USD234 Board of Ed. Minutes for Dec. 9

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

NEWS RELEASE

Monday, December 09, 2024

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 09, 2024, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.

President David Stewart opened the meeting.

 

The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:

Board Minutes

11-11-24

Financials – Cash Flow Report

Check Register

Payroll – October 18, 2024 – $1,693,896.64

Activity Funds Accounts

USD 234 Gifts

MS Band Fundraising

December 2024 KASB Policy Updates

 

Special Education Director, Tonya Barnes, recognized Jannah Farrington for being named the 2024 Coach of the Year for the Southeast Region’s Special Olympics. Jannah is in her 12th year at the district. Jannah along with Rhonda & Damien Perkinson, Stacy & David Brown, Laryn Schnichels, Kristal Castillo, and others worked to build and decorate the Special Olympics Express that won first place in the Fort Scott Christmas Parade. She has been instrumental in expanding the Special Olympics department which includes track & field, bowling, and soon to come basketball.

 

Superintendent Destry Brown reported on enrollment from the start of school until December. He also gave a brief update on the Preschool building and where the district is with the remodeling of the building.

 

Assistant Superintendent Terry Mayfield provided the Board with an update on the football field turf replacement with the hopes it will be finished ahead of schedule. He explained about a few projects in the buildings that are being done and that we will hear about the financial audit as soon as they have completed it.

Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, updated the Board on the next CAT AID payment that will be coming later this month. She and others will be starting a new hire orientation in January and following monthly for all new employees to make sure they equipped and ready to work within the district.

 

Mina Query, Principal at Eugene Ware, presented a slideshow for the Board. She presented pictures from the Family Engagement Camping Night that focused on reading. The teachers have been working on interventions that have had a significant impact. She also went over a few reports to show how the students have improved. Students were present from Mrs. Keating’s Enrichment groups. They help with the student store, parent monthly parent letters, and they really enjoy being a part of her group. A couple of members from the Leadership Club were present to explain about their trip to Greenbush to learn about how to become a leader. They also worked with Wreaths Across America to help raise money for fifteen wreaths to be placed at the National Cemetery. Mrs. Query complimented the teachers and staff for working together as a team for the better of the students.

 

KESA Accreditation Plan for information only. Each district is to choose a District Goal and our choice was Structured Literacy. Superintendent Brown explained how the district is working toward that goal.

 

There have been three applicants for the open board seat. The Board decided to have a special meeting in January to interview and choose an applicant.

 

The Board Approved the following items:

  • Pre-Employment Drug Screening
  • Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation, INC Grant
  • Kingbird Solar Energy Contribution Agreement
  • School Bus Purchases (71 Passenger & Bus with Lift)
  • Maintenance Truck Purchase

 

The Board tabled the following items:

  • 10 Passenger Van Purchase
  • Towerpoint Acquisitions Letter of Intent to Purchase Interest in Wireless Site

 

There were no comments during public forum.

 

The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.

 

President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED

December 09, 2024

 

RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:

Button, Tim – Resignation – Bus Driver

Flanner, Kevin – Resignation – Supplemental – Girls’ Volleyball Head Coach – High School

Krull, Michael – Retirement

 

EMPLOYMENT:

Certified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Doherty, Andrew – KRI Teacher

Fountain, Justin – 6th Grade Math Teacher – Middle School

 

Classified Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Durkin, Jennifer – Paraprofessional – KRI

Herring, Sean T – Custodian – Middle School

Thorne, Deborah – Paraprofessional – Winfield Scott

 

Supplemental Recommendations for the 2024-25 school year:

Armstrong, Jeff – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – High School

Feedback, Brennen  – Head Boys Basketball Coach – High School

Larsen, Danny – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – High School

Martin, Dave – Assistant Swimming Coach – High School

Stepps, Trent – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach – High School

 

 

 

 

The Uniontown Science Olympiad teams have kicked off the 24-25 season.

