🍎📓 USD 480 Educator of the Month | April 2026 ✏️🍎
🎉 Ms. Nicole Hougard 👏
📚 3rd Grade | Sunflower Elementary School 📗
“Nicole serves as a Leader in Me Student Lighthouse Coordinator and Leadership Group Leader, demonstrating her commitment to student leadership and growth. She has also been a dedicated building mentor for many years, supporting both new and veteran teachers. In addition, Nicole extends her expertise beyond our building by mentoring staff across the district, as she is one of the few educators with the professional license and experience required for reading specialists.
Nicole is a constant presence at Sunflower Elementary events, attending nearly every after-school activity, even beyond her contractual obligations. Her dedication to students extends well beyond the classroom, as she can often be found supporting former students at USD 480 choir concerts, sporting events, and academic competitions.
Nicole's peers describe her as an educator who is committed to the success of all staff, not just those within her grade level. She maintains high expectations for students and intentionally teaches them how to meet those expectations by modeling excellence and maximizing every learning opportunity. Nicole is continually focused on improving student outcomes while also supporting the growth and success of her colleagues. From an administrative perspective, Nicole is a trusted and valued leader. She is someone we consistently seek out for guidance, knowing her insight is thoughtful, practical, and impactful. She is highly organized, well-prepared, and always willing to support students, staff, and administration in any capacity. Most importantly, Nicole embodies the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People in both her professional and personal interactions. She exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator and role model, someone we all strive to emulate.” - Mrs. Ashley Lehnert, Sunflower Principal
🎉 Ms. Nicole Hougard 👏
📚 3rd Grade | Sunflower Elementary School 📗
“Nicole serves as a Leader in Me Student Lighthouse Coordinator and Leadership Group Leader, demonstrating her commitment to student leadership and growth. She has also been a dedicated building mentor for many years, supporting both new and veteran teachers. In addition, Nicole extends her expertise beyond our building by mentoring staff across the district, as she is one of the few educators with the professional license and experience required for reading specialists.
Nicole is a constant presence at Sunflower Elementary events, attending nearly every after-school activity, even beyond her contractual obligations. Her dedication to students extends well beyond the classroom, as she can often be found supporting former students at USD 480 choir concerts, sporting events, and academic competitions.
Nicole's peers describe her as an educator who is committed to the success of all staff, not just those within her grade level. She maintains high expectations for students and intentionally teaches them how to meet those expectations by modeling excellence and maximizing every learning opportunity. Nicole is continually focused on improving student outcomes while also supporting the growth and success of her colleagues. From an administrative perspective, Nicole is a trusted and valued leader. She is someone we consistently seek out for guidance, knowing her insight is thoughtful, practical, and impactful. She is highly organized, well-prepared, and always willing to support students, staff, and administration in any capacity. Most importantly, Nicole embodies the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People in both her professional and personal interactions. She exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator and role model, someone we all strive to emulate.” - Mrs. Ashley Lehnert, Sunflower Principal
USD 480 Board of Education Meeting - 5/4/2026 - 6:30 PM - LHS East Annex - Room C107
2.5 Approval of Minutes 4-20-2026, Passed 7-0
2.6 Approval of Agenda, Passed 7-0
3.1 Approval of Consent Agenda, Passed 6-0
Lopez Left Meeting at 7:14 PM
4.1 Monthly Bills, Passed 6-0
5.1 Diligent (BoardDocs) Renewal, Passed 6-0
5.2 CFC Response, Passed 6-0
5.3 Tuition Amendments, Passed 5-0, Baeza Abstains
5.4 Registered Teacher Apprentice, Passed 6-0
5.5 ESOL Endorsement Tuition Payment Agreement, Passed 6-0
5.6 General Stock and Art Supply Bid, Passed 6-0
5.7 Dual Language Curriculum for PVE, Passed 6-0
5.8 Danielson Teacher Evaluation Framework Upgrade, Passed 6-0
5.9 Amplify Professional Development, Passed 6-0
5.10 Teacher of Deaf/Hard Hearing, Passed 6-0
5.11 Speech Language Pathologist, Passed 6-0
5.12 Special Education Instructional Coach, Passed 6-0
5.14 Cultivate Education, Passed 6-0
5.15 Teaching Channel + Subscription, Passed 6-0
5.16 Relay Education MOU, Passed 6-0
7.1 Executive Session, Passed 7-0
7.2 Seed Program, Passed 7-0
7.3 Executive Session, Passed 6-0
Lopez rejoined at 8:28 PM
8.1 Adjournment 9:30 PM Passed 7-0
2.5 Approval of Minutes 4-20-2026, Passed 7-0
2.6 Approval of Agenda, Passed 7-0
3.1 Approval of Consent Agenda, Passed 6-0
Lopez Left Meeting at 7:14 PM
4.1 Monthly Bills, Passed 6-0
5.1 Diligent (BoardDocs) Renewal, Passed 6-0
5.2 CFC Response, Passed 6-0
5.3 Tuition Amendments, Passed 5-0, Baeza Abstains
5.4 Registered Teacher Apprentice, Passed 6-0
5.5 ESOL Endorsement Tuition Payment Agreement, Passed 6-0
5.6 General Stock and Art Supply Bid, Passed 6-0
5.7 Dual Language Curriculum for PVE, Passed 6-0
5.8 Danielson Teacher Evaluation Framework Upgrade, Passed 6-0
5.9 Amplify Professional Development, Passed 6-0
5.10 Teacher of Deaf/Hard Hearing, Passed 6-0
5.11 Speech Language Pathologist, Passed 6-0
5.12 Special Education Instructional Coach, Passed 6-0
5.14 Cultivate Education, Passed 6-0
5.15 Teaching Channel + Subscription, Passed 6-0
5.16 Relay Education MOU, Passed 6-0
7.1 Executive Session, Passed 7-0
7.2 Seed Program, Passed 7-0
7.3 Executive Session, Passed 6-0
Lopez rejoined at 8:28 PM
8.1 Adjournment 9:30 PM Passed 7-0
Senior Chromebook check-ins will be every day this week from 8 AM to 4 PM at the USD 480 Tech office located at the McKinley Building (615 W. 7th). Please use Door 5. If the door is locked, press the buzzer for entry. This is for LHS seniors ONLY.
