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CONNECTING.
LEARNING.
LEADING.
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Connections
Maize USD 266 Parent Newsletter - October 2018
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November Election: An opportunity to support public schools
Please register to vote by Oct. 16 to participate in Nov. 6 General Election
BY DR. CHAD HIGGINS
Greetings!
As many OneMa1ze employees and community members already know, public education is an issue for which I advocate personally and professionally. There are fewer things I believe in more than the opportunities public education provides for our students, our community, and our future; the foundation for social and economic stability and growth for Kansas and our country..
The Nov. 6 General Election will be a big one for Maize USD 266 and Kansas public schools, and much is at stake in that election. Among the most important considerations is the need for continued equitable and adequate school funding that is, at minimum, "suitable” for the children of Kansas. With its current funding formula, the state is close to a resolution once it accounts for inflation as directed by the Kansas Supreme Court. This directive is based on a recent third-party study that found Kansas schools to be extremely efficient in its operations, yet still not funded at a level suitable to meet educational goals.
Still, there are many improvements we could continue to make for the sake of our students and community that would bolster support for all. These improvements relate to instruction and social-emotional needs. Adding or significantly enhancing programs is quite a challenge when we remain in recovery from a decade of cuts and freezes and remain funded at about the same level as we were a decade ago. Meanwhile, costs for personnel, utilities, supplies, fuel and other necessities around us continue to rise. Schools today are not the same as they were just a few decades ago, with increased accountability and a much higher number of students with greater health and educational needs. Our educators and employees support students who are at-risk, in special education, encounter bullying, and regularly navigate a host of challenges tied to social media. These challenges take the right employees, time, care, and training to tackle.
Many other education-related issues are at play in the Nov. 6 election. This includes the ability for Maize USD 266 and any other Kansas school district to pursue future facility needs necessary to accommodate rapid enrollment growth. As we continue to grow at the rate we are, this issue is an important one.
As you may have read in the September Connections
, I am forming and leading a Facility Planning Committee as we plan for current and projected growth. Our district has grown about 250 students since last year alone, nearly 500 students in only two years. Maize USD 266 and other Kansas school districts face a cap from the state on total bond issue dollars districts statewide could pursue, in a sense pitting districts against each other for that limited opportunity for school buildings our students need. Without the state's green light, districts like ours would be unable to take a potential bond issue to local community members for consideration via a vote. Alternatives to adding the needed permanent space include overcrowding of current space or installing temporary portable structures, which are both unsafe and financially inefficient.
Maize USD 266 also stands to receive less bond state aid as it has in the past. This means bond issues will cost our OneMa1ze community more money than it would have prior to recent legislation. The bond issue voters approved in June 2015 included about 42 percent state aid, funds collected in property-tax wealthier communities. If we passed a bond issue tomorrow, Maize Schools would only receive 18 percent state aid, creating a much larger burden on local taxpayers and very detrimental to communities with a high percentage of residential property, such as ours.
As we head into the election season, please do not rely on me or any other single source of information to inform your election decisions. Seek out alternative perspectives and work to understand the facts behind important issues. It is difficult but important to filter out the propaganda and understand long-term outcomes to what each candidate advocates for or against.
I simply ask that you
please make sure you are registered to vote
and plan a way to cast your ballot in the upcoming election. Please note that the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 6 election is Oct. 16. I invite you to visit our election page with general voting resources. I have included a link below to that and to an editable Sedgwick County Advance Voting application that enables you to vote by mail from the convenience of your home at a time that works for your schedule.
Thank you for exercising your civic responsibility.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Schools
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Thank you for sharing your feedback
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Thanks to those who participated in the recent 360-degree superintendent evaluation via Thoughtexchange. It was important to the Maize Board of Education to collect feedback from employees, students, parents, and community members. There were 717 participants who collectively provided 520 comments and 18,613 ratings. About 15,000 invitations were sent out. This information will be valuable as board members review areas for Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Schools, to continue to build on and improve this year.
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October:
- 12: End of Term
- 15: No school, Professional Development Day
November:
- 19-23: No school, Fall Break
December:
- 21: End of Term
- 24-31: No school, Winter Break
January:
- 1-3: No school, Winter Break
- 4: No school, Teacher Work Day
- 21: No school, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February:
- 15: No school, Professional Development Day
March:
- 8: End of Term
- 11-15: No school, Spring Break
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Reminder:
No school Oct. 15
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Maize Board of Education Update
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District leaders, board members continue discussion about growth
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During the Oct. 8 Maize Board of Education regular monthly meeting, Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Maize Schools, discussed strategic facility planning.
He said that he and Richard Bell, Assistant Superintendent, Personnel and Operations, have met with architects and the district’s bond advisor to get ideas on timelines, building construction, prices, and more. Student enrollment growth has been twice what district leaders anticipated just a couple of years ago when board members and district leaders were researching boundary lines. There are opportunities to grow, including by adding spaces at Vermillion Elementary School where the Maize Early Childhood Center had been located before moving to its own building last year. There also may be options at Maize Middle School, which is approaching its capacity of 900 students.
Dr. Higgins said that district leaders will meet soon to talk about building use philosophy, which right now includes having kindergarten through fifth grade in all five elementary schools. Conversation and review could include whether to organize grades differently, how transitions would work, whether a different arrangement would work with boundary feeder systems, and whether to extend boundaries beyond middle and high schools to elementary schools. District leaders will review pros and cons and collect feedback from staff members, students, and parents. The district should not need to expand or add new elementary school space for at least a few years. Options include to expand using Capital Outlay or bond issue funds or buying portable units to use temporarily.
