Learn the Real Differences Between IEPs and 504 Plans
🔹 What’s the right plan for your child?
🔹 How do you get one?
🔹 What are your rights as a parent?
Join us for a free, informative session with a Special Education Specialist who will walk us through the key differences between 504 Plans and IEPs, how to start the process, and how to advocate for your child effectively.
👨👩👧👦 Open to all parents and caregivers of children with special needs (any physical or behavioral difference)— whether you’re just starting out or looking to better understand the system.
📅 Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
🕕 Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
📍 Location: First Southern Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1818 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS
🎤 Guest Speaker: Tonya Barnes, USD 234 Special Education Director
Fort Scott, Kan. Sept. 22, 2025 – The Gordon Parks Museum will host a dedication ceremony for a new mural
honoring Gordon Parks on Friday, October 3, at 4:15 p.m. as part of the Gordon Parks Celebration events.
The mural will be located on the north side of the Wilder House Building at 18 East Wall Street (home of the
Sunshine Boutique) in downtown Fort Scott.
Renowned St. Louis–based visual artist and illustrator Cbabi Bayoc designed and painted the mural. Bayoc is
internationally known for his vibrant and thought-provoking works and is also the artist behind the First Kansas
Colored Infantry Mural, completed in 2023 on the north downtown building at 9 South Main Street near Skubitz
Plaza, facing the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
The Gordon Parks Museum received a $6,874 grant from the Kansas Arts Commission Public Art and Murals
Grant Program to support the project. Funding for Kansas Arts Commission grants is provided by the Kansas
Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Additional support for the project is provided by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and Fort Scott
Forward.
For more information, please contact The Gordon Parks Museum at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850 or [email protected]
Learn the Real Differences Between IEPs and 504 Plans
What’s the right plan for your child? How do you get one? What are your rights as a parent?
Join us for a free, informative session with a Special Education Specialist who will walk us through the key differences between 504 Plans and IEPs, how to start the process, and how to advocate for your child effectively.
Open to all parents and caregivers of children with special needs (any physical or behavioral difference)— whether you’re just starting out or looking to better understand the system.
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025 Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM Location: First Southern Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1818 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS
Guest Speaker: Tonya Barnes, USD 234 Special Education Director
Submitted by
Cherri Walrod
Cherri Walrod, K-State Extension Community Health Worker.
Kansas Department of Labor to Host 51st Annual Workers Compensation Seminar
TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) will host its 51st annual Workers Compensation Seminar on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 23-24, 2025, at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan.
The two-day event provides legal, medical and case management professionals with the latest updates on workers compensation and the opportunity to earn continuing education credits.
This year’s seminar features a variety of educational opportunities, including morning general sessions and three focused tracks: Legal, Management and Medical.
Event Details:
Dates: September 23–24, 2025
Location: Overland Park Convention Center
For more information about the seminar agenda, please visit dol.ks.gov/wc/seminarand follow KDOL on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn using #KSWCSeminar.
Growing with 4–H: September as a Season of Reflection and Renewal
September is a month of transition. The long, warm days of summer give way to crisp mornings and evenings, school buses resume their routes, and the first hints of autumn colors begin toappear in the trees. For many, September feels like both an ending and a beginning. In 4–H, this sense of change is particularly significant—it is a time to reflect on past accomplishments with pride and to look forward with excitement to what is yet to come.
Celebrating Summer Successes
For 4–H members, summer is typically the busiest season of the year. They spend countless hours caring for livestock, tending to gardens, practicing demonstrations, working on sewing projects, and preparing entries for the fair. County and state fairs serve not only as showcases of hard work but also as celebrations of dedication, perseverance, and growth.
As September arrives, many members take time to reflect on their summer experiences. They remember the early mornings in the barn, the nerves they felt before stepping into the show ring, the satisfaction of completing a project, and the joy of hearing their names called during the awards ceremony. These experiences teach valuable lessons that go beyond what ribbons can represent. They instill a sense of responsibility, time management skills, resilience, and pride in a job well done.
A Fresh Start for a New 4–H Year
September is not just a time for reflection; it’s also a season of renewal. For many clubs, the start of September marks the approach of a new 4–H year. New members are welcomed, officers are elected, and goals are set for the upcoming months. This season represents fresh starts, allowing young people to choose new projects, explore different areas of interest, and challenge themselves to grow in exciting ways.
Just like the harvest season that September brings, 4–H teaches us that growth occurs when seeds are planted with care and nurtured with time and effort. The lessons learned in barns, gardens, kitchens, and meeting rooms extend well beyond 4–H. They help shape members into leaders, problem solvers, and responsible citizens in their schools and communities.
