Message from the Superintendent
January 15, 2026
August 18, 2026
Hello, USD 231 Patrons and Employees.
A new school year is here, bringing fresh energy, new opportunities, and so much to look forward to! To kick off this new year, we held our annual convocation, bringing our staff together to celebrate what makes USD 231 special and reflect on the impact we can make in the year ahead. Convocation is one of my favorite days of the year because it is the one time our entire district comes together. Looking around the room, I was reminded of the incredible passion, expertise, and dedication that make USD 231 a family.
As part of our convocation, we each completed a brick representing what we want to bring to our district this year. My word was collaboration. None of us does this work alone. I rely on my team to be honest with me, challenge me, support me, and celebrate alongside me. Each brick represents an individual commitment, but together they remind us that every person plays a part in building the future of USD 231.
That same idea applies to the influence we have on students. I can still recall teachers whose words built my confidence and others whose words tore it down. What we say and do matters, often far beyond what we will ever know.
I challenged our staff to think about one kid, the student who may need someone to encourage them, advocate for them, or simply believe in them. That challenge belongs to all of us. A few words of encouragement or one caring relationship can have an impact that lasts a lifetime.
Thank you for continuing to invest in our students and schools. Together, brick by brick and student by student, we are building a stronger future for our entire community.
Sincerely,
Brian
#WeAreUSD231 #Forwardas23ONE #VisionForward
Sign Up for Rooms!
We have made a concerted effort to reduce the number of platforms our employees use to communicate with parents. The approved forms of communications include:
- Email from USD 231 account
- Phone
- Rooms (via the USD 231 App)
- Band (via the Band App)
If you are receiving communication from a different platform (Remind101, TeamSnap, GroupMe, sportsYou, etc.), please let us know.
"Say ""hello"" to Messaging in the USD 231 app! Our app now keeps you informed across your child's classes. Look for your personalized invite to access Messages, Announcements, and Stream today!
Download for Android http://bit.ly/2GeY98Z
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/2EBoEUp"
IF YOU'VE ALREADY SIGNED UP, BE SURE TO CHECK THAT YOU HAVE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE VERSION!
Annual Public Notice Regarding Developmental Screenings
The Gardner Edgerton School District offers developmental screenings for children up to five (5) years old (who are not kindergarten-eligible). We also coordinate services with Infant Toddler Services of Johnson County (ITS) and USD 231 Parents as Teachers (PAT) for children birth to three (3) years of age. If you live in the Gardner Edgerton district boundaries, have a child from birth to age five (5), and have concerns about his or her development, please call the Special Services Office at (913) 856-2080 to schedule a screening appointment.
There are other rights that, according to federal and state laws, are afforded to you and your exceptional child. A copy of these rights may be obtained free of charge by contacting the address or phone number below.
If you have a child you feel may need special education service(s), please contact your child’s building principal or Gardner Edgerton Special Services, 231 E Main, Gardner, KS 66030 — phone (913) 856-2080.
Boundary Process
The board has completed an initial work session to establish guiding principles and priorities for future attendance boundaries. Key priorities identified included balancing enrollment, maintaining effective feeder patterns, maximizing resources, and accommodating future growth. A boundary committee composed of parents, staff members, students, administrators, board members, and community representatives will begin formal work in fall 2026. A final boundary adoption is expected in early 2027 before implementation for the 2027–28 school year. Transparency and ongoing community engagement throughout the process will be a priority.
Learn more about the boundary process HERE.
Joy Closet
As another school year begins, we'd like to remind you that Joy Closet Thrift Store is here to partner with our local schools in serving students and families throughout our community.
Joy Closet is a nonprofit ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Gardner. Everything in our store has been generously donated, and our entire operation is staffed by volunteers. While we offer affordable thrift store shopping to the public, our mission is to provide hope and practical assistance to those in need.
We're Here to Help!
Teachers, school nurses, counselors, and staff are welcome to visit Joy Closet FREE of charge for:
Clothing for student emergencies, Books, puzzles, and games for classrooms, and other donated items that may benefit your students. Simply show your school ID and take what you need.
FREE Family Voucher Program
Each school receives FREE Shopping Vouchers for families experiencing financial hardship. Please check with your counselor, nurse, or office staff for vouchers. If your school needs more, just let us know!
Each voucher provides: 20 FREE clothing, shoe, or bedding items, 10 FREE books, 30 items total
Families may use one voucher per household each month, and no income verification is required.
Making a Difference Together
Last year, Joy Closet helped over 1025 families through our Free Voucher Program.
Vouchers are available through schools in Gardner, Edgerton, Wellsville, Baldwin and Spring Hill, as well as any church in Gardner, the Southwest Multi-Service Center, Hope Market, and other community partners.
Together, we can ensure that every child has access to clothing, shoes, books, and other essentials needed to succeed.
Questions or Need More Vouchers?
Ginger Crist, Manager
JoyClosetGardner@gmail.com
913-207-4401
Voucher Reminder: One voucher per household • Once per month • No income verification required
Week-At-A-Glance
As a reminder, our "Week-at-a-Glance" document attempts to capture all district events on one page. We encourage you to bookmark this PAGE, which will always host the most recent version.
Please let us know if you feel we've missed an event or found inaccuracies.
Board Briefs
Board Briefs are provided as a service to our community in order to quickly learn what transpired during the most recent Board of Education Meeting.
These summary documents can be found HERE.
To view events occurring at the district-level, please click HERE. To view school-specific calendars, please visit each building's respective website.
