Fort Scott, Government, Schools

Agenda for the USD234 Board of Education on November 11

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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

November 11, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY

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. 10/14/2024
    1. 4:00 PM
    2. 5:30 PM

            4.2       Financials – Cash Flow Report

            4.3       Check Register

            4.4       Payroll – October 18,  2024 – $1,693,306.83

4.5       Activity Funds Accounts

4.6       USD 234 Gifts

4.7       Zero Reasons Why Fundraising

4.8       Orchestra Fundraising

5.0       Employee Recognitions

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       FSHS Update & Report                              

 

7.0       Old Business

7.1       District Values & Goals (Action Item)

8.0       New Business

            8.1       Pre-Employment Drug Screening (Discussion)

8.2       Winfield Scott Chilled Water Line Insulation Project (Action)

            8.3       Middle School Boiler Retubing Project (Action)

8.2       District Health Insurance Recommendation (Action)

 

9.0       Public Forum

10.0     Other Business –

 

10.1     Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

10.2     Exit Executive Session – _______ (Time)

10.3     Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)        

 

11.0     Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time)            David Stewart, President

Obituary

Obituary of Marilyn Nuzum

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Marilyn Fay Nuzum, age 91, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Horton House, Fort Scott.  She was born May 16, 1933, in Vernon County, MO the daughter of William Dewey Ferguson and Leona Myra Dugan Ferguson.  Marilyn graduated from Arcadia High School with the class of 1951 as Valedictorian.

She worked and retired from the Western Insurance Company as an assistant supervisor of key punch.  She married Paul Nuzum on December 20, 1986, in Fort Scott.  He preceded her in death on December 19, 2009.

In her spare time, Marilyn enjoyed baking, tending her flowers, and her cat Laura.  She attended Parkway Church of God (Holiness).

 

Survivors include her sister, Jo Ann Goans, Fort Scott; a stepdaughter, Nancy Sivcovich (Ken), CA; and 3 step grandsons.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.

 

Private family graveside services with burial will take place in the U. S. National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Parkway Church of God (Holiness) and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Opinion

The Pity Pot by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

Last week, I wrote about my friend who was having a double mastectomy.   Her surgery was complicated because she had zero body fat needed to reconstruct her breasts.  When I told Dave, his response did not surprise me.  “Did you tell her that you—I mean we—could donate some of ours?”  After sharing that with my friend, we both cracked up (she more than I).

My friend is now home from the hospital.  We spoke yesterday.  The evening before, it hit her: part of her womanhood was permanently gone. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she teared up but then felt a nudge to turn on her television.  There was Nick Vujicic, the evangelist born with no legs or arms, speaking about how God had used his disability to give people encouragement.  She knew that God had offered her that nudging so she would refuse to feel sorry for herself.

The pity pot can be such a cushy place to stay, can’t it?  When life is all about me, it can become my frequent resting spot.  But what would life look like if I chose, instead, to find my comfort in Jesus’ loving arms? I would no longer dwell on how my troubles seem to outweigh God’s ability to make things better and would focus on Romans 8:28 which reminds us that all things work together for good “for those that love the Lord” and are called according to His purpose.

“For those that love the Lord.”  What does that kind of love entail?

The Bible gives us a great example of Joseph who, though experiencing serious injustices, loved the Lord and refused to live with a victim mentality.  Genesis 37:12-28 tells us that his jealous brothers threw him into a pit and then sold him to Egyptian slave traders who sold him to Potiphar, Pharoah’s captain of the guard.

Potiphar favored Joseph and put him in charge of his household…until, that is, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of assaulting her and he was thrown in prison.  Once released (over a decade later), Pharoah put Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt.  From the pit to the palace.

You see, Joseph never suffered from self-pity.  He always trusted that God would make something good out of something bad, and he was right.  God wants to do the same for us.  We never should get comfortable on the pity pot, an oppressive trap of the enemy. Matthew 5:14-16 tells us why.  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.                                                                                                                               

Staying on the pity pot will keep us immobile.  Joyless.  Stuck on our wants.  Unable to forgive and move on.  Bitter.  Selfish.  And in a very, very dark place.  If we want our light seen by others, we, like Joseph, must decide where it can shine best.

                                                                                                           

 

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Interagency Coalition General Membership Meeting Minutes   November 6, 2024  

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Bourbon County Interagency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

November 6, 2024

 

 

  1.  Welcome:  Seventeen members representing sixteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Scottview Apartments Conference Room.

