Bourbon County, Government

Bo Co Commission Amended Agenda for August 14

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

August 14, 2023 5:30

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Minutes from 8/7/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $214,430.95
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $394,953.25
  1. Public Comments
  2. Susan Walker-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  3. Discussion of the Changes to the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
  • Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  • Overpass Request for Qualifications
  1. Jennifer Hawkins-County Clerk, KC Mart Cereal Malt Beverage License Renewal
  2. Susan Walker, Patty Love, Jennifer Hawkins-Financial Policies & Procedures
  3. Susan Walker & Patty Love-CD’s
  • Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  • Commission Comments
  1. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, Schools

New Uniontown Teachers: Ericson and Martin

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This is a part of a series of new teachers in Uniontown’s School District.
The district’s open house is August 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The first day of class for students is August 16.
Tyler Ericson. Submitted photo.

Tyler Ericson will teach 4th grade at West Bourbon Elementary, in Uniontown starting this school year.

“The thing I love about teaching is…relationships with each of my students,” she said. “How they can come to me about anything, and they will not be judged… whether it be in or outside of school. I love seeing children learn, but most importantly having fun and being engaged while doing it.”

“A challenge for me would be change,” she said. “…starting over from a whole new school district, a new grade, and new colleagues can be overwhelming. Teaching primary and now about to teach 4th grade, it will definitely be different, but in a good way. I am excited to see what West Bourbon has in store for me!”

She  said she looks forward to taking part in school community activities that plan to make community members feel welcomed, respected, trusted, heard, and needed, to help promote student success.

Ericson hales from a big family in Kansas City and Oklahoma, she said.  In addition, she and husband, Ethan, have two sons, Julian and Jamison, and one daughter Journee.

Ericson earned her A.A in Elementary Education,  at Labette Community College and a B.S. in Elementary  Education from Pittsburg State University.

She taught second grade at Winfield Scott Elementary last school year; first grade at Winfield Scott from February 2022 to May 2022; and was a special education paraprofessional at Uniontown High School from January 2018 to May 2019.

She was substitute teacher certified by the Kansas Department of Education from August 2019 to May 2020.

Ericson worked in Early Childhood Centers in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area from the age of 15 to 24.

Christal Martin. Submitted photo.
Christal Martin will teach high school science in grades 10-12.
She received a bachelors in science degree with an emphasis in nursing in 2008 from Pittsburg State University, and is currently finishing a master’s degree in secondary education from Western Governor’s University.
She has worked as a Uniontown Junior High At-Risk Aide for the past three years.

For Martin,  the best thing about working with children is “Building connections with students, and watching them academically succeed,” she said.

A challenge this year will be learning to navigate through everything as a new teacher, she said.

She is married to husband, Seth, and  they have two sons, Caden and Casen.

Art, Business, Fort Scott

Artificers Kids Still Life Painting in Sept. 16, Glaze Day is Sept. 23

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Calendar Correction!

Sorry for the inconvenience.

The kids still life painting is on 9/16 and glaze day is 9/23
Register For Classes Here!
Bourbon County, Government

Amended Bo Co Commission Agenda for August 14

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

August 14, 2023 5:30

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Minutes from 8/7/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $214,430.95
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $394,953.25
  1. Public Comments
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  3. Overpass Request for Qualifications
  • Jennifer Hawkins-County Clerk, KC Mart Cereal Malt Beverage License Renewal
  • Susan Walker, Patty Love, Jennifer Hawkins-Financial Policies & Procedures
  1. Susan Walker & Patty Love-CD’s
  2. Susan Walker-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  3. Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  • Commission Comments
  • Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Opinion

Through Thick and Thin by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

 

In the ups and downs, little or much, laughter and tears, joy and sorrow — through it all, I‘ve never been or felt abandoned. I’m certainly acquainted with sorrow and grief, but they’re not my friends. I don’t hang out with them, nor invite them to pull up a chair and stay in my heart. I’ve learned how to biblically journey through stuff and experience joy again. I’m just going to go out on a limb like a squirrel with a nut and say that if you live long enough, you’ll have ample opportunity to get burned by the heartaches of life.

 

We understand the difference between getting burned while removing brownies from the oven, and ultimately being burned up. The following scripture has been a favorite of mine since I was in my early 20s: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT). Notice there are three “whens” and no “ifs.” So when life runs us through the ringer, we can come out standing up while holding onto the Savior’s nail-scarred hand. Remember, if we never had any trouble, we wouldn’t need any faith.

 

No matter what season we’re in, we’re not alone. Believers are always cradled in the arms of Jesus. It’s possible to come out of the tough seasons not even smelling like smoke. It’s one thing not to catch on fire, but it’s ramped to the next level to not even smell of smoke after walking through the fire of trouble. “So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!” (Daniel 3:26-27 NLT). These uncompromising boys weren’t kept from the blazing fire, but they were lovingly preserved through the fire.

