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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! July 17th Weekly Newsletter
…
KS Governor Demands Release Of Federal Education Funded That Was Congress Appropriated
Governor Kelly, 17 Governors, Demand
Trump Administration Release $6.8 Billion
in Withheld Education Funding
~~Governor Kelly Stands up for Public Education,
Demands Release of $45 Million for Kansas Students~~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday joined a coalition of 17 governors in sending a letter to United States Secretary of Education Linda McMahon demanding the immediate release of approximately $6.8 billion in federal education funding. Although the funds were already appropriated by Congress, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would delay distribution. This abrupt decision jeopardizes nearly $43 million for K-12 education in Kansas.
Governors from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin all signed onto the letter, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of the withholding.
“The Trump administration’s shocking decision to withhold education funding directly harms students and schools in Kansas and across the country,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding is essential to support student learning, teacher training and preparation, and afterschool programs that working parents rely on, especially in rural areas. At a time when teachers should be focused on the upcoming school year, the presidential administration’s failure to release Congressionally appropriated funds undermines our shared responsibility to provide every student with a world-class education. I urge the Trump administration to reverse course on this unwarranted cut.”
The Trump administration’s failure to distribute these funds is an unprecedented cut affecting programs that support teacher recruitment and training, STEM education, academic enhancing technology and digital literacy skills, and afterschool programs. This cut could be especially difficult for rural Kansas schools that rely on the flexibility of these federal funds to meet the needs of students.
Based on state fiscal year 2025 grant awards, states were scheduled to receive the federal funding beginning July 1. On June 30, the U.S. Department of Education informed states that it would not issue the funding due to an internal review.
Schools and adult education providers across the country, including in Kansas, were counting on this funding for the upcoming school year. The Trump administration’s decision to halt releasing the funding on time is causing widespread disruption to planning and operations, potentially forcing program cuts, hiring delays, and service reductions for students most in need.
The full letter to Secretary McMahon can be found here.
###
July 27 Is the Parent Empowerment Circle
Waypoint Coins Hide and Seek Event Is August 2
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A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members.. |
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Budget Committee Report Tops July 16 Bo Co Commission Meeting (Part 1)
County Commissioners heard from Greg Motley, representing the newly-formed Budget Advisory Committee about whether or not the county should choose to go revenue neutral in the new budget.
The commissioners had to decide this question and notify County Clerk Susan Walker as well as set budget hearings by September 20 and submit their final budget to the clerk by October 1.
Motley said the committee plans to have all the data that they need to make final budget decisions significantly before the hearing date deadline.
He said that thus far, the Budget Advisory Committee has been working on big picture stuff. They were awaiting the commission’s revenue neutral decision to dive into the details.
Almost everyone on the BAC has an accounting degree or other significant accounting experience. He said they have reviewed 6 years-worth of data on the county’s finances.
“I think we need to commend the people in this building, everybody contributes to that because our audits are absolutely clean, and especially the county clerk. She has delivered clean audit after clean audit after clean audit,” he said. “The integrity of the numbers is good and the committee has appreciated that.”
While the committee prefers the county be revenue neutral, or at least keeping the mill levy as low as possible, the reason they cannot recommend going revenue neutral is that the county is playing catch up.
“We’ve run down the cash reserves of the county,” he said. The current financial condition of the county would make bond approval very challenging, and if approved, the interest rates would be very high.
“We need to start building our cash reserves back to where they were several years ago,” said Motley, and it will take multiple years to do that.
“We’ve also robbed peter to pay Paul,” he said, “In that previous commissions had set a plan to do replacement reserves,” by transferring funds, but in order to balance the budget, they did not made those transfers to those reserves for equipment replacement.
The landfill has a sinking fund requirement by statute. The landfill needs to be covering that, not the public works department. The courthouse needs $1 million in deferred maintenance. Cost increases that are out of the commission’s control, including insurance costs, keep sky-rocketing across the nation. These are examples of why the county can’t go revenue neutral. Motley did say the BAC will be fighting to keep the mil levy where it is.
“We have interviewed virtually every department head and every elected official in the building,” and talked to individual employees besides that, he said. “The committee has been very impressed with the quality of the employees in this building. We have good people, and we have people that serve the public.”
The draft 2026 budget that the committee received calls for a 6 mil increase. The committee is not willing to go that high. After comparing all the data, the maximum that they can recommend is 62.5 mils compared to the current 59.9. Motley recommended they adopt that as the maximum rate and then work to lower it between now and Sept. 20 or Oct. 1 with the goal of not raising the mil at all and perhaps lowering it if we can, “But we’re facing a lot of headwinds.”
“We are going to be doing everything we can to make sure that rate is lower, but there’s a lot of things out of our control here, too,” he said. The problem didn’t start here, but with historical decisions by previous commissions.
“We have to find ways to save money,” said Commissioner Mika Milburn.
Commissioner David Beerbower said that the budget will require a lot of work.
“A budget is simply a spending priority and when you decide to spend less, something’s got to go,” Motley said. So the commissioners should be attending the budget advisory committee’s meetings and setting their priorities.
Commissioner Samuel Tran suggested telling department heads give the commission their top 3 priorities.
Beerbower moved that the commission extend the mil rate to 62.5 and set the hearing date for August 11 at 5:35pm.
The motion passed unanimously.
Death Notice of Palmer Don May
Palmer Don May, age 78, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, MO. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.
July 18 Is The Doris Erickson Homemade Pie Auction at The Fair
Flash Flood Warning For Bourbon County KS In Effect Until 12:15 p.m.
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Springfield MO
613 AM CDT Thu Jul 17 2025
KSC011-171715-
/O.NEW.KSGF.FA.W.0026.250717T1113Z-250717T1715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Bourbon KS-
613 AM CDT Thu Jul 17 2025
...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1215 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
* WHERE...A portion of southeast Kansas, including the following
county, Bourbon.
* WHEN...Until 1215 PM CDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying
and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 613 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
thunderstorms. Flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly in the warned area.
- Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Fort Scott, Uniontown, Redfield, Marmaton, Hiattville, Pawnee
Station, Devon, Petersburg and Garland.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Many flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Happenings At the Artificers
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‘Hire a Veteran Day’ Virtual Job Fair is July 25
‘Hire a Veteran Day’ Virtual Job Fair Focuses on Transitioning Servicemembers
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers searching for available talent to take part in the upcoming “Hire a Veteran Day” virtual job fair, hosted by KANSASWORKS, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 25. This job fair is open to all jobseekers but primarily is aimed at veterans preparing to transition to civilian careers.
“Military veterans don’t just get the job done — they lead with purpose and strive for greatness in all things they do,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Their leadership, discipline and diverse skillsets make them invaluable to our workforce — and I encourage any transitioning servicemembers who are exploring their next chapter to attend and connect with our state’s outstanding employers.”
KANSASWORKS is hosting this special event to connect veterans with employers who recognize the value of military experience. Participating employers understand military skillsets and actively are seeking to hire those who have served.
The Virtual Job Fair format allows anyone searching for a position to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.
The Virtual Statewide Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as they might be asked to engage in an interview.
Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodations by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.
Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click: bit.ly/KSVetsJobFair.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
About KANSASWORKS:
KANSASWORKS links businesses, job candidates and educational institutions to ensure that employers can find skilled workers. Services are provided to employers and job candidates through the state’s 27 workforce centers, online or virtual services KANSASWORKS is completely free for all Kansans to use. Learn more at KANSASWORKS.com. State employment opportunities can be found at jobs.ks.gov.
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