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

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