Looking Ahead: National 4–H Week
September brings excitement forNational 4–H Week, which occurs in early October. Clubs start brainstorming ideas to showcase their projects, promote 4–H to new audiences, and highlight the positive impact 4–H has on their communities. This is a time for members to share their pride, invite friends to join, and tell their personal stories about how 4–H has made a difference in their lives.
This preparation goes beyond mere publicity; it serves as a reminder of the vital importance of outreach and service. 4–H is not just about the individual benefits members receive, but also about the contributions they make to their communities. By gettingready for National 4–H Week, clubs reinforce the connections they share with their schools, neighborhoods, and counties.
September’s Message: Making the Best Better
Ultimately, September reminds us of the pledge every 4–H member knows well:“I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.”
As we transition from one season to the next, our pledge takes on a deeper significance. It encourages us to use our talents and energy not only to improve ourselves but also to strengthen the world around us. September marks the start of fall and signifies the beginning of another year of growth, leadership, friendship, and service in 4–H.
As the leaves begin to change, let’s welcome the opportunities that lie ahead. We should take the lessons we’ve learned from the summer fairgrounds and apply them in our classrooms, communities, and homes. Let’s continue to embody the mission of 4–H: to make the best even better.
Kendal Henson is a Kansas State Extension 4–H & Youth Development agent assigned to the Southwind District. He may be reached at[email protected]or 620–625–8620.
Location: Bourbon County Commission Chambers, 210 S National Ave.
I. Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes
Minutes from 09/15/25 & 09/16/25
IV. Consent Agenda
Approval of 09.19.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $302,193.56
Approval of 09.19.25 Payroll Totaling $299,558.52
Tax corrections
Lynne Oharah – Road Concern
Derek Raines
Sheriff & Ben Hart
Tusa – Dean Hart & Dennis Ward
Enterprise Lease – Kenneth Olsen
V. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
VI. Old Business
Budget Discussion
Culvert Discussion – Milburn
CIC Discussion – Milburn
Gov. Deals – Milburn
Cereal Malt Beverage – KC Mart, 2191 Soldier Road
Elevator Milburn
Mapleton Redfield Road – Tran
Planning Commission Selection – Beerbower
Security Cameras – Beerbower
Resolution Review – Beerbower
Commission Meetings & Commissioner Conduct
VII. New Business
Application for Road Closure 140th between Cavalry Road & Birch Rd – Beerbower
VIII. Build Agenda for following meeting
IX. Commission Comments
X. Adjournment
Information Packet Summary
Executive Sessions (Page 2) The document outlines the form of motion for executive sessions, referencing Kansas statutes for matters such as:
Personnel matters of nonelected personnel
Consultation with an attorney
Employer/employee negotiations
Financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations
Preliminary discussion of real estate acquisition
Matters relating to security measures
The document also notes future agenda items including a Vehicle Lease Program, Economic Development, 911 Dispatch Worksession, Juvenile Detention Contract, and a Sanitation Worksession.
Financial Summaries The packet includes a summary of open invoices by department, providing details on various funds.
General Fund (Page 3-5) The General Fund has 40 invoices totaling $13,595.68. The invoices include payroll-related payments to entities like Bourbon County Treasurer, Bourbon County-State Withholding, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas, and the Bourbon County-IRS.
Appraisers Fund (Page 5-6) The Appraisers fund has 31 invoices totaling $3,096.78. Payments include gas purchases from Bourbon County Road & Bridge and various payroll invoices.
County Treasurer Motor Fund (Page 6-7) The County Treasurer Motor Fund has 15 invoices totaling $1,398.93. This includes mileage reimbursement for a county meeting, continuing education fees, and various payroll-related payments.
Election Fund (Page 7-8) The Election Fund has 17 invoices totaling $324.92, all related to payroll.
Employee Benefit Fund (Page 8-10) The Employee Benefit Fund has a large number of invoices, with a total amount that is not explicitly summed in the provided snippets. The payments are primarily for health insurance to Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas and various payroll vendors.
Road and Bridge Funds (Page 10, 15) The Road and Bridge Fund has invoices totaling $731.28 for dyed diesel, $3,408.22 for gas and diesel, and $523.53 for dyed diesel. The Road & Bridge Sales Tax Fund includes invoices for dyed diesel totaling $4,010.28 and $2,940.00.
Ambulance Service (Page 22) The Ambulance Service fund has 23 invoices totaling $13,489.32.
