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In addition to extension of two-year administrative contracts, a report located elsewhere in this issue, the Prairie View Unified School District 362 board of education at their monthly meeting Dec. 12 approved grants received from district United Methodist churches (UMCs).

On individual 7-0 votes separated from consent agenda financial statements, with Russell Pope participating via speaker phone, the board accepted a November installment of $569 and a December one of $33.42 to Parker Elementary from the Beagle UMC specifically earmarked primarily to supplement the school’s nutrition program.

Three votes approved $56.75 donations each from the La Cygne UMC for discretionary use, one each for Prairie View High School and the attendance centers at both La Cygne and Parker.

The board also set the 2023-24 school year calendar. Rex Bollinger, Ed.D., district superintendent, said staff had voted 80 percent in favor of the selected calendar choice, which he said is similar to the current year’s.

Among highlights he pointed out are classes starting on a Wednesday, Aug. 16, no classes on Oct. 30-31 with a staff in-service Nov. 1, classes in session Dec. 18-19 to begin the week prior to Christmas break, and at the end of the second week following spring break no classes on March 29 for Good Friday,  

Board questions during principals’ reports were primarily directed to Mark Hough, secondary-level activities director and assistant high school principal.

Brad Stainbrook asked for clarification on sports concussion protocol--”at what point after a doctor signs off can they compete?”

Hough said that, following a doctor’s release, the district follows the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) return-to-play protocol.

Asked by Pope about completed assessments “on how things went with fall sports,” Hough said he will conduct formal meetings with fall coaches next month where they bring scheduling/equipment needs and have one-on-one conversations on their successes and struggles.

Asked about the assessment of Will Shannon, first-year high school head boys’ basketball coach, Hough said that official assessment would occur at the end of the season.

Also during administrative reports, Bollinger pointed to a special education report available for board review. The full report can be found through the ‘special education funding’ tab under the Dec. 12 board agenda item 6.1 at http://www.pv362.org/page/board-agenda-and-minutes.

Bollinger said proponents “will be talking a lot” during next year’s legislative session about state percentage increases in special education funding and pointed to endorsements from the Kansas Department of Education, the Kansas Association of Special Education Administrators, and the Kansas State Parent Teacher Association.

During her report, Beth Sandness, district student services director, answered Brad Heide, board member, that the winter battery of FastBridge nationally-normed testing was to be completed by last Thursday, the final day of classes for the first semester, and that she would have the tests’ overall outlook in reading and mathematics ready for the 7 p.m. Jan. 9 monthly meeting.

Heide also alluded to 75 percent of students in December above the 90 percent attendance rate as being below the 80 percent mark in November as reported through the Buffalo Attendance Matters attendance promotion.

Sandness explained that the lower percentage was “because of a ton of kids sent home (ill recently) from the elementary schools.”

She told Heide that this year’s attendance rate as compared to last year’s has not yet been compiled.

Immediately after Wade Teagarden, board president, called last week’s meeting to order, the board voted to recess for 45 minutes to attend the Prairie View secondary-school level “Classic Christmas” concert in the Performing Arts Center. Photos from that concert can be found elsewhere in this edition. 

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

USD 362 to return to onsite food service

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Move follows decade with food management companies   After a decade of partnering with private management vendors, Prairie View Unified School District 362 will return to self-operation of its food service program next school year. The decision came at the monthly... [More]

La Cygne to change insurance carrier

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Purchase will still be through Truly   La Cygne city leaders have opted for a new municipal insurance underwriter. On a 3-0 vote at last Wednesday’s regular meeting, with David Brenneman and Ed Smith not present, the council voted for the city to be insured through... [More]

Agriculture leading economic contributor for Linn County

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Agriculture touches the lives of everyone in Linn County, whether you are a producer or a consumer, providing a direct or indirect impact of over $170 million to our county in 2023.  Farming and beef cattle ranching, including feedlots and dual-purpose farming and ranching... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View brings home two State titles in powerlifting championship

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The Prairie View powerlifting team traveled to Santa Fe Trail on March 23 for the 3A State Powerlifting Meet. The Buffalos did very well at the meet with seven lifters placing in the top three and Prairie View placing second overall as a team. “We came up 11 points short... [More]

Jayhawk softball hosts Prairie View in season opener

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The Jayhawk Linn softball team hosted Prairie View in their season opener on March 19. The Lady Hawks played a double-header and lost both games to the Lady Buffs 5-15 and 13-15. The first game saw the Buffalos take a 6-3 after three innings. After this, Prairie View outscored... [More]

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