The USD 346 school board met in regular session on Monday, Aug. 14, and began their meeting with the approval of the consent agenda, including the agenda for the meeting, the minutes of the previous meeting, payment of bills and payroll, and out of district requests for enrollment.
The board heard from Mark Proffitt, principal at the elementary, that enrollment is nearly at 100 percent completion with the first day of classes set for Wednesday, Aug. 16. Proffitt did note that the online enrollment process seems to be a bit difficult for some parents and guardians.
He added that it is typical for the school to lose approximately 30 kids over the course of a summer with families moving, etc., but stated they have a good sized pre-school class coming in this year.
Junior High and High School Principal Bob Beckham told the board he has 32 students currently enrolled in the STARS programs but is excited to bring Mark Allen on board as the new Ag instructor and FFA sponsor.
Genea Bruner, Student Improvement Services, reported that 2023-2024 academic year will be a learning year for the district and a time to refine their expectations for students and educators. Bruner stated they will continue to collect data and conduct testing until directives are given to the district in late October, which she will report on in November.
Superintendent Shawn Thomas thanked Wes Cox and his crew for all of their hard work over the summer on the new tech space and the work at the library in the junior high and high school building. He also thanked the custodial staff for their hard work in readying the buildings for the beginning of the year.
Thomas reported that work on the track has been pushed back due to a hold up for the company doing the work, but the new wrestling space is done and is much safer. He added that the work on new playground equipment, as well as, work on the auditorium has culminated in some great things being accomplished over the summer break.
Thomas told the board the district had received a $2,800 donation from the Blue Mound United Methodist Women with $1,000 of the donation earmarked to pay off back lunch debt for students and the remainder to be used for teacher supplies.
A second donation of $1,500 from an anonymous source was earmarked for the football program.
The board gave approval for Thomas to work with a local business owner on the purchase of surplus windows the district has.
The board approved the classified handbook and the licensed handbook as presented.
Thomas updated the board on a new law that, as of January 2024, will allow students to enroll in any district. He noted that the district will need to determine and set their capacities, based on student to teacher ratios and more, prior to that time. Thomas then spoke to the board regarding a new KSHSAA policy that goes hand-in-hand with the new law.
The board entered into a 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel matters.
Following the executive session, the board approved the hiring of Brittany Prattis as JES custodian.
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
- LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, August 14, 2023
NEWS
Commissioners review departmental budgets

SEKMHC budget cut During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]
Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief

Following the resignation of Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief after last week’s council meeting, the Pleasanton Council appointed Jeff Wisdom as the new chief of the city fire department. Wisdom took the podium Monday night and said he’d spoken to the fire fighters... [More]
Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral

The council met in special session Monday night to discuss the appointment of a new fire chief, see separate story, and discuss the 2026 budget – knowing they had approximately $45,000 to whittle to get below 90 mills to be revenue neutral. The police budget was discussed... [More]
More News
- Local residents warn of bad business practices
- Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County
- Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion
- La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
- Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State