Wabaunsee USD 329

Upcoming football camp reminders: JH camp is July 13-15 (Monday through Wednesday), 6:30-8:00 pm on the game field and HS camp is July 13-15 (Monday through Wednesday), 6:00-8:00 on the practice field; HS also has thud camp on July 16 (Thursday), 8:30-11:30 am at Wamego. Make sure to bring a water bottle to each session.

Dear USD 329 Families,

Yesterday, I am pleased to share that the Kansas State Board of Education approved USD 329 Wabaunsee's application to become a Public Innovative District by an 8-1 vote. This designation provides our district with an opportunity to expand locally delivered career and workforce-readiness experiences while continuing to uphold the high academic standards and accountability measures that our students, families, and community expect. This work is a direct result of the feedback we received throughout our district strategic planning process. During community listening sessions, surveys, and stakeholder discussions, one message was heard consistently: families and community members wanted additional real-world learning opportunities for students, particularly in career and technical education and the skilled trades. This approval allows USD 329 to respond to that feedback by creating new pathways that connect classroom learning to meaningful workforce experiences. Over the coming years, USD 329 will build upon our existing Construction and Design Career and Technical Education pathway with a more intentional focus on workforce preparation, industry partnerships, and opportunities for students to earn valuable industry-recognized credentials. Our goal is simple: provide students with meaningful opportunities to develop real-world skills while preparing them for success after graduation. Importantly, this designation does not change our commitment to academic excellence. USD 329 will continue to participate fully in all state accountability systems, including Kansas assessments, accreditation requirements, graduation standards, and reporting measures. We remain committed to ensuring students are prepared for college, careers, military service, and life beyond high school.

This approval provides the opportunity to develop innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of our students and community. By partnering with local industry professionals and employers, we can expand learning opportunities and help students explore careers vital to the future of Wabaunsee County and rural Kansas. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of our Board of Education, community members, local business partners, legislative leaders, staff, students, and families. We are grateful for the confidence placed in our district and excited about what lies ahead. Yesterday's vote marks an important milestone, but it is only the beginning. In the months ahead, we will continue sharing updates as we work with our community to implement this vision and create new opportunities for our students. Additional information, including a summary of the initiative and the full application submitted to the Kansas State Board of Education, will be made available on the district website.

Thank you for your continued support of USD 329 and the students we serve!

All the best!

Troy Pitsch, PhD
Superintendent of Schools
USD 329 Wabaunsee