KS Expands Computer Science Education
Governor Laura Kelly Signs Bill Expanding Computer Science Education in Kansas Schools
~~This Legislation Helps Students Transition from Career and Technical Education Programs into the Workforce~~
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed bipartisan House Bill 2466 to promote computer science education in Kansas schools and provide additional funding for current and aspiring teachers to receive training in computer science programs. HB 2466 also establishes a pilot program that covers credential exam costs and assists career and technical education students in their transition to the workforce.
“By expanding computer science education and creating this transition program, we can better retain the skilled workforce Kansas produces through our K-12 schools,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “In addition, it signals to companies looking to build or expand their business that Kansas is the place to do it.”
HB 2466 provides scholarships for educators in rural areas and underrepresented socioeconomic groups to obtain computer science education training.
“HB2466 will bring much needed resources and training to our teachers,” Representative Steve Huebert, District 90, said. “With that, more classes will be offered, allowing students to gain the computer science skills they need for today’s workforce demands.”
More information about HB 2466 can be found here.
Governor Kelly also signed the following bills:
HB 2138
Provides for the use of electronic poll books in elections and the approval of such books by the secretary of state, requires all voting systems for elections to use individual voter-verified paper ballots with a distinctive watermark, requires the secretary of state and local election officers to develop an affidavit to be signed by election workers regarding the handling of completed ballots, requires audits of any federal, statewide or state legislative race that is within 1% of the total votes cast and requires randomized audits of elections procedures used in four counties in even-numbered years, requires a county election officer to send a confirmation of address when there is no election-related activity for any four-calendar year period and exempts poll workers from certain election crimes.
Shead Farm Homestead Festival on May 21: A Learning Experience
Since Larry and Vickie Shead’s retirement as educators a few years back they have been showcasing their farm to the public.
They started an event last year for visitors to explore and gather ideas from the Shead’s sustainable lifestyle farm.
“We feel we are just caretakers (of the farm),” Vickie Shead said. “This is what God has given us to do.”
“The Shead Farm Homestead Festival is great for all ages with the farm’s 50 point tour, children’s educational game center, music, and food court, all setting the stage for new innovative ideas and educational information about gardening and farming that produce quality food,” she said.
On May 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. they are opening their farm to the public for the second annual Shead Farm Homestead Festival, located at 2468 Cavalry Rd, Garland, KS, southeast of Fort Scott.
In addition to a farm tour of their gardens, orchard, greenhouse, animals and bee keeping activities there will be a food court serving products made at the farm: walking tacos for $5 and supercharged cookies for $2.
Vendors will be selling seedlings, soap, honey and more.
The farm will be filled with sounds of live music by many local musicians, David Pritchett, Ralph Carlson, Mim Carlson and Carolyn Tucker. Also, a local group called the Prairie Sunflower Strings will perform as well: Marilyn Adcock, Charlena Burns, Jack and Sandy Hemphill, Joyce Love, Cherry Nelson, Jean Strader, Stephen Moses. There will also be an open jam session. Sound is provided by Dave Oas.
Children will have lots to choose from for activities: an animal arena, story station, photo place, cow milking, butter making, and more.
Admission for the day is $5 per person or $20 for a family of four and more.
Their children and their spouses will be helping the day of the festival excluding Michael and Chrisi Shead and family, who are missionaries to Guatemala. Those who will be helping May 21 are: Mark and Haley Shead, Mitzi and Joel Ray, and Maria and Clayton Whitson, along with most of their 21 grandchildren. Many other volunteers are helping to make this a great family outing.
For more information:
Vickie Shead
Phone: (620) 224-4149
Email: [email protected]
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SheadFarm
https://SheadFarm.com
History of the Shead’s Sustainable Homestead
In 1978, Larry and Vickie Shead moved to their family’s 1892 homestead with a goal of having a healthy, sustainable, organic farm.
They began to produce fruits, vegetables, herbs and animals, and also to teach and train the family the value of hard work as a fun activity and entertainment.
Before “agritourism” was a word, the Sheads found themselves welcoming guests who wanted to experience farm life. These included: school field trips, church camps, reunions, weddings, and large Thanksgiving gatherings.
Over the decades, five colleges used the farm for weekend retreats where students could experience the life of work and fun in the outdoors. Over 3000 students representing 50 states and 54 different countries have come to enjoy the farm.
