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
Souza resigns county clerk post

Linn County’s county clerk is resigning. At the weekly Linn County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, delayed a day because of Monday’s governmental Columbus Day holiday, Danielle Souza spoke during the public comment agenda section of her intention to resign the... [More]
Farmers State Bank under new ownership

Time moves on and things change – and the banking world is not exempt from those changes. When Farmers State Bank owner Dale Sprague passed away in August of 2024, his wife Janice and family made those changes when they sold the three banks this fall to Citizen Bank owner’s... [More]
Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects

Linn Valley city council held its first meeting of the month on Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Lewis Donelson began the meeting by asking city employees present at the meeting to stand up front and introduce themselves and state their job title. The mayor continued by... [More]
More News
- Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case
- Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair
- La Cygne awards lift station bid
- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
- SPECIAL: KBI conducts statewide marijuana enforcement operation
- Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments
- Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature
- Pleasanton city candidate forum Oct. 6
SPORTS
Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf

Celeste Schneider made the 3-1A State golf tournament again this year for the Lady Hawks and will be looking to earn another State medal. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News or check out the online version here.
Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos

The Prairie View girls’ golf team is doing well. The girls won the Pioneer League championship at Deer Trace on Oct. 7 and then followed that up by placing fourth at 3-1A Sub-State tournament at Crestwood in Pittsburg on Oct. 13. The Lady Buffs won the league tournament... [More]
Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win

Pleasanton converted two second-quarter fumble recoveries and a third-quarter interception into passing touchdowns to break a three-game losing skid and claim a 41-6 Homecoming win over Southeast-Cherokee Friday at Blu-Jay Nation Stadium. The victory moves the ‘Jays’... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown
- Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week
- Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville