritter’s moved their business to the new site at the corner of National Avenue and Wall Street on June 1, 2018.

The old logo is gone and has been replaced with nostalgic ones:

Barbara Ritter displays some of the new logos on the glasses, etc.

Taco night is each Thursday at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, catered by Crooner’s Lounge.
Snacks and drinks are served each time the microbrewery is open.

Though the microbrewery doesn’t serve meals, they have menus from restaurants where people can order food and have it delivered or can bring it into the Brewhaus, she said.

“There is also a $5 taco bar catered by Crooner’s Lounge on Thursdays, $5 and you can eat all the tacos you want,” Barabara said.

They will also be offering some new appetizers.

Each Friday is karaoke from 7-9 p.m., and Sundays there are team trivia games from 5-7 p.m.

“We are looking to add a music bingo game, possibly on Saturday evenings,” she said. “We will try it once to see how it goes.”

“We are hoping to have musicians coming once a month,” she said. “There are three in the works so far for the next couple of months.”

Heather Fink did the lettering on the doors of the Boiler Room Brewhaus.

Currently, they have four part-time employees and two full-time.

“We are looking for one more part-time, one day a week,” she said. “Possibly an older employee with a good work ethic, who is looking for something to do.”

“We’ve had a really good year,” Barbara said. “Almost one-half of customers are new to Fort Scott. Fifty-one percent are local people.. We have a variety of people of all ages.”

“People say this is a cool little town,” she said. “This town has a lot to offer.”

 

Fort Scott Community College

FSCC Heads Into Next Century

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Fort Scott Community College has been a part of the community for over 100 years and it is looking to help future generations find their career path.

“Even though we are in an era of declining enrollment in Kansas colleges and universities; I am very positive about the future of FSCC due to the fact we have great faculty and staff that make student learning and student success their mission,”  FSCC President Alysia Johnston said. “We are also extremely fortunate to have an incredibly supportive community and Board of Trustees, which is greatly appreciated.”

On January 13, the spring semester at the college began.

To see the college calendar, click below:

http://www.fortscott.edu/calendar/month/2020-01

A recent 2019 Annual Report Centennial Edition gave glimpses of events throughout the years and named current offerings as well.

Thirty-seven fields of study are available to students: agriculture, art, biological science, business, certified medication aide, certified nurse aid, chemistry, computer science, construction trades, cosmetology, criminal justice, education, emergency medical technician, engineering, English, environmental water technology, farm and ranch management, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Technology, heating-ventilation-air conditioning, history, home health aide, John Deere Technology, mathematics,  manicuring, masonry, music, nursing, phlebotomy, physical education, physical science, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, speech, theater, and welding.

FSCC’s John Deere Progam has been recognized as a College of Tomorrow awardee by John Deere, Inc. The honor was earned because of program excellence, instructor development, internships, and facilities, according to the annual report.

The college marked 15 years in partnership with Harley-Davidson Motor Company. FSCC offers technician training in a hands-on Harley Davidson approved environment, equipping students with both knowledge and soft skills.

FSCC’s Nursing Program was ranked 2nd in Kansas because of its overall affordability and exemplary NCLEX pass rates after evaluating 36 nursing programs in the state.

In the college’s annual report, much has been accomplished in just the last year.

In 2019 FSCC initiated its eSports program, joining in a nation-wide growing collegiate sport: competitive video gaming. The FSCC eSports team helps students improve their gaming performance, social and leadership skills, according to the annual report.

 

Also, last year the college added onto the Burris Building, which gives FSCC agriculture program room for future growth.

Burris Hall on the campus of FSCC was expanded and the old section updated in 2019.

FSCC welcomed the new director of the Gordon Parks Museum, Kirk Sharp, after being a part of the Gordon Parks committee for over a decade. Kirk will work to advance the legacy and memory of visionary artist Gordon Parks.

Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director Kirk Sharp, center, looks over donated photos of the film “The Learning Tree” with onlookers during the Gordon Parks Celebration in Oct. 2019.

Sports Added

Women’s golf and track and field programs were added to the college in 2019.

 

New Board of Trustees Members

Two new board of trustees were elected in Nov. 2019: Dave Elliott and Kirk Hart. A third trustee Bill Meyer was selected to fill the vacancy of his wife, Liz, who died at the end of 2019.

