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, February 13, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
- Minutes from January 9, 2023, Board of Education meeting
- Financials-Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – January 20, 2023 – $1,543,148.20
- Activity Fund accounts
- Extended Trip Applications
- COVID Operations Guidelines
- Special Board Meeting – work session to discuss and prioritize long-term plan and capital improvements, February 27th – 5:30 pm
Dr. Zach Johnson, Fort Scott Middle School principal, introduced 6 students from Fort Scott Middle School who were nominated by their teachers as being representative of great students.
- Students recognized were:
- 6th Grade: Brenny Cole and Maverick Wright
- Brenny likes to do well in everything she does, she is very goal oriented. She is a positive young lady, always on task, very kind to others, and produces quality work.
- Maverick is always willing to help others, he goes above and beyond mentoring other students. He is a super friendly young man, an excellent student, always positive, and works well with peers.
- 6th Grade: Brenny Cole and Maverick Wright
- 7th Grade: Theodore Bowman and Gianna Gorman
- Gianna and Theodore go above and beyond in the classroom. They are respectful to adults and peers. They are always kind and supportive of their classmates. Both of these students are always engaged in classwork and are willing to help others. They take their education seriously and are awesome examples of students that show exemplary character.
- 8th Grade: Chloe Begey and Allisyn Wheeler
- Chloe is a great student and is very sweet. She works hard every day and is kind to all peers. She is one of the sweetest and most caring kids in all of my classes. She holds the doors for all the students every single day, she has great manners, and always has a cheerful attitude. Great girl who gives us her all and is a friend to all and willing to work with anyone.
- Allisyn is always working, doing her best. She is a good person and is always willing to help others. When we worked on our door, she organized the people very kindly and let everyone do their thing. She is academically inclined and strives to do her best. Her sense of humor and positivity brightens every classroom. She is very polite and always has kind words to say.
Mitch Quick, SEK Financial, awarded 6 recipients a $100 U-Benefit grants from OFG Financial, Security Benefit, and KNEA. Recipients were Andrew Ables, Sarah Hendricks, Bert Lewis, Cristin Stark, Hayden Travis, Rhiannon Tuck. The grant is meant to recognize educators for all they do for students in Kansas.
Superintendent Brown updated the board on the progress of the Communications Proposal and the addition of staff awards to recognize excellence. These awards will be held in May when retirees are honored.
Dalaina Smith, Assistant Superintendent, provided an update to the board on academic committees, including Science, Reading, and Assessments and PLC conversations. There was discussion on evaluation of curriculum and assessments.
Scott Kimble, Fort Scott High School Principal, Josh Messer, Fort Scott High School Counselor, and Dr. Zach Johnson, Fort Scott Middle School Principal, gave an update to the board on Individual Plans of Study (IPS). There was discussion on where we are currently and what is planned for the future.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, updated the board on the KSDE final audit, bond payment, health insurance refund, and bond payment.
The board received an update from Superintendent Brown on the expansion of the Fort Scott Preschool Center to 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. He has received a contract which was provided to our attorney, who returned it with recommended changes. This will be one of several preschool options. Additional options and discussion will take place at the February 27th special board meeting. There was no action taken.
The board approved the following items:
- Tennis Courts Resurface – Pro Track and Tennis, Inc. – tabled until next board meeting
- Investment of Excess Funds – 90-day – $2,500,000, UMB at 4.65%
- 2023-24 School Calendar (pending negotiations)
- Gilmore Bell Disclosure Compliance Services Proposal
- District Meal Allowance Reimbursement Increase
- MOU For Shared Employee Between USD 234 and SEK-CAP, Inc.
- Approval of Personnel Report (following)
- Approval of Superintendent’s Contract for 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
February 13, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Larry Amer – Resignation, Fort Scott High School Art Teacher, effective 02-14-2023
- Dale Brauer – Resignation, Fort Scott Middle School Math Teacher, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- CJ Feagins – Leave of Absence
- Lizbeth Jane Hill – Retirement – Eugene Ware Elementary Kitchen Manager, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Rebecca Howard – Retirement – Fort Scott Middle School Paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Dennis Stephan – Retirement – Transportation Maintenance II, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS:
- Andrew Ables – Fort Scott Middle School Track Coach, 2022-23
- Jon Barnes – Fort Scott High School Assistant Boys Golf Coach
- Adam Clements – Fort Scott High School Assistant Track Coach
- Allen Davis – Transfer from Fort Scott Middle School Custodian to Eugene Ware Custodian
- Adam Feagins – Fort Scott Middle School Track Coach, 2022-23
- Josseline Hunsaker – Winfield Scott Paraprofessional – 7.5 hour
- Madison Jones – Fort Scott High School Assistant Track Coach
- Jarrett Lyon – Fort Scott High School Assistant Baseball Coach
- Jana Walker – Transfer from Winfield Scott Paraprofessional to St. Mary’s School Paraprofessional
- Tracy Watkins – Fort Scott Middle School Custodian
- Destry Brown – Superintendent – Contract extension – 3-year renewal for the 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 school years