In addition to electing a new member, approving capital improvement expenditures, and hearing a proposal for a high-school level organization, all three reports located elsewhere in this issue, the Prairie View Unified School District board of education increased substitute teacher pay at its monthly meeting Sept. 12.
The 5-0 vote, with Rita Boydston abstaining, increased full-day license-level substitute compensation from $95 to $130 and half-day from $50 to $60. A 6-0 vote raises daily long-term substitute pay after more than 10 days in the same role from $150 to $160.
District administrators noted difficulties in getting teaching substitutes so far this school year. Rex Bollinger, Ed.D., district superintendent, said the $95 was “behind” other districts, with Spring Hill paying $140 daily.
Board members suggested $120 per day, but Brian Uphoff, board member, argued the figure was “not high enough to compete” and offered the $130/$60 motion that was seconded by Brad Heide.
Bollinger also presented substitute figures for classified positions but said he would streamline a proposal and “bring back to you in the future.”
Among numerous personnel moves approved last week will be three potential substitute teachers who will benefit from the increase.
After three executive sessions for non-elected personnel totaling 20 minutes, the board approved hiring Tracy Cook as an immediate substitute and okayed Bryan Butler and Gavin Cullor pending their licensures.
Other hirings are Carrie Kana and Carolyne Sramek as bus drivers, Kayla Ritch as a bus aide, Krystal Young as a La Cygne Elementary custodian, Eric Ellett as high school Student Council adviser, Tracy Konda as high school Scholars’ Bowl coach, and Brianna Haupt as head middle school girls’ basketball coach.
Board action also included the hiring of Bridgett Elam as a food service cook effective Sept. 1 and her termination effective Sept. 8. Resignations were Jayla Harvey as a food service cook and Angie Chambers as middle school boys’ basketball coach.
Transfer actions are Katie Martin and Kitana Parscale from bus aides to drivers, Nichole Hale from La Cygne Elementary paraprofessional to aide, Shayla Meyer from Parker Elementary paraprofessional to La Cygne aide, and Nina Brenneman from La Cygne custodian to Prairie View High.
During the student service report, in answer to Boydston, Director Beth Sandness said that every potential student “is pretty much enrolled.” Information before the board showed the district with 914 students, of which 193 are under special education individual education plans.
“Our September 20 count (the date to determine state funding allocation) is about the same as last year,” she said. “It’s not a big hit nor a big jump.”
Wade Teagarden, board president, noted that 45 percent of district students are on free and reduced lunches, which he estimated as “low.”
Sandness, also the district’s food service director, said the percentage is really not much different than before the pandemic, but she said some parents may start seeing a food service debt with a price structure re-established this year after 2 1/4 years of no-cost to families to feed their children at school.
“If that’s the case,” said Sandness, “I’d encourage them to fill out forms and see if you can get help. There is no cap on how many in a district can be served through free and reduced meals.”
In other business before the board:
--The board approved annual dues of $12,719 to the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) and $2,300 for their legal assistance.
--Bobby Johnson, district grounds and maintenance coordinator, alerted the board to a possible starting point for a spring request from Tiffany Ellett, La Cygne Elementary principal, for an at-risk pre-school program room that may require taking out a wall, all at a $136,000 estimate. Before that, however, he indicated architect involvement, engineering consultations with Nabholz Construction, Lenexa, and sign-off by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
--Under consent agenda financial statements, Bollinger pointed out two portable sheds listed as surplus items “to get off the property.” Johnson estimated the sheds’ areas as 10-by-15 feet and 12-by-24 feet.
--Also under consent agenda financial, Bollinger clarified Heide’s question concerning handwritten checks of $10,918 to Truly Insurance, La Cygne, for a cyber policy by saying it is an annual premium for cybersecurity and that it had actually decreased by $3,000 this year.
--The board approved the removal of Mark Meek’s name from bank cards. Meek is the former middle school principal who accepted a similar role at Spring Hill.
--With Teagarden asking if the Buffalo Attendance Matters incentive program is “having some fun,” Sandness reported that “posters are going up around the towns,” and early-week winners were included on the public board agenda report.
--Walter Vandeventer, middle school social studies teacher and wrestling program director, reported that participating Prairie View organizations had earned around $7,000 helping with merchandise sales at Kansas Speedway racing events at Kansas City Sept. 10-11.
--In answer to Uphoff’s question about an advanced ninth-grade English/language arts curriculum, Joseph Hornback, Ed.D., district superintendent, responded, “We didn’t,” and said he would check.
--Uphoff and Brad Stainbrook volunteered to be the board’s committee to go over new KASB policy recommendations prior to their full presentation to the board.
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
Linn County News website gets new update

Recently you may have seen our notification on our website or our Facebook page that we were undergoing some changes on our website at www.linncountynews.net. We here at the News are happy to announce those changes are nearly complete. Changes to the website include an easier... [More]
Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral

County now required to cut budget to meet the RNR rate BY $837,000 The Linn County commissioners, with Commissioner Jason Hightower absent, began the revenue neutral hearing on Monday, Aug. 25, by welcoming those in the audience and stating the purpose and objective... [More]
Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles

The Linn Valley City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present except for John Weers. City Attorney James Brun was also present. The meeting began with a presentation by city’s financial... [More]
More News
- Sheriff speaks out on employee benefits
- Jayhawk Blast set for Saturday, Sept. 6
- Pleasanton Council readies city for General Pleasonton Days
- Parker 2026 city budget could exceed revenue neutral
- La Cygne proceeds with facilities improvement
- Economic Development Director resigns
- Pleasanton moves forward with streets plan
- USD 344 adopts new cell phone policy
SPORTS
Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]
Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different. The derby was divided into three age... [More]
Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson. Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]
More Sports
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
- PV Cheer has strong performances at UCA Summer Camp 2025
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship