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 12, 2024
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board appointed Joe Wimmer as board member for the next two years.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
Payroll – January 19, 2024 – $1,662,919.06
FSHS Baseball Extended Trip – March 13-15, 2024
Tiger Team Members of the Month was the Fort Scott SPED Department Speech Team.
Michelle Lisica, Mikiah Anderson, Shelly Yocham
Liz Underwood, Winfield Scott, Michelle Lisica, Eugene Ware, and Shelly Yocham, Eugene Ware, are in their first year as Speech Paras for the district. Mikiah Anderson is in her third year with Preschool.
Afton Hyer, Winfield Scott, has been Speech Therapist for the district the last six years and a total of twelve years.
Christie Smith, Eugene Ware, is in her second year with USD 234 and twenty-five years altogether.
Danette Popp, Preschool, has been with the district for twenty-six years and a Speech Therapist for thirty years.
Jodi Brown just started part time with Fort Scott this year and a Speech Therapist for the last twenty years.
Attending through Zoom was Tessa Alumbaugh, she is in her first year with Fort Scott as a Tele-therapist and has been a Speech Therapist for almost eleven years.
Mrs. Barnes recognized each of the team by congratulating them for being flexible and always willing to do whatever it takes to help and support the students.
Mrs. Barnes also recognized three Winfield Scott Paraprofessionals, Rachel Pommier, Francis Torres, and Laurie Bollinger. Mr. Garzone and teachers at Winfield Scott spoke very highly of these three Paras. They are positive and willing to work hard and be available for the students.
Laurie Bollinger, Francis Torres, Rachel Pommier – Winfield Scott Paras
Superintendent Destry Brown reported about the Preschool grant that the district did not receive, but that we will apply for the next round soon. Several students at the High School have requested to start Zero Reasons Why program which is to help “remove the stigma of mental health and prevent teen suicide.” These students are extremely excited to get this started in our District. Mr. Brown also spoke out the KSDE Audit that was finished this last week.
Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, gave a summary of the Speech team and their caseloads. She reported on upcoming training that she will be involved with during the end of this month. Also, Mrs. Barnes gave information on Medicaid reimbursements and deadlines for those reports.
Travis Laver, School Finance Consultant through Greenbush, came to update the Board on the District Finances. He explained about Senate Bill 386 that could potentially effect Fort Scott School District. Also, he was able to give guidance on Preschool enrollment and other options for the district. Travis thanked the district for being helpful and easy to work with during this time. He also is waiting for results from the KSDE audit to know final numbers.
Robin Button, Food Service Director, presented to the Board information about the Free Lunch Program that is District Wide this year. We have seen an increase in student participation in most buildings. She was able to explain the process for school reimbursement from various programs.
Superintendent Brown went over the contract from Hight Jackson for the remodel of the Preschool Building. Going forward the district will be able to do dirt and drainage work. An estimate of this summer was given before the final drawings from the architect would be completed.
As a discussion item, Superintendent Brown brought to the Board the rough draft of a new cell phone policy to be implemented. They were provided with a list of what that policy could potentially look like in the future, including times, devices, as well as disciplinary actions. There will be further discussion on this policy.
The board approved the following items:
- Hight Jackson Fort Scott Preschool Contract
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
February 12, 2024
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Bergmann, Mark – Resignation – English Teacher – High School
Crapson, Sydney – Resignation – 1st Grade Teacher – Winfield Scott
Hall, Dakota – Resignation – Assistant Wrestling Coach
Yarick, Gail – Resignation – Business Manager
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Lee, Becky – From Food Service to Full – Time Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Cosens, Jayci – 7th Grade Social Studies – Middle School 2024-25
Hampton, Breanna – 6th Grade ELA – Middle School 2024-25
Hastings, Nicolette – Adaptive Special Education Teacher – High School – 2024-25
Oxholm, Chris – Adaptive Special Education Teacher – High School – 2024-25
Payne, Melissa – 6th Grade ELA – Middle School -2024-25
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Black, Carla – Part Time Paraprofessional – High School
Claypool, Kaitlyn – Paraprofessional – Eugene Ware
Endicott, Jencyn – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott
Graham, Jenna – Paraprofessional – Middle School
Uhler, Laurie – Paraprofessional – Middle School
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Jones, Madi – Assistant Track Coach – High School
Myers, Brent – Assistant Track Coach – High School
Robertson, Tom – Head Boys Golf Coach FSHS
The Board moved to extend Administrator Contracts as presented.