B Division Team – 1st row: Ely Swink, Scout Eden, Ash Sporleder, Ty Shelton, Lexi Irsik, Autstin Maycomber 2nd row: Blake Ervin, Mathew Knight ( Mentor), Makiah Woods, Marley Sutton and McKinley Sutton

Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division (Division B is middle school; Division C is high school), according to information provided by Uniontown Science Teacher Carrie Sutcliffe.

Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation. Through Science Olympiad, students, teachers, parents, principals and business leaders bond together and work toward a shared goal.

 

 

Lexi Irsik and Scout Eden. Submitted photo.
Austin Maycomber.
Ash Sporleder and Scout Eden
4 C Division Team – 1st row – Abbi Brown, Jewel Endicott, Jiyah Middelton, Jordan Wolf, Blakely Cox
2nd row – Anthony Weyant, Bailey Cox, Austin Vincent, Maria Cibrin, Matthew Knight
3rd row – Dylon Diebert, Dreyden Marlow, Hunter Johnson, Paityn Hueston, Camilla Cagle.

Obituary of Morris Robinson

Morris Earl Robinson, age 90, a resident of Redfield, Kansas, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the home of his daughter in Springfield, Missouri.  He was born June 12, 1934, in Redfield, Kansas, the son of Earl Kenneth Robinson and Frances Mary McGuire Robinson.  He was united in marriage to Darlene Harned on January 2, 1955, at the Fulton United Methodist Church in Fulton, Kansas.

Following their marriage, Morris served with the United States Navy from 1956 to 1958.  He remained active with the Navy Reserves until 1962.

Morris was a lifelong educator.  After serving in the Navy, he began his teaching career in Uniontown, Kansas.  He also taught at Westphalia and Bronson.

In addition to teaching, Morris also loved working on the farm.  He worked at a ranch in Colony, Kansas and later moved his family to British Columbia where he managed the Green Valley Ranch for several years.

He later taught at the Dome Creek School and McBride Elementary School in British Columbia.  In 1970, the family moved to Pickens, South Carolina where he taught at the Olenooy Valley Christian School.  He later returned to Kansas and worked as the City Superintendent at Uniontown for six years.  In addition to working for the City, he also worked the family farm at Lake Frances.

Teaching was still in his blood and in 1978, he taught ACE curriculum at the Community Life Fellowship School in Redfield, Kansas and later at Patton Fellowship School in Patton, Missouri.  In 1986, he relocated to Cape Girardeau, Missouri where he was employed by Teen Challenge.  While at Teen Challenge he continued to teach and help students obtain their GED certification.  He retired completely in 2000 and returned to the farm in Redfield near Lake Frances.  Morris loved spending time outdoors.  He also enjoyed music and played the guitar, piano, mandolin and harmonica.  Favorite times were spent with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Morris is survived by his wife, Darlene, of the home; ten children, Sonia Gonske, Montgomery, Texas, Twyla Young (Tim), Garland, Kansas, Lesha Seaver, Liberty, Missouri, Mark Robinson (Marianne), Thompsonville, Illinois, Suzanne Ruble (Tim), Springfield, Missouri, Lela Robinson-Bradley (Steve), Murrieta, California, Lynna Longaro (Joe), Austin, Texas, Kimerly Feiner (Larry), Glendale, Arizona, Isaac Robinson (Pia), Tarlac City, Philippines and Raymond Robinson of Ft. Scott and a son-in-law, Tyronn Nunnelly of St. Louis, Missouri as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are three brothers, Lynn Robinson and Lyle Robinson, both of Redfield, Kansas and Jerry Robinson of Ft. Scott, Kansas.

Morris was preceded in death by a daughter, Myrna Robinson-Nunnelly, a brother, Merle Robinson and a sister, Anita Ayre.

Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct funeral services at 10:30 A.M. Monday, December 16th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Private burial will take place at the Robinson Family Cemetery near Redfield, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Teen Challenge and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the onli

Multi-Day Fire Was Caused by Illegal Burning.

The fire on Dec. 8-9 on North Hill Street from the Fort Scott Fire Department’s Facebook page.

Fort Scott Firefighters worked for several days on an old bridge fire near the city’s dog pound on North Hill Street. The fire was located on the north edge of Fort Scott.