In 2017, Vickie’s dream of a high tunnel (greenhouse) became a reality through a Natural Resource Conservation Service grant, through the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
“The high tunnel not only extends the growing season but helps protect against insects and chemical contaminants that might drift from neighboring farms,” she said.
In 2021, the Shead Farm was registered as an Agritourism Farm with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
VEGGIE POWDER
Over 44 years, Vickie has planted, grown, harvested, and preserved all her organic produce surplus which was dehydrated and ground into extremely fine powder and added to cookies, eggs, smoothies, peanut butter sandwiches, meats, soups, casseroles,
puddings, salads, etc.
It is called VEGGIE POWDER.
The powder provides extra nutrients for families constantly on the go, parents of difficult eaters, or those wanting a more healthy natural diet, she said.
The concentrated organic Veggie Powder from the Shead Farm has an interested beginning.
“Having 250 kindergartners come to the farm
for a fun, farm field trip was an eye opener,” Vickie said. “The school provided healthy sack lunches. However, when the trash was emptied, almost all of the carrots and most of the apples were in the trash along with half-eaten peanut butter sandwiches. The
cookies were ALL EATEN. Children, as well as adults, often choose to eat what they want to eat, pushing the healthy vegetables to the side. Vegetables are sadly missing in so many diets.”
VEGGIE POWDER is made without fillers. In each bottle, she uses available vegetables: kale, cucumbers, zucchini, chard, sweet potatoes, sweet potato leaves, summer squash, carrots, carrot tops, butternut squash, okra, spinach, beets, beet greens, eggplant, Malabar spinach, and Moringa.
Veggie Powder will be available for sale on the day of the festival and additionally, the powder is sold on Etsy for $5 per oz.
After ordering, each customer receives a thank you card with a recipe on the back, usually made by Vickie and Larry’s grandchildren.
Customers can visit their Facebook page for inspiration on how to incorporate the powder into their meals.
U234 Press Release from May 9 Meeting
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, May 9, 2022
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Board of Education office on Monday, May 9, 2022, for their regular monthly meeting.
President James Wood opened the budget hearing. There were no comments; the budget hearing was closed. The board approved the official agenda. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – April 20, 2022 – $1,443,359.12
D. Financial Report
E. Activity fund accounts
F. Point of Information
G. LCP Assurances
H. Greenbush Energy Group Participation Agreement and Hedging Authorization for 2022-23
There were no comments in the public forum. Representatives from HTK Architects presented ideas and concepts for the Fort Scott Preschool Center.
Board members reviewed the principals’ reports. In addition, board members heard reports from Dalaina Smith, Academics Director; Ted Hessong, Superintendent; and Gina Shelton, Finance Director.
The board approved the budget adoption. Dan Koppa, Facilities Director, reported on summer maintenance projects. Superintendent Hessong gave a KESA update and ESSER III update.
The board approved the following
· High school science curriculum recommendation
· Summer camps
· 2022-23 lunch fees
· 2022-23 fees
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss employer-employee negotiations. The board returned to open session and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel. The board returned to open session and approved Resolution 21-13 – Intent to nonrenew a teacher’s contract. The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Resignation of Jeff Dillow, central office HVAC maintenance, effective June 30, 2022
B. Resignation of Raymond Allen, high school custodian, effective May 13, 2022
C. Resignation of Amanda Jamison, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
D. Transfer of Sabrina Keating, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to high school/Eugene Ware gifted teacher for the 2022-23 school year
E. Transfer of Moriah Dillow, Winfield Scott focus room teacher, to Winfield Scott kindergarten teacher for the 2022-23 school year
F. Transfer of Stuart Troutman, central office maintenance, to central office technology help desk specialist beginning May 10, 2022
G. Employment of Hannelie Smit as a district occupational therapist for the 2022-23 school year
H. Employment of Jessica Johnson as a Eugene Ware secretary for the 2022-23 school year
I. Extended contract request from Angella Curran, high school debate/forensics teacher
J. Resignation of Torrie Singmaster, middle school girls’ basketball coach, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
K. Resignation of Jared Martin as high school summer conditioning coordinator
L. Addition of a middle school summer conditioning position for the upcoming summer
M. Resignation of Reyna Valenzuela, high school English teacher, effective May 9, 2022
N. Resignation of Clint Heffern, high school physical education teacher and high school head boys’ basketball coach, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
O. Resignation of Laura Howard, middle school language arts teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year
P. Resignation of Zach Hart, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective May 12, 2022
Q. Employment of Shelly Charter as Winfield Scott Principal for the 2022-23 school year
R. Employment of Krystle Griem as Winfield Scott Assistant Principal for the 2022-23 school year
S. Employment of Colin Downey as a high school social studies teacher for the 2022-23 school year
T. Employment of Christina Lutter-Smith as a speech/language pathologist for the 2022-23 school year
U. Employment of Lori Jett as a high school English teacher for the 2022-23 school year
V. Employment of Andrew Ables as a middle school seventh grade science teacher for the 2022-23 school year
W. Employment of Sarah Long as a high school paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year
X. Employment of Bo Graham as high school summer conditioning coordinator for the 2022-23 school year
The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel. The board returned to open meeting and adjourned.
