Hutchinson High School removed from state accountability list amid reading gains

Local students head to Wisconsin for national wind-energy competition

District addresses bullying concerns at Faris Elementary School

Board weighs facility needs and taxpayer trust following bond failure

District clarifies it will not invest in former YMCA building

Lil' Hawks child care center to host community open house

District faces $750,000 deficit for career and technical education

Board defends superintendent's service after campaign criticism

Hutchinson High School removed from state accountability list amid reading gains

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Preliminary state assessment results show a 5 percent increase in third-grade reading proficiency, jumping from 55 percent to 60 percent and successfully meeting the district's strategic plan goals. Administrators also announced Hutchinson High School is no longer on a state academic accountability list, crediting a districtwide focus on literacy, interventionists and instructional strategies for the rapid one-year turnaround. Building leadership teams will meet during an upcoming school improvement day to analyze the complete data and draft future action plans.

Local students head to Wisconsin for national wind-energy competition

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The board of education celebrated the achievements of local elementary students as the Whirlwinds head to Madison, Wisconsin, to compete in the World KidWind Challenge. The science, technology, engineering and math-based event challenges students to design and build functional wind turbines, marking another year of successful national-level competition for the district's elementary science programs.

District addresses bullying concerns at Faris Elementary School

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Following public comments at a previous meeting that described bullying at Faris Elementary School as "severe," district administration confirmed the situation has noticeably improved. Superintendent Dawn Johnson noted that building leaders took immediate action upon learning of the issue. To provide additional support and enhance school culture, the district announced it is currently in the process of hiring an assistant principal for the campus.

Board weighs facility needs and taxpayer trust following bond failure

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In the wake of a defeated $109 million bond measure, the board of education debated how to address aging heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, roofs and overcrowded classrooms while repairing community trust. Board members discussed holding targeted listening sessions and increasing transparency — such as publicizing current maintenance emergencies — to demonstrate the urgent need for facility upgrades without appearing promotional. Several members noted they have already begun meeting with constituents to bridge the communication gap between the district and the community.

District clarifies it will not invest in former YMCA building

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The district will reclaim the land beneath the old building, which the YMCA has occupied on a 99-year lease for $1 since 1964, once the new facility opens, but officials confirmed there are no plans or funds to renovate the aging structure. The YMCA will drain the pool and lock the building before turning the property over to the district. Administrators addressed community rumors during the meeting, clarifying that the district is strictly focusing its capital on currently occupied schools, not the former site.

Lil' Hawks child care center to host community open house

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Local residents will get a look inside the newly opened Lil' Hawks child care center during a community open house scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13. The facility, located at 2810 N. Adams St., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, but staff members were unable to attend due to child care duties. The upcoming open house will allow the broader public to tour the district's new early childhood center.

District faces $750,000 deficit for career and technical education

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Recent state legislation, House Bill 2485, could cost the district roughly $750,000 next year. The legislation alters how the district shares career and technical education funding with Hutchinson Community College, capping credit payouts and restricting free college credits to juniors and seniors with at least a 2.0 grade-point average. While district officials are consulting with attorneys and college partners to navigate the deficit, they stressed that current CTE programs will remain fully operational next year.

Board defends superintendent's service after campaign criticism

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson, who also serves as a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army Reserve, used the board report to highlight ongoing service, noting a recent trip to an out-of-state event to speak at a military observance. Board members formally thanked Johnson for 28 years of military service and defended that record against questions raised during the recent bond campaign, emphasizing that the experience provides unique leadership benefits to the district.

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