USD 475 wants to prepare students for future opportunities and jobs which may not exist today. That was a key message from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Reginald Eggleston, during the district's first State of Education forum Tuesday night.
"Fifty years ago whoever would have thought about the internet, Facebook and all of the different forms of social media that we use today. And yet individuals have very lucrative jobs with those forms of media."
Eggleston outlined the five year strategic plan for USD 475, noting that academic achievement is the top priority. The District is working to try and reach a 95% graduation rate goal for 2025 set by the State Department of Education. Educators are doing that by working on the foundation for students in grades K-8.
Meeting social and emotional needs of students, a parent engagement committee, and retention and hiring goals are also part of the plan.
Other speakers focused on topics ranging from teaching and learning to operations, technology, operations, technology, finance and personnel services. Associate Superintendent Dr. Deb Gustafson reported that the district is experiencing the highest student test scores that they have seen in USD 475 in many years. She noted that is a reflection of their teachers and the Teaching and Learning Department. Gustafson also reported that summer school will be offered for students in K-12.
Chief Operations Officer David Wild covered the new $132 million dollar Junction City High School . It covers 437,000 square feet, is 1,287 feet long, which is nearly a quarter of a mile in length, and was built to serve 1,800 students. There are currently just under 1,600 students enrolled at JCHS.