 

2020

 

“The expectation for 2020 is to continue to meet the needs of our students, community, faculty, and staff, as well as all of our stakeholders,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said.

FSCC retiree Carolyn Sinn, from left, and FSCC Centennial speaker Gina Shelton, help FSCC Class of 1941 graduate Esther Sewell cut the Centennial Celebration cake while President Alysia Johnston, along with centennial speakers Mark Muller, Marcel Normand and Jim Barrows watch in the background, in September 2019.

Some of the events in 2020 include:

Bailey Hall

The fundraising for the renovation of Bailey Hall at the college continues.

“We have a plan for Bailey Hall renovation with a price tag of around one million dollars,” Johnston said.  “However, until we have more money we will not begin the project and we have no timeline for now.  We hope to use the money donated by Mr. and Mrs. Bailey as seed money to receive more dollars.”

“All gifts would be greatly appreciated and people can contact our Chief Development Officer, Jeff Tadtman, 620 223-2700 ext. 5830 [email protected]”

 

Men’s Golf

The college will start a men’s golf program in August 2020.

 

 

Accreditation

“Accreditation is critical to the college as it allows us not only to ensure we are Title IV eligible (federal student financial aid), but we maintain high quality and transferable courses and programs,” Johnston said. “Accreditation is a peer-review, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. ”

“Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved.”

” We will have our first Assurance Argument due this June under the Higher Learning Commissions (HLC) Open Pathway accreditation, and we have a committee that has been working on documentation and narrative for the Assurance Argument for at least a year.”

“We were fortunate to be placed in the Open Pathway accreditation model when we received our 10-year accreditation from HLC in 2016. The Open Pathway is a less prescriptive model for accreditation and allows us to determine our own path of continuous improvement.”

 

Nursing Program Evaluation

“The Nursing Program is scheduled for a comprehensive evaluation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN),” Johnston said. “ACEN is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) as a specialized accrediting agency for nursing education programs located in the United States and its territories.”

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Government

Bourbon County Commissioner Answers Questions on Raises

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Lynne Oharah, District One Bourbon County Commissioner. Submitted photo

Bourbon County Commissioners are trying to close the gap in wages for its’ elected officials, according to chairman Lynne Oharah.

Recently the commission raised four elected officials earnings with a combined total of $46,000.

At the Dec. 17, 2019 county commission meeting Ohara made a motion to approve a salary resolution for elected officials effective Dec. 15, 2019, according to commission minutes. This raised the clerk and treasurer’s salary to $47,248 annually, the register of deeds to 44,821 and the sheriff’s salary to $60,000. Commissioner Jeff Fisher seconded and all commissioners approved.

Ohara then made a motion approving a wage resolution for Bourbon County employees changing the following: the salary for the correctional center captain, the emergency preparedness director and the deputy county appraiser were raised to $35,568 annually to comply with the U.S. Dept. Of Labor standards for salaried employees. A Maintenance 5 position was added at a rate of $17.47 per hour.  Commissioner Nick Ruhl seconded and all were in favor of those changes.  The economic development director’s salary was changed to $70,000 a year on the same resolution.

Jeff Fischer, District 2 Bourbon County Commissioner.

Ohara made a motion to approve changing her salary to $70,000. He said that if Bourbon County gets an administrative fee from Phase 2 of the Healthy Bourbon County Grant then part of the $70,000 salary would be subsidized from the grant, Fisher seconded this motion, Ruhl voted against this motion,  and the motion passed.

Nick Ruhl, District 3 Bourbon County Commissioner.

The following is an interview with Bourbon County Commissioner Lynn Oharah.

He started with a  history of the raises.

“In 2015, Sheriff Martin contracted an agency to do a wage study to compare Bourbon County wages with other comparable counties because he thought there was a large wage disparity between Bourbon County employees and other like counties,” Commissioner  Oharah said. “The county commissioners also accessed Kansas county wage information from the ks.gov website. The results indicated that Bourbon County wages were significantly behind our peers. The commissioners resolved to address these wage disparities and devised a plan to increase FTE (Full Time equivalent) positions first and address the next positions that had the most wage disparity, which happened to be the elected officials. Along with this effort we wanted to incentivize employees to continue working for the county and we did this by approving a $100 per year of service longevity pay increase.”

