USD 417 July District Spotlight
USD 417 July District Spotlight:
The Quiet Grind Behind the Scenes
When people drive past our schools in July, the empty parking lots and quiet playgrounds give the impression that the district has hit the pause button for the summer. In reality, July is one of the most intense, productive, and foundational times of the entire year for USD 417.
Over the last two months, we opened our books to share how Kansas funds public education and what it costs to operate our facilities. As we prepare for the Board of Education to approve our new budget in September, we will revisit our local financial picture in August. But this month, I want to shine a light on the incredible team of people working behind the scenes right now to make sure our schools are safe, equipped, and ready for our students and staff to return.
Facilities & Grounds: Cooling, Roofing, and Fresh Spaces
If you walk into any of our buildings today, you will smell fresh wax and hear the hum of machinery. Under the guidance of Mr. Tom VanValkenburg our custodial and maintenance crews have been deep-cleaning every square inch of our facilities, stripping and waxing floors, and conditioning our gym surfaces for the upcoming athletic and academic year.
On top of routine groundskeeping, mowing, and preventive maintenance across all sites, our facilities team is overseeing major structural improvements:
CGES HVAC Upgrade: We are installing a brand-new, modern HVAC system at Council Grove Elementary, impacting seven classrooms, the library, and the 1940s hallway. For the first time, this hallway will have air conditioning. The updated system will deliver much-needed fresh air and cool air in a far more comfortable, energy-efficient manner for our students and staff.
District-Wide Roofing Projects: As summer winds down, crews will begin essential roof replacement and repair work across Council Grove Elementary, Council Grove Jr/Sr High, and the District Office.
Transportation: Safety Behind the Wheel
No behind-the-scenes list is complete without recognizing Mr. Matt Weaver and our dedicated transportation team. All summer long, they have been thoroughly inspecting, deep-cleaning, servicing, and repairing our entire bus and vehicle fleet. Safety is always our top priority, especially considering our transportation department logs over 350,000 miles every year taking our USD 417 students and staff to school, field trips, and athletic contests across Kansas. Thanks to their diligent work, our fleet is safe, compliant, and ready to roll on day one.
Teaching & Learning: Resources and New Educators
While physical spaces are being prepared, our academic leadership is hard at work equipping our classrooms.
Mrs. Gehrer along with the facilities crew has sorted, organized, and delivered over 100 boxes of instructional materials directly to classrooms so teachers have their high-quality resources on day one. Additionally, our science educators and Mrs. Gehrer spent a week this summer reviewing curriculum options to launch a pilot program this year, paving the way for a district-wide science adoption in the spring for implementation in the 2027–28 school year.
Under the leadership of Mrs. Gehrer, we are also preparing to onboard 6 new teachers to the USD 417 family. Beyond welcoming new faces, our team is organizing back-to-school talent development and professional growth opportunities to support all staff as we prepare for student arrival.
Technology: Upgrading Our Infrastructure
Technology is an essential tool for modern learning and communication, and Mr. Jaxon Buchman and his support has had an extraordinarily busy summer:
Interactive Learning: Replaced and updated 15 Smartboards across district classrooms.
Device Rotation: Prepared and configured over 200 new laptops and Chromebooks for staff and student use.
Safety & Communication: Replaced our entire district-wide phone system, which had reached its end of life and support, ensuring reliable communication across all buildings.
Digital Rostering: Completed the complex backend work of rolling over student data, software platforms, and rosters so every student and teacher is seamlessly connected on the first day of school.
Business & Central Office: Steering the Ship
At the heart of all this summer activity is our Business Office and Central Office staff. Mr. Bryce Johnson, Mrs. Rachel Tompkins, and Ms. Amber Weeks have spent the past several weeks closing out the fiscal year, setting up the financial systems for the new budget year, and managing the purchasing pipeline so every supply order arrives on time. Simultaneously, they are drafting enrollment materials, parent handbooks, and community communications to ensure a smooth kickoff for families next month.
Building Leadership: Preparing to Welcome Our Families
In each of our school buildings, our principals and staff have been working tirelessly through the summer months to lay the groundwork for an exceptional school year. From finalizing schedules and refining building procedures to organizing welcoming environments for returning students, our administrators are focused on setting a positive, supportive tone. They are continuously seeking ways to elevate the school culture and provide the very best learning and social experiences for every child who walks through our doors.
Athletics & Activities: Summer Sweat and Student Growth
Learning and growth at USD 417 extend well beyond the traditional classroom, and summer is a critical training period for our student-athletes and activity participants. Throughout June and July, our dedicated coaches and sponsors have been working alongside our students early in the morning and late into the evening.
From summer weights, conditioning programs, and skill camps to fine arts preparation and club leadership activities, these leaders have invested hundreds of hours building teamwork, discipline, and pride. Their mentorship over the summer ensures our students are physically, mentally, and socially prepared to represent Morris County with pride when the fall season opens.
It Takes a Village
It is easy to focus on the first and last days of school, but the magic that happens in between is only possible because of the hard work happening right now in June and July. From the grounds crew braving the summer heat to the custodians polishing floors, the technicians configuring laptops, the educators building curriculum, and the office team managing the books—our staff’s dedication to USD 417 kids is second to none.
When our doors open in August, know that hundreds of hours of care and effort went into making that day possible.
As always, my door is open.
Sincerely,
Tyson Eslinger
Superintendent of Schools
USD 417 Morris County
#DBLA417 (Dream,Believe,Lead,Achieve)