Maize USD 266 exploring whether to pursue Juul litigation

During the Dec. 9 Maize Board of Education meeting, Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Schools, and board members discussed the issue of Juul litigation. The Juul is the most popular form of e-cigarettes among teens, according to the American Lung Association, and uses pods that can contain high levels of nicotine. Teens’ use of e-cigarettes is considered an epidemic by organizations including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some public school districts are pursuing litigation because the issue is so problematic for schools to manage with elements including discipline.

Dr. Higgins and board members discussed pros and cons to Maize USD 266 joining in litigation, including potential public relations-related perceptions and possible time requirements. The district’s involvement could help send a message about the detrimental magnitude of Juul and vaping in schools, as well as publicly expressing support for school administrators who manage the problem. The litigation is not expected to cost the district money, though it could consume additional time on the part of school administrators.

The district also is considering other ways to manage vaping and related uses of smokeless tobacco products, which are prohibited on campus, and is exploring options for increased education and/or sensors or monitors in school. Board members expressed mixed viewpoints and interest, and Dr. Higgins said he would collect additional data and feedback from school administrators to share with board members in the future. Those interested in learning more about Juul can visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Vape-Free Schools webpage.

Special education transition aims to be seamless, more effective for students

Seeking more efficiency and effectiveness for students, the nine member districts of the Sedgwick County Area Educational Services Interlocal Cooperative (SCAESIC) are pursuing a plan to dissolve and form smaller cooperatives. There are several steps along the way to make the transition happen. If the plan is successful, Maize USD 266 and Renwick USD 267 would combine to form its own cooperative that would be fully implemented in 2021-22.

 

The anticipated cost of the transition is estimated at $1.16 million for Maize and $252,000 for Renwick, reflective of the districts’ student enrollment numbers. The transition requires Maize USD 266 to bring approximately 400 special education staff members (including about 140 teachers) from SCAESIC onto the district’s salary schedule starting in August 2021, the main reason for the increase in cost. Currently, educators employed by the SCAESIC who work in Maize USD 266 and Renwick USD 267 schools are paid on a salary schedule that is separate and different from Maize USD 266's salary schedule. When they officially join Maize USD 266, they will be paid on the district's salary schedule. Vacant teaching positions, especially for special education teachers, are becoming more difficult to fill, and paying them a more competitive salary is expected to mitigate this challenge. For years, the district has struggled with near constant and disruptive turnover in some special education positions. District leaders believe this move will improve services and, in the long term, could save money.

Bond issue project design work continues on time for 2021 openings

The three main bond projects approved by voters in August, the two new intermediate schools and the pool-auditorium facility, are progressing through the design phase on time. The district still must decide the exact location of the north intermediate school, which could be located in a number of locations on district-owned land on 45th Street North between 119th and 135th streets.

The timeline is to have the intermediate schools finished by July 2021 for the 2021-22 school year and the pool and auditorium facility finished by November 2021 so the swim teams can use the facility.

Work also is in progress to add multipurpose storm shelter space to Complete High School Maize. Other planning and design work is expected to begin in early spring 2020.

Thank you, board members, for your service to Maize USD 266!

Maize USD 266 would like to thank two Maize Board of Education members who are completing their elected terms: Matt Jensby and Dr. Scott Crawford have spent countless hours of devoted leadership to OneMa1ze as elected and unpaid volunteers.

Dr. Crawford has served since July 2015, and Mr. Jensby has served since September 2014, including a lengthy term as board president from July 2015 to June 2018.

During the Dec. 9 meeting, Maize Board of Education President Dr. Jeff Jarman, right, and his fellow board members honored Mr. Jensby, left, and Dr. Crawford.

Maize High students earn national recognition for journalism work

Congratulations to Maize High School senior Abby McCoy (pictured on left) and 2019 graduate Ryann Redinger, whose story about the dangers of Juuls and electronic smoking devices placed second in the nation for a story they co-wrote. Their entry was one of 10 finalists in the National Scholastic Press Association News Story of the Year category.

Senior Sam Bartlett (pictured on right), a finalist in the Sports Action Photo of the Year category, won Honorable Mention. 

The students were among 16 who attended the National High School Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. in November.

District Communications Department recognized in state contest

Congratulations to the Maize USD 266 Communications Department, which was awarded three Certificates of Excellence and three Certificates of Merit from the Kansas Association of School Boards and Kansas School Public Relations Association Publications Competition for work published in 2018-19. The recognition includes an entry for thes e  #OneMa1ze  p hotos and others, which you can view by clicking here .

High School students showcase work during Academy Acclaim event

Maize Career Academy students showcased their work in robotics, culinary arts, engineering, graphic design, and more during the recent Academy Acclaim event. Check out additional photos by clicking here .

Complete High School Maize serves community at annual feast

Complete High School Maize, the district's nationally recognized alternative high school, prepared 16 turkeys and all the fixings for its annual Thanksgiving Feast last month. Thanks to all who helped make it happen and who joined in the festivities! Click here to see additional photos from the event.

Foundation grateful for 2019 support while planning for 2020, Annual Spring Breakfast event to further dreams of students, employees

The Maize Education Foundation would like to thank everyone who supported the organization in 2019. 

This year, Student Enrichment Grants helped students realize their ambitions at debate camp, journalism national convention, space camp, and more, while a recently awarded grant will help a student begin a journey in beekeeping next spring. The Foundation challenged district staff members to think big, and Challenge Grants funded a new STEAM program at Maize Elementary School, as well as self-regulation resource kits throughout all five elementary schools. 

The Foundation continues to challenge students and educators to dream big and is so grateful to all supporters.

The Foundation Board of Directors is already looking ahead to 2020 and the 2nd Annual Spring Breakfast presented by Hutton, which will be April 2 at Botanica in Wichita. Visit the Foundation website to learn more about the event and get your name on the list!

If you have not had a chance to support the Foundation, there's still time! Please consider making a year-end, tax-deductible gift that will help the Maize Education Foundation continue supporting the students and educators of the Maize School District. Visit www.maizeeducationfoundation.org to make your donation or to find other ways you can support the Foundation.

See something? Say something! Speak Up tip portal can help

Safety is a top priority for Maize USD 266, and Speak Up is a tool in conjunction with the Crime Stoppers in Schools program in Sedgwick County that accepts anonymous tips to help keep students and schools safe. Click here to check it out.

Snow day notifications: Update contact information now

In the event of school being dismissed or canceled because of inclement weather, the district will send out an e-mail, phone notification, and -- for those who have opted to receive them -- a text message to the primary contact associated with both Family 1 and Family 2, if applicable, for each student. Those phone notifications will go out as early as 5:30 a.m. on the day of the closure. If a decision is made the night before to call off school, calls and texts will go out no later than 10:30 p.m.

It is wise to verify that the district has correct family contact information on file. To do so, please log on to Skyward Family Access and click on "Student Info." If needed, parents can contact their child's school for assistance.

District officials will update the district's Web site (www.usd266.com), official Twitter account (@maize266), and official Facebook page (Facebook.com/MaizeUSD266) as soon as the decision is made to call off school. When in doubt, the district encourages parents to verify school closings by consulting multiple official Maize USD 266 district sources.