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
Commissioners discuss effects of city disbandment of fire department

During the Public Works report at the May 5 meeting Linn County Commissioners heard a brief report on mutual aid agreements for the Linn County Rural Fire Department and what effect the possible disbandment of the Pleasanton Fire Department will have on the county. District... [More]
Blue Mound discusses financing options for water tower project

Members of the Blue Mound City Council heard from Tom Fingers of Midwest Assistance Program and Joey McLiney from McLiney and Company concerning options for financing the water tower on Monday, May 5, for their regular monthly meeting. The city has received a grant... [More]
La Cygne leaders contemplate sales tax adjustment

After bond defeasance, election would be required to alter stated fund focus By all appearances, La Cygne voters may not be far away from seeing a ballot proposal to alter the stated focus for one of its two 1-cent city sales taxes. Information at the two regular... [More]
More News
- Fire department public hearing nets crowd
- County counselor issues statement on Tanglewood roads
- Linn Valley City Council ends discussion with SEKMHC on building
- SPECIAL: Legislative Update
- 16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed
- Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
SPORTS
Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational

The Prairie View track team hosted their home invitational on May 1. The Buffalos did very well as the girls won the meet with a score of 142 and the boys placed second with a score of 92. Central Heights won the meet for the boys with a score of 103. Once again, the Buffalos... [More]
Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Prairie View on May 1 to compete in the Prairie View Invitational. The Hawks did well at the event as the girls placed second overall with 124 points while the boys placed third overall with 89 points. Here are the individual... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk hosts home track invitational
- Prairie View track competes at Jayhawk Invitational
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Uniontown
- Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational
- Prairie View track has multiple gold winners at Anderson County, top athletes compete at KU Relays
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational