Members of Pleasanton USD-344 school board met on Monday, July 10, for their regular monthly meeting. 

In his first meeting as superintendent for the district, Superintendent Don Epps provided board members with his monthly report. Epps stated summer school went well, with an average of 55-60 students attending each day. He noted the students who attended were excited to be there, and he hopes to make it even better next summer.

Epps then gave an update on the ground reclamation of the Boy Scout land. The boat ramp has been finished, grass laid down, and a better road have been created to make the land more accessible. Epps shared that this will create many opportunities within the district. 

Also within his report, Epps told the board that Southeast Kansas Mental Health (SEKMH) would like to work with the district in providing services within the schools for students in need. This would be at no-cost to the district, and most districts within the area SEKMH covers already have their services in place. SEKMH provides therapists and case workers for students in need.

Allowing SEKMH to meet with students at the school would result in students missing fewer classes. Currently, students serviced by SEKMH must be picked up from the school and taken to SEKMH offices. With SEKMH visiting the students at the schools, the school only needs to provide a discrete room for students to use for these meetings. The board agreed that Epps could move forward with SEKMH in these services. 

Board members discussed Negotiations with KNEA representatives. The board voted and approved the negotiations that would include, among other items, an increase in monetary compensation for health insurance coverage for employees; change of payroll date to be the tenth day of each month; changes in sponsorship coverage, and resignation policy updates. 

The board then voted and approved with amendment the resolution to have payday for employees be the tenth day of each month, or the Friday before, if that date falls on a weekend.

Epps informed the board that the revenue neutral rate would need to increase due to salary raises, funding, etc. He was currently working with the county clerk on the budget. The board voted and approved the request.

Board member Jay Allen provided an update on the STARS building. Currently, there is remodeling being conducted on the front of the building. One bid on this project was received, from Roy Wade Construction. The board voted and approved the bid. 

Allen also noted STARS representatives were working on a CDBG grant with the city of Pleasanton for a storm shelter on the campus. If this grant was awarded, then the future shelter could be used as a community storm shelter.

Discussion followed on the expansion of the STARS program, with over 80 students from four school districts enrolled for the fall semester. 

The board voted and approved for STARS students to build a new fence on the parking lot on the east side of the football field. 

In other business, board members approved the following items: the agenda for the evening’s meeting; minutes of the previous meeting; monthly bills.

In matters of personnel, the board approved the following hires: Mindy Schuler as elementary teacher and Jacob Crahan as high school assistant football coach.

In matters of personnel, the board approved the following resignations: Taylor Dodson as music/band teacher and Jesse Secrest as math teacher. 

MEETINGS

LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 23, 2023

thumb

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

thumb

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

thumb

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

NEWS

Former Zoning Administrator explains KORA requests

thumb

During the weekly meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, the Linn County Commissioners heard from former county employee Darin Wilson who served previously as the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Wilson told commissioners that the KORA (Kansas Open Records Act) requests he had made were... [More]

Pleasanton Council overrides mayor veto on firefighter appointments

thumb

The Pleasanton Council met at their regularly scheduled meeting Monday and Councilman Aaron Portmann immediately read a prepared statement concerning Ordinance 2065 that Mayor Mathew Young vetoed that tried to take appointment of firefighters from the mayor and put it on the... [More]

Snyder appointed Linn County Register of Deeds

thumb

Following the retirement of long-time Linn County Register of Deeds Kristy Schmitz, the Linn County Republican Central Committee held a convention Sunday to appoint a new Register of Deeds. Central Committee Chair Becky Johnson held the role call of committee people and 20... [More]

More News

SPORTS

Prairie View football stays on top of their district with big win over Girard

thumb

The Prairie View Buffalos are in 3A District 2 and currently hold the number one seed in that district. The Buffalos 49-20 win over Girard gave them a great chance to be District champions. This week the Buffalos travel to Iola for their final district game and will seal the... [More]

Prairie View volleyball finishes season at Girard

thumb

The Prairie View volleyball team finished their regular season games at Iola this past week as they had a Pioneer League triangular against Iola and Osawatomie. They were in the 3A Regional quad at Girard on Oct. 20 and finished their season there going 1-2. To see the full... [More]

Jays lock in league runner up spot at Uniontown

thumb

Just as the week before, Pleasanton turned first-half takeaways into touchdowns and won at Uniontown last Friday night, 45-12, in a Three Rivers League and Class 1-A, District 1 matchup. The win assures the Blu-Jays of at least their third consecutive second-place finish in... [More]

More Sports

PLEASANTON WEATHER
View Legals for Free