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 approve resolution on one-year moratorium on commercial solar farms

During the Nov. 27 meeting of the Linn County Commissioners, County Counselor Gary Thompson requested a 15-minute executive session for legal matters to review the resolution he had drafted, in response to and to set in place, the moratorium that was decided on by a 2-1 vote... [More]
USD 362 to seek more 4-day week info

At the direction of its board of education, Unified School District 362 administration will be seeking information from school districts now utilizing a four-day school week. Hearing at the board’s regular monthly meeting Nov. 21 that most districts using the four-day... [More]
Commissioners approve resolution for bond refinance

Joey McLiney with McLiney and Co., a division of SAMCO Capital, spoke to commissioners on Monday, Nov. 27, noting they are ready to go public on the sale of the bond refinance that was previously approved by commissioners. McLiney noted that they had been waiting to do so in... [More]
More News
- Commissioners vote 2-1 for one year moratorium on solar farms
- Linn County Planning and Zoning meeting leads to moratorium request for Commissioners
- Kansas Senator speaks on ills of green energy
- Election canvass held Nov. 20, abstract approved
- Thanksgiving events
- Commissioners revisited on possible homeless shelter
- Motorcycle group pulls out of Pleasanton
- Linn Valley council stymied after mayor resigns
SPORTS
2023 All Linn County high school football team

The high school football season has concluded and it is time for this year’s All County high school football team. This year there were plenty of good players to choose from as all three local teams, Pleasanton, Jayhawk Linn, and Prairie View, had winning seasons. ... [More]
Miami teams split season openers

The start of the competitive basketball season is still more than a week away for the three Linn County schools, but across the Missouri state line, the Miami girls’ squad has already equaled its on-court victory total from last year. Rebuffing a Hermitage second-half... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View football has seven players make Pioneer All League
- Prairie View football ends season against Parsons
- Jayhawk 8-2 season mirrors 2022 campaign
- Prairie View routs Baxter Springs in first round of the playoffs
- Allen is 3A State runner-up
- Jays finish season, lose at bi-district
- Champlin competes at 2A State cross country
- Blu-Jays secure winning campaign