The USD 344 board of Education held their monthly meeting one week early due to spring break next week. The meeting opened with Elementary Principal Nathan Meik explaining how they are keeping staff motivated. He said they bring food in twice monthly throughout the school year and last month provided massages for staff from a fund that had extra money in it.
Meik said they are working on a reading program with the main focus being the 4th and 5th grade classes. He also said they are working on a math focus so students are ready to move on to the Junior High.
High School Principal Sarah Conley reported students are entered into a Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge Tuesday. (see separate story this edition.)
Conley also reported that the STARS program is adding two new courses consisting of graphic design and farm and ranch management. She said she is working with the sophomore class to get students involved in the Vo-Tech training.
Superintendent Travis Laver reported that the Scout grounds near the state line are in the works. He said Kansas Department of Health and Environment is overseeing the reclamation of the mining ground making it safe and repairing the edge of the road that is being eaten away by erosion.
He said eventually the land will offer a smooth-edged lake with gradual entry and be a great place for summer school. The mined ground will become usable space for many activities.
Laver said all of the reclamation is at no cost to the district.
He spoke on summer school and said the “great outdoors” is the theme this summer with week one catered to flying. AMR will bring in an air ambulance for kids to see and area pilots are scheduled to speak.
Week two is bike week with Bike Across Kansas ending at the school
Week three is hiking where Laver envisions students can hike on area trails and week four will be swimming with Emergency Management Coordinator Randy Hegwald and wife, Becky, introducing students to scuba diving. Both are certified in the sport.
Laver said the district is continuing to work on a high absentee rate and Board Member Kaye Hardy said it goes back to parents leaving for work before students leave and getting back after students get home. She said students need someone to make them accountable for going to school.
The elementary school received a Challenge Award. (see separate story in this edition.)
The board approved a new Narcan policy.
Following executive session, the board accepted the resignation of John Heidrick from Junior High History, hired Karen Snow as a substitute rider, hired Mercedes Pankau as Junior High History teacher for the 23-24 school year, accepted the resignation/retirement of Danita Snyder effective at the end of her current contract, and accepted the resignation from Ethan Sabine as High School Boys Basketball coach.
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
Commissioners make official statement on Tanglewood roads

During the May 19 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners heard from several residents and members of Tanglewood Lakes regarding the court ruling that the roads in the lake community are public roads. Jim Hendershot, Tanglewood Lakes, outlined several items in commissioners’... [More]
La Cygne okays local police firing range

La Cygne leaders have approved construction of a police-only firearm range near the city’s sewer lagoons. At their May 7 regular meeting, the council okayed the request on a 3-0 vote, with Tommy Capp and Ed Smith not present. First introduced by Zachary Mathies, police... [More]
Mound City council adopts rules for camping

During the May 6 meeting, the Mound City council adopted Ordinance 607 setting out rules for the camping area at the Mound City Lake. The ordinance that was adopted set a period of 14 days per stay with at least a five-day absence before returning to the lake. Violating this... [More]
More News
- LCSO releases statement on incident
- Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension
- Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD
- Filing deadline approaches for local seats
- Commissioners discuss effects of city disbandment of fire department
- Blue Mound discusses financing options for water tower project
- La Cygne leaders contemplate sales tax adjustment
- Fire department public hearing nets crowd
SPORTS
Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet

The Jayhawk Linn track team hosted the Three Rivers League meet on May 15. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams did well at the meet as the girls won league again this year with a score of 159. The boys placed second with a score of 100. Central Heights won league for... [More]
Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Jayhawk Linn on May 15 to compete in the Three Rivers League track meet. The team did very well as the girls placed third with 68 ½ points and the boys placed fourth with 70 points. The Jays set some school records at this meet... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk baseball earns win over Pleasanton
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
- Pleasanton track travels to Madison, boys take first
- Jayhawk hosts home track invitational
- Prairie View track competes at Jayhawk Invitational