Board of Education Regular Meeting — News Release
Monday, September 14, 2026
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026, for their regular monthly meeting at 424 S Main St.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda with the following change: Middle School, Winfield Scott, and Virtual School update to be moved to after the Budget Hearings.
Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing was opened. No Patrons present. Hearing was closed.
Budget Hearing was opened. No Patrons present. Hearing was closed.
Board Approved:
- Resolution 26-10 – Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for the Financing the Annual Budget for 2026-27
- Resolution 26-11 – Make a Local Option Percentage in the Amount of 33% for the 2026-27 school year
- Approval of the 2026-27 Budget with Consideration of the Needs Assessment
Principal Brown and Vice Principal Harris were present to highlight the start of the year at Fort Scott Middle School. Mr. Brown spoke about Careers in Action classes which exposes students to different careers. Don VanBuskirk has been an amazing addition to this class and has helped bring in speakers for the students. An exciting program that the school has is SOS or Save One Student. It is designed for each student to have an adult in the school that they can depend on or go to for questions. They are having remarkable success with this so far.
Principal Garzone and Vice Principal Hendricks said they have had a great start to the school year. They reported that behavior reports have been down so far and thanked the staff and time they have spent in collaboration on this topic. They are also taking small steps to implement dyslexia supports starting this year. Tiger Families has been a huge success which pairs two staff members and around twelve students. They meet for thirty minutes and do activities and build bonds that help the students feel supported.
Marci Travis and Eliya Deckinger both have had a huge part in the start of the Tiger Virtual School. There are thirty-three enrolled from Kindergarten to Seniors. It has been a rollercoaster start but things are starting to even out and work great. They are both extremely excited with the start and continuation of the virtual school.
The board approved the consent agenda.
- Board Minutes: 08-10-26, 08-27-26
- Financials – Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – August 20, 2026 – $1,713,565.26
- Activity Funds Accounts
- USD 234 Gifts
- HS Handbook Edit
- Fundraising Application
Superintendent Zach Johnson gave a thank you to everyone that has attended the Strategic Planning meetings so far. The next will be September 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. iReady fall results will be shared with parents soon.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided a shared document and shared the two passenger vans have arrived and are being used. He also went over a few upcoming dates: Financial Audit will begin next week, Count Day is September 21st, and the KSDE audit is coming soon.
Special Education Director Tonya Barnes shared an update and reported the SPED Audit is finished and the district did an excellent job. She has also implemented a Friday Notes email that will help the staff receive more information and training. Feedback has been great with this added information.
The Board approved the following:
- School Vehicle Purchase
- One Year Lease Agreement Renewal with Head Start
- Concession Stand Coordinator Supplemental Position
- New Supplemental Duty Compensation
- Construction Management Services Agreement with Builtwell Consulting, LLC
There was one present for Public Forum.
The Board went into executive session for personnel matters.
The Board approved the Personnel Report.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
Personnel Report – Approved
September 14, 2026
Resignations / Terminations / Retirements
- Beth, Whitney – Supplemental Resignation – Head Track Coach – Middle School
- Button, Shayla – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
- Daly, Bryce – Resignation – Technology Coordinator
- Kiel, Simas – Supplemental Resignation – Assistant Track Coach – Middle School
- LaFarge Dehner, Dani – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
- Long, Daniel – Termination – Paraprofessional – High School
- McDonald, Maggie – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Middle School
- Mitchell, Stephen – Resignation – Technology Director
- Peters, Julia – Resignation – KSD Driver/Para – High School
- Shepherd, Melissa – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
- Simpson, Doug – Resignation – Activity Bus Driver
- Tate, Madlynn – Resignation – Paraprofessional – Preschool
- Tate, Wanita – Resignation – Bus Driver
Employment
Classified Recommendations for 2026-27 School Year:
- Avery, Karen – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
- Bradley, Brittany – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
- Clark, Jennifer – Paraprofessional – Middle School
- Eichenberger, Justin – Part Time Paraprofessional – High School
- Horlacher, Melanie – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
- Hull, Lauren – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
- Majors, Kaylee – Full Time Van Driver – Preschool
- Pitts, Bill – KSD Route Driver
- Pfohl, Cari – Part Time Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
- Rea-Banda, Yandi – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
- Simpson, Doug – Full Time Bus Driver
- Smith, Bobba – Paraprofessional – KRI
- Weber, Sheila – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
- Weber, Sheila – Full Time Van Driver – SPED
- Worthing, Beth – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Supplemental Recommendations
- Beth, Whitney – Assistant Track Coach – Middle School
- Brittain, Michelle – PDC – Middle School
- Fairbanks, Janet – Virtual Support Teacher – Social Studies
- Farrington, Jannah – DLM Building Test Coordinator
- Gorman, Krista – Building Test Coordinator – High School
- Gorman, Krista – Building Test Coordinator – Middle School
- Hughes, Madison – Wellness Coordinator – Winfield Scott
- Mayberry, Polly – ESOL Coordinator
- Middle School Supplemental
- Nelson, Andrew – Virtual Support Teacher – Elective
- Nelsen, Lori – .5 District Wellness Coordinator
- Russell, Deborah – Virtual Support Teacher – Science
- Simas, Kiel – Head Track Coach – Middle School
- Sauerwein, Stacy – .5 District Wellness Coordinator
- Stafford, Jennifer – Concession Stand Coordinator – High School
- Tally, Jenna – Virtual Support Teacher – Elective
- Travis, Marci – Building Test Coordinator – Eugene Ware
Documents: