Fort Scott, Schools

Tonya Barnes Begins as U234 Special Education Director on July 1

1 Comment

Tonya Barnes will begin duties as the USD 234 Special Education Director on July 1.

Barnes was in District Level Leadership; Emporia State University in 2015; Building Level Leadership; Emporia State University, 2010; Master of Science; Major: Special Education, Behavior Disorders K-12; Emporia State University, 1997; and earned a Bachelor of Science; Major: Elementary Education; Pittsburg State University, 1988.

She is the current director of special education at USD 282, 283, 286 in Chautauqua and Elk Counties Special Services Cooperative, since 2018.

She was director of special education from 2015-18 for Coffey County Special Education Cooperative.

From 2012-15 she was special education coordinator at the Flints Hills Special Education Cooperative.

Barnes was a special education teacher from 1995-2012 at the ANW Special Education Cooperative.

Fort Scott: The Next Step, Coming to Her Home District

Barnes is a graduate of Fort Scott High School, class of 1984.

She is married to Kevin Barnes who is teacher and coach for Woodson USD 366 in Yates Center for 32 years. They have a son, Jon Barnes who is in his first year of teaching and coaching at Fort Scott High School.

Her parents are Karen and the late Ron Billiard, Fort Scott, and her sister is Robin Hartman, Fort Scott.

Her community involvement through the years has been family focus – church activities, youth events, 4-H parent, supporting school district activities and sporting events, Kansas University basketball enthusiasts, spending time with family, and “spoiling our beloved pets,” she said.

For Barnes, the best part of being the special education director is working with the students and staff, and learning their stories, she said.

“The relationships we will build together takes time and intentional work,”  Barnes said. “Our special education team has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and I look forward to learning from them.”

“The special education team (at U234) consists of approximately 30 licensed teachers and related service providers, and 80 paraeducators,” she said.

“USD 234 has approximately 22% of the district’s enrollment receiving special education services,” she said.

Her office will be located at the district office, 424 S. Main, and her time at the district office will be combined with time in the different age-grouped buildings, Barnes said.

USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main

“The biggest challenge of the position is time to be sure the most important work is accomplished, which is matching student needs with the most effective intervention or strategy, supporting teachers, providers, and paras with the knowledge, resources, time, and energy to deliver what is needed, and valuing their contributions,” she said.

 

The following will be her duties:

*Build relationships with staff, students, parents, patrons, and the entire learning community;

*Partner with the district’s special education team to learn the processes, successes, and strengths of the special education staff and programming in each building;

*As a team, access areas of desired and needed professional development…for best practice in providing programming to students and families, in addition to supporting their professional growth;

*Being accessible … connecting with staff… learning the culture, observing instruction first-hand to support our providers in their work of providing solid learning opportunities for students;

*Work with the…business office to learn the special education budget in USD 234 and become familiar with how revenue streams, expenditures, and funding are managed,

*Assist and support the procurement of needed materials and resources to meet student’s needs;

*Work with the USD 234 Administrative Team to assist and support special education matters in their buildings;

*Represent USD 234 in contacts with local, state, and federal agencies in matters pertaining to special education;

*Assist and provide support in securing the needed staffing for special education programs and provide induction for new staff;

*Collaborate with building teams to ensure a comprehensive curriculum is being provided;

*Work with all providers…to ensure students are receiving equitable evaluations, consistent services, and access to research-based curriculum and instruction, while maintaining best practices;

*Attend required and selected professional development opportunities to support…to provide guidance and leadership with special education mandates and new initiatives;

*Collaborate with building teams to provide the opportunities necessary for successful post-secondary transition success;

*Assist management of grants available for special education funding and the submission of staff information to maximize state special education categorical aid;

*Prepare and submit all reports within guidelines and timelines;

*Comply with legal and regulatory requirements of various governmental agencies;

*Ensure all special education programs perform within state and federal statutes, and adhere to the policies and procedures of the USD 234 Board of Education.

 

 

 

 

 

Government, Kansas

Kansas Department of Revenue Announces Expansion of Online Renewal System

Leave a comment

 

~~iKan App Now Includes Identification Card Renewal~~

TOPEKA – Today, the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR), in partnership with PayIt, announced the addition of identification (ID) card renewal services to iKan.

iKan is the State of Kansas’ award-winning digital government platform that delivers services from numerous state agencies in a single, end-to-end experience for Kansas residents, with web, mobile, and native Apple and Android apps available.

ID renewal joins the growing list of online services available to Kansas residents through iKan, including renewing driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, ordering birth, death, and marriage certificates, and purchasing annual park passes.

“Since starting our journey with PayIt in 2018, our commitment to serving residents with an accessible, convenient digital experience has remained a top priority,” David Harper, KDOR Division of Vehicles Director, said. “We’re proud to add another service to the platform, enabling ID holders of all ages to have the option to renew online. We will continue to invest in delivering digital services that make Kansans’ lives a little easier.”

As of March 2023, more than 1 in 3 Kansas residents are registered with iKan, and the addition of ID renewal enables iKan to serve over 10,000 additional residents each year.

To renew an ID, residents can log into the iKan platform or access as a guest, select ID credentials renewal, and provide their name, date of birth, ID number, and last four digits of their social security number to submit the request — all in just a matter of minutes and a few clicks.

To explore iKan, visit https://ikan.ks.gov/.

Bourbon County, Government

Amended Agenda For the Bourbon County Commission April 13

Leave a comment

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
1 st Floor County Courthouse
210 S National Avenue
April 13, 2023, 9:00 AM


I. Call Meeting to Order
II. Flag Salute and Prayer
III. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes from 4/6/2023 and 4/11/2023
IV. Department Updates
a. Public Works Director
b. 5-Year Solid Waste Plan
V. 9:15-Public Opening of Hay Bids
VI. 9:25-Public Opening of Trailer Bids
VII. 9:30 CORE Communities Zoom Presentation with Deb Factor
VIII. Susan Bancroft-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
IX. Bill Martin-Loan Bids for Patrol Vehicles
X. Public Comments
XI. Commission Comments
XII. Meeting Adjourn
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

Letter to the Editor by Loreta Jent

Leave a comment

Dear Editor:

 

“Wine promises one thing – delivers another”, a quote from a recovering alcoholic.  “No matter what problem you’re trying to mask or fix…..alcohol will always ensure you end up with MORE of what you don’t want.”

 

Ethanol, the alcohol that is in all alcoholic beverages and which is burned in engines, is a toxic poison to the body.  The wine industry did a smart move, financially on their part, when it “married” the health industry several years ago.

 

April’s Alcohol Awareness Month is a good time to be reminded that by volume there is more ethyl  alcohol in wine than in beer.  To explain, each average serving of the following contain the same amount of alcohol,  ½ ounce:  1-2 oz Cocktail; 3-5 oz. Wine; 12 oz. Beer; 12 oz. Wine Cooler.  NO  ALCOHOLIC  DRINK  IS  SAFE!

 

According to researchers, such as Samuele Bacchiocchi and David R. Brumbelow, the word “wine” in the Bible is a generic word that has several meanings such as fresh grape juice, molasses, raisins, and fermented alcoholic wine.  The meaning of the word must be determined by the context of the scripture.

 

There is one verse that speaks clearly and is easy to understand from Proverbs 20:1:  “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is deceived by them is not wise.”

 

Sincerely,

 

Mrs. Loreta Jent, Education Director

National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for April 13

Leave a comment

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 1st Floor County Courthouse

210 S National Avenue

April 13, 2023, 9:00 AM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute and Prayer
  • Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 4/6/2023 and 4/11/2023
  1. Department Updates
    1. Public Works Director
  2. 9:15-Public Opening of Hay Bids
  3. 9:25-Public Opening of Trailer Bids
  • 9:30 CORE Communities Zoom Presentation with Deb Factor
  • Susan Bancroft-Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(2)
  1. Public Comments
  2. Commission Comments
  3. Meeting Adjourn

 

 

 

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, Fort Scott, Jobs

Fort Scott – Bourbon County JOB FAIR

Leave a comment
Fort Scott – Bourbon County
JOB FAIR
Hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
THIS THURSDAY
April 13th from 3-6pm.
Ellis Fine Arts Center
on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton St.
ALL job seekers welcome ~ ALL types of jobs available!
KANSASWORKS will be onsite at the Job Fair to provide resources and any assistance to employers or job seekers!
Employers registered to have a booth include:
Bandera Stone
CHC/SEK – Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
City of Pittsburg Police Department
Cobalt MedPlans
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
Heartland Behavioral Health (Nevada)
Integrity Home Care + Hospice
Kansas Army National Guard
Kansas Department for Children and Families
Kansas Department of Transportation
Labconco
Manpower
Nevada Regional Medical Center
Peerless Products
Pittsburg State University
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
Twister Trailer
Ward-Kraft, Inc.
CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE FLYER
THAT INCLUDES LIST OF POSITIONS EMPLOYERS ARE HIRING FOR!
Contact the Chamber for more info. or any questions:
620-223-3566 or [email protected]
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Star Wars Fans, Celebrate May the Fourth at the Library

Leave a comment

 

Marlie Seaver behind a Darth Vader selfie prop
Submitted photo.