The department received a call on December 8 at 12:46 p.m. of a fire on the  400 block of North Hill Street.

The cause of the fire was determined to be illegal burning, according to FSFD Chief Dave Bruner.

The property involved in the fire was the bridge as well as a large debris pile under the bridge.

“We cleared the scene at 3:42 p.m. but spent the evening and next morning monitoring and extinguishing hot spots,” Bruner said.

The access to the fire and terrain around it made it difficult to get in close proximity to the fire, he said.

The initial call involved the Fort Scott Fire Department with five personnel, the Fort Scott Police Department, the Scott Township Fire Department- with four personnel, and the Garland Fire Department with two personnel assisting,

Obituary of Vicky Long

 

Vicky Sue Runyan Long, age 65, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Guest Home Estates in Ft. Scott.  She was born August 19, 1959, in Ft. Scott.  She graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1977.  In earlier years, Vicky worked as a waitress.  She later moved to Illinois where she worked at several nursing homes.  Vicky enjoyed going to classic car shows, attending stock car races and taking the occasional trip to the casino.

 

Vicky is survived by several cousins.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Maxine Runyan, and a brother, Richard Wesley “Ricky” Runyan.

 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 17th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.  Private burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the Guest Home Estates Activity Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance

Chamber Coffee is Hosted by FSCC Foundation on Dec.12

Join us for Chamber Coffee

hosted by the

Fort Scott

Community College Foundation

Thursday, December 12th

8am

Ellis Fine Arts Center

2108 S. Horton St.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, December 12th at 8am hosted by Fort Scott Community College Foundation, 2108 S. Horton St. The Coffee will take place in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served along with a giveaway drawing.

Fort Scott Community College Foundation’s mission is to empower FSCC student success through philanthropic support, aligned with key FSCC institutional initiatives. Their vision is to be the philanthropic force supporting high-quality educational experiences for FSCC students of all backgrounds to help them improve the trajectory of their lives.

Since 1980, FSCC Foundation has given $7-plus million in scholarships. The foundation provides significant assistance to FSCC in the form of scholarships and special projects. The foundation is extremely grateful for the FSCC Alumni and Friends of FSCC, who are their greatest advocates and supporters.

Visit the new website www.fsccfoundation.org for details about the Fort Scott Community College Foundation and to sign up for the quarterly newsletter.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com

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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 

The Lowell Milken Center Reaches a Record Number of Visitors in 2024

Brittany Ward received the Lowell Milken Center’s 15,000th Visitor Gift Package during her December 7th visit to the Center with her sister, Samantha Thomas.

Since its beginning in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes has hosted visitors from around the world, including 109 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

On December 7th, the center reached a new milestone with its 15,000th visitor for 2024, a record-high number of visitors for one calendar year.

The Lowell Milken Center congratulates Brittany Ward from Fayetteville, AR, as the 15,000th Visitor for 2024, and it just so happened that she was also celebrating her 50th birthday! Upon touring the exhibit about Irena Sendler, Brittany shared some personal connections. Her family was originally from Germany; her grandfather served on an American Navy submarine during WWII, and some of her family members came to the U.S. as refugees in Oswego, NY.

Visitors like Brittany advance the mission of the Center, learning about and sharing the Unsung Heroes’ stories, along with the heroes’ significant historical impact on our lives, our country, and the world. As the number of visitors increases, interest in the Center grows, and the number of projects entered in the Discovery Award and ArtEffect competitions also grows. Consequently, new Unsung Hero exhibits are continually added to the Lowell Milken Center’s Hall of Heroes, the Lowell Milken Park, and the Center’s website. These unsung heroes become role models that inspire all who learn about them to seek to make a difference in the lives of others.

Visit www.lowellmilkencenter.org to learn more.