There will be a regularly scheduled USD 480 Board of Education meeting today at 6:30 PM in room C107 at LHS East Campus. Prior to the meeting there will be a Board Workshop at 5:15 PM. View agenda here: https://tinyurl.com/USD480BOE
This Week at USD 480 - Week of May 4, 2026
HAPPY PRINCIPAL APPRECIATION DAY! We appreciate our principals so very much! They do so many things and wear so many hats throughout the school year and during the summers to make sure our schools are providing the best possible education for our students; as well as, taking care of their building staff. Our appreciation is beyond words and goes well beyond a single day. Thank you, USD 480 Principals, for all you do as the faces of your buildings and the enormous role you play behind the scenes! Join us in celebrating our nine day-saving, do-it-all, downright amazing principals!
Yesterday evening, the Annual Liberal Chamber of Commerce Academic Awards Banquet once again reminded us of what a generous and supporting community we are a part of! Members of the Liberal High School Class of 2026 were award over $150,000 in scholarships from local businesses, groups, and organizations to help them flourish and grow in their endeavors after graduation. We are so thankful for all of the local groups, organizations, and businesses that continuously support our students during and after their time at USD 480. We want to specifically thank the Liberal Chamber of Commerce for putting on this event every year and all the other countless things they do to support our district and the Liberal community throughout the year! Thank you, Liberal!!!
The Annual USD 480 Bike Rodeo is this Saturday at Sunflower Elementary (310 W. Pine St.) from 10 AM until noon! Everyone is welcome to stop by and get their bike tuned up and some safety training before Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 6th! We will see you all there!
The USD 480 Newcomers Center will be open until 6:30 PM this evening to help with pre-enrollment. If you are needing help, access to the internet, or translation please stop by at your convenience at 615 W. 7th.
This Week at USD 480 - Week of April 27, 2026
The Prairie View Dual Language Lottery MANDATORY meeting will be Thursday, May 7 at 8 AM or 6 PM! This year, Prairie View parents will also be required to attend one of the meetings if they would like their kindergartener to be considered for the dual language program.
We would like to congratulate the nine Liberal High School seniors who were named KSDE CTE Scholars!
2026 LHS Kansas CTE Scholars
Ariana Tarango - Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Sofia Lucena - Biotechnology
Alexis Ugalde - Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Klaire Anderson - Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Tanner Denoyer - Engineering and Applied Mathematics
Alexis Luna - Health Science
Gavin Campfield - Health Science
Aaliyah Morales - Teaching/Training
Aleeah Garibay - Teaching/Training
The Kansas CTE Scholar program is an opportunity to recognize well-rounded, outstanding CTE students who are finishing their senior year of high school.
To be named a CTE Scholar, a student must be a high school senior and meet the following criteria:
* Have completed (or upon successful completion of current course enrollment) a minimum of three CTE credits with at least two of the three credits above introductory level. Earned credits must be in one pathway.
* Have a CTE grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better in CTE coursework.
* Be involved in civic engagement leadership, which refers to a student selecting an issue of concern and providing leadership through project-based actions to improve the community, state or nation; or have a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer experience. A letter of validation is required for civic engagement leadership, and documentation of 40 hours with an adult signature is required for community service.
A minimum of one of the following technical skill attainment options must be earned and verified:
* Earned an end of pathway (aligned with pathway selected) assessment/certification for completer status (industry- recognized certification or a passing score on a third-party, end-of- pathway assessment) recorded on the K-PAC (Kansas Pathway Assessments, Credentials or Certifications) columns eight (8) and nine (9).
