The board met for their second meeting under new Superintendent Don Epps. They discussed bills and asked about a $300 charge from Dreamscape Solutions for the football field.
Epps, and Board member Tanner Ogden, said the field is now in much better shape for the upcoming football season. They both chimed in that the grass is now green, the correct height, and the field is safe to play on.
Principal Nathan Meik said he enjoyed his month off and said enrollment went well; the elementary has 188 students enrolled with a potential of three more students. He said pre-school has made a nice impact on enrollment.
To celebrate good math scores last year, Meik said the district is taking students to an Olathe water park to swim Oct. 13.
He mentioned he is excited about new paras Teresa Williams and Addie Mead working for the district.
Meik and the board then discussed class sizes and he said he will sit down with Epps to decide on a method they want to use to determine when a class is split into two classes. He said both pre-school and kindergarten have approximately 10 students each in them.
Epps complimented Meik and High School Principal Sarah Conley for their work bringing in good employees over the summer.
Conley then addressed the board and said they had 168 students enroll from 7th grade to 12th grade.
Epps spoke next and said the district wants to remember teacher Donna Crockett who recently passed away from cancer. He asked that teachers honor Crockett at her funeral Thursday in Butler by attending the service.
He continued that the budget hearing will be held next month.
Epps said STARS faculty is ready for students; and the facility is ready after a remodel. He said 52 students are enrolled, to date.
After going through a plan to determine where all students in the district are and how to reach them, he said he wants to focus on ‘Strategic Thinking’. With that the district will provide a safe environment where people love the kids. See separate story in this edition.
Epps gave three points with the first being how the district treats each other; second, how they take care of the school, and third, “how do we tell our story.”
Truly Insurance quoted insurance for the district at $116,797; see separate story in this edition.
Hiland Milk’s bid was accepted; it was the only bid.
Executive session was held with the following actions taken: the board hired Amanda Goddard as K-12 music instructor, Melinda Gee as bus driver, Becky Grant as SPED driver, Marc Ballinger as head High School Basketball Coach, Christy Cutshaw as Sophomore Class sponsor, Derek Brown as FCA Sponsor, Colleen Sweat as Asst. High School Cheer Coach, Wendy Conley as High School STUCO sponsor, and Ann Johnson as Junior Class sponsor.
They also accepted the resignation of Darick Chapman as Junior Class Sponsor and Cathy Sherman as SPED driver.
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 346 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, August 14, 2023
- LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, August 14, 2023
NEWS
SPECIAL: Mound City resident killed in Allen County crash

On Sept. 9, just after 5:30 p.m., emergency personnel were called to the scene of a two-car collision on U.S. Highway 169 just south of Humboldt, Kan., in Allen County. According to reports filed by the Kansas Highway Patrol, Morgan Wakefield of Mound City, was driving... [More]
Property taxes and how they work

In Kansas, there is a definitive process for determining what the property taxes are on any given piece of property. Did you know that according to SmartAsset.com Linn County has the second lowest property tax average in the entire state? According to information available... [More]
Pleasanton Fire Department personnel hiring questioned

What started out as a department update from Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom, turned into a showdown between councilmembers and the mayor in who was hired as volunteer firefighters in Pleasanton. Wisdom informed the council he was beginning training for new firefighters September... [More]
More News
- Commission ‘bares’ down to pass public nudity ban
- Paris Township voting location to move to Mound City
- USD 362 passes 2025-26 school budget
- Parker appoints police chief
- SPECIAL: Drainpipe replacement on K-31 in Linn County
- Linn County News website gets new update
- Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral
- Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles
SPORTS
Alvarez leads Pleasanton cross country

The Pleasanton cross country team traveled to Garnett for their first meet of the year on Sept. 4 at the Annual Jerry Howarter Invitational. The Jays had runners in both the junior high and high school races. Dominic Alvarez led the Hawks as he earned a medal and placed... [More]
Jayhawk football starts season with shutout over Central Heights

The Jayhawk Linn football team traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 5 to host the Central Heights Vikings for their first game of the season. This was supposed to be a home game for the Hawks but had to be played at Fort Scott because the field was not ready. The game began with... [More]
Spradling era kicks off with oohhs and 'Oz'
Jason Spradling's head coaching era at Prairie View debuted with plenty of oohhs and 'Oz' Friday night. The oohhs came from an offensive running attack that amassed 612 rushing yards, all but 99 in the first half, and saw Buffalo four-year starters Parker Schwarz gain 287 yards... [More]
More Sports
- Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’
- Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair
- Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest