To kick off this series, we visited Haysville USD 261, where a well-defined vision serves as the foundation for their success. By aligning every part of their strategic plan with this vision, they’ve set themselves apart, seeing meaningful improvements in student outcomes. 

For Jenny King, Principal at Nelson Elementary, the strategic plan has been a guiding light. “Knowing that vision, so it’s not just a shot in the dark, and with our strategic plan, it was very clear,” she explained. “So, it was very easy to come in and know what direction they wanted. Things that they wanted changed at the building level, I could easily come in and make those changes and know that we were sticking to the vision of the district without going too far off track.” 

Haysville’s Board of Education developed a strategic plan that provides clear direction. Every decision is intentional, focused on long-term goals and grounded in their vision. Board Member Jeremy Allen explained, “Everything we do ties back to the strategic plan, even on our board agenda. Every item ties back to the plan, so we are reminded every meeting what our goals are.” 

The results of this focused planning are evident. “The strategic plan with a clear vision has given the board better direction and led to better follow-through,” shared Haysville Board Clerk Debbie Coleman. “Students are receiving the benefits of all the new programs, and it has made it feel more inclusive for all students.” 

At the heart of Haysville’s strategic plan is a commitment to student success through diverse, interactive learning experiences. From high school career pathways to middle school programs like “Project Lead the Way” and “Build it Better,” students are encouraged to explore their passions early through project-based and future-focused learning.  

“We have so many opportunities at the high school, like a ton of art and cooking classes,” said Hadley Bain, a freshman at Campus High School. “So, when you want to think about a career, you can pursue the things you want to do in high school to make sure that’s really what you want to do when you grow up.” 

Making sure students feel supported is a top priority for the board. “Ultimately, we want our kids to know that we’re here, that we’re approachable,” said Board Member Tosha White. “If they have an issue, they can come to us. We’re not the big scary board of education. They can communicate their needs and know that they’ve been heard.” 

Haysville’s success also stems from ensuring the entire community is involved in and aware of the district’s vision. The board worked hard to get buy-in from everyone, including, parents, students, staff and community leaders. They even held a community retreat to discuss district goals and explain the vision. 

This transparency resonated with students, like Halle Marrs, a seventh grader at Haysville West Middle School. She shared, “I think it was easy and clear to understand what they were doing because they explained it all, they didn’t just put it out there, they explained what they were doing.” 

Jennifer Bain, Haysville Board of Education President, echoed this commitment to inclusion. “We were very intentional about the strategic plan, and the amazing thing is that we looked at it from a 360-degree view. We invited everyone in to help us develop the plan, so everyone had buy-in to that process.” 

Even after creating the plan, the board knew the importance of keeping everyone informed. “We didn’t just put together a strategic plan and leave it there. We made sure to send it home to parents, students and staff,” Jennifer Bain continued. “It’s available on our website. Anywhere you go, we have the ability to get it into their hands.” 

Building principals also provide regular reports to the board on what they’re doing in schools to address district goals, ensuring progress is consistently tracked. 

King also highlighted how critical communication is to the plan's success. “It’s all in how it gets communicated. Last year, at the very beginning of the year, that’s how I started with the staff—by going through the strategic plan with them.” 

Haysville’s strategic plan has shaped the district’s direction, creating a shared purpose and helping students, staff, and the community move forward together. Senior Jeanette Barrera summed up the district’s spirit, saying, “If you’re feeling lost or like you don’t have a sense of community, Haysville is a place where everyone is always here for each other and always willing to help each other out.” 

Throughout their journey, Haysville has relied on KASB’s services to ensure they are staying on track. “We look at them [KASB] as our support system. Whenever we have questions or need help, they come in with ideas that we can take and run with and figure out for us what does that look like in our district,” said Jennifer Bain. She added, “With their support, we’re able to make sure we are headed down the right path.” 

In reflecting on the district’s success, Jennifer Bain emphasized, “The idea that makes it successful is buy-in from everyone. You don’t leave anyone out. Everyone gets a say in the strategic plan, and if they do, they’re much more willing to say, ‘I agree with this, and I want to move down this pathway.’ Now we’re laser-focused on our strategic plan that everyone had buy-in to and that we all agreed upon.” 

By focusing on their vision and involving the entire community, Haysville continues to build a brighter future for all their students, making sure every decision contributes to their shared goals and vision for the district.