Where did the money come from to give the raises?
“We gave four elected officials raises when combined totaled $46,000.00. This money came from most of the departments managing their budgets and workforce which created a carryover from the 2015 and forward budget years. These wage increases did not increase the mill levy and this carryover gave us the resources to create a competitive wage with our peers although Bourbon County wages are still on the low side.”
What is the justification for the doubling of the earnings of the Bourbon County Economic Development Director?

 

“This position was initially created to see how the position could help the county,” Oharah said.  “It was created with a minimum of 20 hours of work per week at $35,000 annual salary and we would look at the performance and scope to see if we needed to increase the hours and wages.”

“Our economic developer has been a great asset and for the first six months spent a lot of time helping get the Bourbon County Ambulance Service up and running along with the other duties.”

“Since then all Bourbon County businesses and government entities have been contacted and surveyed to address their needs and identify what’s important to them.  Also, new businesses have been guided through the process of starting a business, grants have been written, the County NRP program has been implemented and coordinated under economic development.  Meetings and plans regarding healthcare are ongoing with economic development highly involved. This is just naming a few projects that are ongoing and the time spent well exceeds what was required.”

“Based on the need, the commission voted to increase the economic development salary and scope. The salary was based on what was being paid to other economic development directors in our surrounding market and the Bourbon County Economic Development budget is still lower than most of our competitive counties.”

 

“Bourbon County needs to grow and prosper and we cannot get there by doing the same thing that we have been doing for the last 100 years,” Oharah said.
The commission meets on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at the courthouse.
To contact Ohara: 620-223-3800, ext 110; Fisher at ext. 112 and Ruhl at ext. 111.
Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Health Care

Via Christi Opens Clinic in Downtown Fort Scott Jan. 13

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Dr. Katrina Burke, courtesy of Ascension Via Christi.

Dr. Katrina Burke’s first day at the new AscensionVia Christi Medical Clinic in downtown Fort Scott is Monday, Jan. 13.

She will be accepting new obstetrics and pediatric patients.

Burke will also see previous patients but is accepting no new adult patients, according to her receptionist Kristal Farmer.

Dr. Burke said that the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), her previous employer, did not send out letters, telling of the change to her patients when she left on Dec. 31. She had given CHC a 90 days notice of her intent to leave CHC/SEK.

Hours for the clinic, located at 109 S. Main (north of the Liberty Theater) are 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday.

Thursday afternoon she is out of the office, but is in the office in the morning, according to her receptionist.

To contact the office call 620-223-7008.

109 S.Main is the new location of Ascension Via Christi’s Medical Clinic in downtown Fort Scott. A new sign will be up soon.
Ascension Via Christi employee Niki Bishir mans the desk of the new medical clinic on Jan. 9. She was temporary, while the employees were in an orientation meeting, she said.
Dr. Katrina Burke has already added her personal touches to the new clinic: a hallway lined with a photo of her family and framed degrees she has earned during her career as a medical doctor.

New clinic employees are Farmer, Registered Nurse Rachel Judy, and Medical Assistant Chelsea Harrison.

For more information about the clinic, visit
viachristi.org/ftscott-clinic.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Free Parenting Classes Offered at The Health Department

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The Public Health Department, located on 6th Street, between Lowman and Horton Streets, Fort Scott.

“Parenting the Love and Logic Way”, a free parenting class, will be conducted by Jan and Dave Elliott, with class pre-registration beginning next week.

Jan and Dave Elliott. Submitted photo.

The Elliotts are independent facilitators of the curriculum.

Classes are presented in six sessions beginning Jan. 23  at 6:00 P.M. at the Health Department. Other sessions will be Jan. 30, February 6, February 13, February 20, and February 27.

There is no charge for participation in the sessions but space can be limited.

The new site for the health department is located at 524 S. Lowman St., 6th and Lowman Streets in Fort Scott.

Please pre-register at the health department by calling 620-223-4464.  The deadline for sign up is Jan. 16th.  The target audience is individuals that have children or take care of children.

 

The curriculum was developed by Jim Fay, Ph.D., and Foster W. Cline, M.D. of the Love and Logic Institute Inc. in Golden, Colorado.

“The goal of the program is to provide parents the opportunity to gain practical and proven tools for raising respectful, responsible, and happy children,” Alice Maffet, RN, said.  “The program will teach responsibility and character, how to lower your stress level, have immediate and positive effects and up the odds that you will enjoy lifelong positive relationships with your children and grandchildren.”

