As part of our series on the Eight Characteristics of Effective School Boards, we’re visiting districts that bring these principles to life. The second characteristic focuses on values—the belief in what’s possible for students, their ability to learn and the school system’s role in teaching every child at a high level.

At Silver Lake USD 372, values aren’t just words written on a piece of paper—they’re what guide the district in how it operates every day. From the classroom to the community, these beliefs influence everything they do, helping students succeed and thrive. 

“I feel like they are just embedded in what we do, they’re woven into the fabric of what we do,” Superintendent Brad Womack said. “It just makes it a lot easier to create an educational environment where students can grow academically and personally.” 

Womack knows the district inside and out. He started as a teacher in Silver Lake and worked his way up to lead the district. “The one thing that has always been true about the Silver Lake community, going back decades, is its integral role in the school system,” Womack shared. That connection goes back to the late 1800s, when Silver Lake School district was among the first in Shawnee County to formally organize. 

“Everything revolves around partnerships, foundations and people volunteering their time and resources,” Womack said. “Everything centers around community.” 

Shannon Bergman, a mother of three students in the district, agrees. “The small-town community really supports everything in the district,” she said. “The teachers, businesses and parents all want the best for our kids.” 

Silver Lake’s values come to life through their Golden Eagle Standards: engagement, attitude, grit, leadership and empathy. These aren’t just ideas—they’re the foundation for how students and staff approach school and life. 

“We want students to be strong critical thinkers, resilient problem-solvers and confident learners,” Womack said. “It’s about enjoying learning and knowing they can figure out anything new that comes their way.” 

Students see these values in action every day. Sixth-grader Trace Thompson shared, “Everyone here tries to give back to the school and community. They have good teachers here, and they really know what they’re doing. It’s just a fun place to be.” 

Silver Lake celebrates success, but the district’s mindset is all about improvement. “Our test scores are at or above the state average in every category,” Womack shared. “We're going to look at that and say we might be better than the state average, but we want to be way better than the state average." 

This drive for excellence is paired with a focus on making learning meaningful. “We want students to leave here with confidence and persistence,” Womack added. “We want them to carry these skills with them, no matter what comes next.” 

The district’s recent bond issue was a great example of the community stepping up to support its schools. It wasn’t an easy process, but the community came together to make it happen. “The bond passing really showed the kids that the community wanted this for them,” Bergman said. “Now they’re seeing the new things coming into the schools, and they understand how much this community cares.” 

Teachers and staff also make sure every student feels supported. “I can email my kids’ teachers, and they’ll respond quickly,” Bergman shared. “I just feel like they really, truly care, and they want every single student in our district to excel.” 

Silver Lake Elementary Principal Ronda Pegram sees this care and support firsthand. “We have such a high set of expectations and standards; we have community support like nobody else,” Pegram said. “Our kids are the same way; they value our school, our district and our facilities. Our school is the heart of the community, and you can see that throughout the town.” 

At Silver Lake, values are front and center. From the Golden Eagle Standards to the community’s unwavering support, it’s clear these shared beliefs help every student grow and succeed. As Womack put it, “It’s not about patting ourselves on the back—it’s about always striving to get better.”