Bourbon County, Government

SPARK Phase I Funds Update

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Submitted by Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Director.

An update on the SPARK Phase 1 Funds dispersed at the County.

Applications for proposals closed August 8th at noon.  Over the weekend we worked together to clean the data to present in a meaningful way for commissioners to make decisions.  In total there was $6,144,500 total asks.  That is $3,218,937 over budget.  Greenbush went through an initial vetting of the requests and put together overall recommendations on a spending plan that would be inclusive and transparent.

Today the following plan was recommended and formally approved this morning:

The plan will be submitted to the State by August 15th.  The State has until September 15th to approve the plan or ask for corrections.

For more info contact Hoenor at

210 S National Ave
Fort Scott, KS 66701
1-620-223-3800 
1-620-215-5725 Mobile

 

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

KDHE amends travel quarantine list

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Florida removed; mass gatherings greater than 500 added

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list, removing the state of Florida and adding attendance at mass gatherings greater than 500 people. Additionally, those countries with a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice with restrictions remain.

 

This list is effective for all persons returning to or entering Kansas on the effective dates. The state will review/update this list every two weeks. A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine for 14 days includes visitors and Kansans who have:

 

  • Attended/traveled to mass gathering events of 500 people or greater on or after August 11.
  • Traveled to/from Florida between June 29 – August 11. 
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
  • International travel on or after July 14 to countries with a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice, including China, Iran, European Schengen area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Brazil. International travelers must follow CDC guidance and protocols.

 

Others needing to continue quarantining:

  • Anyone subject to a travel-related quarantine for a state or country previously on the travel-related quarantine list must complete their 14-day quarantine period.
  • Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.

 

Travel quarantines do not prohibit travel through Kansas. People from these locations may still travel through Kansas. If this is done, KDHE recommends limited stops, wearing a mask at rest stops or when getting gas and being 6’ from others when doing so. If the destination is Kansas, they would be required to quarantine upon arrival to their destination.

 

Critical infrastructure sector employees who have travelled to these destinations should contact their local health department regarding instructions for application of these quarantine orders while working. Critical infrastructure employees, such as public health, law enforcement, food supply, etc., need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans so the local health department may allow a modified quarantine. Please note the only exemption for these quarantine mandates for critical infrastructure sector employees is work – they are not to go any other locations outside of work.

 

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Fort Scott, Schools

USD234 Press Release Aug. 10

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Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, August 10, for their regular monthly meeting.

Vice-President James Wood opened the meeting and the budget hearing.  There were no comments, and the budget hearing was closed.  The board approved the official agenda.  The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – July 17, 2020 – $1,244,239.62

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity Fund Accounts

 

There were no public forum comments.

Board members heard a report from Brenda Hill, KNEA President.

Superintendent Ted Hessong reported on teacher meetings on August 14, gave special education updates, and remote and onsite plans for school.

Gina Shelton, Business Manager, discussed the special ed and financial audits, SPARK funds, and employee pandemic guidelines.

Board members approved the 2020-21 budget.  The board tabled approval on the 2020-21 school calendar.  Superintendent Hessong reviewed the Return-to-School Plan.  Board members approved a roof payment and a New Generation contract.  Board members also approved no salary increases for the administrative and classified staff for the 2020-21 school year and a fundraising and mask awareness campaign.

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting

The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Resignation of Lakyn Coyan, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

B.    Resignation of Tammy Wollenberg, high school paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

C.    Resignation of Linda May, Winfield Scott cook, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

D.    Transfer of Dee Peters, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, to Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year

E.     Change in work agreement for Kristin Bishop, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, from a 6- hour work day to a 5-hour work day for the 2020-21 school year

F.     Change in work agreement for Moriah Dillow, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, from a 7.5-hour work day to a 5-hour work day for the 2020-21 school year

G.    Leave of absence for Norma Floyd, Winfield Scott paraprofessional

H.    Leave of absence for Debra Endicott, middle school cook

I.      Employment of Vangie Korinke as a Eugene Ware paraprofessional for the 2020-21 school year

J.      Employment of Vernon Hill as a Winfield Scott 6.5-hour cook for the 2020-21 school year

K.    Addition of a one-year middle school elective teaching position for the 2020-21 school year

L.     Employment of high school supplemental employees as follows:

Freshman Head Boys’ Basketball Coach – Joel Harney

Head Boys’ Track Coach – Bo Graham (move from assistant)

Assistant Track Coach – Matt Glades

Vocal Presentations and Musical Music Director – Remove Abby Helt

Assistant Girls’ Tennis – Kenny Hudiburg

M.   Resignation of Alicia Hansen, middle school 8th grade social studies/6th grade keyboarding teacher and fall intramural coach, for the 2020-21 school year

 

The board adjourned.

 

COVID-19, Fort Scott Community College

FSCC: Classes Started August 10 With Some Big Changes

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Chelsi Boydston, Mounds, OK, in her new student housing room at the former Mercy Hospital building.

School started  Monday, August 10, for Fort Scott Community College, and the administration took the difficult situation of the COVID-19 Pandemic and used available community resources for expanding student housing.

