The USD 344 Board of Education opened their monthly meeting hearing a thank you letter sent to them from Ray Scholarship recipient Landry George who wrote how impactful the full-ride scholarship will be on her future.

Elementary Principal Nathan Meik reported on year-end activities students will be experiencing this week including bouncy houses for Incentives Day on Tuesday, field day is Wednesday, third and fourth grade classes go to Day at the K to watch a baseball game and kindergarten graduation is Friday night at 6:30 p.m.

Meik gave board members data from the MAP test students completed and said math scores were above the projected level of growth and they’ve seen such growth two years in a row. “We have a very healthy math system in elementary; it’s a fantastic achievement.”

He then went on to reading and said “a few grades didn’t make projected growth” as they are using brand new instructional material and the teacher only had a partial year to use it.

Meik told board members that he had no concerns with math and reading was within the average range, restating new instructional material and a new teacher.

The board asked if summer school would help and Meik said it was hard to tell with how non-structured student’s time was.

High School Principal Sarah Conley reported that May 10 is the Junior High and High School awards ceremony; with year end, incoming 6th grade parent’s meeting is May 16.

She has 83 enrolled for summer school.

Conley said teachers asked that a small change be made to the handbook including not calling out gang insignia on clothing. She said it is not an issue in this district.

Meik said he hadn’t discussed the issue with his teachers. The board held off until all the teachers could give their consensus.

Conley also discussed cell phones in the classroom and said teachers discussed no cell phones in classes at all; but they could implement their own policy in their rooms.

Teachers that use phones as part of instruction could continue to allow phones in the classroom.

Academic probation was discussed with grades checked every Monday; a failure three weeks in a row would entail academic probation.

She next said elective credits for STARS students would include English, History and an elective; all other classes stayed the same.

Superintendent Travis Laver said, “Hats off to the welders at STARS!” He highly complemented the program and the student’s hard work.

He next told board members that health insurance premiums increased 8.9 percent at renewal, “the highest it’s ever been.”

Board member Jay Allen said averages across the industries are running from 10 to 14 percent increase.

Laver said he and incoming Superintendent Don Epps “would have to get creative to get additional funds for health insurance.”

Robert Nolan is teaching driver’s education this summer.

Following 25 minutes of executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Shawn Conley, Jessica Myrick as volleyball coach and Richard Nuzum from Transportation Director.

They hired Heather Atherton as elementary secretary, Lewis Dunkleson as football and weights coach and PE teacher, and hired Sydney Dent as high school volleyball coach.

MEETINGS

LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 23, 2023

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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

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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

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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]

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NEWS

We want your photos…

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Would you like to see one of your photos in the paper? We’re starting a new weekly photo submission opportunity! Out on the gravel will feature a local photo each week in our paper taken somewhere in Linn County; a photo of something that interested someone enough to... [More]

SPECIAL: Youthfront application not a Public Hearing

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NOTICE: Case #: US-KS107-LU-2025-7, Youthfront Camp DBA Kansas City Youth for Christ is not being heard under a Public Hearing. That has already occurred; the commissioners are discussing the application in their meeting Monday, April 20.

1st Annual Richard Henderson Memorial Car Show Saturday

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In memory of long time Blue Mound resident and one of the founders of the Blue Mound Blessing and Car Show, organizers will be holding the 1st Annual Richard Henderson Memorial Car Show this coming Saturday in Blue Mound. The event is set to begin at 10 a.m. and will run until... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View softball goes 3-1 against Iola and Jayhawk

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The Prairie View softball team was on the road this past week but it was an overall successful week. The Lady Buffs traveled to Iola on April 7 to play a double-header against Iola. The Buffalos went 1-1, losing the first game, 11-21, and winning the second, 18-7. The team... [More]

Jayhawk softball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Prairie View

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The Jayhawk softball team played St. Paul and Prairie View this past week. They traveled to St. Paul on April 6 and had no issues with the Lady Indians as they won both games, 20-4 and 28-11.  They then hosted Prairie View on April 9 and lost to the Lady Buffalos in both... [More]

Pleasanton track wins at Oswego

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Pleasanton track certainly won at the Oswego Invitational on April 7. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams placed first to become champions of the meet. The boys scored 80 points while the girls scored 78 ½ points. There were a total of 14 schools at the meet. Boys’... [More]

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