Unified School District 362 board of education members heard and accepted its audit report for the 2021-22 fiscal year at its monthly meeting Feb. 13.
Sean Gordon, auditor for GordonCPA, Lawrence, said the district would receive an unmodified opinion, the “highest and cleanest opinion,” on its regular financial health, as well as on a separate audit required when spending $75,000 or more of federal funds, in this case for a COVID-19-related nutrition grant.
“This reflects very well on the financial and internal controls of the district,” said Gordon in voicing his appreciation for the work of Kylee Capp, district business manager and board clerk.
The board voted 6-0 to accept the report, with Russell Pope participating via phone and Richard Gravelle not present.
During the citizen’s open forum, Jenna Thompson, a Prairie View High senior, read a prepared statement asking for expansion of seniors in all activities to be recognized during seasonal athletic senior nights.
She cited administrative recognition as a way to improve “lack of student involvement and lack of participation.” She said that rallies for students earning state participation in music and Scholars’ Bowl activities occurred after sponsors “pushed for them. Past traditions should not serve as a condition now.”
During the meeting, board members heard preschool data presented by Tiffany Ellett, La Cygne Elementary principal.
She reported that the majority of 4-year-old preschoolers are kindergarten-ready, citing data on literacy, mathematics, penmanship, and writing alphabet letters.
“Most are above Kansas standards,” she said.
On a related note, Beth Sandness, student services director, said that the state of Kansas next year will fund 3-year-old at-risk preschoolers “if we have space.”
During her report, Sandness noted that the high school’s National Honor Society induction will occur at 6 p.m. March 6 in the Performing Arts Center, an hour earlier than the 7 p.m. monthly board meeting moved up a week to avoid conflicting with spring break.
Sandness also previewed this past Monday’s in-service, headlined by Gerry Brooks, whom she characterized as a “YouTube Facebook star” whose focus is on building positive school cultures. She said all district staff and those from other school districts had been invited.
During the curriculum report, Brad Heide, board member, questioned a high school course of woodworking principles replacing the vocational construction design (house building) class.
Joseph Hornback, Ed.D., high school principal and district curriculum director, said the second house during the five-year program will be finished this school year.
He said a combination of “no other lot and changing teachers” led to the decision. David Reynolds is retiring, said Hornback, and the woodworking principles was added to fill Scott Bauer’s schedule for next year.
Questioned by Brian Uphoff, board member, about what equipment Bauer’s classes might need, Hornback said the first step will be to “find out what are the projects and then work backward to see what equipment we need.” Mentioned by Hornback as a future project idea, “maybe a tiny home.”
Other changes for high school courses as noted by Hornback will be a forensic science course expanding from a semester to full year to comply with new state career technical education pathway requirements, along with possible introductory entry-level history courses earning concurrent credit from Fort Scott Community College with enrollment of at least five students.
In other business, the board met for five minutes in executive session concerning student confidentiality, with no follow-up public action.
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
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
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- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State