School board members recognized community volunteers and donors behind the district’s new FFA animal science facility, approved multiple donations, and received updates on attendance and student success initiatives during a recent USD 413 meeting.
During staff and patron recognition, agriculture instructor Zach Callahan thanked board members, administrators, and community supporters for their roles in completing the district’s new FFA animal science facility, a project years in the making. The agricultural education program, which began in 2018, has grown into a two-teacher program and will soon have a dedicated facility to support student learning.
Callahan recognized members of the FFA Animal Science Committee, which led fundraising and project development efforts. Committee co-chairs Amy Hendrickson and Ron Flowers were acknowledged, along with committee members Mandy Collins, Ross Henrikson, Karen Jared, Jonathan Johnson, Jody Moyer, Patty Anne Sambborn, Angie Stanley and Derek Wagner. District administrators, including Principal Zack Murry, Superintendent Matt Koester, and Jessie Fewins, were also recognized, along with Callahan and fellow agriculture instructor Caitlyn Mahay.
Callahan also thanked the USD 413 Foundation for assisting with funding and donations.
Koester later highlighted major donors to the approximately $1.4 million project, describing the facility as a community-wide effort. He recognized early contributions from the Tennis family, who donated proceeds from the sale of property intended to support a future FFA program, as well as Jim and Desiree Keley, who donated the land for the facility. Additional major donations came from the Jim and Jean Cooper Foundation and from Mike and CeCe Mitchell.
The building is largely complete, with fencing and animal containment work remaining. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Feb. 18, and the contractor is expected to turn the building over for occupancy next month.
Following recognition, the board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included acceptance of several donations. Community National Bank donated $250 to the Chanute Middle School vocal music program, and the First Presbyterian Church contributed $600. The church also donated $2,000 to the school nurse endowment fund and $1,500 for student launch accounts.
The board accepted an anonymous $150 donation for the Chanute Middle School Peacemaker Award, a $10 donation from Labette Bank for elementary classroom supplies, and a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation to support the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program at Chanute Elementary School. Board members also approved the disposal of middle school uniforms and adopted a resolution to elect board officers during the summer to align with the district’s fiscal year transition.
Chanute Middle School Assistant Principal Jennifer Mason later presented a report on chronic absenteeism, which she said has been a major focus this year. A student is considered chronically absent if they miss more than 10% of the school year.
The middle school set a goal of reducing chronic absenteeism to below 20% after ending last year at nearly 27%. As of the period following winter break, the rate had dropped to 14.7%, compared with 21.3% at the same time last year.
Mason credited the improvement to intentional attendance strategies implemented through PBIS, including schoolwide incentives, targeted check-ins for students nearing attendance thresholds and more intensive interventions for a small group of students with severe attendance challenges. About 52 students currently receive tier-two support, while five students are in tier three.
Administrators emphasized that consistent attendance is a key factor in improving student achievement.
Director of Teaching and Learning Tyler Applegate also provided an update on student success initiatives, including the high school’s workbased learning program. During the first semester, 25 seniors participated in the program, which allows students on track to graduate to earn up to two elective credits by working at least 10 hours per week.
Students submit weekly time sheets and reflections, contribute to a digital portfolio, and complete a semester reflection. This year, 22 local businesses partnered with the district to provide employment opportunities, with some students also working in district facilities.
Applegate also shared district-wide attendance data, noting that average daily attendance rates have steadily improved over recent years and remain comparable to last year’s end-of-year figures. Attendance rates across buildings have increased into the low- to mid-90% range, allowing schools to focus more closely on students with the greatest attendance needs.
Board members noted that attendance and programs such as workbased learning are important indicators of student success, alongside academic performance.
“When students are showing up consistently, it reflects a positive school culture and creates more opportunities for learning,” Applegate said.