Farewell Party For California Nails Owner
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Bourbon County Arts Council 2022 Patio Concert Friday, June 17
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Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
May 6, 2022
The legislature is on another break until May 23. The delayed schedule is a response to the Congressional map and now the state senate map being challenged in court.
Meat Labeling Conference Committee Report (CCR) 261 will stop the use of the word “meat” when a product at the grocery store does not contain meat. The bill does not address the use of the word “meat” in restaurants or the use of the word “milk”, but it is a step in consumer protection and forcing accurate labeling of non-meat products. The CCR passed unanimously.
Taxes collected were $175 million above estimates for April. Last year the Governor vetoed income tax cuts, calling them reckless. The legislature overrode the veto and the tax cuts were implemented. Taxes collected are at an all-time high. A majority of legislators voted to pay down some debt (KPERS unfunded liability), which I supported. However, a majority of legislators also voted to increase spending and put $750 million in reserves – so that government can spend it at a later date. I do not support allowing government to grow, especially at that pace.
As Chairman of the Senate Tax Committee, I am grateful for the hard work by the Senate and the House to get some good tax legislation passed this year! Here are some of the highlights: property tax freeze for low income seniors and disabled veterans, tax credits for teachers who purchased school supplies with their own money, removing state sales tax on delivery and postage costs, doubling personal income tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans from $2250 to $4500, and many other provisions. And of course, after many years of trying, we finally passed legislation that will bring the state sales tax on groceries to zero. These are big wins for Kansans and I am grateful for the teamwork between the House and Senate to the tax policies passed with veto proof majority.
In the next day of session, May 23, watch for CCR 2597 which would amend income tax, sales tax, and would enact the COVID-19 Retail Storefront Property Tax Relief Act, providing partial property tax relief for businesses who were restricted at their storefront during the Governor’s COVID-19 shut down. The legislation would gradually remove state income tax on Social Security, increase the standard deduction based on inflation, remove state sales tax on electric and other utilities for businesses (homeowners are already exempt), and other tax provisions to help return record tax collections to Kansas taxpayers.
There was good teamwork and leadership this year that has brought good tax policy to fruition, but there is still work to be done on May 23.
K-12 funding for each Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, 2023, 2024 is over $6 billion in CCR 2567. There was some policy items in the CCR, most notably, adoption of Open Enrollment, allowing students to move between schools provided the receiving school has the capacity to accept the student transferring. There are several questions with the legislation. It was in a budget bill and the Governor can line item veto budgets. Does it apply to this bill? The CCR passed the Senate 24 to 14. I did not support the major spending increase. I did support the school transfer version of the bill and had voted Yes when it was a standalone bill.
More legislation that passed can be found at www.KSLegislature.org.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Weekly Newsletter
Welcoming the 250,000th Honor Flight Veteran to Washington, D.C.
This month, the Honor Flight Network will bring the 250,000th veteran to see the memorials built in their honor. I’ve had the opportunity to welcome hundreds of veterans on Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. and have witnessed the impact these trips have on them. I’m grateful that we could stand at the World War II Memorial – that was built largely due to the tireless work of World War II veteran and Kansas Senator Bob Dole – to recognize Honor Flights and the 250,000 veterans who have embarked on their journey to our nation’s capital.
I joined Sen. Elizabeth Dole and veterans across the country on Tuesday to commemorate this milestone. Honor Flights have also made it possible for veterans like my dad, a WWII veteran, to come to Washington, D.C. and visit the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and many more. These memorials serve as an important reminder to the rest of us that we owe a great deal of thanks to those who have served and sacrificed.
To our veterans and our servicemembers: We respect you; we thank you for your service, and we love you.
Welcoming Airbus to the Air Capital of the World
On Friday, I hosted Airbus Americas Chairman and CEO, Jeff Knittel, and his team in Wichita to showcase the Air Capital of the World. I’d like to thank the Kansas Aviation Museum and the Greater Wichita Partnership for hosting a community reception with local stakeholders and public officials to welcome Mr. Knittel and his team. At the reception, Mr. Knittel announced a donation from Airbus to the United Way Andover Tornado Fund. I am thankful for their aid to the Wichita community and for the time they spent touring suppliers.
Following the reception, we toured Dynamic NC, Cox Machine and Atlas Group with the Airbus CEO and procurement team. I’d like to thank Bryan Mackey, President of Dynamic NC, Jason Cox, CEO of Cox Machine and Jim McMullen, CEO of Atlas Group, for showcasing the talent and capabilities of these incredible companies.
USD234 To Interview Superintendent Candidate Destry Brown
The Fort Scott Board of Education encourages the community to come meet the candidates at the Meet & Greet opportunities on Tuesday (05/10) and Thursday (05/12). These will be held at the Fort Scott Middle School Flex space from 4-5 pm and from 5:30-6:15 pm. Please enter through the south doors.
Those who attend the Meet & Greet receptions will be given a paper survey to provide feedback. Be sure to turn this in before you leave to provide your feedback. The responses will be tallied and provided to the board in summary. The Board will then meet in executive session at the board office for purposes of interviewing each candidate Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm.
Submitted by Gina Shelton, U234 Board Clerk
USD 234
Mr. Destry Brown will be interviewing for the position of superintendent with the board of education on May 10, 2022.
Mr. Destry Brown is the first of two candidates that the USD 234 Fort Scott board of education will be interviewing. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and an online community survey utilized during the search process.
Mr. Destry Brown is currently serving as the Superintendent of the Clinton, Missouri schools. Mr. Brown has also served as superintendent of schools in Pittsburg, KS, Frontenac, KS and has been an elementary principal.
Mr. Destry Brown’s Schedule
05/10/2022
The board of education will conclude interviews on May 12, 2022. They will then determine which candidate is the best fit for the superintendent position in USD 234 Fort Scott.
Chamber Coffee hosted by Old Fort Genealogical Society & Library.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the Chamber Coffee this Thursday, May 12th at 8am. This week’s coffee will be hosted by Old Fort Genealogical Society located at 221 S. National Ave in the lower level of Memorial Hall. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
The Old Fort Genealogical Society is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to preserving the history of our families and our communities. There is a wealth of information on genealogy and local history including records, newspapers, books, photos, school annuals and more. They have a large collection of city directories, obituaries, newspaper microfilm reels, and many other records.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Michael Lundeen and Rick Hite: Friday Night Free Concert May 13
The first half of this week’s Friday Night Concert will feature Michael Lundeen on the keyboard, and Rick Hite will finish out the one-hour concert. Hite sings and plays guitar and mandolin, and performs a variety of music including Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Gospel, and Oldies.
“Hite began singing in church at the age of 5 and has been playing guitar since age 9,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “He has played The White Horse Saloon in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Jekyll Island, Georgia, the Mildred Store, VFW, the Eagles, Elks, Old Settler’s Picnic, and various local venues. Lundeen began studying piano at the age of 6 and has a vast repertoire of hymns, gospel, 1930s music, and songs from his youth. We really appreciate the talents of these two local musicians and are pleased to welcome them back to the park pavilion. Come out and join your friends for an enjoyable evening of music.”
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas of Parsons serves as sound technician each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
Agenda for May 12 U234 Board of Education
USD 234 Board Meeting Agenda
May 12, 2022 – 6:30 p.m.
- Open the meeting
- Flag Salute
- Executive session – to discuss employee-employer negotiations for the 2022-23 school year
- Adjourn