Strong Start to the Second Semester |
It is hard to believe we are already in mid-February. So far this winter, we have missed just one full day of school due to the weather. Compared to the past two school years, that is quite an improvement, and we are grateful for it as we work to keep learning on track.
Flu season, however, is still very much underway. Many of our students and staff have worked hard to stay healthy while navigating the typical winter illnesses that circulate this time of year. We are hopeful that over the next several weeks, winter will begin to loosen its grip and that spring weather will soon be on the horizon.
As we look ahead, the final attendance day for students remains Thursday, May 21, 2026. Graduation for the Class of 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026. We look forward to celebrating our seniors and finishing the school year strong across all of our buildings.
You may recall that this year’s district calendar places second-semester parent-teacher conferences in March rather than February. This shift was made intentionally. The opening weeks of the second semester often include interruptions such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, and, in most years, several weather-related closures. By moving conferences to March, more instructional days will have passed, allowing teachers and families to have more meaningful conversations and a clearer snapshot of each student’s progress. Each school will be sharing details about its conference format and scheduling in the coming days.
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Legislative Session is Underway |
As is typical with the start of a new calendar year, the Kansas Legislature has convened in Topeka. Each session brings a number of proposed bills that could impact public education, and we are closely monitoring several that may affect our schools, students, and staff.
Student Cell Phone Use (SB 302 & HB 2421)
The legislation would ban cell phones in schools from bell to bell. However, it remains to be seen what the final outcome will be. USD 230 is working internally to gauge feedback from our parents and staff on the matter. The House Committee earlier this week on Monday reshaped the initial bill into the removal of the language ‘ban’ and inserted language saying a district ‘may’ ban. However, on Tuesday this week, the House Committee reversed course and re-inserted that public schools MUST 'ban' cell phones while adding that private schools 'may' ban the cell phones. This bill will now move to the full House for debate next week under the substitute bill Sub Bill for SB 281. Stay tuned.
Recess and Physical Activity Requirements (SB 339)
This bill would require a minimum of 30 minutes of daily recess for students in grades K–8, along with an additional 60 minutes of daily physical activity. For high school students, the proposal includes 30 minutes of daily physical activity at a specified heart-rate level. Our elementary schools already provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess, and we will continue to follow this legislation closely in the days and weeks ahead.
School Start Date (HB 2409)
This proposal would require that public school districts begin the school year after Labor Day. General Education State Funding
The Education Budget is still being developed and debated. The area we are most watching is whether Kansas will fully fund Special Education at the required 92%. Kansas has NOT fully funded Special Education since 2010.
Yet that can be a bit of a misnomer, as providing Special Education services to students is a federal mandate. Even when the state or federal government does NOT provide the full funding, the local school district must make up the difference from the General Fund (local dollars). So, indeed, Special Education services do get funded, but funds are taken from the General Revenue fund that could be allocated to other programs and services.
For the 2024-25 school year, USD 230 had to transfer approximately $3 Million Dollars from our General Revenue Fund to cover all related special education expenditures. Yet, just think of the other programs and services that could be put into place IF the state were fulfilling its legal obligation.
Governor Kelly recommended an additional $50 million in Special Education funding in her proposed budget sent to the legislature in January, but the House Education Budget Committee has slashed that amount to only $10 Million. We will continue tracking legislative activity over the next four to six weeks and will share updates as needed. |
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Teacher Interview Fair Coming Up |
Spring Hill Schools will host a Teacher Interview Fair on Wednesday, February 18, offering appointment-only interviews for both new and experienced educators interested in joining our growing district.
Interview spots are limited, and this is a great opportunity to connect directly with school leaders, learn more about our culture, and explore teaching opportunities for the upcoming school year.
If you or someone you know are passionate about student success and looking to be part of a supportive, high-performing school community, we encourage you to apply and secure an interview time.
Register here! https://qrs.ly/5xh7pyr |
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Below are our latest enrollment numbers as of January 30, 2026.
(The total enrollment number reflects the approximately thirty students who completed their Senior Year at the conclusion of the first semester). |
(2024-2025 total enrollment was 3,968 students.) |
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Valentine's Day Celebrations |
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Elementary classrooms are celebrating Valentine’s Day with classroom parties and activities designed to build community, kindness and connection among our students. These events provide a fun opportunity for students to practice friendship, gratitude, and positive social interactions while enjoying time together with their classmates.
Thank you to our teachers, staff and parent volunteers who help make these celebrations special for students each year. We hope our elementary students enjoy a festive and memorable day with their school community! |
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BIST Leadership Conference visits PCES |
Prairie Creek Elementary was proud to be selected as a site visit for the BIST Leadership Conference in Kansas City on January 29. School leaders from across the region visited PCES to learn about our success implementing BIST (Behavior Intervention Support Team) and creating supportive, structured learning environments. We are very proud of the incredible work our students and staff do every day! |
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Timber Sage Students Recognized at BOE Meeting |
We were proud to recognize the leadership and service of our Timber Sage Elementary Student Council and Student Lighthouse Team at our most recent Board of Education meeting! TSES STUCO students raised $1,300 through the Pennies for Patriots program to support the Wounded Warrior Project. At the same time, the Student Lighthouse Team organized a pajama drive to benefit a partner school in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. Great work, Timber Sage students! Your kindness and service are making a difference in our community and across the metro area. |
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Proud to Host Leadership Spring Hill |
We were proud to host the 2026 cohort of Leadership Spring Hill as part of their annual program focused on cultivating leadership skills through community engagement and professional growth. Participants meet throughout the year at various locations across the community to learn more about local organizations and leadership in action.
On February 11, the group visited with school leaders to learn about district governance and the many great things happening throughout Spring Hill Schools. We are grateful for our strong partnership with the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations, and we look forward to welcoming this group each year.
Learn more about the great events happening throughout our community at the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce website. |
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2nd Annual SHEF Soiree Coming Soon! |
The Spring Hill Education Foundation (SHEF), through fundraising efforts, volunteer hours, community and corporate development activities, teaching grants, and student scholarships, continues to enhance educational opportunities for our district and is a tremendous partner in our mission to achieve Excellence Every Day.
SHEF invites you to join them in a night of fun and celebration at the 2nd SHEF Spring Soiree - Twilight at the Vineyard on Saturday, March 7th and Bourgmont Winery. Get your tickets now for this jam-packed, Roaring 20's themed event! Enjoy a delicious meal, drinks, dancing, and auctions. Plus, live entertainment from Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos!
This event could sell out, get your tickets now at this link. Individual tickets and table sponsorships are available. |
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Event calendars for each school are available online at the links below.
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Access the 2025-26 Academic Calendar at this link!
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It is always an honor to serve as Superintendent of Spring Hill Schools, where we are fortunate to have such an outstanding school community filled with talented students, dedicated staff, and families who consistently go above and beyond to help their children reach their maximum potential. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our schools. Have a great extended weekend, and as always, please reach out with any thoughts or questions. Together, we remain committed to Excellence Every Day.
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PS: Be sure and follow some of our USD 230 Social Media Sites on Facebook: SHEarlyLearningAcademy, DCESCavaliers, PCESMustangs, SHESColts, TSESRangers, WCESWranglers, FSMSChargers, SHMSMavericks, WSMSStallions, and SHHSBroncos
Most importantly, follow me on ‘X’ at USD230Supt. |
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