 

Larry James Faulkner Obituary

 

In recognition of a life well lived, Larry James Faulkner surrounded by family, passed at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri after suffering a stroke at the age of 79. Larry was born on December 6, 1945 to Edward Chester “Buck” Faulkner and Frances Leona (Gordon) Faulkner. He was born at the Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, Kansas, as were all three of his daughters. Larry grew up in El Dorado with his family, Buck, Frances and two sisters, Joy Lee Faulkner Howry and Lynda Jean Faulkner Varner. He spent as much of his childhood, and adulthood for that matter, fishing and hunting every chance he could. He was known to ride his tricycle around with a pocket full of snake or toads.

Larry married Carol Sue Williams on September 6, 1964, in El Dorado, Kansas. Larry’s childhood was spent in El Dorado and he and Carol began their lives together there as well. Larry had many jobs growing up, mowing lawns, carting ice, and primarily driving his father around the oil well leases they tended as a family. One of Larry’s family neighbors was Carol’s uncle Roy who lived a few houses down. It was through this connection that Larry met Carol. Their families vacationed together at Many Points Lake and Lake Itasca, Minnesota.

He had a brief stint as a roofer, and then sparked by a childhood memory of linemen climbing poles in front of their house (he liked climbing things), he went to trade school to become a Wichita Lineman. Larry moved the family to Fort Scott Kansas in 1973 where he worked the remainder of his life with KG&E (Kansas Gas and Electric) which became Westar.

Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman and considered himself a farmer. He spent many holidays and Summers hunting pheasant and quail in western Kansas and Elk just west of Cannon City, Colorado with relatives where they often were caught up in snow storms in nothing by Summer tents. Beyond hunting and fishing, Larry loved county music and could whistle a mean George Jones or Hank Williams tune.

Larry settled his family in a 100 year old stone farmhouse east of Fort Scott and had many adventures there. Many hours were spent tending garden, pruning orchard trees, raising a multitude of animals and clearing the surrounding woods cutting firewood most weekends. Whenever possible, the family would travel to Stockton Lake, El Dorado Lake, Marion Lake..do you see a theme? One of our favorite Larry stories at the farm, and there were many, was when he decided to “help” his daughters by sorting a fire cracker out of a large pile of fireworks with a newly welded piece of steel and set off World War III with tiny rockets, missiles, and parachutes flying everywhere and the girls diving for cover. Larry and Carol later in life raised quail to sell to restaurants and nature preserves before auctioning off the farm.

Larry retired after 30 plus years, and with Carol, sold the farm and traveled for many years before resettling near friends in Colony, Kansas. Larry and Carol traveled all over northern Minnesota, and into Canada through Ontario and Saskatchewan where they found many new friends, specifically at Cranberry Portage near Grass River Provincial Park in Manitoba Canada. Larry, Carol and their grandson Morgan spent many Summers here from as soon as the ice broke in May through September, with other family visiting when they were able.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Buck, and his mother, Frances as well as both of his sisters, Joy and Lynda. He is survived by his wife Carol, his three daughters; Diana Kay Faulkner Stoughton and husband Fredric, her sons Mackenzie, Mitchell (Katelyn), and Morgan; Toni Renee Faulkner Peterson and husband Christopher, her children Riley, Bennett, and McKenna; and Trudy Rae Faulkner; along with his great grandchildren, Aidan, Brodie, Callen, and Cobie.

When asked if he would have done anything different, Larry responded, “I would invest in the oil stockmarket. I had a good life, family, and some good friends, Never took no shit off of anyone. Tried to be as honest as I could be. No regrets.”

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

KS Commerce Dept. Launches Quality of Life Improvement Grant Program

Commerce Launches New Quality of Place Grant for Rural Revitalization

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the launch of the new Towns grant program. This program is an initiative designed to spur quality-of-place improvements in rural Kansas communities that have received no funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce in the past three years. This new opportunity will have $100,000 available for its first round of funding.

The program provides grants that range from $1,000 to $10,000 to support small-scaled projects that will deliver meaningful results in rural communities, with a focus on increasing local capacity, fostering community and youth engagement, and mobilizing volunteers and local investment.

“The Kelly-Toland Administration remains committed to bringing prosperity to all of Kansas, and this program will strategically foster new investments that provide our smaller communities with greater opportunities to flourish,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These grants will empower local leaders to transform ideas into reality, creating vibrant spaces that attract families, support local businesses, and strengthen the fabric of rural Kansas for future generations.”

