In addition to making decisions on district credit card limits, a report located elsewhere in this issue, the Unified School District 362 board of education acted on personnel items at its Oct. 10 monthly meeting.
Following two executive sessions totaling 12 minutes for non-elected personnel, the board hired Jamie Hambsch and Whitney Minchew as cooks, Kim Halaquist as a La Cygne Elementary aide, and Shannon Day, Shanna Richards, Darlene Stewart and Stephanie Yates as substitute teachers.
The board approved the transfer of Shayla Meyer from teaching aide to health clerk and accepted the resignations of Meriah Mitzner as La Cygne Elementary health clerk and Will Shannon as assistant high school baseball coach.
In another 6-0 action, with Brad Stainbrook not present, the board approved district strategic supports, a part of the district’s accreditation process, as recommended by Rex Bollinger, Ed.D., district superintendent.
Bollinger said highlights of the report fall under ‘student achievement’ to research and institute programs to combat bullying and to address the social emotional health of students and staff and under ‘facilities and technology’ to research costs to replace the track and update the softball and baseball fields with turf. (The full strategic supports document to the board can be found under agenda item 7.1 of the Oct. 10 electronic board agenda at http://www.pv362.org.)
Bollinger also hopes to have additional periodic community meetings with district patrons, saying he will want to “take them away from the district office” and to the various towns instead to lessen any intimidation factor.
He explained that the current strategic supports document is a result of meetings “months back” with community groups, all licensed staff and administrative team, some classified staff, and students down to the fourth-grade level.
In information items broached by the board, Andrea Richardson, Prairie View Middle School principal, answered Brad Heide, board member, during principals’ reports that a Sept. 30 suicide prevention presentation, first presented to the high school and then to her students and staff, was funded by Grady’s Kids Inc., a local philanthropic organization.
During the student services report, Heide said that the Buffalo Attendance Matters incentive program “seems to be going well. I’ve heard some good things.”
Responded Beth Sandness, student services director, “It’s been fun to do.”
Under the board’s executive session agenda item, no action resulted from two closed-door meetings totaling 10 minutes for student confidentiality.
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