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
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
More News
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State