For more information, click below:

https://www.loveandlogic.com/

 

 

Bourbon County, Schools

Mentoring Program to Support Youth at USD235

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Meaghan Russell meets with a student for lunch on Jan. 7 in the conference room at West Bourbon Elementary School, Uniontown. Russell is a school counselor and facilitator of the district’s mentoring program, TeamMates, that will be starting soon.

USD 235 staff have been working on the details of a mentoring program for the district’s students since August 2019.

 

On January 15, the school district will implement the program with training for mentors.

 

Mentors and mentees will meet during the student’s lunch period to eat and talk. There is a conference room available should the mentors/mentees want a little quieter space to talk.

 

Permission slips will be sent home with students for parents to agree to their child having a mentor.

 

“Once the forms come back signed, we will begin to match mentors with mentees, and the program will officially be up and running,” Meaghan Russell, one of the TeamMates USD 235 facilitators, said.

 

“We work with Michael McCambridge out of Greenbush (Education Service Center),” she said.

 

“We also have an advisory committee consisting of… Mike Reith (JH/HS principal), Vance Eden (elementary principal), Bret Howard (superintendent), Jeanne Camac (JH/, HS counselor), Marty DeWitt (Uniontown Baptist Church pastor), Chad Holt (banker), Sally Johnson (city clerk), Jeff Feagins (HS business teacher and pastor of Marmaton Church),” Russell said.

“The TeamMates Coordinators are out of Nebraska, and they will be here on January 15th to conduct the training,” she said.

 

The following is an interview with Russell:

What is the purpose of the program?
      “The purpose of the program is to build interpersonal skills in our students by having them talk with an adult from the community at lunch once a week.  This should not only help to build their communication skills, but also their confidence in talking with adults and having to get to know someone new.”
If one becomes a mentor, what are the expectations?
   “Mentors must be 18 years of age, willing to provide three references, able to pass a background check, and willing to attend a one-time, two-hour training.  After that, it just comes down to making the commitment to come and eat lunch with a student once a week.  We are very much in need of mentors, so if you are someone that has a flexible lunchtime, and you could sit with a student for twenty to thirty minutes once a week, we would love to have you participate!  Our students can easily keep you entertained as they are full of stories!”
Who is paying for the program?
  “This year, the school has paid the initial fees to get this program started.  That money covers the cost of the background checks, training, and all communication and support provided by the TeamMates coordinators and Greenbush.”
Initially, Third Through Fifth Grade
   “The TeamMates program recommends third through twelfth grade have mentors and trying to get as many students matched as possible.  This program is not intended for a certain demographic of students.  Initially, the plan is to begin with third through fifth-grade students, but then add grades as the program grows and expands.  Mentors will be matched with the same gender of students, and the matching will be based on interests and hobbies as much as possible.  One of the aspects that makes this program special is that all communication between the student and the mentor is to be done through the school.”
Why start a mentoring program?
   “When students leave our district, we want them to be as prepared as possible for what lies ahead for them.  We may not know what they are going to face, but we do know that relationship will be a part of it.  Any skills that they learn from talking with adults will definitely be beneficial to them in the long run.  Also, from a social/emotional perspective, we want to ensure that all students have connections to people.  Life has ups and downs, and it is nice to have a slightly larger circle of people to help listen to you in good times and in bad.  The benefit of going through the TeamMates organization to start this program is that they have already completed the research to successfully implement this in different schools, and they are a great support system to help launch this here at USD 235.”

Mentors are needed for the program.

 

If interested, go online to www.teammates.org/become-a-mentor or they can contact Russell for more information.  Her school email is [email protected] and the school phone is (620)-756-4335.

 

For more information about this program:  www.teammates.org.

TeamMates Mentoring Program began in 1991 with the vision of the University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Tom Osborne and his wife Nancy.  Osborne felt that the athletes in his program could make an impact on the middle school students, and twenty-two football players began meeting with middle school students in the Lincoln Public Schools. Of the 22 original mentees, 21 went on to graduate from high school while one left school early to pursue a successful Motocross career. Eighteen of the original mentees also obtained some form of post-secondary education.

The program has changed quite a bit since then. Now thousands of boys and girls across the Midwest are served, and mentors come from all walks of life. One thing, however, remains the same-mentors just have to be there. It’s that simple.