April 2026 Maize Pulse

You may notice something new arriving in your mailbox soon, and it’s something we’re especially excited to share with you.

We’re bringing back The Messenger, Maize USD 266’s original printed magazine that was designed to tell the story of our schools and the people who make this district so special. The history of the Maize Messenger is decades old, and we are so excited to bring it back, as we want to connect with each valuable member of this community.

In a time when so much information comes quickly and digitally, there is still something meaningful about slowing down to reflect on the big picture and celebrate the moments that matter, including the work that shapes each school day. The Messenger gives us a way to share those stories in a format that we can hold onto, revisit, and share.

This magazine is one way we’re strengthening our connection with you, our families, and the entire Maize community. It’s a reflection of who we are, what we value, and where we’re headed together.

We can’t wait for you to see it!

Dr. Raquel Greer

Superintendent, Maize USD 266

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

May

• May 13: Maize High School graduation, 6:30 p.m. at Heartland Credit Union Arena, 8151 N. Arena Dr. in Park City
• May 14: Maize South High School graduation, 6:30 p.m. at Heartland Credit Union Arena, 8151 N. Arena Dr. in Park City
• May 21: End of Term 4, half day of school (Click here for the full schedule, including school-specific dismissal times.)
• May 22: No school, Teacher Work Day

As we wrap up our series of community feedback sessions related to our Facilities Steering Committee's work and priorities, we want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who attended and participated.

Our Facilities Steering Committee has been working since December 2024 to review data, tour schools, and develop long-range facility options. These three recent community sessions were an important opportunity to bring that work back to our Maize community and hear directly from students, staff members, and families.

We appreciate the time you took to attend, the thoughtful questions you asked, and the feedback you shared. Your voice is helping shape this work in meaningful ways as we continue to Build for the Future, an important component of our Lead Forward strategic plan.

Thank you for being an engaged partner in this process and for helping us move this work forward together.

District leaders also presented the update to the Superintendent Student Advisory Team of high school student leaders and to staff members in schools and departments across the district. Next, the committee plans to meet again later this month to review feedback and finalize plans for presentation to the Maize Board of Education in May.

Maize USD 266’s new Enrollment Center is under construction just east of the Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center in Maize. The new building is designed to provide adequate space to support enhanced family and community services, as well as expanded district Food Service operations. Construction is expected to be completed in Winter 2026.

For years, enrollment and Food Service functions have been housed at the Educational Outreach Center (EOC) at 201 S. Park Ave. in Maize, built in 1985. However, the aging facility no longer provides the space or environment needed to best serve our new families.

The new Enrollment Center will offer a larger, more welcoming, and more visible and accessible location where families can enroll their children, ask questions, and connect with enrollment office staff members in a supportive setting. The space will also allow for more appointments in private meeting areas, better meeting the needs of our families.

The new building also will house the district’s Food Service Department and include additional cold and dry storage space to support bulk purchasing, helping the district take advantage of cost-saving opportunities when buying food for school breakfasts and lunches. The center will also include four new meeting rooms, which will provide much-needed space for professional learning and meetings for all staff members.

When the new Enrollment Center opens, Maize Virtual Preparatory School employees currently housed at Maize South Middle School will be relocated to the EOC, freeing up space in the school and giving new purpose to the existing building.

The new Enrollment Center is funded through the district’s Capital Outlay Fund, designated only for equipment, property purchases, and facility improvements. It does not impact school or instructional budgets and reflects the district’s Lead Forward strategic plan priorities to Nurture a Cohesive Culture and Build for the Future through planned, responsible use of designated funds.

The new Enrollment Center reflects our commitment to serving families well, beginning with their very first interaction with our district and continuing throughout their child’s educational journey.

Please join us in congratulating Lisa Burgess as the new principal of Maize Middle School, effective July 1. She has 15 years of experience in education and has served as the school’s assistant principal since 2024. She has supported special education and student support services, family engagement, instructional leadership, building operations, and more. She will fill the position following current Principal Chad Cramer’s transition to become Maize USD 266’s Executive Director of Human Resources.

Her work history includes serving as the Newton USD 373 Santa Fe 5/6 Center Assistant Principal from 2021 to 2024, as well as experience in teaching and instructional leadership at Wichita USD 259 and Fort Larned USD 495. She earned her Masters from Fort Hays State University and her Bachelors of Science from Sterling College.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Brian Hutton as the new principal of Complete High School Maize, effective July 1. Dr. Hutton brings a wide range of leadership experience from public and private schools, as well as the nonprofit sector. He is a familiar face in Maize, having served as a science teacher and administrative intern at Maize South Middle School from 2008 to 2017. During that time, he also coached football, wrestling, soccer, and cross country at Maize South Middle School, Maize South High School, and Maize High School.

Most recently, he has served as Trinity Academy Academic Dean and High School Principal since 2023 and previously worked as Youth Horizons Vice President of Residential Programs and Employee Care from 2022 to 2023. His experience also includes five years as an administrator at Wichita South High School in Wichita USD 259 and one year teaching science at Valley Center High School.

Dr. Hutton holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Baker University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Wichita State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Kansas State University.

He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the McAdams Academy and has supported the community through his involvement with Urban Preparatory Academy.

Our Maize Board of Education will have its annual meeting with the City of Maize at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 27 and its next regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 11. Both meetings will be 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.

