The end of February has arrived, and it will be interesting to see what the weather brings in March. I did notice a forecast earlier today that mentioned the possibility of ice on Sunday, so we may not be done with winter just yet.
As referenced in the previous edition of Link’d In, second-semester parent-teacher conferences are being held in March rather than February this year. The reasoning behind the change is that the early weeks of the second semester can often be a bit choppy due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Presidents' Day, and typically a few weather-related cancellations. Moving conferences to March allows for more instructional days to pass, giving teachers and families a clearer snapshot of each student’s progress and performance.
We will monitor participation rates and gather feedback regarding the change. While the 2026–27 district calendar has already been approved, the Board of Education can make minor adjustments if warranted, though any changes must occur no later than June 2026. Hopefully, the March conference schedule proves to be a positive adjustment for our families and staff. |
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199th Street Closure Notice |
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Beginning March 9, 2026, 199th Street will be closed to traffic just east of the roundabout at Renner Road. The closure is expected to last approximately 40 days, with the road scheduled to reopen on April 18, 2026.
During this time, access to the District Office and Educational Support building will remain available by traveling west on 199th Street from Renner Road. The roundabout will remain open for traffic traveling north and south on Ridgeview Road and west on 199th Street. Please plan accordingly and allow additional travel time as needed. |
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Directions if you are traveling from Olathe (north side of the district): |
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If driving south on Ridgeview Road, turn left (west) onto 191st Street.
- Travel west on 191st Street and turn right (south) onto Renner Road (dirt road), or turn right (south) onto Lackman Road.
- Continue south on either Renner or Lackman and turn right (west) onto 199th Street.
- Drive past the road closed sign and enter the District Administrative Center parking lot.
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| Directions if you are traveling from Spring Hill (south side of the district): |
- Take 207th Street to Renner Road and turn north onto Renner.
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Turn left (west) onto 199th Street.
- Drive past the road closed sign and enter the District Administrative Center parking lot.
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Kindergarten Round-Up Approaching |
Kindergarten Round-Up for the 2026-27 school year will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026. Children must be five (5) years old on or before August 31, 2026 to be eligible to start kindergarten next fall. Detailed information and directions are provided on our website at this link.
We are excited to welcome your child to kindergarten. Our schools are dedicated to providing a warm, safe, and supportive environment where students can grow academically and socially. Kindergarten Round-Up gives children an opportunity to experience a classroom setting while parents and guardians attend an informational session with the building principal and learn more about the upcoming school year. If you know a family with a future kindergarten student, please feel free to share this information with them.
Please note: There will be no kindergarten classes for current 2025-26 kindergarten students on Friday, April 10, 2026 due to Kindergarten Round-Up activities taking place in our elementary schools. |
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Legislative Session Update |
The Kansas Legislative session is now fully underway, and there continues to be significant debate on a variety of bills in both the House and Senate that could impact public education. A few of the specific legislative bills we continue to follow closely include:
Sub for SB 281 – Cell Phones in Schools
This bill continues to be debated in both the House and Senate. One point of contention is that the version approved by the House would apply to both public and private schools. Some legislators have expressed concern about including private schools within the scope of the legislation. We expect more clarity on the direction of this bill in the coming weeks.
SB 350 – Screen Time on School Devices
SB 350 is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, March 2, 2026. This bill proposes limits on the amount of screen time students can spend on school-issued devices during the school day. It would also require that for grades K–5, most assignments and instruction be completed using paper-based materials rather than digital devices.
SB 244 – Restroom Use in Public Buildings
SB 244 has now been signed into law in the State of Kansas. General Education State Funding
This past week, the House of Representatives began debating the state budget and on Thursday passed HB 2434, often referred to as the “budget bill.” One of the areas we are watching most closely is the funding provided for special education services.
Kansas statute requires the state to fund 92% of excess special education costs, but that level of funding has not been met for many years. Last year alone, USD 230 transferred more than $3 million from our Local Option Budget (LOB) to cover required special education expenses.
The current House version of the budget would increase special education funding by $10 million statewide, which remains far short of the amount needed to reach the statutory funding level. The Senate’s proposed version recommends only a $5 million increase. It will be important to watch how these differences are resolved as the budget process continues.
Providing special education services is a federal mandate, and school districts are legally required to provide those services regardless of the level of state or federal funding. When the full funding is not provided by the state or federal government, local school districts must cover the difference with local funds. As a result, dollars that could otherwise support additional programs or services must instead be redirected to ensure required special education services are delivered to students.
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Below are our latest enrollment numbers as of February 26, 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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Spelling Bee Champions Recognized |
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At the February 23 Board of Education meeting, the district proudly recognized the 2026 Spelling Bee champions from each of our elementary and middle schools. These students demonstrated outstanding preparation and academic excellence while representing their schools in a challenging competition that requires students to compete individually on stage. Congratulations to our 2026 champions: |
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Spring Hill Middle School – Tristan Ludwig
- Woodland Spring Middle School – Lake Strickland
- Forest Spring Middle School – Hannah VerHeul
- Dayton Creek Elementary – Austin Boxberger
- Timber Sage Elementary – Olivia Budke
- Prairie Creek Elementary – Hadlie Gloeckner
- Wolf Creek Elementary – Elijah Kanary
- Spring Hill Elementary – Nick Marten (not pictured)
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A special congratulations is also extended to Spring Hill Middle School student Tristan Ludwig, who earned a 5th place finish at the Johnson County Spelling Bee held January 10 at Gardner Edgerton High School! |
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SHHS Robotics Headed to State! |
At the same Board of Education meeting, the district also recognized the Spring Hill High School robotics teams for their successful first season of competition. Sponsored by Rachel Elsey, the teams have represented Spring Hill High School at regional tournaments this winter, competing alongside schools from across the Kansas City area.
During their presentation to the Board, the team also shared exciting news that they qualified for the state competition and will compete in early March at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. We are proud of the students for their hard work, teamwork, and innovation, and we wish them the best of luck as they represent Spring Hill High School at the state level. |
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February Standing Ovation Winners |
Congratulations to our February Standing Ovation winners! |
- April Neal (District Administrative Center)
- Katie Schwiebert (Timber Sage Elementary)
- Jill Thimesch (Forest Spring Middle)
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Use this link to nominate a Spring Hill Schools employee today ---> https://qrs.ly/56h4nay
Thank you to Queen’s Price Chopper in Spring Hill for sponsoring this recognition! |
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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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Have a great 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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