Eligible applicants must represent a community with a population of 5,000 or less and that has received no Commerce funding in the preceding three years.

“The Towns grant will provide an opportunity for grassroots, rural leaders to revitalize our small and rural communities,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “By targeting these resources to underserved regions of the state, we can continue ushering in a promising future for every Kansan, no matter their geographic location.”

Applicants must demonstrate investment in the projects by providing a minimum match of 10%, which can come in-kind for communities with populations under 1,000. The matching funds must come from a private source or non-state funded grants.

Awards will be disbursed to a variety of eligible project types across the entire state. Communities with similar needs are encouraged to leverage resource sharing such as grant administration, grant writing and matching funds.

To support potential applicants, Commerce will host a series of informational webinars and workshops. The Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) will host virtual office hours for applicants who might have questions regarding the grant program. Registration for the webinars and office hours, guidelines for the grant application, and a list of eligible communities and project expenses can be found here.

Grant applications open Monday, December 16, and will close February 28, 2025. Awardees will be announced mid-April 2025.

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.

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Obituary of Catherine Beth

Screenshot

Catherine C. Costin Beth passed away Friday, December 6, 2024, at Credo Senior Living, Fort Scott, KS.  She was born May 24, 1925, in Oil Hill, KS, the town that City Services built near Towanda, KS.

 

Her mother was Edith Neeley Costin, and father was Cass Cartell Costin.

 

Catherine accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized in 1937.  In 1939 she came to live with Frank and Jessie Gifford as their foster daughter.  She graduated from Fulton High School in 1943.

 

In 1944 she was united in marriage to Ellis Lee Beth, her high school sweetheart.  They were married more than 75 years before his passing.  She and Ellis Lee farmed their entire life together.  She also worked for the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for over 27 years.  She served as the County Executive Director in her last ten years at ASCS.

 

She was preceded in death by her husband, her mother and father, a daughter, Cathy Lee Beth, a son, Darrel E. Beth, a sister, Mary Jane Berry and two half-brothers, Verne and Floyd Costin.

 

Those surviving are two daughters, Marilyn (John) Sipe and Marsha (Doug) Bell; a daughter-in-law, Sandra Beth; grandchildren, Shana (Mike) Emerson, Clifton (Whitney) Beth, Beth Ann (Casey) Alexander, Catherine Bell (Nick Sterner) and Elizabeth Bell; and great-grandchildren, Cali, Nick and Austin Emerson, Ella and Carter Beth, Isaac and Eli Alexander, Bryn and Claire Sterner, and great-great-grandchild, Lincoln Emerson.

 

There was cremation.  A private family burial will take place at a later date at the West Liberty Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

 

Obituary of Norma Wood

 

Norma Lee Wood, age 88, resident of Tulsa, OK passed away Friday, December 6, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, OK.  She was born June 28, 1936, in Independence, MO, the daughter of William Vasco Dunnam and Laura Amanda Roundtree Dunnam.  She married James “Bill” Wood, Sr. on January 11, 1954, in Kansas City, MO.  He preceded her in death in 2003.  Norma enjoyed being a preacher’s wife.  She liked reading, shopping, and spending time with her family.  Norma was a wonderful homemaker and cook.

 

Survivors include her children, Sandra Mullins (Danny), Oak Grove, MO, James W. Wood, Jr. (Darlene), Fort Scott, KS, Laura Cavin, Teague, TX, Debra Wood (Mona McIntosh), Tulsa, OK, Joe Wood (Sharla), Enid, OK, and Merl Wood (Amy Murray), Tulsa, OK; special child Cherry Ann; siblings Russell, Earl, Billy, and Bobby Dunnam, Margaret Williams, and Betty Warren; 6 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Besides her husband Bill, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Thomas and Wesley Dunnam; 2 sisters, Nina Allen, and Beatrice Pellett; and her parents.

 

Merl Wood will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 12th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Sheffield Cemetery, Arcadia, KS.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time Thursday at the funeral home.

Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

 

 

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