Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Friday, June 13, 2025
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, for a special meeting at 424 S Main.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The Board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President David Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED
June 13, 2025
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
Kimble, Scott – Resignation – Principal – High School
EMPLOYMENT:
Certified Recommendations
Marlow, Billie – 5th Grade Teacher – Eugene Ware
Deckinger, Eliya – Counselor – High School
Classified Recommendations
Collins, Clayton – Full Time Substitute at FSHS
Transfer Recommendations for 2025-26 School year
Hutchinson, Patty – Paraprofessional – Preschool – Transfer from Food Service
Supplemental Recommendations for the 2025-26 school year:
Collins, Clayton – Assistant Football Coach – High School
Simas, Kiel – Assistant Wrestling Coach – High School
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
Minutes of June 6
-First Missionary Baptist Church of Uniontown Food Pantry.
Mentioned update from Jenni Simhiser’s Path of Ease Association announcement about the new van awarded by grant funding.
Patty introduced Guests from High Rise Group-Martha and Lynn. Shared about how the program they are a part of wanted to see how they can help others by monetary donation.
Rhonda Dewitt presented to our group about her Church’s Free Food Pantry. She and some of her congregation members who attend the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown have organized a pantry that is for those in need 24 hours a day. She listed the multiple ways they are helping the community, such as Outreach Programs, Food Pantry, Commodities, Emergency Night Stay, Celebrate Recovery, and GriefShare. She mentioned having breakfast foods available for summer grab and go for kids, and they have a way to have cold items as well. She has great community support, even mentioning the Ruritan Club. To help Rhonda out they are always accepting donations of snacks.
Rhonda also presented to us about her position as the Sparkwheel Student Support Coordinator K-12 in the Uniontown School District. She mentioned her caseload is usually around 60 students. She said she gets to do all the things the administration and teachers want to do, but there is sometimes not enough time to do so by bridging gaps. There are many ways she can assist students, whether it be assisting in getting homework done to meet academic goals, making sure students’ needs are met to prevent truancy, or helping support parent and school relationships. With her help, students have access to food, clothes, and hygiene products if needed. Hoping she can help someone have a better day than yesterday.
There are also ways others in the school district are supported universally, such as a grade school monthly award. This program serves students who aren’t on her caseload. She has all staff recognizing positive behavior by passing out recognition cards so they are rewarded, and hopefully the behaviors modelled are repeated. Students can exchange the cards for prizes. They also hand out goodie bags to all. Other events Sparkwheel has hosted include Fun Night, as well as a mock interview and career fair.
She introduced the Sparkwheel staff who were present.
Rhonda Hoener’s position through Sparkwheel is a Post Secondary Success Coach serving 9 high schools, including Garden City and Dodge City. She stated that anyone who had been enrolled in Sparkwheel would qualify for her program as long as they were in the 18-25 age range. By contacting the Juniors and Seniors each year to see if this program would benefit them after graduation, she is able to help her clients by setting goals that will, over time, improve their lives. Sometimes these goals change due to a crisis occurring. She is able to support them through the crisis by being able to teach them life skills that will help them be more self-sufficient. Some are facing homelessness, or losing jobs due to illness, with her help, she is able to help them navigate some pretty tough challenges.
There are also college campus-based programs that work with colleges such as PSU, and they are hoping to branch out more soon. This program serves all students, not just Sparkwheel graduates.
Rachel Eden, the Student Support Coordinator for Sparkwheel at Fort Scott High School, shared about building relationships with staff and students. Working on academics, life skills, and connecting students with resources. Assisting with FASFA to help with future planning. She mentioned we have a Student Support Coordinator at the Fort Scott Middle School as well, her name is Winter Moore.
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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly joined an amicus brief with leaders from 20 states supporting California’s request for a court order blocking the president’s unlawful federalization and deployment of that state’s National Guard.
“The United States of America is founded on the rule of law, including respect for states’ rights. The federalization of the California National Guard by President Trump, without the coordination of the Governor of California, is a violation of states’ rights,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “President Trump’s actions constitute a threat to the authority of the nation’s governors to command their National Guards. I joined this brief to preserve state sovereignty and halt federalization of state National Guards without the coordination of their governors.”
