This is a series featuring those who are candidates for the upcoming August Primary Election.
This is part of the series featuring the seven candidates running for Bourbon County Commission.
Jim Harris, 2nd District Bourbon County Commissioner, and current chair.
Jim Harris, 69, Fort Scott, is the incumbent District 2 Commissioner.
He attended Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College.
Harris has 34 years of experience in government. Duties with the city: planning and zoning administrator, codes director, and special public projects. With the county: sanitary inspector, emergency preparedness director, and public works director.
He has been married 52 years. “I have two wonderful sons and a daughter-in-law, and two grandsons one at Fort Scott Community College and one grandson is a Fort Scott Tiger.”
“Having served both the City of Fort Scott and the County for most of my professional life, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact of commissioners’ decisions on every aspect of our county’s functioning,” he said. “From my tenure in various managerial capacities within the city to my time with the county’s Public Works department, I have cultivated a deep understanding of our community’s needs and challenges.”
The most pressing issue of the commission? In these challenging times, with significant projects and economic intricacies at play, it’s vital to prioritize sound fiscal stewardship and resolute leadership. I assure the constituents of District 2 that I’ll continue to serve them with the same dedication and determination that has marked my time in office thus far.”
Brandon Whisenhunt, Submitted photo.
Brandon Whisenhunt has lived in Mapleton with his wife Becky for over 24 years and they have four children. He was recently selected to replace Nelson Blythe as District 1 Commissioner.
He graduated from Uniontown High School and then served the country and was deployed to Iraq twice as an equipment operator and mechanic.
As part of community service, he helps organize the Mapleton Homecoming Celebration every year.
“I currently work for WM in Kansas City, Kansas as a trash truck technician,” he said.
“I believe the role of government is to protect the citizens and be a good steward of the tax dollars,” he said. “As District 1 Commissioner we have many things going on, first is the solar panel companies we have to find a good solution for those.”
“Second, is fighting Pikes Reservoir. No one wants it, so we need to do what we can to move it somewhere else in the county,” he said.
Clifton Beth, incumbent District 3 Commissioner, did not respond to the questions sent via email.
Clinton Walker, running for District 1 Commissioner, could not be reached for an interview.
This is part of a series featuring candidates on the August Primary Election Ballot.
The following people have no opposition on the ballot:
Susan Walker. Submitted photo.
Susan Walker,49, is seeking the position of Bourbon County Clerk, and there are no other candidates on the ballot for this position.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from MSSU, is a Certified Municipal Clerk through Wichita State University, and is a Certified Public Manager through Kansas University.
“I have 20 years of combined experience in governmental accounting and human resources while serving as Finance Director and Assistant City Manager with the City of Fort Scott, Business Manager for U234, and most recently Chief Financial Officer for Bourbon County. I also worked for NPC as their Human Resources Manager overseeing payroll, risk management and benefits for 40,000 employees across half of the United States at Pizza Hut and Wendy’s restaurants.”
“After losing my husband in a car accident in 2019, I needed to work closer to home for my daughter and was blessed to have the opportunity to return to the City of Fort Scott for a short time as Finance Director. I have worked for Bourbon County as CFO since January of 2022.”
“While serving as CFO I have identified a lack of financial controls which leads to errors. When hired, the County had experienced five years of audit violations and unreconciled cash. I worked with County Departments to address deficiencies and am pleased to say that the 2022 and 2023 audits had no violations.”
“The county form of government relies on statutory authority given to the County Clerk, Treasurer and Commission with very specific requirements for checks and balances. Following these statutory checks and balances are important to protect the county from errors and fraud. There are still many procedures to implement to protect the County in the future and I feel I can be more effective in making these changes as County Clerk. Jennifer Hawkins (current County Clerk), Patty Love (current County Treasurer, and I have worked well together over the past two years. Patty has decided not to run for re-election as County Treasurer. Jennifer worked in the Treasurer’s office for five years and felt she would better serve the community in this role since she has experience in the Motor Vehicle office. Jennifer is a wealth of knowledge for many departments in the County and this would also make the transition smooth if she were to be elected as Treasurer.”
