Prairie View Unified School District 362’s board of education finished the approval of school year 2023-24 student handbooks at their May 8 monthly meeting.
After approving the middle school’s at their April meeting, the board approved those for both La Cygne and Parker Elementary attendance centers unanimously and for Prairie View High on a 6-1 vote, with Russell Pope dissenting.
Before the votes, Brian Uphoff, board member, asked about supply list costs, saying he had always kept his below $30. Andrea Richardson, middle school principal, said she would do a discount-store check, and Tiffany Ellett, La Cygne Elementary principal, said their school keeps supplies on hand, noting contributions made by parents, local churches, and the La Cygne public library.
Rex Bollinger, Ed.D., district superintendent, said that employee/staff handbook approval would occur during the board’s regular 7 p.m. monthly meeting June 12.
The board also approved 2023-24 early December graduation for Bradley Barnhart, Jessica Dumcum, Zoe Parker and Tristan Young. Joseph Hornback, Ed.D., high school principal and district curriculum director, said the three steps for their potential early graduation were to meet with school counselor Stephanie Nichols to form a graduation plan, then next meeting with parents before coming before the school board.
For this year’s high school commencement at 2 p.m. Sunday in the high school gymnasium, Bollinger ascertained the attendance of board members Richard Gravelle, Brian Lueker, Pope and Uphoff.
On another action, following a seven-minute executive session for student confidentiality, the board approved the in-district transfer of two elementary-level students from Parker to La Cygne.
During curriculum and instruction reports, Wade Teagarden, board president, asked about this month’s FastBridge national normed testing. Beth Sandness, student services director, said a single reading and mathematics test is being given and said preliminary results are “showing good growth in reading.”
She reported a change by the State Board of Education in their dyslexic screening guidelines are that a high school student who scores at or above the benchmark in FastBridge reading is exempt from that test the remainder of their high school years.
“High school teachers are thrilled,” Sandness said.
During Sandness’ report, Uphoff asked about her report’s chronic absentee numbers this year of 42 at the high school, 14 at the middle school, 21 at La Cygne Elementary, and 10 at Parker Elementary.
Sandness said some have received letters “letting them know we’re watching attendance, especially if they’re out of district.”
Others are the result of “major health concerns,” she said. “We know them.”
During curriculum report, Brad Heide, board member, asked Hornback about the district’s current eight-member curriculum council membership. Hornback anticipates the membership for next school year “will stay somewhat stationary.”
During principals’ reports, Pope asked if a document of cost quotes presented by Mark Hough, secondary level activities director and assistant high school principal, was to be acted on at the meeting.
Bollinger said the quotes are for now just for information “to give you an idea of what things are going to cost.”
During consent agenda/financial statements, Pope asked if a surplus list from the district’s bus barn storage “warehouse” is the result of a “natural purge.”
Bollinger said the storage “shed is getting full,” and the surplus approval would allow for some items to be sent to auction, some to be sent to recycling, and some to be discarded as landfill trash.
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
Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case

A court case has been filed in the 6th Judicial District in Linn County by Parker resident Jan Longenecker and 26 other plaintiffs against the Board of Zoning Appeals of Linn County to revoke building permits issued by the acting Zoning Administrator Ben Souza. Souza... [More]
Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair

The Pleasanton City Council and street crew had the opportunity to watch a live demonstration of an asphalt zipper last Wednesday on 8th Street between Cedar and Sycamore – a street with heavily damaged asphalt. Dave Fokken, Asphalt Zipper Government Sales rep, said many... [More]
La Cygne awards lift station bid

Generator emphasis is the final step in the $6.261 million wastewater project La Cygne leaders awarded a bid to replace every diesel-powered generator at the city’s three sewer lift stations to a Kansas City, Mo., firm. At last Wednesday’s regular meeting,... [More]
More News
- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
- SPECIAL: KBI conducts statewide marijuana enforcement operation
- Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments
- Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature
- Pleasanton city candidate forum Oct. 6
- County logo sees little change
- Linn County P&Z Appeals Board denies subdivision appeal
- Commissioners discuss suggestion to leave EDA position vacant
SPORTS
Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown

The Pleasanton volleyball team had a busy week. First the team hosted a Three Rivers League triangular on Sept. 30 against Jayhawk Linn and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 4 the team traveled to Uniontown for the Uniontown Volleyball Invitational. To see the full article, check... [More]
Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week

The Jayhawk volleyball team was busy this past week as they had games on Sept. 30, Oct. 2, and Oct. 4. They traveled to Pleasanton on Sept. 30 to play a TRL triangular against Pleasanton and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 2 they hosted TRL foes Chetopa and Oswego. Then on Oct.... [More]
Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming

The Jayhawk Linn football team had a big game this past Friday on Oct. 3. Not only was it their Homecoming game but it was also a TRL/District game against their in-county rival the Pleasanton Blu-Jays. Both teams played hard and one could tell that both teams really wanted... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville
- Jayhawk volleyball has a solid week going 3-0
- Seasoned Olpe powers over young 'Hawks
- Wade and Schneider start impressive girls’ golf season for the Buffalos and Hawks