 

 

  1.  Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Craig Campbell- Good Neighbor Action Team (GNAT) – Volunteers provide light handy work and yard clean-up. Have become more involved in ramp building.  Currently building a ramp once every 7-10 days.  Can also help with 504 grants and LIEAP application assistance.  Can help other organizations by providing volunteers.  Call Craig at 620-224-0167.
  • Cherri Walrod KSU – Community Health Worker fills in gaps for anyone who needs it. Whole person, family, and community approach.
  • Janelle Tate Early Childhood Block Grant – Winding down fall testing window. She covers early childhood in 6 counties to support home and school education.
  • Michelle Stevenson -Fort Scott Early Childhood Program Coordinator – The program has 1 or 2 openings for prenatal through age 6. Michelle works with families to get children ready for preschool or kindergarten.
  • Christine Abbott – SE KANSASWORKS – Located in the HBCAT office one day per week, Tuesday 10-3. The new phone number is 620-224-2563 Ext 2.  The youth program works with clients aged 16-24.  KANSASWORKS can help pay for training, GED, and arrange work experience.  If you have clients needing assistance finding a job, please send them to SE KANSASWORKS.
  • Dee Dee LeFever – Greenbush Community Liaison – Work in 4 counties in SEK. Dee Dee works to recruit and retain families in early childhood programs such as Parents as Teachers, and Infant-Toddler Services.
  • Tori White – Multi-County Health Dept. – COVID shots are available for infants, children, and adults. Public flu shot clinics have wrapped up, but RSV shots are available.  Holly Fritter is now a certified breastfeeding specialist.  A new peer counselor will begin working with clients soon in Woodson and Bourbon County.
  • Lora Wilson – CHCSEK Community Health Worker supervisor- CHCSEK provides tobacco cessation.
  • Lea Kay Karleskint- KSU SNAP-Ed Educator – Lea Kay will be leading a once-a-month class for seniors focused on nutrition, health, and physical activity. The class will meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 1:00, beginning on Nov 19.  Lea Kay also leads the Woodson County Walk With Ease class.
  • LHEAT – Bourbon County Wide Gratitude Challenge food drive is currently taking place. This program will benefit all pantries and blessing boxes in the local area as well as Compassionate Ministries and the Beacon.  There are 26 drop-off sites around town.  Can also accept monetary donations.  The program runs through November 25.
  • Heather Shepherd – CHCSEK Community Health Worker – Heather covers all USD 234 schools working with families and students to provide resources. Bed bugs are currently the biggest issue.  Heather has been working with Ben Lyons to provide lower-cost treatments for families dealing with bed bugs.
  • Stephanie Breckenridge- Family Resource Center – Stephanie can work with any family as long as they have a child in the home. She works to address family issues in order to prevent possible abuse.
  • Dave Gillen Beacon – The Beacon is celebrating 40 years in Bourbon County. The Beacon provides food to families twice a month.  They also provide hygiene products and baby formula.  Walmart food drop-offs are  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  The Beacon can help with the financial needs of families, particularly utilities.  Enrollment for 2025 is underway.  Adopt a child sign-up begins November 18.  Dave is looking for funding for bicycles.  The Beacon served 399 families in October, 32 of those were new families.  They served 593 adults and 346 children for a total of 939 people.
  • Tammy Alcantar-Crawford County Health Dept- Prenatal classes began in August with good results. The next round will start in January.  Tammy also provides teen pregnancy and baby and me tobacco-free services.
  • Sandy Haggard AmeriCorp Seniors- Tammy organizes senior volunteers They have volunteered at the Beacon, blood drives, and other community projects.  They have approximately  200 volunteers in 4 counties.
  • Kathy Brennon- SEK Area Agency on Aging – Congregate meals at Buck Run are taking place for seniors 60 or over. They request a $2 donation, and participants must call ahead at 620-305-1539.  Medicare open enrollment is underway.  SEKAAA can help with Part B enrollment.  They are also partnering with Greenbush to provide Techwise, a computer education for adults 60+.