“The Bourbon County Clerk serves as the clerk to the Board of County Commissioners and maintains all records for the board. The Clerk is also responsible for ensuring budget and cash laws are being followed by each department and taxing entity. The clerk is statutorily charged with calculating the July and November abstracts of valuation and taxation, preparation of the tax role, special assessments, and motor vehicle abstracts. The County Clerk is also the Election Officer, sells licenses for KDWP, conducts permitting for fireworks and cereal malt beverages, maintains fixed asset inventory, assists taxpayers with Homestead and Food Sales Tax refunds, serves as Freedom of Information Officer, Administers Oaths of Office. In addition, the Clerk administers accounts payable, payroll and human resources duties.
“Most of my working adult life I have held a position that serves our community. I want to continue to serve the community in which I live in the most transparent, efficient, and professional manner possible. There is a lack of trust in our community, and I plan to improve our website with current information to keep the community better informed.”
“As stated before, there are still many procedures to implement in financial controls. I plan to work with all departments to reduce liability.”
“The most important issue to me for Bourbon County to be successful is electing individuals to positions with experience, the willingness to collaborate and work together, civility, and transparency.”
Lora Holdridge. Submitted photo.
Lora Holdridge, 57, is the current Bourbon County Register of Deeds and is running unopposed.
The Bourbon County Register of Deeds’s primary role is ensuring all documents are recorded and indexed properly, she said.
“We deal with all real estate,” she said. “We record over 100 types of documents and index them in our track index books.”
“The most pressing issue for the register of deeds is to preserve all land records for the future,” she said. “Where all land transactions begin.”
Holdridge has 20 years of experience in this job.
In her spare time, she enjoys “watching my grandchildren in various activities.”
James Crux. Submitted photo.
James Crux, 32, is the only candidate for the Bourbon County Attorney position and currently is the Assistant County Attorney in the Bourbon County Attorney’s Office.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Fort Hays State University and J.D. Washburn University School of Law and has worked as a prosecutor since 2017.
“Bourbon County is a great place that is dealing with issues that a lot of what smaller communities are dealing with. Keeping the residents of Bourbon County safe, alongside our law enforcement partners, is my biggest concern. ”
“I see the Bourbon County Attorney’s primary role as doing justice,” Crux said.
Last week, Freeman Health System’s CEO Paula Baker announced that they will begin operating 10 in-patient hospital beds in 2025 at the site of the former Mercy Hospital Fort Scott and will open an emergency department as well.
Mercy closed its doors in December 2018, citing “declining patient numbers and shrinking reimbursement.” Mercy Hospital Fort Scott to Close
Freeman Health Systems CEO Paula Baker announced last week that Freeman will bring a 10-bed hospital and emergency department to the former Mercy Hospital Fort Scott building.
At the Bourbon County Commission meeting held on June 17, 2024, Rob Harrington, the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director, provided a detailed account of the efforts to bring healthcare services to the community in the last three years.
Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.
Fortscott.biz contacted Harrington to tell the story of all the behind-the-scenes activities that helped produce the announcement of the new hospital and emergency services that are to begin in 2025.
Harrington began by outlining the chronology of events that led to the current healthcare infrastructure since he became the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director in 2021.
He said that in 2022, the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) started discussions with Legacy Healthcare to bring their services to Bourbon County.
In 2022, the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department approached the Bourbon County Commission with a proposal…and the Commissioners made the prudent decision to waive the lease rate for the Emergency Room facility, he said.
Following this, “We made the strategic choice to forgo clinic rent, amounting to approximately $23,000 per month, to make sure that the hospital facility could retain and use the helipad.” Harrington explained.
This move underscored the county’s commitment to ensuring rapid medical transportation capabilities for critical cases, he said.
Harrington said the hospital building now houses two important healthcare entities. “Thanks to the combined efforts of REDI and the Bourbon County Commission, the hospital building is now at full capacity, accommodating both the Southeast Kansas (SEK) Mental Health Center and the Kansas Renewal Institute (KRI),” he stated.
Emphasizing the positive impact of these developments, Harrington noted, “KRI has created new employment opportunities and introduced a vital service to the state. Currently, they are managing a waiting list of over 100 children in need of care, demonstrating the high demand for their services.”
“In the State of Kansas, and across the nation child mental health is a critical issue and as we see the need for these services grow, we need to continue to support these types of organizations and their support for our children,” he said.
Harrington also shed light on efforts to secure emergency medical services for the county. “We engaged in discussions with multiple organizations in our attempts to establish an ER-only facility,” Harrington explained. “Ultimately, our partnership with Freeman Health System has yielded even better results.”
The 10-bed Freeman Hospital and emergency department is slated to begin operations in April 2025.
Harrington expressed his gratitude to several key stakeholders who played crucial roles in these developments.
He thanked Bourbon County Commissioners Clifton Beth, and Jim Harris for their continued support and decision-making, the work that Bourbon County REDI staff and board put in, acknowledged the committee that worked tirelessly to place the retail sales tax initiative on this year’s election ballot, the help that KRI and its Chief Operating Officer T.J. Denning had in bringing in Freeman Health, and commended the Bourbon County Emergency Medical staff for their dedication and hard work throughout the process.
Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth. Submitted photo.Jim Harris, 2nd District Bourbon County Commissioner, and current chair.T.J. Denning from his LinkedIn page.
Bourbon County EMS is located at 405 Woodland Hills Blvd. Fort Scott. Photo from its Facebook page.
“This overview… illustrates the collaborative and strategic approach taken by Bourbon County to significantly enhance its healthcare infrastructure, ultimately benefiting the entire community,” he said.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, but for Fort Scottians, the Mardi Gras party is on Saturday, June 29.
Mardi Gras In The Fort will be in the new Gathering Square Pavilion at North National Avenue and Old Fort Blvd. starting at 5:30 p.m.
“The City of Fort Scott is really trying to think of different things to get citizens to come out and enjoy our city, our venues, and other citizens,” Brad Matkin, Fort Scott City Manager, said. “We feel if we can continue to do positive things while working on the negative things, our city will be a better place to live and grow our families.”
Brad Matkin. Submitted photo.
Care to Share, a local organization that helps cancer survivors and their families, will be offering a “free-will” donation shrimp (and no shrimp) gumbo and boil starting at 5:30 p.m. Local downtown restaurants will be open for your dining enjoyment, as well.
The Care to Share group had a silent auction and bake sale at the pavilion at Riverfront Park. in 2023.
Live music will start at 6:00 p.m. Two Lane Highway and the Earnest James Zydeco Band will entertain the crowd.
“We will have limited tables and chairs for seating, so everyone is encouraged to bring lawn chairs.,” Matkin said.
The Gathering Square Pavilion is on North National Avenue and Old Fort Blvd.
This is part of a series of those candidates running in the Kansas Primary Eection in August, 2024.
The following are the three candidates for District 13 Kansas State Senator:
Tim Shallenburger. Submitted photo.
Tim Shallenburger, 70, Baxter Springs is the incumbent 13th District Kansas Senator, running again for the position.
Schallenburger attended Pittsburg State, served in the 1990s in the Kansas Legislature, past speaker of the Kansas House and former Kansas State Treasurer.
He has been involved over the years in many civic and community organizations; Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, etc. and has served as mayor of Baxter Springs prior to becoming state senator.
For Schllenburger, the primary role of a Kansas Senator is to protect freedoms outlined in the constitution, fight against wasteful spending and unnecessary regulation.
The most pressing issue currently in the Kansas Senate is to lower the state tax burden.
“We have a massive surplus of citizen’s money deposited in state bank accounts which should be in citizens bank accounts,” he said.
