USD 259

Wichita Superintendent 'Sole Finalist' For Top Job With Olathe Public Schools

By Abigail Beckman • Dec 14, 2016

Wichita Public Schools Superintendent John Allison has been named the only finalist for a superintendent position with Olathe Public Schools.

Parents Can Learn About District Programs At Wichita Public Schools 'Choices Fair'

By Abigail Beckman • Nov 10, 2016

The Choices Fair for Wichita Public Schools is this evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Century II Exhibition Hall. The fair allows parents to look at all the educational options the district offers for students.

Wichita Teachers Union Votes To Approve Contract With Board Of Education

By Abigail Beckman • Oct 21, 2016

In a vote of 2329 to 601, Wichita teachers tentatively approved a teachers' agreement between United Teachers of Wichita and the USD 259 Board of Education. If the board approves the agreement at their meeting on Oct. 24, it will be the end of several months of negotiations that required the help of a federal mediator.

Wichita Superintendent Named A Finalist For National, State Awards

By Nadya Faulx • Oct 14, 2016

Wichita Public School Superintendent John Allison has been named a finalist for both a national and a statewide award.

The Green-Garner Award is the country’s top prize for urban school education leadership. It honors educators for excellence in leadership, professionalism and improving school achievements.

Allison was also a finalist for the Green-Garner prize in 2012. In a statement, he said the award honors the entire district’s achievements.

Union, School Board Reach Tentative Contract Agreement For Wichita Teachers

By Abigail Beckman • Oct 7, 2016

After months of contention, the local teachers' union and the USD 259 school board have come to a tentative contract agreement for the 2016-17 school year.

The contract contains a compensation package increasing the board of educations monetary contribution by 3.98 percent. Details of the tentative agreement include:

Teachers Rally For Respect, Say They're Working In 'Survival Mode'

By Abigail Beckman • Sep 26, 2016

Tensions were high leading into Wichita Public School's Board of Education meeting last night. Hundreds of unionized teachers lined the street outside of North High School wearing red t-shirts and holding signs demanding respect and better treatment from the district.

Union Hopes To Demonstrate How Much Teachers Do Outside Of Mandated Duties

By Abigail Beckman • Sep 25, 2016

Last week, leaders of the local teacher's union, United Teachers of Wichita, asked members to work only the hours mandated in their contracts on Monday to show unity in the midst of stalled contract negotiations with the district. That means arriving 10 minutes before the school day starts, taking a 40-minute duty-free lunch break and leaving 10 minutes after the day ends.

Kansas Students Score Above National Average On ACT

By Nadya Faulx • Aug 29, 2016

Recent Kansas ACT scores were higher than the national average.

More than 24,000 Kansas students took the 2016 ACT college entrance exam, which, according to a new report from the ACT, is the highest number of test-takers in the past five years.

The state’s average test score was 21.9 out of a total 36 points. In the Wichita Public Schools district, the average score was 19.7; nationally, students scored an average of 20.8 points.

UPDATE: Wichita School Board Approves 2017 Budget

By Nadya Faulx • Aug 22, 2016

Updated on 08/23/16 at 10:00 a.m:

The Wichita Public Schools board voted on Monday to approve the budget for the next school year.

The 662 million dollar budget passed 5 to 0, with 2 board members absent.

Wichita School Board To Vote On Proposed 2017 Budget

By Abigail Beckman • Aug 9, 2016

A final vote on the proposed budget for Wichita Public Schools has been scheduled for Aug. 22. Members of the local school board looked over the budget at a meeting on Monday night.

The plan, which totals nearly $662 million, cuts certain expenses by about $22 million to account for the increased costs for healthcare, transportation and utilities.

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