Dr. Higgins also said that Wichita State University engineering students and their professor reviewed Maize USD 266’s transportation efficiency for a class project. The resulting report includes some ideas to consider.
Funding was another issue addressed. Dr. Higgins explained that he lobbied hard last year against a cap from the state on total bond issue dollars districts statewide could pursue. In a sense, it pits districts against each other for that limited opportunity for school buildings students need. Without the state’s green light, districts including Maize would be unable to take a potential bond issue to local community members for consideration via a vote. Alternatives to adding the needed permanent space include overcrowding of current space or installing temporary portable structures. A concern would be safety and financial inefficiency.
Maize USD 266 also stands to receive less bond state aid as it has in the past. This means bond issues will cost the community more money than it would have prior to recent legislation. The bond issue voters approved in June 2015 included about 42 percent state aid, funds collected in property-tax wealthier communities. If the district passed a bond issue tomorrow, it would only receive 18 percent state aid, creating a much larger burden on local taxpayers, very detrimental to communities with a high percentage of residential property, such as Maize’s.
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The Maize Board of Education meets next at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Maize Educational Support Center, 905 W. Academy Ave. The meeting is open to the public.
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Your vote, your voice matters
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One of the most effective and simplest ways supporters of Maize Schools and Kansas public education can support students is to vote. Kansas voters can influence the future funding of our schools and the future of Kansas public education. Voter turnout is critical to the future of the state.
The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 6 General Election is Oct. 16.
Thank you for your civic contribution, which allows Kansas to maintain strong public school districts, including Maize USD 266.
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Use of Student Information
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Use of student information in the media and in district publications and social media: Deadline to opt out Oct. 29
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Information that may be shared with the news media or used in district publications or on district social media platforms, including official Maize USD 266 district Facebook and Twitter, is limited to participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, school activities, honors and awards received, grade level, and photographs.
Parents/guardians have the right to refuse or permit the designation of any or all of the above information for use in the media or in district publications (via both print and digital platforms), including official district social media accounts. Parents/guardians who do not want this information published must file written notification with Lori O'Toole Buselt, Director of Communications, Maize USD 266, 905 W. Academy Ave, Maize, KS 67101 by Oct. 29, 2018.
If you do not file a refusal, Maize USD 266 assumes you have no objection to the release of the above information for media or district publicity purposes.
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Maize USD 266 continues to add safety enhancements
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Student and employee safety is a top priority for Maize USD 266. Recent safety enhancements include the addition of a third school resource officer, who will devote most of his time to supporting Maize Middle School and Maize South Middle School and also will be on call for other buildings.
The district this year has added crisis radios as another tool for administrators and schools district-wide to use for improved communications in the event of a crisis.
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Speak Up! to keep #OneMa1ze safe
See something?
Say something.
Thank you for your help in making our #OneMa1ze community a safer place.
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All-District Site Council meeting provides annual updates
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Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Maize Schools, spoke with about 100 OneMa1ze leaders, including employees and parent and community volunteers, during the annual All-District Site Council meeting on Oct. 2 at Maize South High School. Volunteers involved with Booster Clubs and Parent Teacher Organizations also attended to learn more about district news and initiatives. Thank you to all who serve in these leadership roles!
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Maize High School senior serves
on Governor’s Education Council
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Maize High School senior
Max Glaze, pictured with Dr. Chris Botts, Maize High School Principal, serves as a Student Representative on the Governor’s Education Council. One of only four students to have this role, Max serves alongside Gov. Jeff Colyer, state legislators, education leaders, and business leaders. The council focuses on college and workforce preparedness, public-private partnerships, workforce inventory, and assessment and metrics. He is working on a project this fall to
interview 50 fellow high school students from around Kansas. He will report his
findings back to the council.
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Congratulations to Complete High School Maize
Principal
Dr. Kristy Custer
, recently honored in Washington, D.C.
as the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals' Secondary Principal of the Year!
During her trip, she visited the U.S. Capitol and spoke with elected officials and U.S. government employees about public education.
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Maize Education Foundation updates
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Support the Foundation via #GivingTuesday campaign
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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and for many of us, that means time with family and friends, pumpkin pie, and the beginning of holiday decorating.
For many, it also means Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.
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Student Enrichment Grant applications due Oct. 16
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The Maize Education Foundation
strives to support opportunities that encourage Maize students to find their own versions of success and to become civically responsible adults.
Students in grades seven through 11 can apply for a grant of up to $500 to help cover the costs associated with enrichment activities like leadership seminars, expeditions, educational camps, competitions, and more.
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Learn at Maize Career Academy
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The Maize Recreation Commission, a partner organization of Maize USD 266, if offering adult classes in the district's Maize Career Academy, which opened in January. Cooking classes in the beautiful culinary arts kitchen, pictured here, including classes about breakfast, homemade sauces, and pies.
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Maize USD 266 elementary and high school students learn together at the Maize Career Academy.
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Interested in joining our Maize Schools team? Many openings are part-time jobs with full-time benefits, including:
- Group health insurance
- Summers off
- Fall, Winter, and Spring break off
- No evenings or weekends
- Bonuses
Maize USD 266 also is looking for:
Come and work in our OneMa1ze community, supported by parents, graduates, and Maize and Northwest Wichita. This would be a great opportunity to participate in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.
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The mission of the Maize School District
is to inspire students to discover their potential through
connecting, learning, and leading.
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