On April 13, 2026, the Maize Board of Education unanimously voted that Maize USD 266 will not offer open seats to nonresident students for the 2026-27 school year. Current class sizes district-wide, combined with expected enrollment growth, mean most grade levels are already at or near their ideal capacity. As a result, the district is not able to accommodate nonresident students for the upcoming school year.

Maintaining optimal student-teacher ratios and ensuring sufficient physical space are essential to both student success and responsible fiscal management. These spaces include classrooms, hallways, commons areas, dining spaces, playgrounds, parking, and offices. In alignment with our commitment to instructional quality and efficient use of resources, the district cannot enroll students who reside outside district boundaries. A state law requires school districts to publicly share this information.

Congratulations to Maize High School and Maize South High School on being named 2026 All Star High Schools. This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to supporting students as they plan for life after graduation. Our staff members work alongside our students to explore college and career options, complete applications, and take important next steps toward their future goals.

Apply Kansas is a statewide initiative that helps students navigate the college application process with support from school staff members, community members, and postsecondary partners. Both schools will be recognized at a Kansas Board of Regents meeting on May 20, 2026.

Congratulations to Maize High School student Ayva Frizzell on being named the Military Youth of the Year for both McConnell Air Force Base and the state of Kansas, a prestigious honor recognizing her leadership, character, and dedication.

The Military Youth of the Year program honors outstanding military-connected students who demonstrate resilience, academic success, and a commitment to service. Ayva earned this recognition through a competitive process that included essays, recommendations, community service, and public speaking.

Ayva’s journey reflects the resilience shared by many military-connected students. Click the link below to read more about her story.

Congratulations to our Kansas Governor's Scholars! The Governor's Scholars program honors the top academic 1 percent of Kansas high school seniors. Scholars are selected from accredited public and private schools in the state.

Congratulations to Maize High School senior Shannon Jones on being named a recipient of the Timothy P. O'Shaughnessy Foundation Lifelong Learning Scholarship, a $40,000 award. The scholarship recognizes dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Congratulations to student musicians selected to perform in the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) All-State Band and Orchestra, an honor that places them among the very best musicians in the state! After first earning a spot in the South Central KMEA District Honor ensembles, they advanced through a second, highly competitive round of auditions against hundreds of students statewide.

Our state championship-winning Eagle and Maverick wrestlers were recognized during the April Maize Board of Education meeting. Congratulations to them!

The Maize High School boys wrestling team won the 6A State Championship and set the state record for points (237). The team is coached by Tyler Gonzales. Congratulations to all team members: Reese DeMoss, Tony Guebara, Josiah Johnson, Everett Joyce, Reid Joyce, Atticus Marcenaro, Baron Rosas, Vincent Rosas, Zach Siatka, Cooper Smith, Talon Verbeck, and Tucker Verbeck. They are pictured with Maize Board of Education President Andrew Johnson and member Melanie Smarsh.

Congratulations to Maize High School debate coach and teacher Curtis Shephard, who recently earned his fourth diamond award from the National Speech and Debate Association. He has accumulated more than 90,000 points from his students' speech and debate presentations, competitions, and service. The awards reflect excellence and longevity in the activity. He will be recognized at the 2026 National Speech and Debate Tournament. Click the link below to learn more.

Congratulations to Maize South High School sophomore Rylin Dehncke on earning first place in the Sedgwick County “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest. The Sedgwick County Election Office hosts this annual contest for students in grades 6-12, inviting them to design a nonpartisan sticker that represents voting and civic engagement in our community. Sedgwick County voters will be able to wear Rylin’s design to show they voted during the 2026 primary and general elections. Click the link below to read more.

The Maize Education Foundation is seeking volunteers for the 2026-27 school year! There are several ways to get involved, and each one plays a valuable role in our mission to enhance excellence in education for Maize students.

• Serve on a committee: Maize Education Foundation committee members support events, programs, and fundraising by offering expertise and hands-on execution.
• Volunteer at an event: Our annual events each require a unique set of volunteers. From setting up supplies to managing day-of logistics, our volunteers make sure our fundraisers are perfect for our attendees.
• Review applications: The Maize Education Foundation provides scholarships and Student Enrichment Grants for students and Challenge Grants for educators. Each of these programs involves an application that volunteer reviewers score and provide feedback on. This is a great way to learn what projects our students and educators are passionate about.

Interested? Please contact Director of Community Relations and Maize Education Foundation Emi Kniffin Simmons at esimmons@usd266.com or click here to fill out our Volunteer Interest Form.

• Become a Maize USD 266 teacher for the 2026-27 school year! Maize has a lot to offer teachers new to the district and those new to the profession. All new teachers are matched with a qualified mentor, and both the mentor and mentee are supported by our team of Student Support Specialists and Instructional Coaches. New teachers also participate in eight half-day professional development opportunities throughout the school year.

• We are seeking summer workers to help spruce up our district: You can apply now for several open summer positions. Positions pay $12 per hour, and applicants must be at least 16 years old. Positions include Bus Cleaning, Paint Crew, Grounds Crew, and Custodial Aide.

• We’re hiring HVAC technicians to join our #MaizeFamily! This is a full-time, 12-month position helping keep our buildings running efficiently and comfortably for students and staff members.

Apply for these positions and others now at usd266.com/careers.

First-grade students from our five elementary schools visited our Maize Career Academy recently to explore careers in culinary arts, construction, welding, nursing, law enforcement, and fire science. Students had hands-on fun discovering different career opportunities.

Students at Maize South Elementary School in March explored more than 40 different career opportunities during Career Day. Thank you to the community members who volunteered their time to help make this experience possible for our students!