The Ellis School Board needs you! There are four open positions to fill in the November 2025 election, but no candidates filed to be on the ballot. To learn more about the opportunity, please chat with a board member or contact the district office for information.
Happy Summer! I hope you had a great time celebrating Independence Day. I always enjoy the chance to gather with loved ones, share delicious treats and celebrate the birth of our great nation.
Have you subscribed to the Rail Report? It’s a new way to connect, celebrate and communicate with our school community and with alumni near and far. And it’s free! We are partnering with the Alumni Association to share exciting news and quarterly updates from across our school district. Visit our Facebook page to find a link to subscribe.
In addition to summer fun, this is also budget season. As I’ve shared before, our operating expenses are on the rise, while the dollars we receive are tied to the number of students who are enrolled in our schools. This year, we have the benefit of a new strategic plan to guide the budgeting process and align our limited dollars with our district’s goals:
• Communications & Community Engagement
• Facilities & Infrastructure
• Student Development & Engagement
• Staff & Financial Sustainability
This effort would not be possible without the outstanding input we collected from our staff, families and community last winter. Thank you to each and every person who played a role in this collaborative process. If you ever have questions about our budgeting process or the strategic plan goals, I hope you’ll reach out to a school board member or contact me any time.
With our district goals in mind, we’ve also begun to seriously explore what it will take to build a new track for Ellis High School. A new track will not only make it possible to host small and large meets; it will also create valuable opportunities for our students. The truth of the matter is this: We have a state champion track team, and we haven’t even had the chance to cheer them on at a home competition.
Repairing our current facility would be an unwise investment at this point, due to the potential for flooding, as well as the need for a standard oval track. Our local community has made it clear that this important project will need to be funded through private donations, rather than a bond or regular school district funding at this time. Here are three ways you can help us invest in our students and community:
• Please consider a donation to invest in our students’ opportunities and help local businesses benefit when we are able to host track meets in Ellis.
• Help us spread the word to others about the opportunity to financially support this project.
• If you have ideas please contact district office at 785-726-4281 or contact Janice Wilson at jwilson@usd388.com.
For more information about our efforts to build a new EHS track, please watch for planning committee updates coming soon.
Last but not least, back-to-school season is right around the corner! You can find helpful resources on our website at www.usd388.com/page/back-to-school. And be sure to get these key dates on your family calendar:
• Monday, July 28: Registration opens online for new and returning students
• Monday, Aug. 11: Fee payment begins in person at your child’s school
• Monday, Aug. 18: Fall practice begins
• Thursday, Aug. 21: First day of school
I want to wish all of our students, families and staff a wonderful remainder of summer break. We are already getting excited to welcome you back for a new school year!
Janice Wilson
Superintendent