STARS Foundation board votes to purchase building
- Roger Sims, Journal Staff
- Nov 17
- 2 min read
By Roger Sims
PLEASANTON – The STARS Foundation has voted to negotiate with the Pleasanton USD 344 Board of Education to purchase the former Cox Motors dealership building that currently houses the Southeast Technical Academy for Rural Students (STARS) trade school. The school serves students from the three Linn County high schools as well as those from Louisburg, Uniontown and some Missouri schools.
The vote by foundation members, including representatives from two of the three Linn County school districts, a Pleasanton school board member, and industry representatives, at the foundation’s October meeting was unanimous.
The foundation received $332,000 from Linn County this fall from a one year, 1 mill tax levy dedicated by the Linn County Commission to help support the school.
The Pleasanton school district currently owns the building, and Fort Scott Community College pays the teaching and support staff there.
In a meeting with STARS instructors and board in July, FSCC President Jack Welch said he wanted to promote the STARS program and expand the Pleasanton campus.
According to STARS director Jay Allen, FSCC has the right of first option to purchase the property. If FSCC was to exercise that option, it would essentially remove the STARS Foundation from any direct involvement in the program except as an advisory board.
However, many of the board members have avidly supported STARS’s mission of providing technical training for Linn County students and likely want to maintain some control over the academy.
At their meeting, foundation members also voted to give Shane Kern a $10,000 stipend for his work in placing STARS students in jobs or apprenticeships following graduation. For 2025 graduates, he placed 90% of the students, many of the ones he didn’t place had situations that prevent them from taking positions he had secured for them.
Kern, who is the STARS welding instructor, estimates that he spends three times more hours in placement and contacting trade organizations and companies about STARS than he spends teaching.
He could receive an additional $2,000 for 2025, but that would depend on the price negotiated on the purchase of the building.
Jayhawk USD 346 Superintendent Shawn Thomas, foundation member, said on Thursday, Nov. 20, that negotiations for the price had not yet begun.