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
CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman

UPDATE WOODSON COUNTY – The Yates Center Police Department reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) that Tammara Isaacs was located safely. The statewide Purple Alert is canceled. - - - - WOODSON COUNTY – The Yates Center Police... [More]
Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges

Webber cites lake ruts video footage, loose dogs chasing people indoors To assure a method for citing and prosecuting wrongdoings against city ordinance and codes, Parker Mayor Jason Webber is choosing to utilize legal affidavits. At last Thursday’s monthly... [More]
USD 346 board learns of overpayments

During the June 9 meeting of the USD 346 Board of Education, the board learned the district had been notified of overpayments they received between fiscal years 2016 and 2023. The overpayments were discovered when Public Consulting Group (PCG) was reviewing the cost reporting... [More]
More News
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
- Commissioners form countywide consensus for automatic aid agreements
- SPECIAL: Election cycle will not require primary
- Blue Moon Youth Center to hold matinees this summer
- Pleasanton council divided on Fire Chief appointment
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