WWW.ABILENESCHOOLS.ORG ABILENE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT CULTIVATING CHARACTER AND CAREER READINESS IN EISENHOWER’S HOMETOWN
ABILENE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AT A GLANCE ABILENE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WHAT: A Kansas district combining presidential heritage with innovative career-tech programs, early learning coalitions, and character development initiatives WHERE: Abilene, Dickinson County, Kansas WEBSITE: www.abileneschools.org A KANSAS SCHOOL DISTRICT BLENDING PRESIDENT COMMUNITY-ROOTED VALUES TO DEVELOP WELL-RO CULTIVATING CHARAC READINESS IN EISENH 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
TIAL LEGACY, PROGRESSIVE CTE PATHWAYS, AND OUNDED LEADERS FOR THE MODERN ECONOMY The Abilene Unified School District (AUSD) in Abilene, Kansas, stands as a model of progressive education, blending academic excellence with strong character development. Rooted in community-driven values, the district emphasizes integrity, accountability, and perseverance, traits inspired in part by its most famous alumnus, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. From early learning initiatives to career-ready programs,AUSD prepares students for a rapidly evolving world while honoring its legacy of excellence. CORE VALUES AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT At the heart of AUSD’s mission lies a commitment to building not just scholars, CTER AND CAREER HOWER’S HOMETOWN 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
but citizens of character. “Our five core values are integrity, accountability, cooperation, respect, and perseverance,” says Brown, noting how these principles shape students into well-rounded leaders. “We set up a booth at the county fair and collected character traits that most people felt were valuable among young adults,” notes Brown on using direct community input to help shape the district’s core values.“The district wanted to ensure that we were helping our kiddos be the kinds of young people as new graduates that we would all be proud of,” he adds. To reinforce these values,AUSD invested strategically in the Boys Town Social Skills Program, allocating $250,000 in COVID relief funds to train staff and students in positive behavior reinforcement. “We spent a good amount of time working on character development,” Brown says. “When the COVID money came out I made it very clear that we were not terribly interested in building statues, that we should use this money to do some things that might have otherwise been difficult to do that would have an impact on teaching and learning for years to come,” he adds. The program extends district-wide, with administrators certified as trainers to ensure consistency from classrooms to school buses. Holistic support systems further strengthen this focus. Every building has dedicated counselors, while initiatives like “mindful minutes” and Boys Town’s evidence-based techniques help students navigate social and emotional challenges. We make sure that all of our students and all of our employees, bus drivers and everybody is trained on how to encourage the right kinds of behaviors among kids,” Brown emphasizes. This comprehensive approach ensures that character development isn’t just taught but lived, preparing students to lead with the same values that defined Eisenhower’s legacy. EARLY LEARNING INITIATIVES Recognizing that strong foundations begin early, AUSD has made significant investments in its youngest learners. The district has expanded its preschool program from two to four classrooms for four-year-olds in response to growing community demand.“We implemented preschool in the district during Mr. Brown’s first year, which would be six years ago” explains Assistant Superintendent Dana Sprinkle. “We know the demand is there within our community.” A key driver of this success is the district’s Early Education Coalition, which brings together diverse stakeholders to create a seamless support system. “We implemented an early education coalition that brought together service providers across the district,” Sprinkle says. This network includes preschools, childcare centers, Parents as Teachers 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 ABILENE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
zoo with animals from local ranchers. With 20-25 providers participating annually, the fair exemplifies Abilene’s commitment to removing barriers and building connections from a child’s earliest years. TECHNOLOGY AND STEM INTEGRATION AUSD takes a thoughtful approach to technology, balancing digital tools with developmental needs. While a one-to-one iPad district, administrators have made a conscious decision to limit screen time for younger students. “For those earliest learners from preschool through first grade, we are going to step away from having that screen time and having those devices in their hands during the school day,” explains Sprinkle. This shift reflects recent research about fostering better self-regulation in early learners. For older students, technology serves as a springboard for innovation. The district’s “We Build It Better” program, a pre-engineering curriculum for middle schoolers, completed its successful first year. “Our school board is very supportive of being progressive with our thinking and helping kids prepare for the future,” notes Brown. The district has also expanded its media production pathway, giving students real-world experience in graphic design and broadcasting. “It’s pretty impressive, some of the work that’s being done throughout our district, really, six through twelve,” Brown says, describing how students now produce content for school events. A recent staffing change created new opportunities, with Sprinkle noting,“we wanted to just go a slightly different direction, have opportunities for traditional art classes, but then also start building in that graphic design component into the middle school setting.” These programs don’t just teach technical skills, they cultivate the problem-solving abilities students need in an evolving digital landscape. CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AUSD offers students 13 distinct CTE pathways that blend classroom learning with real-world application, recognized at graduation with special cover cords for program completers. From Future Farmers of programs, and special education services through OCCK. The collaborative approach ensures families can access the right resources at the right time. One of the coalition’s most impactful events is the annual Early Education Fair, which transforms school engagement into a community celebration. “We host an early education fair that brings in all those providers across the county,” Sprinkle notes. The event connects families with essential services like dental care and health screenings while making learning fun, with the most recent featuring a petting 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
SERVICES WE OFFER Dietitian Outpatient Services Radiology & Imaging Services Respiratory Care Cardiac Rehab & Sleep Studies Skilled Care Program Memorial Hospital Surgical Services Enhance he Heal h and Wel nes f Al Memorial Health System af liates are Memorial Hospital, Village Manor, Heartland Health Care Clinic, MHS Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County, Impact Sports and Fitness, and Frontier Estates. MHS is governed by a locally elected ve-member Board of Directors. Memorial's efforts to provide quality care are supported by funds gifted to Memorial Health Foundation by community members. CONTACT US Memorial Health System, 511 NE 10th Street, Abilene, KS 67410 www.caringforyou.org 785-263-2100
Memorial Health System (MHS) believes that preparing future generations begins long before they enter the workforce. That’s why our involvement with USD 435, especially Abilene High School (AHS), is focused on creating real opportunities for students to explore, learn, and lead. In healthcare education, we’ve taken an active role in supporting the Health Science Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway. MHS Athletic Trainer from our Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Department, teaches within the program. MHS helped bring HOSA (Future Health Professionals) to AHS by sponsoring its launch in partnership with the Kansas Hospital Association’s Healthworks program. HOSA gives students hands-on exposure to healthcare careers through competitions, workshops, and leadership training. Our Volunteer Services team facilitates a semester-long senior observation program, where students from Abilene can rotate through hospital departments during their school day. Volunteers also raise scholarship funds each year to support Dickinson County seniors who plan to enter health fields. Beyond high school, we support early education as well.At Kennedy Elementary Early Childhood Resource Fair, our Heartland Health Care Clinic (HHCC) staff created a hands-on “doctor for a day” experience, encouraging children to explore medical tools and basic care practices through role-play. HHCC and USD 435 partner to host a fast-paced but efficient annual sports physical night. Students receive low-cost exams on-site, helping families meet school requirements while reinforcing the value of preventive care. Our engagement doesn’t stop with the classroom. MHS is a dedicated member of the CARES Coalition, a county-wide team of leaders working to make family resources more visible and accessible. The coalition meets at the USD 435 building and includes representatives from education, healthcare, government, and other local organizations. MHS played a leading role in developing the county’s online resource website: caresresources.org. We also invest in the business side of education. Serving on the AHS Business Pathway Advisory Board and judging at state FBLA competitions, and supporting student growth with the Dickinson County CEO Program. These connections help bridge classroom learning with professional environments. MHS sponsors key school activities, including scoreboards at the AHS football stadium and in the middle and high school gyms, after after-prom events, and school booster clubs. Through each of these efforts, MHS seeks to support students where they are, whether that’s in a classroom, at an event, or preparing for their next step. Our goal isn’t just workforce development. It’s about collaboration, access, and building a stronger, more connected community, and this starts with its youngest members. Memorial Health System is honored to walk alongside USD 435, growing not only future healthcare workers, but also informed, engaged citizens who will shape the future of Dickinson County. – Memorial Health System
America (FFA) to the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), these programs provide tangible career foundations.“We have kids go to the national conference every year,” notes Brown, highlighting the competitive opportunities available.“The programs themselves have their own fundraising activities, the community supports them really well, and it’s a fascinating set of experiences for our older kiddos,” he adds. The district’s CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program stands out as Kansas’s only such initiative. Students develop full business plans while connecting with local mentors. “The kiddos actually work on a business plan and establish some kind of personal business,” Brown explains. “One of the driving factors for the program is to try to encourage kiddos to develop a business that they could perhaps come back to their home communities and continue.” Board President Chris West emphasizes the professional rigor, adding, “they have to dress professionally... and learn to look eye to eye with business owners in town when they meet with them.” A newer addition is the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program.“This will be another opportunity for young people to be a little bit more focused on their future than sometimes what typical school tends to do,” notes Brown. These CTE initiatives share a common thread of transforming classroom knowledge into professional competence. As West observes, students gain exposure to diverse business models, from “an office job or a t-shirt graphic design job,” preparing them for multiple career trajectories. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE AUSD’s commitment to excellence extends to its physical spaces, with strategic investments transforming learning environments. The 2014 bond projects set a strong foundation, funding a new elementary school and a remarkable auditorium.“The cost of the auditorium to build surpassed the cost of building the elementary school from the ground up,” 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 ABILENE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
