Commission withholds STARS funds approved in a 2023 vote

The Linn County Commission tables a decision on whether to release funds to the Southeastern Technical Academy for Rural Students (STARS) program until a commissioner absent from Tuesday's commission meeting can break a likely tie vote. (Journal file photo)

By Charlene Sims

info@linncountyjournal.com

MOUND CITY – On Tuesday, Sept. 2, Linn County Commissioner Jason Hightower and Commission Chair Jim Johnson tabled a request from the Southeast Technical Academy for Rural Students (STARS) for the money that the county budgeted for them for 2025. 

STARS had not requested the money from Linn County because negotiations were up in the air with Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) not agreeing to substantial support of the program. The commissioners had told Jay Allen, the director of STARS, that they needed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between STARS and FSCC. The MOU was sent to County Clerk Danielle Souza and she presented the information to the commissioners on Sept. 2. 

Souza said that Allen had emailed her asking that the Stars funds in the amount of $332,000 be released to him. The funds will be used for purchasing the building from Pleasanton USD 344 and the remainder of the funds are intended for campus improvements. All use of the funds will be at the discretion of our board of directors which includes representatives from three industries, three from county schools, and a Linn County commissioner as well as from a FSCC representative and a local school board member.

In May 2023, the commission on a 2-to-1 vote agreed to add a 1-mill levy to the county budget for one year to help the fledgling STARS program become more self-sufficient. Those funds were collected during the 2024 calendar year and have been available for STARS this year.. Johnson cast his vote against the 1-mill levy; Hightower and former commission Danny McCullough voted to approve it.

The STARS board, more formally known as the STARS Foundation, currently a limited liabiility corporation with plans to become a 501c3 nonprofit corporation, has no taxing authority. Jayhawk and Prairie View school districts, which along with Pleasanton have superintendents on the STARS board, are by state statute limited in the amount of money they can contribute to the operation of STARS. Last year those two school districts contributed $50 per pupil attending STARS, however, they also picked up transportation and some other miscellaneous costs as well.

Shawn Thomas, superintendent of the Jayhawk school district and a member of the STARS board, said that until now, much of the expense of the building and operating costs have been paid by the Pleasanton school district. Pleasanton Superintendent Don Epps has had to shoulder much of the burden of negotiations with FSCC and general oversight of the STARS operation.

With more financial support by FSCC and the ability to purchase the building from the Pleasanton district, Thomas said that Epps will be able to step back and take on the same role as the other two superintendents.

Initially the foundation would lease the building to FSCC. However, according to FSCC administrators, they are interested in expanding both the campus and the courses it offers.

In his email to the county prior to Tuesday's meeting, Allen stated that STAR’S employees and director will not have access to the funds without board approval.

At first, there was some confusion about who the MOU that Allen sent was with and even Hightower, who is the county’s representative to the STARS board, did not feel that the commission had the information they had asked for.

Hightower said to Johnson, “And one of the things you had asked for before was our memorandum of understanding with Fort Scott and that has not been provided?”

“Before we were investing more money into STARS make sure the viability of the program with STARS and Fort Scott is there so we can approve their budget request,” said Hightower.

“That’s where I’m at with it,” said Johnson.

“I’m wanting the MOU between STARS and Fort Scott to be provided to us so that we can approve their budget request,” said Hightower.

But, as County Counselor Jacklyn Paletta read the MOU it was obvious that the MOU was between Pleasanton USD 344 and Fort Scott Community College. The STARS board oversees the day-to-day operation of the technical school, and the Pleasanton school district owns the building.

The MOU showed that FSCC agrees to:

•  Cover the annual rental cost of $25,209 for use of the building, as well as reimburse USD 344 Pleasanton Schools for property insurance and fixed utility expenses. These utilities include electricity, natural gas, water, internet/phone service, pest control, and trash removal. FSCC may choose either to place the utility accounts in its own name and pay these expenses directly, or to reimburse USD 344 annually for the actual utility cost incurred.

• FSCC agrees to pay salaries and benefits of the FSCC faculty. Each party shall be responsible for any statutory duties and requirements relating to its employees, such as responsibility for workers compensation and unemployment compensation, according to FSCC employment policies.

• FSCC agrees to provide the curriculum and instruction for technical instruction and classes offered at the program, including HVAC, carpentry, heavy equipment, EMT, CNA, welding, and criminal justice courses. FSCC has said it might provide additional classes in the future.

USD 344 agrees to maintain and perform all reasonable and necessary repairs throughout the

term of this agreement to ensure that all real and personal property, both inside and outside,

remains in good condition and working order. FSCC will provide adequate custodial supplies.

After hearing the agreement, Hightower said that he would approve releasing the funds, based on the memo.

“This is what we were waiting on,” said Hightower. “The direction over there has been pinpointed. I think it’s been substantiated by the new (FSCC) president and his staff. And I think from this it says that also the board of trustees for Fort Scott Community College is also on board with the path forward

Johnson “It’s been my concern all along why one taxing entity would ask another taxing entity for money? You know, that we’re just taxing the people again is the way I feel.”

“So you’re not in favor of it?” asked Hightower.

“Nope,” said Johnson.

“So, do we need to table it?” Asked Hightower.

“Yeah, table for today,” said Johnson.

“Find out what Ali thinks?” asked Hightower.

“I’m good with that,” said Johnson.

Both commissioners agreed to table the request until Commissioner Alison Hamilton was present at the Sept. 8 meeting.