Takeaways from Pittsburg USD 250 Education Board Meeting
Week of October 21, 2026
State assessment data shows growth, sparks board debate
Elementary students take ownership of academic goals
Westside Elementary expands autism program amid enrollment shifts
Middle school teacher secures over $13,000 in tech grants
Students praised for contributions to district strategic planning
District battles ongoing transportation and custodial staffing shortages
Board approves new sound system for high school track
Local vendor awarded contract for elementary school carpet replacement
District implements water leak sensors following safety audit
State assessment data shows growth, sparks board debate
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg Board of Education reviewed the latest state assessment data, which showed an increase in students scoring at or above grade level in English Language Arts and math, with ELA scores for levels 3 and 4 improving from 25.8 percent in 2023 to 39.6 percent in 2025. However, the presentation sparked a debate regarding statistical validity as one unidentified board member criticized the state's method of comparing overall grade-level percentages year-over-year rather than tracking individual student cohorts, arguing that demographic shifts make it difficult to definitively claim academic improvement without proper cohort tracking.
Elementary students take ownership of academic goals
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Teachers from local elementary schools presented their strategies for increasing student accountability through the "Leader in Me" program, highlighting how second-grade students are now utilizing personal data binders and themed "shields" to track their own reading fluency, math scores and personal goals. Educators reported that having students monitor their own Fastbridge assessment data and progress has sparked meaningful conversations about academic expectations and fostered greater student responsibility.
Westside Elementary expands autism program amid enrollment shifts
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Westside Elementary Principal Kelsey Boulware reported the school has added a third autism classroom this year to accommodate a growing need for specialized programming. While overall building enrollment saw a slight decrease, administrators are utilizing the smaller class sizes to group first and second graders into highly targeted, four-to-five-student Multi-Tiered System of Supports reading and math interventions, and the school's special education numbers continue to rise with another out-of-district student expected to join the autism program in the coming weeks.
Middle school teacher secures over $13,000 in tech grants
PITTSBURG, Kan. — A Pittsburg Community Middle School teacher shared a presentation highlighting more than $13,500 in grants she recently secured from organizations including the USD 250 Education Foundation and the Panda Cares Foundation to fund technology in her classroom. The funds purchased programmable drones, five new 3D printers and Makey Makey kits, which students use to learn computer science and physical computing by engaging in projects ranging from choreography coding for robots to producing their own digital walk-up music.
Students praised for contributions to district strategic planning
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Board members commended the active participation of local students during the district's recent strategic planning committee meeting, noting that incorporating student voices provided valuable ground-level perspectives on the future of Pittsburg schools. While the meeting was largely praised as engaging, one unidentified board member expressed concern over the suggested use of artificial intelligence to draft district mission statements, preferring organic community input over automated generation.
District battles ongoing transportation and custodial staffing shortages
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Ongoing staffing shortages continue to challenge the district's transportation and maintenance departments, with a deficit of bus drivers exacerbated by medical leaves and afternoon school activities. To ensure students get home, district mechanics — who hold proper commercial driver's licenses with passenger and school bus endorsements — have had to step in to drive daily routes. Meanwhile, the district is also struggling to hire a full-time night custodian at Meadowlark Elementary, prompting administrators to explore the possibility of hiring high school students for part-time evening custodial shifts to help alleviate the workload.
Board approves new sound system for high school track
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The board unanimously approved a bid to install a permanent, directional sound system at the Pittsburg High School track and soccer field after previously relying on a portable system that required extension cords and posed safety hazards during wet weather. Chief Operations Officer Tom Stegman noted the new setup will feature an indoor mixer housed in the heated concession stand and directional speakers mounted on the scoreboard to minimize noise for nearby residents.
Local vendor awarded contract for elementary school carpet replacement
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The board voted 6-0, with one of the seven members absent, to approve a bid from local vendor Pittsburg Interiors to replace the carpet in five classrooms at George Nettels Elementary. The capital outlay project will be completed in phases over the upcoming fall, winter and spring breaks to avoid disrupting summer classroom rotations and summer school programming, a move board members praised as it utilizes a local business through the Greenbush procurement process.
District implements water leak sensors following safety audit
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Following a recent safety and workers' compensation audit by the district's insurance carrier, the district is installing 15 network-connected water leak sensors provided free of charge by the Kansas Association of School Boards across its facilities. Placed near HVAC units, hot water heaters and sump pumps, the sensors will immediately send text alerts to maintenance staff and district administrators if water is detected, helping to prevent costly flood damage during off-hours.
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