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USD320 Wamego

Engaging in the Present to Prepare for the Future

THE RAIDER REPORT

Image features the words 'The Raider Report' in large, bold text with "From the Superintendent" underneath and a small photo of Superintendent Josh Meyer in the bottom right corner. The Wamego Raiders feathered W logo is centered on the left side of the image.

Monthly News

August 1, 2026

As we prepare for a new school year, I have spent time reflecting on my first year in the Wamego School District and community. I have found Wamego to be a proud community with high expectations for its schools. While we take pride in who we are and what we do, we also recognize that there is always room to improve. Our goal is to live up to those expectations while meeting the needs of every student. I am honored to be part of the Wamego community and to serve as your superintendent of schools.

At its July meeting, the Board of Education elected Ryan Hargitt as president and Brian Nelson as vice president for the new fiscal year. The Board has also established a student liaison program for the upcoming school year. The purpose of this position is to provide the Board with a student voice and perspective while strengthening communication between the Board and the students of Wamego High School. We are excited to welcome WHS senior Liberty Sharpe as the district’s first student liaison.

One of the pillars of the USD 320 strategic plan is to ensure that students have pathways for individual success from preschool through 12th grade and beyond. With that goal in mind, the Board and the team at Wamego High School have made it a priority to expand course opportunities for students.

The WHS schedule has been restructured to add one period to the school day. This change has allowed us to offer several new courses, including Certified Nursing Assistant, Electrical Technology, Media Productions, and AP Precalculus, among others. By exposing students to a wider variety of academic and career pathways, we hope they will be better equipped to identify their interests and make informed decisions about what they want to pursue after high school.

There has also been considerable discussion across Kansas about the new cell phone restrictions approved by the Legislature last session. The law requires schools to ensure that student cell phones are powered off and inaccessible during the academic day, including passing periods and lunch.

New district policy follows this law and generally prohibits students from accessing cell phones during the school day in any district building. At Wamego High School, students may leave their phones at home or in their vehicles. Students who bring phones into the building will be provided with a locking pouch. The phone will remain with the student, but it must be powered off and inaccessible throughout the day. Details about how the policy will be implemented in each school are included in the student handbooks.

Although the policy is required by law, each district must determine the best way to implement it. At WHS, we believe locking pouches will provide a clear and consistent approach. Keeping devices powered off and secured will reduce the constant distractions created by text messages, notifications, games, and social media.

Students do not need to engage with their phones between every class period or during lunch. Our goal is not simply to restrict phone use. It is to create a school environment in which students are more attentive, more engaged with one another, and better able to focus on learning.

The City of Wamego continues its work on Kaw Valley Road. Although the project has created some traffic challenges near Wamego Middle School, the completed improvements will provide a safer and more efficient traffic pattern.

The south driveway at WMS is expected to be open before the start of school. Until the entire project is completed, traffic will enter the WMS parking lot from the north and exit through the south driveway onto Kaw Valley Road at 16th Street. The new entrance to the WMS parking lot is expected to open when the project is completed later this fall.

The City is also making safety improvements near our school campuses, including work on crosswalks, pedestrian signals, sidewalk ramps, and street parking. Some of this work will take place as school begins, with additional improvements continuing later in the fall. I appreciate the City of Wamego’s efforts and its continued commitment to student safety.

In the coming days, Kansas taxpayers will receive a notice showing projected property tax rates for school districts and other local entities. The notice compares each entity’s estimated mill levy with its revenue-neutral rate. The revenue-neutral rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as the previous year.

For USD 320, the revenue-neutral rate is 54.9 mills, while the estimated rate for 2026–27 is 57.6 mills. It is important to note that last year’s actual levy was 56.9 mills. Therefore, the current estimate represents an increase of 0.7 mills from last year’s actual rate and approximately a 5 percent increase in the total property tax dollars levied.

The rate shown on the notice is preliminary. Once final budget calculations are completed, the district’s actual tax levy may be lower than the amount shown. The district’s proposed budget and final calculations will be published in the newspaper later in August.

I am proud to serve the ONE Wamego community and grateful for the unity and shared commitment that make our schools strong. As always, I welcome your questions, ideas, and concerns. I can be reached at 785-456-7643 or meyerj@usd320.com.

-Josh Meyer – USD 320 Superintendent