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Wellsville Prepares Students for Lifelong Success through Strategic Planning and Community Outreach
Six years ago, the Wellsville USD 289 school board was concerned. There was board and leadership turnover and facilities were aging. There was a basic sense of pride in the schools but some worried not all students were being adequately prepared.
To address the concerns, the board, along with a new superintendent developed a strategic plan that included:
- Expanded options for college credit, technical certification, and work-based learning
- Low-cost half-day preschool
- Expanded student engagement and emphasizing a safe and welcoming environment
- Updating district facilities for learning and safety
KASB staff spent a day in Wellsville talking with current and former school board members, educators, parents, community members, and students. All stressed the positive impact of these actions on students and learning as well as the community as a whole.
The new strategic plan was developed with KASB’s assistance and involved more than 40 stakeholders in multiple meetings over 18 months. “I was impressed with the way the community was coming together,” said Board Clerk and parent Jennifer Eiche. “There was transparency that the school was having with the community and that encompasses parents, community members, older generations, younger generations. We had a teacher from every building. We had the principals’ involvement. We had somebody from the library, from City Hall. I mean, everybody's got a piece or a voice.” The result was a plan embraced and supported by the community. “It wasn’t the superintendent’s plan, or even the school board’s plan. It really is a community plan, a community vision,” said Superintendent Ryan Bradbury.
Expanded Post-Secondary Options
Wellsville began looking at its own results. “The perception was that the only way we defined success was college readiness,” said Principal Josh Adams. “A lot of kids weren’t interested in college, so they weren’t interested in school.” Wellsville set a goal that in addition to required credits, all students should graduate with at least one of the following outcomes: an ACT Score of 21 or higher, 12 or more college credits, earning the ACT Workkeys Readiness Certificate, an Industry Recognized Certificate, or acceptance into the military.
Wellsville hired a career counselor to work with students and families and enhanced the Individual Plans of Study process. They worked with students to access career programs in which they are interested. Located southeast of Lawrence, Wellsville has students enrolled in three community colleges, Washburn Technical College in Topeka, and a career training center in Lawrence. Students take courses both online and in-person, and the district makes every effort to provide transportation, even for a single student. The community created an endowment fund to help cover course fees.
The efforts have paid off. In 2024, 88 percent of Wellsville graduates met the outcome goal, up from only 43 percent in 2018. Students are now better prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation or have an early start on college credits.
Affordable Preschool Program
Knowing the long-term benefits of quality preschool the district committed to allowing all three and four-year-olds to attend a half-day program, at a cost of just $50 per semester. As a result, around 80 percent of kindergarteners have had a preschool experience. This supports the strategic plan focus on social and emotional needs that impact learning. “Getting them at an earlier age in preschool is unbelievably beneficial to help them be successful,” said Elementary Principal Laurey Logan.
Student Engagement and Inclusion
A third major change in the strategic plan was to increase student engagement because involved students are more likely to graduate. Based on student feedback, Wellsville High School expanded opportunities. “We started an eSports program,” said Brad Burkdoll, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. Other additions include clay shooting, girls’ golf, and unified sports. “We’ve tried anything we can do to provide a better experience for all. Now we're probably at 97 or 98 percent of students participating at least one thing,” Burkdoll said. Students have praised the culture of the school and community, and they praised the staff for setting a welcoming and supportive tone.
Wellsville has also expanded work-based learning opportunities to give students real world experience.
The most visible example is the student-run coffee shop launched last year at the high school.
Updating District Facilities
The final major initiative of the strategic plan was addressing facility needs. About 50 stakeholders worked for a year-and-a-half on facilities audits, surveys, project plans, and pricing. The result was an $18.1 million bond issue that was approved by voters in May 2021 by a 2:1 margin. “It took a lot of communication, not just talking to people but talking with them,” said retired Teacher Chuck Rutledge about efforts to muster support for the bond. Another strategy was taking time to make the case. “We made sure that every step was very intentional and deliberate, and that everybody was on board before moving on,” local business owner Beth Dwyer.
It also meant compromise. “There were a lot of people on the committee who really wanted a brand-new high school,” said parent Angie Lytle. “We had a lot of people who didn't. We also had a good idea what the community would be willing to pay for, so we came together, and we figured out a way. We came to an agreement that we can't have a new school, but this is what we can do.”
While a part of the bond issue was for basics like roofs, HVAC, concrete and asphalt replacement and remodeling, educators and students say it has also made a difference in the learning environment. This includes replacing an outdated open classroom model, adding a student commons area that supports independent and online learning and classroom renovations for science and family and consumer science (FACS), which also houses the coffee shop. It also added security features.
Impact on the District and Community
Everything Wellsville has been doing through its strategic plan matches the Kansas State Board of Education’s “Kansas Can” vision of increasing graduation rates and preparing students for postsecondary success. Board members, educators, students, and parents talked about how the plan supported their community, and that started with a broader definition of student success. Increasing focus on options beyond four-year college careers helped appeal to more people. “You look at where we are, our community, what it's made of,” said Board President Shane Pruitt. “These are hands-on individuals, hardworking people, and offering these certificates in HVAC, electrician, things like that, that's what our community is.”
The result is a sense of excitement in Wellsville. Community leaders say these efforts are changing the district’s reputation. Prior to the bond issue, schools looked outdated. Childcare opportunities were limited. There was little to distinguish the education program. Now, in area of the state with economic and population growth, Wellsville can compete for students and families and offer solid evidence of progress.
“Look at the data,” said Pruitt. “The data speaks for itself. The graduation rates, accepted to the military, industry recognize certificates, all those outcomes, they speak for themselves. The hard work is paying off. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not us (the board) doing the work. It's (Superintendent) Ryan and his staff, and teachers and the kids putting in the work, and they deserve the credit.”