7 takeaways from Hutchinson USD 308 school board meeting
October 15 2025
District defends 23rd and Severance site as ‘only option’ for new middle school
District vows floodplain mitigation, traffic study for proposed school site
Superintendent breaks down proposed bond’s tax impact, cites falling mill rate
USD 308 addresses student performance metrics amid bond discussions
District earns state recognition for kindergarten readiness
Two Hutchinson educators honored as Teacher of the Year nominees
Board approves nearly $30,000 for virtual school curriculum after price hike
District defends 23rd and Severance site as ‘only option’ for new middle school
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Public Schools officials on Monday defended the choice of 23rd Avenue and Severance Street for a proposed new middle school, calling it the only viable location available within district boundaries after a five-year search. During a bond update at the Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dawn Johnson said the district requires 25 to 40 acres for a new 6-8 grade facility. She noted that a community planning committee ruled out other options, including expanding the current middle schools due to surrounding homes or repurposing an elementary school, which faced public pushback. The only other large tracts of land are city-owned Carey Park and the state-owned fairgrounds, leaving the district-owned property at 23rd and Severance as the most practical choice, she said.
District vows floodplain mitigation, traffic study for proposed school site
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Concerns over potential flooding and traffic congestion at the proposed middle school site at 23rd and Severance were addressed by the superintendent at Monday’s board meeting. She assured the community that civil engineers are actively studying Federal Emergency Management Agency floodplain maps and are already working with the city on stormwater solutions, such as a retention pond, to mitigate water issues. She added that if the bond passes on Nov. 4, a formal traffic study would be one of the first steps taken to design safe entrances, exits and traffic flow mechanisms, such as stoplights, for the new school.
Superintendent breaks down proposed bond’s tax impact, cites falling mill rate
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The superintendent on Monday clarified the financial impact of the proposed $109.5 million school bond, stating the estimated cost of $4.98 per month for a $100,000 home includes all interest over the 25-year term. Responding to community questions, she noted that while the bond represents a 5.2-mill increase, the district’s overall mill levy has decreased in nine of the last 10 years by a total of 3.5 mills. She assured the public that the district would continue to seek opportunities to refinance the bond for lower interest rates and be good stewards of taxpayer funds.
USD 308 addresses student performance metrics amid bond discussions
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As part of a comprehensive bond update, the superintendent addressed public questions regarding school performance by comparing USD 308 to eight other area districts. She reported that the district’s per-pupil spending of $18,430 is in line with the state average. While proficiency rates in a common student demographic showed USD 308 slightly lower than most peers at 71 percent in English Language Arts and 67 percent in math, the superintendent noted that Hutchinson is the only district in the comparison group with a separate seventh- and eighth-grade building configuration. She also highlighted the district’s high enrollment in technical and community college courses compared to surrounding districts.
District earns state recognition for kindergarten readiness
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Public Schools has earned a Silver level recognition from the Kansas State Department of Education for its progress in kindergarten readiness, the superintendent announced Monday. The award is part of the state’s annual Kansas Star Recognition program, which measures district performance across various categories. The district also received recognition for its work in social-emotional growth and for the Individual Plans of Study program, which helps high school students prepare for college and careers.
Two Hutchinson educators honored as Teacher of the Year nominees
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Board of Education recognized two educators selected to represent the district in the Kansas Teacher of the Year program. Amanda Buethe, a second-grade teacher at Faris Elementary, was named the elementary representative. Michelle Goossen, an agriculture education teacher at Hutchinson High School, will represent the district at the secondary level. The superintendent praised both teachers for their accomplishments and humble acceptance of the awards.
Board approves nearly $30,000 for virtual school curriculum after price hike
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Board of Education unanimously approved a renewal for the Acellus online curriculum at a cost not to exceed $29,720 for the current school year. The superintendent explained that the price increased significantly after what was likely a long-term, grant-funded rate of just $25 per year expired. She recommended staying with the program, citing its high-quality, video-based instruction as a key tool for the district’s virtual school, alternative school and Reno County Youth Services programs. The virtual school, which utilizes 325 of the 368 licenses, brings in approximately $2 million in state funding to the district.
Sponsors (click me!)
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
citizen journal offers three flagship products: a daily national news summary, a daily Kansas news summary, and local news and school board summaries from 12 cities across Kansas. Each issue contains 5 paragraph-length stories that are made to be read in 5 minutes. Use the links in the header to navigate to national, kansas, and local coverage. Subscribe to each, some, or all to get an email when new issues are published for FREE!