ABILENE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARTNERED WITH MMTH TO FORM A LASTING LEGACY MMTH is a team of sports specialists committed to helping everyone experience a better world through sports. Headquartered in Meriden, Kansas, MMTH’s vertically integrated model allows them to serve athletic departments of any size with excellence. Their work spans the country—from high schools to professional teams—and includes offices in Kansas City, MO; Sioux Falls, SD; Scottsdale, AZ; and Clearwater, FL. Learn more at MMTH.co ABOUT MMTH When Abilene Public Schools passed a bond to rebuild their K-12 stadium, the school board searched for a partner that put intentionality behind every design detail. They found that partner in MMTH. MMTH’s mission is to build the places where passion and community collide. The design-build company works with colleges and professional teams in every corner of the country, but some of their favorite projects are for high schools and small towns. That’s where close-knit communities thrive. Abilene Public Schools partnered with MMTH for the redesign, demo, construction and completion of Cowboys Stadium. The project included a full conversion of the varsity football field, a new track, new stadium bleachers, facility concrete and grand entrance, video scoreboard, LED lights, and two-story multi-use building. As Kyle Becker, School Board President during the building of the project, put it: “We had the worst stadium in all of 4A. Now, I’d put it up against anybody.” A field is a school’s largest classroom, building the next generation of leaders. It’s where students, fans, and communities come together to make memories. It’s an investment in a school’s future that leaves a lasting impact felt for decades. X
Brown notes, underscoring the community’s support for arts education. Career-tech education received a significant boost through a $1.5 million vocational building renovation.“I remember one of the board members saying, you know, we have gone the extra mile to make the high school a really special place and have it be a facility that the kids would be proud of and we want to have that same kind of pride in our vocational education building,” notes Brown of the board’s vision. The project modernized spaces for programs like carpentry and welding without additional debt. The stadium renovation exemplifies the district’s perseverance. “We spent $5.2 million on a facility that’s worth over $10 million now,” Brown says, despite pandemic-era challenges that quadrupled some change order costs. Looking ahead, a comprehensive deferred maintenance plan ensures sustainability through 2042, addressing HVAC, roofing, and the stadium’s artificial turf replacement cycle. “We’ve been pretty intentional about building a deferred maintenance program,” Brown explains, demonstrating fiscal responsibility while maintaining facilities that match the district’s educational ambitions. VISION FOR THE FUTURE AUSD continues building momentum through strategic investments in its educators and instructional practices. “We really encourage a lot of collaboration with our teachers, and we’re developing teachers on the fly, really,” says Brown, 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 ABILENE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Memorial Health System www.caringforyou.org Memorial Health System in Abilene, KS is a 25-bed critical access hospital providing lab, imaging, rehab, emergency services, and more. Our affiliates include a rural health clinic, longterm care, home health and hospice, a fitness center, HUD senior housing, and a variety of visiting specialists. We enhance the health and wellness of all. n Mammoth Sports Construction, L.L.C www.mammothbuilt.com noting efforts to encourage professional growth through advanced degrees in curriculum and instruction. These investments yield measurable results, with Sprinkles noting that “graduation rates that are increasing very significantly over the last five to six year time frame.” “We need to remember why we’re here, and we really want to make sure that we’re doing a great job educating our kids, and I think we have,” reflects Brown.“We’ve been very focused on making sure that we’re kept up to speed with the latest research on teaching and learning, and also how the brain works.” The district maintains its forward focus through strong community ties. Ongoing partnerships with local businesses and organizations ensure programs remain responsive to workforce needs while providing students with real-world opportunities. As Sprinkle observes, “there’s still more work to do,” but the foundation for sustained excellence is firmly established. FORGING TOMORROW’S LEADERS THROUGH TRADITION AND INNOVATION AUSD exemplifies how progressive education and timeless values can work in harmony. The district’s commitment to excellence, embodied in its mission of “holding leaders for today and tomorrow,” continues to be shaped by President Eisenhower’s legacy. As Brown reflects, “it’s really fascinating that a small community of only 6,000 can have the number of graduates that we’ve had that have been connected worldwide.” By blending innovative programs with enduring principles of character, AUSD prepares students to navigate a changing economy while remaining grounded in the values that built its reputation, proving that great leadership begins in the classroom. 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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