 

There are several striking lessons in this Old Testament account but, for me personally,  that Fourth Person that showed up in the fire is the best. The Hebrew boys were in the fire, but they weren’t alone. Jesus was right there in the middle of the heat with them. This is a visual of reassurance for us today that we’re never alone or abandoned in our darkest and hottest hour. When the roaring flames are licking at our soul, the One who died and rose again to make us whole is as close as the mention of His Name.

 

Jesus is always bigger than our troubles and trials. But it’s our job to lay hold of this truth and tighten our belt of sweet trust in Jesus. So, if nothing is too big for Him, why allow Satan to kick us when we’re up and kick us when we’re down? It’s an unwise decision to side with the enemy and just roll over and play dead with our front teeth missing.  Focusing on Jesus and magnifying His power puts our eyes on the Problem Solver rather than the intense heat of the circumstances. And when the trial is over and times are good again, it’s important to keep that death grip on Jesus because we need Him through thick and thin. My late husband had underlined the following scripture in his Bible:

 

The Key: “Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting — for He will never disappoint you!” (Psalm 27:14 TPT).

K-State Extension, Schools, Youth

Beating the Back-to-School Blues

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Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension 
Family and Consumer Science Agent 
Southwind District 
211 W. Butler 
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620

The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the sound of bells ringing through the halls, and the gathering of friends that you haven’t seen all summer.

I am sure we can all think back to our childhood and remember how the beginning of a new school year brought on excitement, dread, or anxiety.

 

As a parent, you can help your children get a good start to this school year and ease some of those anxious thoughts and feelings.

For many kids, one of the biggest back-to-school worries is if they will like their teacher. Breaking the ice early is one of the best ways to calm their fears. If personal contact with the teacher is not possible before school starts, try locating the teacher’s picture on a school website or in a yearbook. Helping your child put a face with a name before the first day in the classroom can help them feel more at ease and prepare them for their first interaction.

Familiarizing your child with their environment is another thing you can do to help them avoid nervous tummy aches. If your school offers a walk-through before the first day, this can be a great opportunity for you to meet the teacher, find their desk, or explore the school together. With older children, try asking them to give you a tour of the school and their classroom. Not only will this help refresh their minds, but it will give you an idea of where they will be spending the majority of their time over the next several months.

Go over class supply lists and plan a shopping trip. Having all the needed school supplies can help your child feel prepared. By taking your kids back to school shopping, they will feel supported and encouraged. Allow for a couple of splurges like a cool notebook or a backpack in their favorite color while also keeping basic needs in mind. Even a small fun purchase can make going back to school more enjoyable and give them something to look forward to.

Ease into new routines the week leading up to the first day of school. Switching from a summer schedule to a structured school schedule can be stressful for everyone in a household. Avoid mayhem on the first day of school by getting into the new routine a few days in advance. Set an alarm clock, go through your morning ritual, and make time for a healthy breakfast. Routines help children feel comfortable, and establishing one early will make the first day of school go so much smoother.

After school kicks off, take time to talk as a family about how each day went. Try asking how they like their classes, if they have made any new friends, or what they like most about school thus far. Not only will you learn more about how they are adapting to all the changes, but this will also help strengthen family relationships by bonding over shared conversations.

Don’t let the beginning of a new school year create unnecessary stress for your kids and household. By doing some of these simple things, you can help your children feel prepared and ready to tackle another great school year. For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.

K-State Extension

A Loss Without A Card

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Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.

A Loss without a Card

I am talking about ambiguous loss which is often unclear and without closure.

This type of loss is a common part of life but is often the most difficult and stressful one to deal with.  I recently learned more about it while viewing a webinar by Dr. Michelle Krehbiel with the University of Nebraska who also refers to University of Minnesota Extension’s A Changing Way of Life:  Ambiguous Loss and Farming and Dr. Pauline Boss’s research.

 

So, what is ambiguous loss?  It is a loss that is confusing, uncertain, unverified, and can go and on.  It can be a physical loss such as a missing person or having to downsize the farm due to drought or disaster.  It can also be psychological such as a loss of a loved as you knew him/her due to dementia or of your own identity due to being newly retired.

 

We’ve all dealt with something that did not have an official ritual to show that a loss occurred such as:  divorce, miscarriage, a financial fall out, addiction, infertility, deployment, immigration, retirement, traumatic brain injury, or a natural disaster.  What do we do to not get stuck in this complicated grief?  In short, build resilience to lower the stress and anxiety caused by this loss and create a new narrative that one can live with.  Here’s a few ways to work towards moving forward.

 

  1. Name what you are going through

Acknowledge that you have had a loss and name the feelings you are going through.  Also do this with other family/friends that are affected.

  1. Make new meaning of the loss

There is no magic recipe that can do this, it will take time and a combination of answers to assist.  However, reconstructing your identity within this loss may help.  For example, if you struggle with retirement, you may embrace that you are now a full-time grandpa and volunteer.