 

Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Youth Librarian & Asst. Director at Fort Scott Public Library

Each year, across the globe, fans of the Star Wars franchise celebrate on May the Fourth, chosen as a spinoff of the phrase “May the Force be with you.” On May 4th, commonly known as Star Wars Day, Valetta Cannon (known to local kids as Miss Val) invites fans of all ages to come celebrate at the Fort Scott Public Library. The library will present film screenings, snacks, crafts, games, a selfie station, and other activities in the event room, from 10 am to 4 pm. Activities will be self-directed, although Miss Val will come and join participants when possible. Fans are invited to come in costume and to have library staff take their photos in front of the new backdrop. This event is free and open to the public.

Ainsley Wheeler holding a lightsaber craft. Submitted photo.
Entertainment, Fort Scott

Celebrate Earth Day at the Library on Maker Monday

Leave a comment
Valetta Cannon
Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director. Submitted photo.

 

Submitted by Valetta Cannon, Youth Librarian & Asst. Director at Fort Scott Public Library

Join Miss Val at Fort Scott Public Library on April 17 at 4:15 pm for a reduce, reuse, and recycle-themed Maker Monday.

Attendees will choose from a wide variety of cardboard pieces and recyclables to create anything they can imagine.

Utilize the library’s maker cart and art supplies to make art, engineer a motion-powered machine, create something functional, or make a piece that no one has dreamt of before.

Enjoy snacks and bottled water to keep your creative juices flowing.

Everest Cannon at a table during our last cardboard maker event.

This will be the final Maker Monday of the school year. The program is free and open to the public.

Fort Scott Community College

FSCC Seeking to Upgrade Nursing Department

Leave a comment
The building at 8th and Horton Streets is currently housed by CHC.

Fort Scott Community College is currently discussing with Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas about acquiring the building at 8th and Horton Streets for the future nursing department of the school.

“As with any acquisition, the details must be worked through and it definitely does not happen quickly,” Adam Borth, FSCC Vice President of Academic Affairs said. “I believe our goal at this time is to be moved and have the facility operational for the spring 2024 semester.”

“For the building purchase, our plan is to utilize a 10 year lease-purchase agreement with CHC, operating within the current budget,” Borth said.  “We have funds graciously donated to FSCC from the Snyder family for the nursing program. We will utilize those private donor funds to complete the remodel and upgrades. Our plan at this point is utilize the FSCC maintenance department to complete the majority of the remodel.”

Adam Borth. Submitted photo.

The current building located at  8th and Burke Streets “is a very solidly built facility, however, it is has many upgrades needed,” Borth said.

An example, he said is the heating/air conditioning system that needs a complete overhaul. “Bid estimates a couple years ago all came in near seven figures, if not over.”

FSCC’s accrediting body, “which ensures we are in compliance with nursing standards has also pointed out that a facility upgrade is needed,” he said.

“The new facility would also give FSCC nursing students the opportunity to receive education in a facility that is conducive to learning and provide an excellent experience we strive for and the students deserve,” he said.

The Current Program

“Our nursing program right now sets around 40-50 admitted students, with many more in pre-nursing (working to meet the requirements to receive admission to the program)” Borth said.

The COVID 19 Pandemic affected the program.

“Our enrollment decreased, as expected, after spring 2020,” he said. “The profession has seen a shift since then as well, with many getting out of the healthcare field. This has exacerbated the impact on the shortage of instructors for us and other nursing programs.”

“Because of the shortage of practicing nurses, the pay in the field far exceeds what institutions can offer for instructors,” Borth said. “It creates a difficult environment for recruiting qualified applicants, who also must possess a master’s degree within six years of being hired.”

There is a benefit for those that do choose higher education.

Those working in higher education, such as nursing instructors at the college level,  have a more “appealing…work-life balance,” he said.

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News