 

 

 

  1.  Program:  Jenna Stout, SEK Area Director, Safe Families for Children

 

Safe Families for Children works with churches and community members to recruit vetted, background-checked volunteers who can host vulnerable children to support families while they are facing a crisis. Safe Families for Children’s goal is to keep families together. Safe Families can help parents in jail, those receiving mental health services, addiction treatment, etc.  Safe Families works to prevent child abuse, child welfare deflection (approx. 50% of referrals come from DCF), family support, and stabilization.  Safe Families is a faith-motivated, family-focused organization.  They partner with local organizations, keep a database, and can provide liability insurance for volunteers. Safe Families for Children is a national organization which began in 2003. Local efforts have picked back up after Covid.  This program is not foster care. It’s not court-ordered, it is completely voluntary, and parents must request Safe Families services.  Parents don’t lose custody while their child is with a host family. The Safe Families program has an approximate  95% reunification rate.  While children are with a host family, Safe Families tries to coordinate parental in-person visits at least weekly. The average placement is 2 weeks, but placements can be as short as day hosting.  If you have a family in crisis, they can call the intake line.  A 24-hour notice for placement is preferred, but exceptions can be made.

 

  1.  Open Forum:  Nothing further came before the membership.

 

 

  1.  Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be on December 4, 2024. 

 

 

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda for Uniontown City Council Meeting on Nov. 12

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City of Uniontown will meet for a council  meeting on November 12 at 7 p.m. in City Hall.

CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Amber Kelly ___ Mary Pemberton ___ Bradley Stewart

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of October 8, 2024 Regular Council Meeting
  2. Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

 

 

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

Siren maintenance agreement

2025-2026 Projected Gas Schedule

KMGA prepay project

Progress on warehouse

 

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin –

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Kelly –

Councilwoman Pemberton –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball court project –

 

Streets/FEMA –

 

Sale of Property –

 

SEED Grant –

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Motion by _____________, Second by  __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.

 

 

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________

Bourbon County, Government

Minutes of the Uniontown City Council on October 10

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The Regular Council Meeting on October 10, 2024 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, Christina Miller, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

none

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger presented the September 2024 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $293,284.75, Receipts $26,524.95, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $43,856.83, Checking Account Closing Balance $272,926.87. Bank Statement Balance $277,322.90, including Checking Account Interest of $58.90, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $4,396.03, Reconciled Balance $272,926.87.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $37,624.74, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $21,491.62, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $39,426.41, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $371,469.64. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $526.69, and Utility CDs $1,443.93 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,970.62.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of September 2024, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0.  September Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00 for Total Transfers of $3,026.00.  Net Loss for the month of September $20,357.88, Year-to-Date Net Income $37,447.67.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $85,303.47 (69.1%), Expenditures $91,153.26 (56.1%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $26,081.71 (70.6%), Expenditures $22,478.11 (53.4%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $96,558.19 (65.9%), Expenditures $82,294.82 (46.4%); General Fund YTD Revenue $159,408.25 (81.5%), Expenditures $145.554.58 (47.0%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $6,120.92 (84.2%), Expenditures $7,183.05 (70.0%).  The October 2024 payables to date in the amount of $23,176.99 were presented.  The invoices from Homestead Tech, KMGA, Johnson-Schowengerdt, and Ag Engineering have not been received by noon meeting day.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Pemberton, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of September 10, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and September 18, 2024 Special Meeting
  • Treasurer’s Reports, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan reported that 405 Hill St sold, utilities will not be turned on until new sewer and/or gas service lines have been installed.  He spoke to owner of 107 S Washington.  They will be demolition the structure.  He requested a “Mow Your Grass” door posting for 406 Fulton.  He also sent a letter to 303 Washington regarding dogs at large.  He will not be checking for ordinance violations through the winter.  He will be back in attendance at the April 2025 meeting.

 

City Superintendent Rich had nothing to report.

 

Clerk Johnson presented a proposal from TextMyGov.  After discussion, Council decided not to take action at this time.

She informed Council of an educational opportunity for the new clerk and provided information about .gov websites and email addresses

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – nothing

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – absent

Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – Trunk or Treat will be on October 31.  Council directed Clerk Johnson to provide candy to FFA.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Pickleball Court Placemaking Project – Mary Pemberton reported will try to get fence up in next few weeks.

 

Streets/FEMA – Mayor Jurgensen reported that a site inspection was conducted by FEMA on drainage ditch.  Clerk Johnson reported that Janelle Phillips with KDA/DWR was notified of culverts that we wish to increase in size.  No permitting is needed at this time.

