Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
www.usd234.org
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, December 11, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 2023, for their
regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes
11/13/23 Board Minutes
Financials-Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – November 17, 2023 – $2,058,098.00
Activity Fund accounts
USD 234 Gifts
Licensed Tiger Team Member of the Month was Erica Clark. She is an English Teacher at Fort Scott High School. Erica, Dave Watkins, and other volunteers have worked extremely hard on the Angel Tree at the High School. Each “tag” on the tree was adopted by staff or community member. This included seventy-four children
from thirty families. Last Friday, fifty-one volunteers help to wrap hundreds of presents in the High School Commons Area.
Classified Tiger Team Members of the Month were Terry Barrager and Alex Herring. Both were recognized by Dan Koppa. Terry is custodian at Eugene Ware, and Alex is custodian at Preschool. They both were recognized for their leadership and exemplary cleanliness in each of their buildings.
Submitted photo.
The Barkery Team from Fort Scott High School was recognized by Assistant Principal Alex Specht. Seniors – Cainen Wood, Christian Herrington, Juniors – Daniel Brown, Nicollette Brown, Klaire Graham, Donald Morris, Nolan Madison, Sophomores – Mayia Castleberry, Haley Maloun, Julia Maloun. Each student explained the process of buying the ingredients, making the dog treats, and selling to customers. They are also learning about
managing money and making change for customers.
Nikki Regan, Flo Tanner, and Kathryn Ogle were also recognized as part of the Barkery Team. Each were acknowledged for the devotion and love for the students.
Back row left to right: Donald Morris, Mayia Castleberry, Cainen Wood, Klaire Graham and Erica Clark.
Kellye Barrows, Danny Brown, and Lynette Jackson were recognized and thanked for their years of
service on the USD 234 Board of Education.
Superintendent Destry Brown reported on the Staff Christmas Lunch to be held next Monday and the grant that
the district is working on for the early childhood center.
Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, gave a report on the process of hiring new paraprofessionals and
DCAP reports. Tonya was able to report about the numerous training opportunities that will be available for the
Special Education department in the coming months.
Superintendent Brown reported on the district’s State Aide that will be coming in soon and will be higher than predicted. He also reminded everyone that W2s will start coming out in January.
The board went into an executive session for possible purchase of property. The board approved purchase of new Preschool Building.
The board had a presentation by Hight Jackson Architect Firm for the new Preschool Building.
The Board discussed the options of filling the vacant board seat #5. It was decided to take letters of interest with Board recommendation.
The board approved the following items:
• Purchase of new Preschool Building
• Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas Grant for Linda Minor and Dakota Hall
● Personnel Report following
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
December 11, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Baugher, Mark – Retirement
Lockwood, Connie – Retirement
Matkin, Brad – Resignation
O’Brien, Shawn – Resignation
Reichard, Betsy – Resignation
Sweyko, Pauline Kate – Resignation
Wells, Matthew – Resignation
TRANSFERS/REASSIGNMENTS/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
For the 2023-24 school year:
Classified:
Palmer, Lana – Transfer from Van Driver to Full time Bus Driver
Schnichels, Laryn – Leave of Absence – Middle School Paraprofessional
Willard, Siarra – Transfer from Speech Paraprofessional to Full Time Eugene Ware Para
EMPLOYMENT:
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
Madison, Kendall – Winfield Scott Paraprofessional – January 2, 2024
Martin, Emily – High School Paraprofessional
Palmer, William – Van Driver – January 3, 2024
Yocham, Shelly – Speech Paraprofessional – January 2, 2024
Supplemental
Clark, Erica – Teacher Mentor 2023-2024 school year