September 2026 Maize Pulse

During this month’s Maize Board of Education meeting, following the annual budget hearing, board members approved the 2026-27 budget. The vote represents the final step in a careful process of balancing resources, responsibilities, and priorities for students.

A school district budget is like a family budget, with essential expenses, costs, and long-term goals. We have to make thoughtful decisions about where our resources go today while planning responsibly for tomorrow.

Rising costs for employee salaries and benefits, utilities, insurance, transportation, instructional resources, and building maintenance continue to put pressure on school district budgets. At the same time, we remain committed to investing in our staff members, safe and secure schools, high-quality instruction, and opportunities that help every student discover their potential.

All budget documents are available on the Business page of our website, but here a few important budget highlights:

• Our mill levy remains flat and is slightly lower than it was four years ago. The 2026-27 mill levy is 59.75, compared with 60.115 in 2022-23.
• The county and school district have different roles in property taxes. Sedgwick County determines the assessed valuation of property, while the school district sets its mill levy, or tax rate. Click here to watch a video from the Sedgwick County Appraiser’s Office explaining the process.
• The budget supports our Lead Forward strategic plan. During 2025-26, we saw continued growth in reading and math, strong graduation rates, and multiple Kansas STAR Recognition awards, while strengthening literacy, instructional, and intervention practices.
• The largest share of our budget, 58 percent, directly supports instruction. Every part of our budget supports students, including student support, instructional support, operations, transportation, food services, capital improvements, and debt services.
• We continue to pay down debt from past bond issues ahead of schedule, meaning a smaller portion of our budget is needed for bond indebtedness each year.
• Responsible financial management allows us to plan for the future. Our proposed 2027 bond plan addresses important school and safety needs without increasing the current mill levy. It will go before voters on March 2, 2027.

A healthy budget is about more than numbers. It is about using the resources entrusted to us wisely while continuing to move our district forward. Thank you for investing your time and efforts in our students, staff members, and schools. We could not maintain our outstanding learning environments without the support of our parents and community members.

Dr. Raquel Greer

Maize USD 266 Superintendent

• On X: @rockigreer
• Email: rgreer@usd266.com
• Online: www.usd266.com/superintendent

October

• Wednesday, Oct. 14: End of Term 1 and Parent-Teacher Conferences (4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for grades 7 through 12 only)
• Thursday, Oct. 15: No school, Parent-Teacher Conferences (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for kindergarten through 6th grade and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for grades 7 through 12)
• Friday, Oct. 16: No school
• Monday, Oct. 19: Start of Term 2 and alternate high school schedule (Click on article below for details.)
  

November

• Monday, Nov. 2: No school, Professional Development
  
• Monday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 27: No school, Fall Break

Maize USD 266 leaders have begun to share information about the proposed Build for the Future: 2027 Bond plan with staff members across the district, while also continuing conversations with community groups.

District leaders recently presented an overview of the proposed $213 million bond plan to the Rotary Club of West Wichita, sharing information about the needs identified through the planning process and the proposed projects to address them. Superintendent Dr. Raquel Greer and Executive Director of Operations Darin Augustine also answered questions from community leaders.

Staff presentations are now underway at schools across the district, providing employees with an opportunity to learn more about the proposal and ask questions.

These conversations are part of the district's ongoing effort to provide clear, factual information about the proposed plan ahead of the March 2, 2027 election.

The proposed bond plan was developed through a collaborative process that began in October 2024 and included more than 1,000 volunteer hours, along with input from students, parents, employees and community members. The bond plan is centered on three priorities:

1. Bolstering safe and secure campuses
2. Advancing educational experiences for all students
3. Partnering for community success

Community members can learn more about the proposed projects, review the planning timeline, find information about upcoming opportunities to learn more, and submit questions at www.usd266.com/bond.

Maize USD 266 has installed and activated the ZeroEyes firearms detection system at its middle and high schools, adding another layer of technology to the district’s ongoing school safety and security efforts. The system has been operating through a soft launch as the district and its partners have worked through implementation and operational processes.

ZeroEyes is active at Maize High School, Maize South High School, Complete High School Maize, Maize Middle School, and Maize South Middle School. The system uses the district’s existing security camera network and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to identify visible firearms and generate alerts when a potential threat is detected.

The system is designed to complement, not replace, the people, training, procedures, and security measures already in place across the district. When a potential threat is identified, ZeroEyes uses its established alerting process to notify designated personnel and law enforcement officials, including a direct systems report to 911, so they can respond according to established safety protocols.

The installation follows the district’s February 2026 announcement that Maize USD 266 had been among the first school districts in the state approved to receive funding through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program administered by the Kansas Attorney General. Implementation included expansions and improvements to the district’s security camera system.

Additional safety systems and supports: ZeroEyes is one component of Maize USD 266’s layered approach to school safety. Other measures include Maize Police Department school resource officers, school security officers, recently upgraded and expanded security cameras, the Raptor Visitor Management System, SafeDefend panic alarms, the Behavior Threat Assessment process, anonymous reporting tools, and more. Click here to visit the district’s Security Services web page to learn more about programs and reporting tools.

Security camera upgrade: We have enhanced our security camera system in the past two years by increasing the number of security cameras on campus from 725 to more than 1,500. We are upgrading our security camera software, storage, and operating capacity. Upon completion later this school year, we will have one of the most robust public school security camera systems in Kansas.

What’s next: The district will continue to evaluate and strengthen its safety and security practices as part of its commitment to maintaining secure, welcoming schools where students and staff members can learn and work.

In a September 2025 school security survey of parents, staff members, and high school students, 71 percent of respondents indicated that new safety measures would make our schools feel safer.

Safe and secure campuses is a focus area of the district’s Lead Forward strategic plan and one of the three priorities in the 2027 bond plan. While Maize USD 266 is often thought of as a newer school district, our buildings range in age from more than 70 years old to less than a decade old, including schools built in the 1950s, 1980s, and 1990s. Many of these buildings were designed before today’s school security needs and practices existed. The bond plan, which will go before voters on March 2, 2027, includes improved school entrances for needed security and visibility; expanded space for school security personnel, screening, and controlled access; improved traffic flow; and expanded parking.

Our Superintendent Student Advisory Team recently met for the first time this school year, bringing together high school students from across our district to share their perspectives, ask questions, and talk about the things that matter to them.

Now in its fifth year, the team gives students from Maize High School, Maize South High School, Complete High School Maize, and Maize Virtual School an opportunity to bring their voices, and the voices of their classmates, directly to district leaders.

During this month’s meeting, Superintendent Dr. Raquel Greer provided an update on the 2027 bond plan, which students have had an opportunity to weigh in on throughout the planning process. She and Amanda Piotrowski, Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Grades 7-12, also led a discussion with students about high school course scheduling.

In previous years, student members have participated in District Site Council, the Facilities Steering Committee, and Maize Board of Education meetings, sharing ideas about topics ranging from school safety to facilities and helping inform plans for our next chapter.

Thanks to these students who are willing to speak up, listen to one another, and help make Maize USD 266 an even better place to learn, grow, and lead.

The District Site Council had its first meeting of the school year recently and heard updates on school safety, the 2027 bond plan, and more. Made of community members, parents, and staff members, the council provides input on district initiatives while helping share information about the accomplishments and celebrations happening across Maize USD 266. Thank you to all of our District Site Council members for generously giving their time and perspective to help move our district forward!

School meals are designed to provide students with a balanced lunch that meets the nutrition standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Program. Each day, students may choose from five meal components: whole grains, meat or meat alternatives, fruits, vegetables, and milk. Our school kitchens also offer at least three entree options each day, along with a variety of sides.

• Build a complete meal: Students select at least three meal components, including at least one fruit or vegetable. Students may also select one serving of each side item offered on the daily menu.
• View menus and dietary information: Families can use Nutrislice to view daily menus and filter menu items based on dietary preferences and allergens.
• Click to view the Maize USD 266 school menus in Nutrislice.

