Gardner News

04/21/2022

04/20/2022

The USD 231 Board of Education is pleased to announce that Dr. Brian Huff has been named the next su...

04/19/2022

Over the next few days, the Gardner Police Department will be conducting training in the old Olathe Medical building at 18320 S. Center St. There will be increased police activity in the area during this time.

04/18/2022

🌎 Come celebrate Earth Day with Gardner Parks and Recreation! The theme of Earth Day 2022 is Invest in our Planet. “Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods… together, we must Invest in Our Planet” (earthday.org). We invite families, organizations, church groups, and individuals of all ages to be a part of this important event. After the group cleanup, we welcome you to join us for a free hot dog lunch.

RSVP today by calling (913) 856-0936 or visit https://bit.ly/3IqREuF.

04/17/2022

Students in the GEHS Gifted program traveled to Pittsburg, Kansas to compete in the Pitt State Math ...

04/14/2022

USD 231 Superintendent search update

April 14, 2022
The Gardner Edgerton Board of Education conducted superintendent candidate interviews this week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). It was imperative to the Board that the hiring process be transparent, thorough, and involve all stakeholders.
Each candidate participated in a rigorous 12-hour process on the day they visited the district. Their schedule entailed a welcome by Mrs. Lana Sutton and Mr. Tom Reddin, Board President, and Vice President, respectively, and Dr. James Sutton, Interim Superintendent. Candidates then ate breakfast while visiting with the district administrative team. The remainder of the day consisted of five 45-minute interviews with the following groups:
Building principals
Classified staff representatives
Parent and Community Leader representatives
Student representatives
Certified staff representatives.
In the evening, candidates enjoyed dinner with the Board of Education, followed by a one-hour-plus interview with the Board of Education.
After all three interviews were concluded, the Board of Education received and reviewed each stakeholder group's input related to the candidate’s perceived strengths and areas in which they may still need to grow.
We are thankful for the members of the interview committees. They took their role seriously and represented their respective groups proudly.
A Special Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m. to approve a contract for the next full-time superintendent.
Ben Boothe, Ed.D.
Director of Community Relations
USD 231

04/12/2022

Three Kansas school districts recognized for high-quality summer meals service TOPEKA — Three Kans...

04/06/2022

Johnson County Fire District 1 welcomed the public and area officials to the official opening and ribbon cutting of the new Station 81 Firehouse at Logistics Park with a “ribbon cutting” ceremony.
The new Station 81 located at 33364 W. 191st St. was placed into service in February.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, members from Johnson County Board of Commissioners, City of Edgerton, City of Gardner, Johnson County Med-Act and more helped Dennis Meyers, fire chief, “uncouple” fire hoses for the official ribbon ceremony. Photo courtesy Lynne Hermansen

04/06/2022

BOCC votes 6 – 1 to remand the Planning Commission’s recommendations with instructions on amendments to consider

(JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS – April 5, 2022) The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted to send back to the Planning Commission that body’s recommendation of proposed changes to the Johnson County Rural Comprehensive Plan and Johnson County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations related to the regulation of Utility-Scale Solar Facilities. The zoning regulation amendment included two new safety standards for Battery Energy Storage Facilities connected to USSFs which would regulate installation and hazard mitigation.



The 6 – 1 vote took place at a special meeting at the Olathe Conference Center on April 4. The meeting included staff and consultant presentations, and approximately 40 comments made in person or virtually during the public hearing.



During the BOCC special meeting, staff summarized the timeline leading up to yesterday’s special meeting and discussed the proposed amendments and regulations, including requirements for a solar facility decommission plan. Also as part of the meeting Dr. Bruce Parkinson, Professor of Energy and Environment and SER Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, spoke about the minimal hazards and dangers associated with USSFs, including battery storage. Additional information came from County Appraiser Beau Boisvert, who explained tax abatements for USSFs as well as how these facilities impact the value of nearby properties.



In a series of votes, the BOCC instructed the Planning Commission to review the following proposed amendments:



Clarification regarding how off-site street maintenance and repair
Clarification that battery energy storage facilities are allowed related to USSFs
The addition of a performance standard related to battery energy storage facilities and the requirement of applicants to supply, and assume the costs, of specialized fire safety equipment or other protections.
Additional suggested clarifications recommended by planning staff
A 25 year Conditional Use Permit term instead of the Planning Commission’s recommended 20 years, with a one-time automatic extension for five years if the project remains compliant.
A Maximum Project Area of 2,000 acres, instead of the Planning Commission’s recommended 1,000 acres, including a waiver option.
A 1.5 mile minimum distance from a city, instead of the Planning Commission’s recommended 2 miles, including a waiver option.
A consideration of adding CUP standards if necessary for impact on surrounding landowners due to the addition of transmission lines to service solar facilities.

The BOCC’s recommendations for the Planning Commission will be on the agenda of a special Planning Commission meeting for further consideration. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10 at 5:45 p.m. in the Board of County Commissioners hearing room (111 South Cherry Street, Olathe.) Please note the date is subject to change. More information on this issue is available at jocogov.org/solar.

Compiled documents received by both the Johnson County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners for the proposed solar facilities amendments to Johnson County zoning and subdivision regulations.

04/05/2022

https://gardnernews.com/2022/03/26/city-of-gardner-to-use-covid-funds-for-sewer-infrastructure/
Gardner to use COVID funds for sewer infrastructure

04/04/2022

https://gardnernews.com/2022/04/01/i35-191st-again-topic-of-discussion-at-meeting/

04/02/2022

https://www.usd231.com/o/district/article/702013?fbclid=IwAR0ucr3QpL1hBFsES9AxDIdvZuDSR9zuEYeH_8TvyGsMwjzu2JeNJFk5mYA

The Gardner Edgerton Board of Education has narrowed its search for the next superintendent to three...

03/22/2022

Congratulations to our Gardner Police Department (GPD) for receiving the AAA Community Traffic Safety Award, Silver Level, for their efforts to improve local traffic safety for all modes of travel. Sgt. Rollf accepted the award on behalf of the department from KDOT Liaison Bob Hamilton during last night's City Council meeting. This is GPD's sixth consecutive award from AAA. Way to go, team!

03/22/2022

03/21/2022

https://gardnernews.com/2022/03/21/boe-schedules-two-special-meetings/

Special meeting today

03/15/2022

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Demolition of the existing Renner Rd. bridge over I-435 is scheduled for March 18-20, weather permitting.

If you live/work in the area, or plan to be in KC this weekend, please see below for detours and allow for extra travel time.

03/14/2022

We are excited to announce Dr. Link Luttrell as the next USD 230 superintendent of schools.

Read the full story here: https://www.usd230.org/about_us/news/what_s_new/dr__luttrell_named_next_usd_230_superintendent