FSCC is leasing 30 rooms at the former Mercy Hospital from the Mercy corporation.

“The reason we are leasing rooms at the Mercy building is that we had to leave rooms vacant in student housing, in case we need to quarantine students,”  FSCC President Alysia Johnston said.

FSCC students moved in over the weekend to the west side of the former Mercy Hospital building. FSCC is leasing the building until May from corporate Mercy.

“It’s a beautiful facility,” Tom Havron, FSCC Vice President of Student Affairs, said. “It’s in really good shape. Mercy maintenance has been good to help us (accommodate the students). We like having them out here. We are excited about it.”

“There are lots of perks for staying here,” Havron said. “The rooms are larger, student lounges are larger and each room has its’ own bathroom.”

In student dorms on the main campus, two rooms share a bathroom.

Two students are in each room.

This FSCC student lounge has access to the Mercy outside enclosed courtyard.

 

One of the student lounges has available the Mercy courtyard, an enclosed outside area, that former Mercy employees and patients may remember.

Currently, there are 57 students and three residential assistants living at the site.

“The RA’s will supervise and make sure the students are safe,” he said.

The students will still be on the cafeteria plan on the main campus at at 2108 S. Horton, just down the street. The nursing stations will be used for studying,  with internet availability, Havron said, and there will be tutoring available in the facility.

A former Mercy nursing station will be a study area for FSCC students with Wi-Fi availability.

Students moved their items in this past weekend and stayed at Sleep Inn Motel, until the Kansas State Fire Marshall gave approval of the building, which happened yesterday, Aug. 10.

 

The hallway of the repurposed Mercy building which now houses FSCC students.

 

FSCC had 11 positive cases of COVID-19 when students started arriving in July, Havron said.

They were quarantined, meals were delivered and coaches checked with them to make sure they were on track academically, Havron said.

Currently, there is no sign on the outside of the building that the site is now FSCC student housing.

“We had people who thought this was the emergency room over the weekend,” Havron said.

The west entrance of the building is locked 24 hours a day.

 

Other changes

“August 10 is one week earlier than originally scheduled,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston, said in an email interview.”We will not have a spring break and the semester will be over before Thanksgiving on November, 24. The reason we are starting early and ending before Thanksgiving is part of our (pandemic) mitigation plan. We do not want to bring students back from a large geographical area after thanksgiving and risk introducing COVID-19 again. Also, KDHE had predicted COVID-19 would spike in December, with the rise of the flu and cold season, therefore increasing our chances of positive cases.”

“We do not have any new programs or classes,” she said. ” We do have more classes offered online than in the past.”

Despite the pandemic, class numbers are up.

“As of this morning (August 10), overall enrollment is slightly up compared to this time last fall. On-campus and online enrollment are up, off-campus enrollment is down.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

State Approves Coronavirus Relief and Expanding Broadband

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State Finance Council Approves $60 Million Broadband Expansion, State Agency Reimbursements and Consulting Services for Accounting and Compliance

 

TOPEKA – Today, the State Finance Council (SFC) approved $60 million to expand broadband access, $3.9 million in reimbursements to state agencies for COVID-19 related operational expenses and up to $5 million for consulting services for meeting the accounting and compliance requirements of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF).  The SPARK taskforce recommended these proposals to SFC for approval; all will be funded through the CRF.

 

“COVID-19 has made it clear how important access to high speed internet is for Kansans in rural and urban regions alike. Whether it’s telemedicine, teleworking, or online education capabilities, broadband is a singular tool that can change outcomes for communities. My administration will continue to support investments in our state’s infrastructure like high speed internet to put us on stronger economic footing as we continue our road to recovery,” Governor Laura Kelly said.

 

The connectivity proposal featured $50 million for improving broadband infrastructure and $10 million for partnerships with internet service providers to serve low-income populations.

 

“The SPARK taskforce identified expanding broadband access as a top priority and I appreciate the SFC’s recognition that not only was important to approve these funds today but also to consider increasing our investment in round 3,” said SPARK Executive Committee Chair Lyle Butler.

 

On July 29, SFC approved $254 million funding for public health, education, and economic development. That allocation combined with today’s approvals for connectivity, remaining FY 20 state agency reimbursements and the consulting contract for the Recovery Office, will complete the round 2 funding of the CRF. There will be approximately $290 million of CRF funding remaining for round 3. Previously, $400 million was allocated to Kansas counties in round 1.

 

“The expediated timeline we’re operating under creates an even greater need for accountability and transparency to taxpayers and I appreciate the State Finance Council for providing the Recovery Office the necessary support to ensure we’re delivering the quality investments Kansans deserve,” said Recovery Office Executive Director Julie Lorenz.

 

More information on today’s meeting can be found here: https://covid.ks.gov/spark-meetings/

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County COVID-19 Update

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

August 10, 2020

” Bourbon County has received a number of presumptive cases lately,” Rebecca Johnson, the administrator said.  “I have changed current positive cases to current active cases, so the active case count is understood.”

