USD 308 School Board Approves Trimester vs Semester Committee, Renews Staff Contracts, and Approves Tech Upgrades
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 School Board held its monthly meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026. Board members met at the district office at 1520 N. Plum St. in Hutchinson. The board made several key decisions that will affect students, staff, and schools across the district.
Should the School Year Be Organized Differently?
Hutchinson High School Principal Ryan Ewy presented to the board regarding Trimesters versus Semesters. Hutchinson Public Schools has assembled a 15-member committee representing a broad cross-section of the district — including HHS and CTEA staff, instructional coaches, counselors, building and district administrators, and the athletic director — to study the current class scheduling structure for grades 7-12. The committee will meet multiple times throughout this spring and summer in structured, collaborative sessions to research relevant data, connect with other school systems, and examine the strengths and limitations of both the current schedule and alternative models. Their work will be organized around four key areas of consideration: student rigor, programs and pathways, student experience, and staffing and operations.
The district is not entering this work with a predetermined outcome or a preference for any particular scheduling model. Rather, USD 308 Board of Education is committed to asking an honest question: is our current class structure helping or hindering our progress toward the goals that matter most to our students and community — increasing graduation rates, improving student achievement, and reducing chronic absenteeism? The committee's findings will be shared with building administrators and the Board of Education, who will use that information to make thoughtful, data-driven decisions in the best interest of every Salthawk.
29 School Leaders Offered New Contracts
The board voted to rehire 29 principals and directors for the 2026-27 school year. These are the leaders who run schools and departments across the district. The following people received renewed contracts:
Kevin Armstrong, Misty Barnum, Bryan Cunningham, Jesse Ediger, Jessica Engelland, Melissa Evans, Ryan Ewy, Stacy Goss, Joe Hammersmith, Katie Helfrich, Nate Henry, Dr. Dawn Johnson, Steve Kappenman, Emily Moore, Sarah Otto, Jason Reed, Travis Riebel, Kyle Sawyer, Keith Schroeder, Julie Schrum, Mike Self, Abby Stockebrand, Christina Swedberg, Jennifer Tatro, Jessica Thomas, Jaime Tilton, Megan Wiebe, Lisa Yantes, and Dr. Krystal Young.
District to Buy Land Near Allen STEM Magnet School
The board agreed to buy a piece of land near Allen STEM Magnet School. The cost will be no more than $30,000. The land could be used in the future to make the area around the school safer and to add more parking.
School Software and Tech Tools Renewed
The board approved yearly renewals for several software programs the district uses to run its schools. Here is what was approved:
• FileWave (manages school devices) — $24,819.48
• Frontline (hiring and staff management) — $102,425.66
• Skyward Business (school operations software) — $61,127.00
• Follett Destiny (library software) — $26,393.52
• Discovery Works Collaborative (support services) — $28,500.00
• Flores Interpreting (language services for families) — $5,500.00
Other Items Approved
The board also approved the district's financial report for February 2026. They renewed the grant that funds the Lil' Hawks Head Start program, which helps young children meet developmental milestones and learn kindergarten-ready skills. The board set its meeting schedule for the 2026-27 school year and updated a policy used to evaluate district leadership.
Closed Meeting and Personnel Report
The board held two closed-door sessions during the meeting to discuss personnel and negotiations. After the closed sessions, the board returned and approved the personnel report.
Next Meeting
The next regular Board of Education meeting is Monday April, 13, 2026, at 6:00pm at the USD 308 Administration Center, 1520 N. Plum. More information: www.usd308.com/boe
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