  1. Normalize Ambivalence

Work towards ‘both and thinking’.  It’s ok to have two opposing ideas in your mind at the same time. For example, he is both gone and may return (missing in action soldier); she is both gone and still here (dementia).

  1. Discover Hope

We know this is extremely important in suicide prevention.  Hope may look different for you amidst loss but look for ways to discover it.

  1. Seek information and humor

If it’s an illness learn more about what you can do, become an advocate.  When dementia gets particularly trying keep that sense of humor or it truly would be overwhelmingly sad.

  1. Engage in Self Care

Dr. Pauline Boss states that respite is essential and no one should feel guilty about taking it.  Figure out what it means to you and make time for it!

  1. Evaluate and Build a Circle of Support

Sadness is often treated with human connection.  Find, engage, and check in on your ‘community’.  This could be faith based, friends/family, mental health, or support groups.

I hope to acknowledge my own and others’ ambiguous losses more adequately.  We can all work together for better.  For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or by calling 620-244-3826.

 

# # #

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.

Fort Scott, Government, Schools
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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

AUGUST 14, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.

PUBLIC AGENDA

 

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                     David Stewart, President

 

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

 

4.0       Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)

            4.1       Board Minutes

  1. 07/17/2023 Regular Meeting
  2. 08/07/2023 Special Meeting

            4.2       Financials-Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – July 20, 2023 – $1,619,878.22

            4.5       Activity Fund accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

           

5.0       Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)

5.1 Student Recognition

5.2 Employee Recognition

5.3 Board Member Acknowledgements

 

6.0       Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)

            6.1       Superintendent’s Report

            6.2       Assistant Superintendent’s Report

            6.3       Special Education Director’s Report

            6.4       Finance Director’s Report

                                               

7.0       Old Business

7.1       Addition of two (2) full-time substitute positions (Action Item)

 

 

 

8.0       New Business

8.1       Handbooks for the 2023-24 school year (Action Item)

Emergency Operations Plan

Employee – Classified

Employee Safety Manual

Federal

8.2       KASB Policy Updates (Action Item)

8.3       SRO Agreement with the City of Fort Scott (Action Item)

8.4       MOU with Learning Tree Institute (Action Item)

 

  9.0     Public Forum

 

10.0     Other Business – Personnel Matters

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

10.2     Exit Executive Session

10.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

11.0     Adjourn Meeting

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for August 14

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

Attachments:

Payroll 1 of 2 8-11-23

Payroll 2 of 2 8-11-2023

Accounts Payable 8-11-2023

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

August 14, 2023 5:30

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute followed by Prayer
  • Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Minutes from 8/7/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $214,430.95
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $394,953.25
  1. Public Comments
  2. Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  3. Overpass Request for Qualifications
  • Jennifer Hawkins-County Clerk, KC Mart Cereal Malt Beverage License Renewal
  • Susan Walker, Patty Love, Jennifer Hawkins-Financial Policies & Procedures
  1. Susan Walker & Patty Love-CD’s
  2. Sheriff Bill Martin-Policy & Procedure of Random Drug Testing
  3. Susan Walker-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Jim Harris-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(4)
  • Commission Comments
  1. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Government

KS Crime Victims Compensation Awarded

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Crime Victims Compensation Board awards more than $545K to victims in Q2

TOPEKA – (August 10, 2023) – The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board awarded financial assistance to 236 victims of violent crime at its meetings during the second quarter of 2023, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said.

The Board reviewed 245 new applications submitted by victims and approved $545,685.48 to be awarded to victims.

“While compensation cannot erase the trauma that victims experience, we hope that our support can alleviate the financial pressure faced by victims of crime,” said Kristen Czugala, Division Chief for Victim Services.

The Crime Victims Compensation program was established in 1978 to help victims of violent crime pay for unexpected expenses such as medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, dependent support and funeral expenses.

This quarter, the compensation board helped pay for the funerals of 17 victims in Kansas. The board also assisted 23 victims in relocating to a safe place after experiencing violence at the hands of another. The individuals helped include a grandmother who received a quarterly payment to help with the expenses of raising her grandchildren whose mother was murdered. In another instance, the board helped pay up to $25,000 in medical expenses for a stabbing victim.

The state’s Crime Victims Compensation Board determines claims that are eligible for payment and how much money will be awarded to each claimant. Awards are limited to a maximum total amount of $25,000 with limitations of $7,500 for funeral and burial expenses, $5,000 for outpatient mental health counseling, $10,000 for inpatient mental health treatment and $1,500 for grief counseling for family survivors of homicide victims.

A portion of assessed court costs and fines, inmate wages, parole fees and restitution paid by convicted offenders provides funding to the program.

For more information about the Crime Victims Compensation program call (785) 296-2359 or visit the attorney general’s website at www.ag.ks.gov.

###

CONTACT: Danedri Herbert – (785) 414-0210 I [email protected]
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Copyright © *2023* *Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach*, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
120 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66612

Bourbon County Local News