The Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School District has been notified by the Kansas State Department of Education that it is one of 39 in the state to receive recognition through the Kansans Can Star Recognition Program.

“I would like to congratulate the district up and down the ranks,” superintendent Dale Brungardt wrote in a letter to district staff. “Every one of you teaches and impacts students in our school and makes this sort of recognition possible.”

USD 327 was recognized in four areas: postsecondary effectiveness — bronze; graduation rate — gold; academically prepared for postsecondary success — copper; and Commissioner’s Award for exceeding predicted postsecondary effectiveness rates.

A district must have earned a gold, silver, bronze or copper rating in all areas to receive recognition. The letter notifying USD 327 of its accomplishment was signed by Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas commissioner of education, and Kathy Busch, chairman of the Kansas State Board of Education.

“The parents, community and district invest a large amount of time to make our students successful and it is not unnoticed by Commissioner Watson and KSDE,” Brungardt wrote.

“I attended a school board conference this past weekend and when I spoke to Commissioner Watson, he said this is a ‘big deal!’ Then he explained that there are not many that achieved four recognitions. I don’t know what ‘not many’ means ... 10, 50 or 100, but he was adamant that this was special and that we needed to celebrate as a district.

“I am excited about this, but like you, realize this isn’t a destination, but rather a stop on the side of the road towards our true destination of constant improvement and teaching the community the best that we possibly can.”

Four years ago the education department launched a new vision for education — Kansas leads the world in the success of each student — and identified key outcomes Kansans said they valued. Included were socialemotional growth, kindergarten readiness, individual plan of study, civic engagement and high school and postsecondary success.

The Kansas Can Star Recognition Program was launched this year to recognize districts and their success in the individual outcome areas.

“Congratulations to everyone at USD 327 Ellsworth for their exceptional work toward achieving the state board’s vision for Kansas education,” Watson said in the KSDE notification letter.