Sam Owens. Submitted photo.
Sam Owen, 29, Fort Scott, graduated from Hamilton, MO. High School in 2014 and attended Fort Scott Community College from 2014-16 earning an associates degree in construction.
The primary role of a Kansas Senator is to ” be honest, trustworthy to the American people in this District 13. I going get the job done in the office my first four years in office. I am not going sit talk about it, I am going to fight and pass what should pass what shouldn’t be pass.”
The most pressing Kansas Senate issues currently, in his view:
“1. Health Care Costs- We need to lower expenses for medical services, insurance premiums, and prescription drugs impact residents’ access to quality health care,
2. Lower taxes down,
3. Economic Growth- Infrastructure attracts businesses, creates jobs, and stimulates economic activity. And Increase minimum wages.
4. Education funding- Make schools better, safer, and more protected in each county.”
Austin Stapleton, Photo by Breana Clark.
Austin Stapleton,30, lives in Pittsburg and attended
Pittsburg State University.
In the past, he has been Bourbon County Democratic Party Vice Chairperson, Bourbon County Precinct Committeeperson, Co-founder and President of Crawford County Young Democrats.
Currently, he is the Kansas Democratic Party Rural Caucus Secretary, Crawford County Precinct Committeeperson, and Kansas Democratic Party Second Congressional District Delegate.
Stapleton’s community involvement has been in Pittsburg Community Chorus Outreach Committee Chairperson, a member of Pittsburg Area Young Professionals, participant in Pittsburg Community Theatre and Triple Threat Threeatrics.
“The primary role of Kansas Senator is the sum of their constituents’ voices,” he said. “State senators have the responsibility and honor of representing their district’s values to wider state government. A state senator should always have the best interests of their district at heart when proposing legislation, confirming appointments, allocating resources, and working to secure solutions across the aisle. If I am entrusted with the honor of representing District 13, I will use the skill set I’ve acquired from my time as a case manager to seek out and ensure safety, opportunity, and dignity for District 13.”
The most pressing issue of the Kansas Senate is “Securing the social, economic, and legislative safety of all Kansans is the paramount issue in the Kansas Senate. When working-class Kansans are well-represented by leaders who have their best interests at heart, we can ensure the dignity of affordable healthcare, career opportunities, well-funded public education, social acceptance, and constitutionally enshrined access to reproductive healthcare.”
Starting in July, Fort Scott residents will begin to see workers repairing Horton Street between Sixth and 18th Streets, according to Ben Wicker, Heck and Wicker, Inc. Project Estimator, the contractor.
The project will include new roadway pavement, new sidewalks, and new Americans with Disabilities Act ramps.
The start date for the project is July 8, 2024, with some traffic control setup beginning the week prior, according to Jason Dick, PE, Project Manager/Junior Partner, Earles Engineering and Inspection, Inc.
“The project goal is two-fold:
Improve pedestrian/bicycle access from 6th and National Avenue to and along Horton Street to Fort Scott Community College.
Improve the roadway conditions with full-depth pavement replacement on Horton from 8th to 6th Streets and a 3” mill & overlay on Horton from 18th to 8th Streets,” said Dickman.
“The project will be funded through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT’s) Cost Share program for a grant of $949,000 to assist with participating roadway construction costs. Remaining project costs through construction will come from City (of Fort Scott) funds,” Dickman said.
The estimated cost to complete is just over $2 million, Dickman said.
The anticipated construction completion date is currently based on 230 calendar days or the end of February 2025.
“The plan is to maintain local access as much as possible on Horton Street, but some work will require detouring to Burke and Crawford Streets primarily to travel from 18th Street and to the north. An alternate route may also include Osbun, Lowman, and Holbrook Streets to access areas between 18th and 6th Streets,” Dickman said.
Heck and Wicker, Inc., Parsons will be the contractor, and subcontractors are Emery Sapp & Sons, Cornerstone, Heartland Traffic, Dustrol, Wicker said.
