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
Commissioners discuss various budgets

SEKMHC in mix At the end of a meeting attended by two of the three commissioners, a discussion was held regarding several of the proposed budgets for next year. Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson first discussed the proposed budget for Southeast Kansas Mental Health.... [More]
City learns of fire gear condition

Pleasanton Fire Department ISO inspection July 16 Following the appointment of new Fire Chief Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief, the Pleasanton Council heard of the condition of bunker gear Monday night at their bi-weekly meeting. Watts reported the truck ran with the... [More]
La Cygne leaders discuss food truck follow-up

Police chief to draft updated clarifying ordinance La Cygne leaders anticipate considering a draft ordinance soon on transient food trucks following discussion at last Wednesday’s regular council meeting precipitated by a local business owner’s complaint last month.... [More]
More News
- special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case
- SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending
- NOTICE:
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
SPORTS
Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament

The team called Nobodys wins the Blue Mound 4th of July co-ed softball tournament on July 5. This year the tournament consisted of eight teams. The Nobodys is Keith Morrell’s team and has been a part of the softball tournament since it started three years ago.
Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship

The Pleasanton 12-14 baseball team wins their league tournament on June 30 to July 1. Pleasanton hosted the tournament and won in the championship against La Cygne 11-7.
More Sports
- 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
- 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