6 takeaways from Hutchinson USD 308 school board meeting

School District Grapples with 3,000% Curriculum Price Hike

Enrollment Numbers Show Continued Decline Across District

New Childcare Center Breaks Ground, Slated for 2026 Opening

“Lil’ Hawks” Program Restructures to Meet Community Needs

Early Learning Report Highlights Student Progress and Wellness Support

Online Tool Will Help Taxpayers Calculate Proposed Bond Cost

School District Grapples with 3,000% Curriculum Price Hike

HUTCHINSON - The school district is facing a massive and unexpected budget challenge after the cost for its virtual school curriculum, Acellus, skyrocketed by over 3,000%. During Tuesday's meeting, the superintendent explained that the price surged from $25 per student per year to $790 per student per year. Despite the increase, the district has committed to using the popular video-based curriculum for the fall semester due to its quality and student engagement. To help offset the new expense, estimated at over $200,000, the district has successfully recruited 35 out-of-district students for its virtual school, generating new revenue. The board will formally vote on the expenditure in October, with a mid-year evaluation planned to decide whether to continue with Acellus or seek a more affordable alternative.

Enrollment Numbers Show Continued Decline Across District

HUTCHINSON - The district is projecting a continued decline in student enrollment, a trend seen in other area schools. The superintendent reported that smaller kindergarten classes are consistently replacing larger graduating classes. Two years ago, the graduating class was 337 students, while this year's incoming senior class numbers around 275. Future classes are projected to be even smaller, with some cohorts estimated to be as low as 240 students. While enrollment has seen a slight increase at Graber and Morgan elementary schools, other elementary buildings are experiencing a drop-off, signaling a demographic shift that will impact future staffing and budget decisions.

New Childcare Center Breaks Ground, Slated for 2026 Opening

HUTCHINSON - Construction is officially underway on a new childcare facility located at the corner of 29th and Adams. The project, funded by state grants and district capital funds, broke ground recently with foundation work expected to be completed by October 2025. The new center is scheduled to open in early 2026 and will provide high-quality early education for more than 60 infants and toddlers. It will offer family-friendly hours from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and summer care, significantly expanding access to reliable, center-based childcare for working families in Hutchinson.

“Lil’ Hawks” Program Restructures to Meet Community Needs

HUTCHINSON - The Lil’ Hawks Early Learning Program is undergoing a significant “change of scope” to better serve the community and address under-enrollment in its Head Start classrooms. The plan involves reducing some preschool classroom slots and reinvesting the resources to increase staff wages and enhance professional development. Concurrently, the program will convert 20 home-based Early Head Start slots into center-based slots, increasing its infant and toddler classroom capacity from 10 to 30 children. This shift reflects a growing demand from families for more center-based care options.

Early Learning Report Highlights Student Progress and Wellness Support

HUTCHINSON - The annual report for the Lil’ Hawks Early Learning Program revealed strong developmental progress for its students and a deep focus on family and staff wellness. Data from developmental screenings showed measurable growth for both preschool and Early Head Start children throughout the year. The program also provides extensive support, including social-emotional screenings for all children, postpartum depression screenings for mothers, and access to mental health professionals. New staff wellness initiatives, such as designated quiet rooms called “Zen Dens” and appreciation events, were also highlighted as key to retaining high-quality educators.

Online Tool Will Help Taxpayers Calculate Proposed Bond Cost

HUTCHINSON - The district is developing an online calculator to help homeowners understand the precise financial impact of a potential future bond issue. While the bond is known to cost less than $5 per month for a $100,000 home, the new tool will allow residents to input their specific home's market value to see their exact estimated tax increase. The goal is to provide a transparent and easy-to-use resource for the community to understand the specifics of what the district is asking for. The feature is expected to be live on the district's website soon.

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