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
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
- 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
- LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, August 14, 2023
NEWS
Commissioners meeting canceled due to lack of quorum
On Saturday, Sept. 14, notice was sent by Linn County Clerk David Lamb that the meeting of the Linn County Commissioners set for Monday, Sept. 16, was canceled due to lack of a quorum. A quorum is required for the board of county commissioners to meet and means at least two... [More]
Pleasanton to exceed revenue neutral rate
Council discusses park grant The Pleasanton City Council held a hearing to discuss the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) and annual budget hearing and voted to exceed the RNR Monday night. With no public comment on the budget or RNR, the council approved the budget of $3,3320,227,... [More]
Parker mayor resigns from post
Council adopts 2025 budget Ashley Balthazor has resigned as Parker mayor, effective last Friday. Prior to adjournment at last Thursday’s monthly council meeting, Balthazor made the announcement. She cited full-time work and family obligations as reasons that... [More]
More News
- Sheriff Kevin Friend resigns position
- Pleasanton to sell lot at 9th & Main
- La Cygne business, citizen voice public complaints
- Pleasanton Saddle Club member dies in horse accident
- USD 362 approves daycare policies
- La Cygne adopts 2025 city budget
- La Cygne council rejects new stop signs
- Commissioner questions KORA process
SPORTS
Jayhawk cross country has a winning meet at Fort Scott
The Jayhawk Linn cross country team traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 12 for the Fort Scott Invitational. The Hawks certainly had a winning meet as both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams placed first at the meet. The girls’ team won with a score of 26 while the... [More]
Prairie View football runs over Santa Fe Trail
The Prairie View football team had all rushing yards and no passing yards in their last game against St. Louis Priory and that trend continued this past week against Santa Fe Trail. The Buffalos traveled to Santa Fe Trail on Sept. 13 for a Pioneer League game against the Chargers.... [More]
More Sports
- Hawks jumpstart season with 38-14 win
- Pleasanton football falls to South Sumner in season opener
- Prairie View volleyball starts year with a strong week
- Osawatomie cancels varsity football for 2024
- Season prediction for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Annual fishing derby again a big hit at the Linn County Fair
- Annual pedal pull well attended at Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- Linn County Fair and Rodeo hosts annual demo derby