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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, March 20, 2023

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Linn County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 20, and began their meeting with the approval of the minutes of the last meeting followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $208,590.69. The commissioners then approved adds and abates 2021-178 and 2022-878-... [More]

PLEASANTON CITY COUNCIL - Monday, March 20, 2023

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The Pleasanton Council met Monday night and heard from Tara Carpenter asking the council to waive the $75 water hook-up fee required for Carpenter Chiropractic. They purchased the Clinch Realty building located at 601 Holly Street from Brandon McGinnis and are set to move in... [More]

USD 346 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, March 20, 2023

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The USD 346 School Board met in regular session on Monday, March 20, with the first order of business being the approval of the consent agenda which included the agenda for the meeting; the minutes of the previous meeting; and the payment of bills and payroll. The board then... [More]

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NEWS

SPECIAL: National Walking Day on Wednesday, April 5th

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  Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge is celebrating National Walking Day on Wednesday, April 5th  by inviting the public to come out and walk with a ranger for a preview of our new trail. The Visitor Center and new exhibits will be open form 4-6 PM and... [More]

SPECIAL: Drug operation ends with six arrests in Miami and Linn counties

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MIAMI & LINN COUNTY – On Wednesday morning, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Osawatomie Police Department, and the Pleasanton Police Department arrested six individuals... [More]

Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission says no to windmills

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After meetings discussing the Linn County Comprehensive Plan and where the county should be as to allowing wind turbines, the Linn County P&Z said no 5-3 to allowing any turbines in the county. P&Z Commission Chair Richard Morrell brought the subject up after several... [More]

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SPORTS

2022-23 All County Boys’ Basketball team

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The season for the Linn County high school boys’ basketball teams is over and it’s time for this year’s All County Boys’ Basketball team. This year, there is a first and second team with five players on each team from the three local high schools, Prairie... [More]

2022-23 All County Girls’ Basketball team

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The season for the Linn County high school girls’ basketball teams is over and it’s time for this year’s All County Girls’ Basketball team. This year, there is a first and second team with five players on each team from the three local high schools,... [More]

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