Members of Pleasanton USD 344 school board met on Monday, Oct. 10, for their regular monthly meeting. Following the opening of the meeting, the board heard from Terry Sercer, CPA of Diehl Banwart & Bolton. Sercer, who performed the annual budget audit for the district, shared with the board his findings. Sercer noted that, while some bank requisitions were off the previous year, there was nothing this time. After hearing from Sercer, the board voted and approved to accept the audit and to renew their contract with the accounting firm.
The board reviewed the monthly update provided by elementary principal Nathan Meik. Meik shared how the elementary school is working on improving attendance. He noted that attendance has improved from last year. One incentive Meik shared on improving attendance is with awarding a monthly pizza party to the class with the best attendance record.
Meik also updated the board on the new three-year-old preschool class, offered in the afternoons and currently holds 12 students.
High school principal Sarah Conley was present to give her report to the board. Conley shared with them how the high school is working with the community to increase school spirit. This includes local businesses covering cost of admission to football games, providing prizes and school clothing. She also informed the board that Josh Baldwin of Dreamscapes is providing support to make repairs to the cross-country track, which has been damaged due to lack of rain.
Conley shared with the board updates on WIN time and preparing for Work Keys and Pre-ACT. She also provided information on an upcoming professional development day for teachers.
Superintendent Travis Laver followed the principals with his updates. Laver asked the board for their opinion on when the Christmas dinner for faculty and staff would be held, as well as what food should be served. It was decided to send out a poll to district employees, and let them choose between catered or potluck.
The board discussed briefly Laver’s proposal of moving the school to a four-day week. A recent poll sent to district employees showed only 60 percent were in favor of the switch. The board agreed to not further pursue a four-day week at this time.
Laver also shared with the board updates on the Boy Scout grounds. KDHE recently sent out a bid to reclaim the strip pits on the land, and work may begin within a few weeks. This will be at no cost to the district.
Board members heard updates on the STARS program, provided by board members Dr. Jay Allen and Tanner Ogden, in addition to Laver. Allen shared that the program has received more equipment donated by local businesses. Additionally, KanWorks recently toured the facility and offered to hire a custodian and secretary, as well as build a computer lab with 12 computers for students to use.
Allen and Ogden informed the board of some issues with students in the STARS program. Several Pleasanton students in the Criminal Justice class have been leaving class early, staying in their car for prolonged breaks, etc. Allen and Ogden both stated multiple students would be in one vehicle, presumably vaping, etc. Both stated they have addressed the issue with the students. Ogden now provides transportation to and from the STARS center to Pleasanton High School for those students who they have had issues with.
The board approved the following items: agenda for the evening’s meeting; minutes of the previous meeting; payment of monthly bills; and the hiring of Amanda Stahl as night custodian.
MEETINGS
LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 23, 2023

The Linn County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, Oct. 23, and began their weekly meeting with the approval of the minutes of the last meeting followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $272,818.97. Linn County Rural Fire Chief Randy Hegwald presented... [More]
LA CYGNE CITY COUNCIL - Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Among actions at the regular La Cygne council meeting last Wednesday, Oct. 18, was a split vote in which the city accepts a draft agreement for title search and warranty deed preparation of seven lots at 402 S. Broadway in exchange for absorbing a $16,400 house demolition bill.... [More]
LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 23, 2023

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 23, 2023, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present. Following approval of the October 9th and October 14th meeting minutes, Mayor Smith opened the floor... [More]
More Meetings
- USD 362 SCHOOL BOARD - Tuesday, October 17, 2023
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 2, 2023
- PLEASANTON CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 2, 2023
- BLUE MOUND CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 2, 2023
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, August 28, 2023
- LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, August 28, 2023
- USD 344 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, August 14, 2023
- USD 346 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, August 14, 2023
NEWS
SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4

A Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) resurfacing project on U.S. 59 in Anderson County is scheduled to begin the week of August 4. The project will resurface 15 miles of U.S. 59 using a hot-mix asphalt overlay, beginning at the Allen/Anderson... [More]
Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral

Set public hearing for Aug. 25 Near the end of the July 14 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners opened a discussion on the 2026 proposed budget with Commissioner Jim Johnson attending only this portion of the meeting via telephone and budget consultant Scot Loyd... [More]
Mulberry Limestone CUP approved by P & Z

A conditional use permit to form a rock quarry at 2400 and Valley Roads in March of 2024 has once again come before the Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission Tuesday night. The quarry, projected to be 48 acres to produce high-grade limestone qualified for use in both... [More]
More News
- SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees
- Commissioners discuss various budgets
- City learns of fire gear condition
- La Cygne leaders discuss food truck follow-up
- special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case
- SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending
- NOTICE:
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State