The Maize Board of Education's next regular monthly meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026 at the Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center (MPAAC), 1155 W. Academy in Maize. Meetings are open to the public. Find a link to meeting agendas and minutes, school board member information, and policies at www.usd266.com/schoolboard.

Thank you to everyone who voted in our school supply giveaway earlier this month! At the Maize High School-Maize South High School football game on Friday, Sept. 18, we announced that the winner of our giveaway is Maize Intermediate School!

As our winner, Maize Intermediate School will receive school supplies donated from our partner, Project Teacher. Thank you to Principal Kevin Roulhac for joining us at the football game to be recognized. We also presented Maize Intermediate School Science Teacher Darmin Owings with a classroom stipend of $500 in recognition of her dedication to her students.

Before kickoff, Maize Education Foundation board members and student volunteers could be found by the entry gate, welcoming families to the game. The first 600 fans at the game received a RED or GOLD Maize Education Foundation rally towel to show their school pride!

Students in grades 7 through 12 are invited to apply for Student Enrichment Grants of up to $500 to support opportunities such as leadership seminars, educational camps, community service projects, and more.

Recent Student Enrichment Grants have funded service projects, space camps, medical conferences, educational tours of Europe and Washington, D.C., and more.

What possibilities could grant funding open for you?

Applications are due by Oct. 30.

Three Maize USD 266 students were recently named National Merit Semifinalists! Congratulations to Maize High School senior Josiah Johnson and Maize South High School seniors Meenakshi Ghosh and Paige Kelly. They were among 27 Wichita-area students and nearly 150 Kansas students to earn the prestigious recognition.

These students competed against more than 1.2 million high school juniors across about 20,000 schools in the program by taking the 2025 PSAT/NMSQT exam. From that group, students with the highest scores in each state were named semifinalists, representing less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors. Congratulations to our students!

Congratulations to Maize South Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) teacher Jamie Cluff and Hope Learning Center elementary teacher Jessica Casale, who were both recently surprised with the news that they are Maize USD 266’s nominees for the Kansas Horizon Award!

The annual Kansas State Department of Education award recognizes and celebrates exemplary beginning teachers. We’re proud to celebrate these two outstanding members of our Maize Family!

Join a team that makes a meaningful difference every day in the lives of our students! These openings offer opportunities to build a career with Maize USD 266 while enjoying competitive pay, paid time off, benefits, and retirement options. Our current openings include:

• Paraeducator at Maize South High School
• Structured Learning Paraeducator at Maize South Elementary School
• Maintenance/Repairs

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Eagles-Mavericks high school football game at Maize High School on Friday, Sept. 18 and the middle school football game on Thursday, Sept. 17 at Maize South High School! Both were special nights celebrating our students and our #MaizeFamily. We loved seeing the school spirit, energy, and community camaraderie throughout both evenings. Thanks for making them memorable nights!

Our Maize South High School students spent Sept. 11 giving back to our community. Throughout the day, students made blankets for The Salvation Army South Central Kansas and HumanKind Ministries' Operation Holiday in collaboration with Wichita State University, volunteered at the Kansas Food Bank, and cleaned up community spaces at Rainbows United.

They spent time with residents at Cedarhurst of Wichita, the Oxford Grand Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Via Christi Ridge. Students also worked with elementary students and wrote messages for our first responders at the Maize Police Department, Sedgwick County Fire District 1, Sedgwick County EMS, and so much more.

We’re proud of the way our students showed up for others and made a difference in our community.

Looking for a rewarding part-time job? Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas is hiring staff members for morning and afternoon programs at Maize Central Elementary School, Maize Elementary School, Maize South Elementary School, Pray-Woodman Elementary School, and Maize Intermediate School. These flexible part-time positions are a great opportunity for anyone looking to make a positive impact in the lives of local youth while earning extra income. If you or someone you know is interested, click here to apply today!