Heck and Wicker’s contract with the city of Fort Scott is in the amount of $1,875,681.17, Wicker said.
Camren shows the itinerary of the activities of the church camp he and his mom are planning. Submitted photo.
Camren Lamb, 10, and his mom, Melanie Lamb are teaming up to facilitate a family church camp next month.
They had been planning the camp together but didn’t have a sight secured yet.
“Then Ralph Carlson offered his private land, pond, and cabin for the church camp and said, ‘I can’t think of a better use for it,'” Melanie said.
Last year Camren raised money for purchasing a Vacation Bible School kit to create a church camp for families. He did this by selling his art and playing his guitar for tips at his booth at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market which hosted the Children’s Business Fair.
The Lambs purchased an Answers in Genesis Vacation Bible School kit with money from his sales and tips.
For four days and three nights, July 15-18, Camren and Melanie will lead groups in Bible lessons, games, crafts, songs, Scripture memorization, snacks, and a Bible verse treasure hunt.
In addition, there will be kayaking, canoeing, water balloon fun, campfire, and devotions.
“Some of his friends will help,” Melanie said. “He is looking forward to leading the groups.”
Camren said, “It’s good to be with friends in nature.”
There are a few openings left for families, Melanie said.
Melanie said each family must bring their tent, food, and necessities.
The campsite and activities are provided.
The cabin at the Carlson property has water and there is an outhouse.
For more information contact Melanie at 620.215.3449.
Camren Lamb displays his vacation Bible school kit that he and his mom are turning into a family church camp event.
Kathryn Salsbury, 54, is the new Fort Scott City Commissioner selected to fill Melissa Guns spot.
“I think that this town that I love so much, our town, is at a crossroads,” she said. “We need to find a path forward that honors our history, makes the best use of our resources, fosters economic stability, and secures necessary resources such as healthcare.
Strategic adaptation and purposeful preservation. There are a lot of moving parts and variables to most decisions, with a degree of impact to many of us.”
“We have a lot of great people in place now,” Salsbury said. “I hope that my education and work experience prove helpful in ensuring Fort Scott thrives.”
Salsbury attended Washburn School of Law and earned a Juris Doctorate, a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Justice Studies from Pittsburg State University, an associate degree and CNA certificate from Fort Scott Community College, became a certified paralegal from Johnson County Community College and studied business at Missouri Baptist University.
Her career has been in the following areas: Director of Risk Management, Multi-line claims manager, Licensed Casualty Adjuster, retail management, stockbroker, ordinance interpretation and tracking for California municipalities.
She has been involved in the Rotary Club, Mt. Carmel Fund Board of Directors, and various USD234 events, she said.
“My family has been in Fort Scott since the early 1950s,” she said. “My grandparents, and their parents, moved here from Wisconsin. My grandparents owned Floyd’s Donuts for around 40 years. I returned to Fort Scott after earning my law degree to continue raising my four boys.”
Downtown Fort Scott, looking north on Main Street. City Hall is on the right.
The Bowman family now owns three restaurants in the historic downtown Fort Scott area.
“We love food!” Carissa Bowman said. “AND it’s another opportunity to continue to grow our community through restoring a historic downtown building and generating more jobs.”
Carissa, Alex, Cindy, and John Bowman are the owners of Outpost 13 West. Carissa and Alex own Brickstreet BBQ.
Carissa and Alex Bowman, submitted photo.
“John and Cindy own Nu Grille (across the street from Brickstreet),” Carissa said. “They are Alex’s parents; my in-laws. Alex manages Nu Grille currently.”
Cindy and John Bowman. Submitted photo.
The new restaurant will feature Southwestern cuisine.
“You can build your own taco, burrito, bowl, salad or nacho,” Carissa said.
They plan to open the new venture at the end of July, she said.
City permits are posted on the windows of Outpost 13 West.
The new restaurant is at 13 W. Oak St.