 

 

 

Allen County

Current Active Cases 8
Positive Out of State-Staying in Allen County 2
Total Hospitalizations 2-1 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 13
Total Positives Since Testing 20
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Active Cases 2
Total Hospitalizations 0
Current Recovered Cases 29
Total Positives Since Testing 31
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Active Cases 11
Presumptive Cases 13-1 listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon 11
Total Hospitalizations 8-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 79-includes presumptive cases
Total Positives Since Testing 79
Deaths 2

Woodson County

Current Active Cases 1
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 11
Total Positives Since Testing 12
Deaths 0
Fort Scott Community College

Updated FSCC Trustees Agenda

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August 10, 2020. The meeting will be held in the Heritage Room at Fort Scott Community College.

5:00 p.m. Dinner in the Heritage Room at 5:00 p.m. followed by budget hearing and regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m.
THE AGENDA
5:00 DINNER
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
BUDGET HEARING, 5
A. Comments from the Chair, 5
B. Open Comments from the Board, 5
C. Review and Adoption of 2020/2021 Year Budget, 5
CONSENT AGENDA, 6
A. Approval of Agenda, 6
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on July 27, 2020, 7
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 9
D. Approval of Mercy Housing Lease
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 60
A. Consideration of Gordon Parks Museum Policies, 60
B. SPARK Applications for Review, 106
REPORTS, 116
A. Administrative Updates, 116
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 118
ADJOURNMENT, 190

Bourbon County, Business, COVID-19, Fort Scott

Second COVID-19 Positive at Presbyterian Village

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Second Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
employee tests COVID-19 positive

FORT SCOTT, Ks. – A second Fort Scott Presbyterian Village non-direct resident care employee tested positive for COVID-19 in testing conducted at the campus last week. Seven employees and two residents were tested after being identified as close contacts of an employee who tested positive August 1. The seven employees have been in quarantine at home and the two residents have been in isolation at the campus.

Six employees and the two residents tested negative. One non-direct resident care employee tested positive. No residents or employees, including the employee who tested positive, are showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 at this time.

The Bourbon County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Epidemiology Hotline have been notified. At this time, the health department is not recommending any additional testing because the positive employee has been in quarantine since August 1.

“Our top priority continues to be the safety of our residents and staff members,” said Jeanne Gerstenkorn, PMMA’s infection preventionist and vice president for health and wellness.

Families were been called August 7 to alert them to the positive case, and all state and county mandatory required reporting agencies have been notified.

All employees are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines and best practices as these are continually updated. The community regularly reinforces with all staff that an employee should not report to work if he or she is experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or are not feeling well.

The employee is quarantined and will not be allowed to work until they meet CDC and KDHE guidelines for when an employee may return to work. Under the current guidelines, symptomatic employees may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since resolution of the employee’s fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and the employee’s symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Asymptomatic positive employees will quarantine for 14 days. Upon the employee’s return to work, we will follow CDC recommendations related to work practices and restrictions.

For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s response, go to PMMA’s (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s) website, Presbyterianmanors.org/Media- room.

 

Opinion

Letter To The Editor: Let’s Work Together

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Submitted By Jim Kemmerer

Since the elections last year we’ve seen much change, whether in our control or not. Let’s control our future. Let’s work together on the things we want to improve.

Many of the things we want to be better in Bourbon County are why we elect certain people to lead us.

However, we have only so much resources of full-time personnel and funds. Perhaps it’s time for the citizens to assist in order to accomplish what we want.

Street quality is an issue. If it’s possible, can volunteers help the street department when it’s time to do activities volunteers can do such as hand labor (think picking up and placing bricks)?

I don’t know how much time it takes to keep the public lands mowed. When the government mows they can’t do other things. Is there a way to have volunteers help with this task, whether operating their own equipment or the governments?

Many properties in the county have not kept up with their property tax payments. It’s currently not illegal since the collection of such taxes are behind by more than a year. Perhaps a plan should be developed to get caught up sooner than later. It’s funding that’s available without needing to raise the tax rate. What resources are needed to get caught up, and how can volunteers help accomplish this task?

The care of private properties sometimes doesn’t meet codes yet continues on a wide scale due to a lack of resources, mainly time and personnel. Is there a way to have volunteers help the Codes Department accomplish their tasks?

All are appreciative of the assistance private and public ‘help’ groups provide. When public funds are used to fund such groups perhaps the groups ensure as much as possible that the funds are used for those truly in need. And for those that are helped by the groups, perhaps they should help the groups continue their work.

In today’s world there is a large amount of information needed to be understood and followed when doing projects such as what the Water Department and Streets are involved with. Perhaps there ought to be multiple people including volunteers learn and understand the guidelines to assist when needed and keep the knowledge available when changes in personnel occurs.

Long story short, we only have a certain amount of funds, people, and time provided by the government bodies.

 

Instead of talk, complain, and watch our limited resources try to do what we’d like done, let’s take action ourselves under the direction of our leaders once they determine what volunteers can participate in.

Bourbon County Local News