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
SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]
Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]
Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present. Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]
More News
- USD 362 board rejects adding bus A/C
- SPECIAL: Blue Mound man seriously injured in accident
- Commissioners make official statement on Tanglewood roads
- La Cygne okays local police firing range
- Mound City council adopts rules for camping
- LCSO releases statement on incident
- Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension
- Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD
SPORTS
Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]
School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
- Prairie View track sets meet and league records at Wellsville
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk baseball earns win over Pleasanton
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View