An email was received from Bill Delich, Bettis Asphalt, that they will be here as soon as they complete work on US 54 late this week or early next week.  The S Washington extension will need prepped before they come.  Quotes were received from Marbery Concrete, Inc ($1,375) and Bloesser Outdoor Services ($750).

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0 to accept quote from Bloesser Outdoor Services

 

Sale of property – No comments were received.  Union State Bank has offered $1,000 and pay all closing costs to purchase the west 70’ of Lot 56, Block 7, Uniontown.

 

Motion by Pemberton, Second by Ervin, Approved 4-0 to adopt Resolution 2024-1008-1 to sell the west 70’ of Lot 56, Block 7, City of Uniontown as is by accepting offer of $1,000 plus all closing costs

 

NEW BUSINESS

SEED Grant – We can apply for a $10,000 to $25,000 grant to make improvements to the library/clerk’s office/park amenities.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-0 to apply for grant.

 

Councilman Ervin will write the grant with the assistance of Clerk Johnson.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-0 to hire Christina Miller to replace Clerk Johnson

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss non-elected personnel position, the open meeting to resume at 8:07

 

Open meeting resumed at 8:07.  No action from executive session.

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 8:08PM

 

Bourbon County, Elections

What Is Next After Election For School District and County Commission Questions

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A sign in front of the Bourbon County Courthouse.

On the November 5 ballot, The Fort Scott School District 234 and the Bourbon County Commission had the following questions about who/how many can serve as representatives of their constituents in their respective entities.

 

USD 234 Question

“Shall the method of election in Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas, be changed from the six-member district method of election, under which the school district is not divided into any member districts and all board members are elected at large?

The vote was 3,515 yes and 1,578 no, on November 5.

What’s next?

“We have advertised for an open board position,” said USD 234 Superintendent Destry Brown. “We will repost the position for at-large candidates now that it has passed. Next year, when we have four positions open for election, anyone can file for the open positions. Then, voters will see the whole group of candidates and vote for their top four. The four candidates with the most votes then become board members.”

The Bourbon County Commission Question

“Shall the current number of Bourbon County Commissioner Districts set forth in KSA 19-203(a)(b)(c)(d) & (e), be increased to five (5) Commissioner Districts?

3,769 voted yes and 2,238 voted no.

According to Kansas Law, this is the process of moving from three to five commissioners:

Sec. 5. K.S.A. 19-204a  reads as follows: 19-204a.  When the voters of a county approve a change in the number of county commissioner districts at an election held under K.S.A. 19-204(c), and amendments thereto, the board of county commissioners, on or before January 1 immediately following such election, shall adopt a resolution dividing the county into the number of districts approved by the voters. If the board of county commissioners fails to adopt such resolution within the time prescribed, the chief judge of the district court of the county, on or before the following January 31, shall order the county divided into the appropriate number of districts, according to https://www.sos.ks.gov/publications/register/Volume-43/Issues/Issue-16/04-18-24-52068.html#:~:text=(c)%20The%20board%20of%20county%20commissioners%20of,of%20the%20county%20are%20entitled%20to%20vote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

City of Fort Scott Design Review Advisory Board Meeting

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When: November 12th, 2024

Time: 4:00 pm

Location: City Hall

Topic for discussion:

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness for 24 S. National Ave. in Fort Scott submitted for consideration.

 

The meeting is open to the public and the recording is available to watch on YouTube after the meeting is held.

 

Submitted by

Mary Wyatt

Planning, Housing, & Business Development Director

City of Fort Scott

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

FSHS Thespians Announce Auditions for Children’s Christmas Show

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The Fort Scott High School Thespians are holding auditions for Ho Ho Ho The Santa Claus Chronicles by Pat Cook.

 

Auditions are open to children in 1st-8th grades and take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 18 OR 19 in the FSHS Auditorium. Children do not need to prepare anything in advance, but should plan to stay for the duration of the audition time on one of the nights. Parents should be present at the beginning for information and to fill out audition forms.

 

Rehearsals are Nov. 21, Dec. 2-5, and Dec. 10-12 from 6-8 pm. Productions are Dec. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. There is a $30 participation fee for children cast in the show.

 

Ho Ho Ho The Santa Claus Chronicles is produced by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin with direction and design by the FSHS Thespians. Please contact Bin at [email protected] or 620-719-9622 with any questions.

Bourbon County Local News