In the aftermath of Central Kansas Community Corrections Director Amy Boxberger’s Nov. 17 departure, Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee Monday morning made her case that the two 20th Judicial District entities be consolidated. Woodmansee, who was named interim CKCC director on Nov. 22, was addressing the Barton County Commission, which was meeting in special session.
“I just wanted to share with commissioners that that’s something I think would be very advantageous right now to consider with those openings,” Woodmansee said.
She was referring to those positions held by Boxberger and CKCC Assistant Director Tyler Lehmkuhl, who is also no longer employed with the agency.
“I Just want to put it on your radar,” she said. “If you guys are good (with the keeping them separate) moving forward, I respect that as well.”
CKCC provides intensive supervision to adult felony offenders assigned in the 20th Judicial District, which includes Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell and Stafford counties. Juvenile Services handles offenders who are minors.
Woodmansee said the 20th is only one of four judicial districts of the 31 in Kansas that has separate community corrections and juvenile services departments.
She noted the potential fiscal savings by having only one director. This could be crucial because CKCC is woefully understaffed with probation officers and underfunded by the State of Kansas to handle the 501 active cases the agency faces.
“So I think it’s doable. I really do think it’s just a matter of realigning the work and maybe having a reset,” she said.
“As far as things being different operationally, I can’t imagine that there would be a lot of differences,” she said. Sure, one handles youth and the other adults, but “we also have the same mission, you know, community safety, public safety.”
There may be a lot of work up front, but, “I do feel like we’re at a good spot and we do good work,” and she is up to making it work.
Both the CKCC and Juvenile Services advisory boards have expressed interest in this idea, she said. But, there are steps to follow, including seeking the commission’s approval.
“I would really encourage you guys to visit with some of the other counterparts,” Woodmansee said of other counties and districts that have combined. The most recent of these was Cowley County.
District 1 Commissioner Duane Reif questioned the additional workload. “I think (Woodmansee and Boxberger) were both are pretty stressed and had a lot of things to do,” he said.
“I think it just comes down to good time management,” she said. She said she has good staffs in both offices “that could rise up.”
“We have had quite a few applications for the position (of CKCC director),” said Commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson, District 3. “I think what we should do is probably start interviewing and consider this as one of the options. We don’t have to make a decision right now. We can make that decision based on the applications and things of that nature. But I think you’ve made a powerful case for yourself.”
“I just wanted to make sure that information was out there and (to let the commission know) that we were in the minority of not been a consolidated agency,” Woodmansee said.
