In addition to voicing approval for a four-day week survey and preparing for open enrollment policy/daycare grant application decisions next month, two reports located elsewhere in this issue, the Prairie View Unified School District 362 board of education acted on personnel moves at its monthly Oct. 17 meeting.

Following four executive sessions, each five minutes in length, the board approved the retirement of Dennis Bolton, high school science teacher, at the end of the school year, the resignation of Deanna Darling for food service/cook, and the transfer of Orval Godfrey to maintenance.

Hirings include Bolton as assistant high school girls’ basketball coach, Doug Nelson as high school head boys’ basketball coach, Brittany Newman as assistant middle school girls’ basketball coach, Kim Huebert and Rhonda Post as part-time bus drivers, Jeff Russell as co-Performing Arts Center coordinator, Kimberly Leese and James Sweat as food service/cooks, Jacoby Johnson as co-senior class sponsor, and Jennifer Andersen as a temporary part-time custodian at Parker Elementary.

A 6-0 board action will enter the district into an agreement with Shred-it, Lenexa, a document handling/shredding and information security firm. Chris Johnson, Ph.D., district superintendent, said the monthly pickup fee is $80, with a $15 monthly rental for a central administrative office “biggest” container and separate $7.50 monthly rental for containers at both the high and middle schools.

Johnson said the central office has “boxes and boxes” of documents “with information that can’t be seen.” She said the pickup would also occur during summer months--”it’s typically the busiest shredding season.” She said the district is allowed to opt out on pickup in any month not needed.

Also on a 6-0 vote, the board adopted policy updates as submitted through the Kansas Association of School Boards and reviewed by the board’s policy committee of Brian Lueker and Brian Uphoff.

Johnson said all policies were required to be passed “due to state law and regulations” except for an optional one concerning guidance in administering emergency opioid antagonists, such as naloxone or Narcan. USD 362 already has a Narcan policy in place.

In answer to Lueker, who said its adoption is a good choice, Johnson said staff are trained on its use at the beginning of the school year on using in an emergency the “nose spray that can’t hurt anyone.”

During principals’ reports, Lueker asked about a behavioral specialist’s recent visit to Parker Elementary, the specialist’s high compliments to the staff in working with students who struggle with behaviors, and remembering to attend to basic needs for elementary-age students prior to addressing academic areas of weakness. 

Mark Staab, Parker Elementary principal, said the school maintains “plenty of extra clothes” and has showers for emergencies. Johnson added that washers and dryers are also available.

In other business before the board:

--After a six-minute executive session for student confidentiality, the board approved early-graduation status for Avery Paulsen and Zebulon Wobker and approved the transfer of two secondary-level students from Pleasanton USD 344 and of a third-grader from Heidelberg, Germany.

--The board approved the appointment of Todd Wollard, human resources/food service coordinator, as the district’s account representative with the Kansas State Department of Education for child nutrition/wellness related to food services. 

MEETINGS

LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 23, 2023

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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

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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

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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]

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NEWS

Pleasanton Fire Chief speaks on ISO notification

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Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom reported to the Pleasanton City Council on Monday evening that he had received an email last Friday indicating that the city is officially in regression. This means that the city’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) has worsened, leading... [More]

USD 362 board accepts roofing, telephone system bids

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Prairie View Unified School District 362’s board of education awarded unanimously bids both for a roofing and a telephone system upgrade at its Oct. 21 monthly meeting. The roof is the first of a four-phase plan for replacement above the high school, this first one above... [More]

Pleasanton council passes motion, gives hiring power to police chief

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During the Monday night meeting of the Pleasanton City Council, council member Aaron Portmann read a prepared statement regarding recent events and actions at the meetings held previously and then moved to have the city attorney draft an ordinance granting the power of appointment... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View cross country qualifies two for State

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The Prairie View cross country team traveled to Neodesha on Oct. 25 to compete in a 3A Regional to determine who makes the 3A State cross country meet. The Buffalos did well and the girls, as a team, placed fifth overall with a score of 115. To see the full article, check... [More]

Blu Jays’ Alvarez qualifies for State at Regionals

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The Pleasanton cross country team brought their best runner in Dominic Alvarez to Central Heights on Oct. 25 to compete in a 1A Regional.  The regional determines who makes the 1A State cross country meet and Alvarez qualified for the State meet by placing eighth at Regionals... [More]

Buffs grind on, record setting night sets scene to capture district title at Iola

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Despite recent off-field adversity, Prairie View’s football team continues to grind on, as evidenced by their 52-20 Pioneer League runners-up and Class 3-A, District 2 championship efforts Friday night at Iola. Buffalo generational talent Parker Schwarz had a night for... [More]

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