USD 327

Superintendent

Welcome back to school!

It’s been a joy kicking off a new school year with our students, staff, families and community. This is a season of fresh beginnings — the excitement of new school supplies, new shoes, and, for many, that very first school bus ride.

Thank you to everyone who helped the first few days run so smoothly. Please join me in welcoming the eight fantastic educators new to our team this year — you’ll see them in each of our buildings, and I know they’ll do great things for our students. And if your family hasn’t connected with ParentSquare yet, give the district office a call at (785) 472-5561. We’re happy to help you get set up.

The start of a new school year is also the perfect time to look ahead. On Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. in the Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School Commons, we’ll host a community meeting on facility planning. Our partners at HTK Architects will share findings from their facility needs assessment, along with recommendations for each USD 327 school building. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas as we build a five-year capital improvement plan to prioritize needs and budget resources.

As you can imagine, funding the needs of our schools, whether facilities, curriculum or staffing, is always a careful balancing act. I’m proud of the USD 327 Board of Education’s responsible work, which has led to a decrease in the overall mill levy while exceeding the revenue neutral rate, reflecting our shared commitment to responsible stewardship of community tax dollars.

We remain concerned about cuts to federal funding and continue to ask the Kansas Legislature to fully fund special education as state law requires. Full funding would not only better serve our students receiving special education services, but would also free up over half a million dollars in general fund dollars currently used to make up the shortfall. I encourage you to join me in letting elected officials know how valuable USD 327 schools are to the strength and future of our communities.

There’s so much to be proud of in USD 327:

• Our Career and Technical Education program has grown from eight pathways in 2022 to 13 today.

• Fifteen Ellsworth Elementary School and Kanopolis Middle School teachers have earned their Seal of Literacy — an investment in understanding the science of reading and applying it in the classroom.

• More high school students are participating in activities like FFA, FCCLA, FBLA and Esports.

This momentum is possible because of our shared vision, strong leadership from the Board of Education, the dedication of our staff and the partnership of our students’ families. Everywhere you look, you can see progress toward our strategic goals — Educate for Excellence, Support Exploration & Engagement Opportunities, Communicate to Build Trust, Connect with Family & Community, Invest in Faculty & Staff and Align Resources with Facilities & Infrastructure.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We truly are Better Together, Striving for Excellence! And as we begin this school year, I’m mindful of the many milestones our families are experiencing. For some, it’s watching a kindergartener step into school for the very first time, backpack a little too big and eyes wide with wonder. For others, it’s seeing a senior take on their final first day, ready to savor the many “lasts” that will come in the months ahead. These are precious, fleeting moments, filled with anticipation, pride and sometimes a tear or two.

My hope for every family is that you take the time to look forward with joy, embrace the experiences as they come and most importantly, truly enjoy this season in your child’s life. Together, let’s make it a year to remember.

Deena Hilbig is the superintendent of USD 327. She can be reached at 785-472-5561.