In addition to its intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate on its 2023-24 fiscal year budget and a change in monthly meeting times, two reports located elsewhere in this issue, the Prairie View Unified School District 362 board of education heard about a change in district employees’ health coverage for the upcoming school term.
At the monthly July 10 meeting, Christine Johnson, Ph.D., district superintendent, said that the district insurance committee, earlier in the day, had recommended coverage through United Health Care (UHC) rather than current subscriber Humana. Through UHC, said Johnson, participating staff would have a choice between a high-deductible health savings account or a lower-cost preferred provider arrangement.
Johnson noted UHC’s “best” rates and their promise not to raise the second-year premiums by more than 10 percent.
She said the new insurance plan, which goes into effect Oct. 1, will be approved as part of the 2023-24 contract with teachers. At last week’s meeting, the board conducted three executive sessions totaling 20 minutes for negotiations, with no follow-up public action.
During the meeting’s consent agenda financial statements item, Brad Heide, board member, asked for clarifications on three separate questions.
Alluding to a computer generated check of $3,475 for April/June mowing at La Cygne and Parker Elementary schools and handwritten checks of $1,875 and $475 for elementary-school mowing, all to DreamScape Innovations, Inc., Mound City, Heide questioned that “we’re still contracting that out.” Wade Teagarden, board president, confirmed that “yes, we’re still hiring that out.”
Heide then asked if an $11,864.93 computer-generated check to Albert Managed Services for K-12 informational technology software is a monthly fee, which Kylee Capp, district business manager and board clerk, confirmed.
Heide said he was curious about a $2,400 computer-generated check to Gipper Media, Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y., for social media graphics. Capp said she would investigate.
Teagarden said he was curious about marked highlights on the June financial report. Capp said those highlights “tie in to budget comparisons.”
During public presentation agenda time, Cyndi Danford, Paola, said she had been trying to contact the school “for several months” about placement of two foreign exchange students through the SHARE! Southwest student exchange program.
Johnson and Teagarden asked for contact information, which Danford shared with them during the meeting.
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
Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of La Cygne, Linn County

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of LaCygne public water supply system located in Linn County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute... [More]
Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]
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]
More News
- Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief
- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
- 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
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