Special Recognition of the Brickstreet Restaurant
Brickstreet BBQ is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s northside. The new Outpost 13 West is to the left, behind Brickstreet in this photo. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.
” We’re being featured in one of their episodes,” Carissa said. “Filming will take place on July 1st.”
“We hope this builds relationships with the public and surrounding areas to bring people not only to our business but Fort Scott as a whole,” she said. “We want to continue to create a positive image of Brickstreet so we can build our brand and keep growing!”
Memorial Hall steps are cordoned off because of mortar falling from over the steps. Visitors should enter through the south entrance on Third Street.
The local Daughters of the Revolution, Molly Foster Berry Chapter, has set up a traveling exhibit on the American Revolutionary War at Memorial Hall, Third and National Avenue. There is no admission.
One of the information banners. Submitted photo.
Until June 15, the exhibit can be viewed by entering the south door, across the street from the Methodist Church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.It is a self-guided tour. The Chapter members are sitting in shifts at the exhibit.
“Our chapter is about promoting patriotism,” Barbara Ritter, spokeswoman for the group said.
The American Revolution Experience Exhibit comprises 12 roll-up, graphic banners, each measuring 7’ high by 3’ wide, and three kiosks, comprised of IPads and stands, according to its website.
The Molly Foster Berry chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized on October 19, 1911. The chapter is named after its first regent, Miss Frances Hall’s Revolutionary War ancestor, Samuel Berry’s wife. Members, called Daughters, are direct descendants of a Revolutionary War Patriot.
This chapter, along with the American Legion, was instrumental in raising funds for the Memorial Hall. Because of this fundraising, a special suite in the hall was given for their use forever.
“D.A.R members are active women passionate about community service, preserving American History, educating children as well as honoring and supporting those who serve our nation,” Ritter said.
The Daughters of the American Revolution will celebrate nation-wide the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War in 2026.
“We would like to get together with other civic organizations to plan out activities for this event,” Ritter said. “The nation celebrated in 1976 with many activities.
If anyone is interested in more information, contact her at [email protected], or 913.636.4892
Highlights of what this chapter has done since its inception:
They started a Red Cross Chapter Unit in which they knitted socks and over 130 sweaters to donate to the men in service, donated
money and goods to be distributed to newly arriving immigrants on Ellis Island, were charged with the care of the Block House, which is now part of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, recognized Bourbon County good citizens, planted trees, donated bedding, beds and food to the Goodlander Home, distributed American Flags and donated books to the library.
“And more recently a Vietnam Veteran Ceremony, recognizing our Bourbon County Vietnam Veterans with a certificate, lapel pin and dinner,” Ritter said.
Currently, the group has 26 members, two associate members and two awaiting documentation.
One of the 12 banners in the exhibit. Submitted photo.
Paula Baker and Renee Denton of Freeman Health Systems visit with Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth at the press conference on June 13.
The former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital will be used once again for hospital operations.
Today, Paula Baker, CEO of Freeman Health System announced that they will be operating 10 in-patient hospital beds at the site and will open an emergency department as well.
Paula Baker speaks to the press and the crowd that showed up to hear an announcement about health care in the county today.
“If treated in the E.R., you will be treated right here (in the hospital section),” she told a crowd that gathered at the former hospital.
There will also be an outpatient lab, radiology, CAT scans available to the public, and an on-site pharmacy.
There will be six bays in the emergency department and 365-day coverage, 24 hours a day.
A licensed physician and emergency-trained staff will be employed, which will total approximately 70 employees, according to Renee Denton, Chief Operating Officer at Freeman Neosho Hospital, who is helping in this project.
Baker said they have to be licensed by the State of Kansas and that process is long and complex, but they hope to be open by April 1, 2025.
There will be clear separation between Freeman’s hospital bed unit and the Kansas Renewal Institute which also operates in the former Mercy Hospital building, Denton said. Freeman will use the former birthing wing of the hospital.
Baker said they have been working with local city and county entities to make this happen and Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth spoke to the crowd as well as Baker.
She commended Beth and County Commissioner Jim Harris.
“They have worked to get this together and they care,” she said.
Clifton Beth speaks to the crowd at the former Mercy Hospital Emergency Department on June 13.
Beth said the process to reopen a hospital began about five years ago and thanked the sales tax committee that recently spearheaded a May 20234 vote that will produce some money for the project. In addition, he thanked the voters for supporting the tax.
Also helping in the process were present and former county commissioners, Fort Scott City Commissioners, health agencies, the Bourbon County E.M.S., and Kansas Renewal Institute personnel, Beth said.
“We have been in communication with Kansas on the licensure entities, they have committed to help us expedite the licensure,” Denton said.
Nicole Gilmore. 31, is the new Winfield Scott Elementary School Assistant Principal in Fort Scott.
Gilmore earned Building Principal Certification from Pittsburg State University in 2023, Master of Social Work from the University of Washington-Seattle in 2016, and Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of General Studies in Political Science from the University of Kansas in 2015.
For the past six years, she has been a School Social Worker with the SEK Interlocal #637 at The Learning Center in Girard, KS, which is a day school program across 13 school districts in Southeast Kansas for K-12 students with significant emotional and behavioral disabilities.
“I additionally have experience as an Adjunct Instructor through the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare for the past four years and as the Colorguard Instructor at Pittsburg High School for seven years.”
“Previously, I have had clinical experience in child welfare and medical settings, along with working internationally in schools with the Peace Corps in Thailand,” she said. “I have had administrative experience in nonprofits through tasks such as quality assurance, planning and public policy, grant writing, and data analysis.”
She will start her duties on August 1.
“I have been actively working with Mr. Garzone, the new principal of Winfield Scott, as well as teachers in the building already! I was fortunate enough to attend the Missouri School-Wide Positive Behavioral Supports Conference in Osage Beach this summer (June 3-5) and we are excited to start implementing some of the ideas that we learned while attending!”
“As an assistant principal, I will support the principal and co-lead in all academic programming.
” I will assist in overseeing daily activities, committees, meetings, and school operations,” she said. “I will work collaboratively in the planning of school needs, alongside students, families, staff, and community stakeholders.”
“The best part of being in education is building relationships with students, staff, and families,” she said. “I love to see students grow and develop over time, with the knowledge and skills that they’ve learned while at school, and that we can do it because we work in partnership with each other. I’m excited to work with the K-2 students, specifically, because that is often where they start to develop a hate or love relationship with the school, and the staff at Winfield Scott has a huge role in that! I believe that we have fantastic teachers in the Winfield Scott building, who will foster that love of learning, and I’ll be here to help augment and magnify all the great things they do every single day!”
“Some challenges include having limited resources and funding, as well as the ever-growing need for additional personnel,” she said. “There is a teacher shortage across the United States today, not just isolated to Fort Scott, but there is a significant need to not only attract but focus on retaining and growing our teachers here. Additionally, with the increase in behavioral and emotional challenges, our teachers and support staff need help in navigating appropriate ways to respond and how to work with community partners such as SEKMHC (Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center) to implement quality wraparound services that meet the needs of the student and their family.”
At Pittsburg State University he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2013 and majored in Biology. Also from
Pittsburg State, he earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership in 2018.
Johnson has worked 11 years at Pittsburg High School as a science teacher, coach (football and basketball), and administrator and was an assistant principal for the last four years at Pittsburg High School.
He officially starts on August 1.
Johnson’s duties are safety and security for staff and students, student and staff supervision, instructional leadership, student support services, student discipline, and extracurricular activities.
What is the best part of being in education for you?
“It is working alongside amazing educators and the opportunity to positively impact students’ lives and help them reach their full potential.”
What are some challenges?
“Some challenges include meeting diverse student needs and finding solutions for staffing needs.”
“I am a proud graduate of USD 234 and I am excited to be a Tiger again! ” he said.