The amicus brief outlines how Trump’s action is wholly inconsistent with our nation’s founding principle that freedom depends on the subordination of the military to civilian authority.
“By calling forth troops when there is no invasion to repel, no rebellion to suppress, and when state and local law enforcement is fully able to execute the laws, the President flouts the vision of our Founders, undermines the rule of law, and sets a chilling precedent that puts the constitutional rights of Americans in every state at risk,” the brief reads.
The president’s memo federalizing the Guard does not restrict these actions to just Los Angeles, California, or any specific U.S. region. Instead, it is an unlimited claim of presidential authority to deploy the National Guards of any state for the next 60 days. The states have an interest in standing up against this unnecessary and legally unjustified military call-up.
The states also have an interest in ensuring their National Guards are available to perform the essential services they provide the states on an ongoing basis. They provide critical services responding to natural disasters, counter-drug operations, and cybersecurity support, among other daily contributions to public safety. This unlawful federalization pulls volunteer service members away from performing vital services, and states are not in a position to replace them.
The president’s unlawful and unconstitutional use of the military has exacerbated safety issues and threatened constitutionally protected activity under the First Amendment. Every state has an interest in protecting their residents from these threats.
The brief is led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings. Others joining are the state attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the amicus brief is available here.
###
Kelly Perry, Bronson’s Rural Champion through the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity, sent the following press release.
I’m writing to share exciting updates about a transformational project in Bronson, Kansas—our City Park Placemaking Project, which has been made possible by countless hours of travel, planning, and commitment from residents, regional partners, and dedicated volunteers.
In 2022, the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) and the Kansas Sampler Foundation launched the Rural Champions Program to empower leaders in rural communities. The program entered its second round in 2024, and I helped bring it to the attention of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT). With the support of Jody Love and former team member Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT agreed to apply—if the City of Bronson could identify someone willing to serve as the Rural Champion.
At the time, Bronson’s City Council—like many small-town councils—was already stretched thin. Many of them juggle full-time jobs while also managing Bronson Pride, the Bronson Ball Association, and other civic duties. Despite having been accepted to start my degree at PSU that fall, I told the Council that if they wanted me to apply as the Champion, I would do it—and they encouraged me to move forward.
I worked with HBCAT to apply and was officially named Bronson’s Rural Champion in September 2024. Training began immediately, and I’ve since logged hundreds of hours of travel and training, including multiple trips across the state. Our kickoff meeting in Newton, Kansas, was followed by mandatory virtual Kansas Leadership training, and just last week, I traveled over 15 hours round-trip to attend a quarterly meeting in Saint Francis. During my second quarterly meeting in February in Comanche County, I had the honor of speaking directly with Lieutenant Governor David Toland about the challenges and goals of our local project. His team followed up with resources and guidance, showing the real intent behind this program—action and follow-through.
We’ve hosted two community-wide town hall meetings—one with 17 participants and the second with 37 community members in attendance—where we shared our vision for the park. We asked: “Can we dream bigger?” And the community responded with a resounding “yes.” That support gave us the confidence to pursue a major grant to take this project even further.
Applied For Community Development Grant
In partnership with the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission (SEKRPC), the City of Bronson’s City Council and the critical help of HBCAT making those connections for us, Southeast SEKRPC submitted a pre-application for a $210,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The full application is being submitted this Month, with award announcements expected in July 2025. If successful, this will bring together funding from several sources, including:
Special thanks go to City Clerk Danielle Minor, who voluntarily completed grant writing training and works to submit applications for additional funding for the park among her daily duties and work on sewer grants etc. Jennie McKee and the engineers at Agriculture Engineering Associates, Inc., Uniontown, have also been instrumental, helping us address ADA compliance, site drainage at the park, and accessibility concerns to ensure the new investment will be safe and long-lasting.
Planned improvements include:
These aren’t just cosmetic upgrades—they’re foundational changes to support health, accessibility, and community well-being.
Invitation to Bronson Day
We also want to invite everyone to Bronson Day 2025, held on Saturday, June 28, at the Bronson City Park. This will be the last celebration before construction begins, with renovations targeted for completion by May 2026. This year’s Bronson Day will be more low-key, as we desperately rebuild our volunteer base. If you’d like to be part of future Bronson Day planning or serve on an event board, please email me at [email protected] or Danielle at the city hall.