Budget Information (Page 72-74) The budget section shows the Adopted Budget for various funds.
General Fund: Expenditures estimated at $3,010,849 for 2025.
Employee Benefits: Expenditures estimated at $2,611,090 for 2025.
Special Bridge: Expenditures estimated at $0 for 2025, with all funds being moved to the Road & Bridge Fund.
Did you know that you can review and change your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan annually? Medicare Annual Election Period, running from October 15th to December 7th, is the time to do just that!
On Tuesday, October 28th, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm, at 735 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott; area Senior Health Insurance Counselors for Kansas (SHICK) will be available for you! Call 620-244-3826 to schedule an appointment.
Even if you have been happy with your plan in the past, plans and your medications do change! It is a good idea to compare options to see what meets your current needs. Last year, counselors helped beneficiaries save on average $909.00 per person by changing plans.
Back to the Land: Plot Perfect — Garden Planning for an Abundant Harvest
Whether you’re a first-time or a seasoned gardener, the homesteading series from K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District is designed to help you grow smarter — not harder.
Join us for the first session of Back to the Land with Plot Perfect: Garden Planning for an Abundant Harvest on Wednesday, October 1st, at 6 p.m. in the Agriculture Building at Fort Scott Community College.
This free, interactive workshop is designed to help gardeners plan and grow a more productive food garden from the ground up. Topics will include:
Starting strong with healthy transplants
Do-It-Yourself indoor grow light system
Choosing the best soil amendments
Selecting crop varieties that support your homesteading goals
Designing efficient garden layouts to reduce waste and boost yields
Whether you’re building a backyard homestead or want to put more fresh food on your family’s table, this session will provide practical, hands-on skills to help you make the most of the growing season.
CFSEK Hosts New Rural Community Partners Fund to Support Local Businesses
At a time when funding is growing increasingly uncertain and hard to obtain, the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is stepping up in a big way! Jody Love, President and CEO of HBCAT, is a small business owner herself, and after renovating a downtown building in Fort Scott, she saw first-hand the limited support for small businesses in Southeast Kansas.
Jody Love, president and CEO of Healthy Bourbon County Action Team. Submitted photo
“I saw the need for economic development and growth across the region, and I knew that we just needed access to opportunities,” Love said. “People believe in where they live and want it to improve, so what can we do to help?”
Rural Community Partners (RCP), a subsidiary of HBCAT, is creating a new fund at the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) called the SEK Entrepreneur and Small Business Support Fund, which will help empower small businesses across Southeast Kansas.
The grants will be managed by Small Business and Entrepreneurs (SBE) Council of RCP, which is composed of local business owners from five counties in Southeast Kansas, representing a diverse range of geographical locations, racial backgrounds, and includes low-income and women entrepreneurs. The grants will also serve as an opportunity for networking and mentorship with similar organizations facing similar challenges.
One local business that has already utilized these services is Bushel and a Peck in Girard. With Southeast Kansas connections and experience in Philadelphia restaurants, owners Michael and Kelley Gringas were equipped for success. HBCAT has started to build systems to connect restaurants like Bushel and a Peck to locally produced food.
“One of the recipients of our food producer grant was Freedom Farms, based out of Bourbon County, with the concept of creating a food co-op model,” Love said. “That has now come full circle, and we have been able to connect Bushel and a Peck with Freedom Farms to source local chicken and lamb!”
“Commerce is at the heart of every community,” Love said, “and this project from HBCAT is supporting our SEK communities, continuing their economic development for years to come! We are serious about it being a regional fund, which is why we are housing it at the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.”
“We are excited to work with Jody and Rural Community Partners to create this endowment that will support our friends and neighbors who operate small businesses,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “Small businesses are crucial to rural economies, and Southeast Kansas has some incredible small businesses. We are delighted to try and help bring them more resources.”
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office is located at 104 N. National. Phone: 620.224.2563
Applications for the Entrepreneur and Small Business Support Fund are accepted via email to Jody Love at HBCAT. She can be contacted at [email protected].
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2024 and has facilitated over $25 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has released the August 2025 Kansas Labor Report. The full report and accompanying news release can be accessed here: August 2025 Kansas Labor Report
The September 2025 Kansas Labor Report will be issued on Friday, October 17, 2025.
What’s the right plan for your child?
Open to all parents and caregivers of children with special needs (any physical or behavioral difference)— whether you’re just starting out or looking to better understand the system.
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: First Southern Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1818 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS
Guest Speaker: Tonya Barnes, USD 234 Special Education Director