I truly believe we can prove that even the smallest towns can dream big and create lasting change. Bronson isn’t where I grew up, but it’s the place I proudly call home.
Volunteers Needed
That said, it takes more than just a few committed individuals to keep the heart of a town beating. We need new energy, new voices, and fresh leadership. As of today, there is no one on the planning committee for Bronson Day 2026. Without volunteers stepping up now, future community events like the Easter Egg Hunt, Santa Coming to Town, Bronson Day, and even our fireworks display are at serious risk of being canceled. These events take nearly a full year to plan and coordinate, and the handful of folks who’ve carried that torch for years are in desperate need of a well-earned break to recharge.
Change, growth, and progress require compromise, delegation, and community ownership. If you see something broken—say something. If you want to make a difference—join us. If you care about Bronson, now is the time to show it.
To volunteer or learn more, please contact me at [email protected]. Let’s work together to protect and grow what makes Bronson special.
Sincerely,
Kelly Perry
Rural Champion – City of Bronson
[email protected]
—
The Fort Scott Splash Pad and Sensory Park was a grassroots project that opened in 2023, according to its Facebook page. This year a new handicapped-accessible restroom and two shading devices were installed on the north side of the park.
This is part of a series on the
2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellows.
FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2025 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Meghan Menchella, a history teacher at Crestview Middle School in Ellisville, MO. Meghan will arrive in Fort Scott on June 15th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.
The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.
Meghan Menchella, an 8th-grade United States History teacher from St. Louis, Missouri, was recognized in 2023 as a Milken Educator. History is a popular subject at Crestview Middle School, as Meghan empowers her students to succeed and excel by fostering open discussion and critical thinking skills. She places a priority on building relationships with students in her classroom and creates a classroom that is welcoming and engaging.
Within her school, Meghan has served as a leader on her Professional Learning Community and her 8th-grade team. She also serves on the Building Leadership Team and sponsors clubs like National Junior Honor Society. She mentors second-year teachers throughout her district and works with universities to mentor preservice teachers. Her leadership skills and organization foster collaboration throughout her community.
LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Meghan’s exceptional ability to make history come alive for her students within the classroom has kindled their love of learning about the past and its effect on the present. Our team of 2025 fellows can look forward to gaining many new techniques from Meghan for using project-based learning to discover unknown heroes and their impact on history.”
While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.
Winfred Allen DeMott, ate 84, resident of Bronaugh, MO passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025, at his home. Services for Windfred Allen DeMott will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.
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
June 13, 2025 – 7:30 A.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 Other Business – Personnel Matters – Time __________
4.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
4.2 Exit Executive Session – _______ (Time)
4.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
5.0 Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time) David Stewart, President
To view the entire packet, including minutes:
June 16, 2025
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday, June
16, 2025. The meeting will be held in Cleaver-Boileau-Burris Hall at Fort Scott Community
College.
5:30 p.m. Regular monthly Board meeting
THE AGENDA
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MISSION STATEMENT
Fort Scott Community College is an institution of higher learning with a long history of culture and
diversity that provides affordable academic, technical and occupational programs to meet student needs while
fostering a mutually supportive relationship between the college and its communities.
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
C. Recruiting/Admissions Update, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on May 19, 2025 and Special
Meeting conducted on June 5, 2025, 6
C. Approval Treasurer’s Report, 10
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
DISCUSSION ITEMS, 29
A. Construction Technology and Heavy Equipment Location, 29
ACTION ITEMS, 30
A. Scheduled Policy Review and Approval, 30
B. Consideration of Gramm Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) Information Security Policy, 36
C. Consideration of 2024 -25 Worker’s Compensation Member Participation Agreement, 41
D. Consideration of Property and Casualty Insurance Renewal, 47
E. Consideration of Athletic Insurance Renewal, 50
F. Consideration of 2025-26 Meeting Dates and Time, 88
G. Consideration of Memberships and Consortium Dues, 89
H. Consideration of Annual CAMP Grant Laptop Purchase, 90
I. Consideration of Maintenance Shop Enclosure Bid, 91
J. Consideration of Managed Firewall Service, 93
CORRESPONDENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES, 951