* Earned an Excel in CTE Qualifying Recognized Credential aligned to the Pathway selected.
* Earned nine (9) + college hours leading to completion of a certificate, or post-secondary program aligned to the Pathway's Program of Study that was selected.
* Completed a high-quality work-based learning career preparation experience, Kansas Work-Based Learning Continuum, in the Pathway selected defined in Kansas Work-Based Learning: Personalized Learning Plan Guidance Document.
CTE scholars receive a commemorative pin, special certificate, graduation honor cord and statewide recognition.
2026 LHS Kansas CTE Scholars
Ariana Tarango - Animal Science, Health and Related Industries
Sofia Lucena - Biotechnology
Alexis Ugalde - Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Klaire Anderson - Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Tanner Denoyer - Engineering and Applied Mathematics
Alexis Luna - Health Science
Gavin Campfield - Health Science
Aaliyah Morales - Teaching/Training
Aleeah Garibay - Teaching/Training
The Kansas CTE Scholar program is an opportunity to recognize well-rounded, outstanding CTE students who are finishing their senior year of high school.
To be named a CTE Scholar, a student must be a high school senior and meet the following criteria:
* Have completed (or upon successful completion of current course enrollment) a minimum of three CTE credits with at least two of the three credits above introductory level. Earned credits must be in one pathway.
* Have a CTE grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better in CTE coursework.
* Be involved in civic engagement leadership, which refers to a student selecting an issue of concern and providing leadership through project-based actions to improve the community, state or nation; or have a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer experience. A letter of validation is required for civic engagement leadership, and documentation of 40 hours with an adult signature is required for community service.
A minimum of one of the following technical skill attainment options must be earned and verified:
* Earned an end of pathway (aligned with pathway selected) assessment/certification for completer status (industry- recognized certification or a passing score on a third-party, end-of- pathway assessment) recorded on the K-PAC (Kansas Pathway Assessments, Credentials or Certifications) columns eight (8) and nine (9).
* Earned an Excel in CTE Qualifying Recognized Credential aligned to the Pathway selected.
* Earned nine (9) + college hours leading to completion of a certificate, or post-secondary program aligned to the Pathway's Program of Study that was selected.
* Completed a high-quality work-based learning career preparation experience, Kansas Work-Based Learning Continuum, in the Pathway selected defined in Kansas Work-Based Learning: Personalized Learning Plan Guidance Document.
CTE scholars receive a commemorative pin, special certificate, graduation honor cord and statewide recognition.
If you are needing help with pre-enrollment or need access to the internet or a translator, the USD 480 Newcomers Center will be open until 6:30 PM on Monday, April 27th and April 28th to help! Pre-enrollment is open to all CURRENT USD 480 students Pre-K through 11th grade. The USD 480 Newcomers Center is located at 615 W. 7th. If you have any questions before stopping by, they can be reached at 604-1620 or 604-1621.
USD 480 Board of Education Meeting - 4/20/2026 - 6:30 PM - LHS East Annex - Room C107
1.5 Approval of Minutes 4-6-2026, Passed 7-0
1.6 Approval of Agenda, Passed 7-0
3.1 Approval of Consent Agenda, Passed 7-0
4.1 Foreign Language - French Textbook Adoption, Passed 7-0
4.2 Foreign Language - Spanish Textbook Extension, Passed 7-0
4.3 Tyler Technologies Renewal, Passed 7-0
4.4 Bright Start Flooring Replacement, Passed 7-0
4.5 LHS and SRMS Track Resurfacing, Passed 7-0
4.6 Copy Paper, Passed 7-0
4.7 New Teacher Bonus Agreement, Passed 7-0
4.8 Teaching Tuition Amendment, Passed 7-0
4.9 Non- Resident Enrollment Caps, Passed 7-0
4.10 USD480 Seed Support Agreement, Dies for a lack of second
6.1 Executive Session, Passed 7-0
6.2 Liquidated Damages, Passed 7-0
6.3 Liquidated Damages, Passed 7-0
6.4 Emergency Leave Request, Passed 7-0
6.5 Executive Session, Passed 7-0
6.6 Executive Session, Passed 7-0
6.7 Executive Session, Passed 7-0
7.1 Adjournment 9:35 p.m. Passed 7-0
There will be a regularly scheduled USD 480 Board of Education meeting today at 6:30 PM in room C107 at LHS East Campus. View agenda here: https://tinyurl.com/USD480BOE
This Week at USD 480 - Week of April 20, 2026
Congratulations to Eisenhower Middle School Band Instructor, Mr. Josiah Smiddy, on being named a KSDE Region 1 Kansas Secondary Teacher of the Year semi-finalists!
USD 480 2026-2027 Pre-enrollment begins on Monday, April 20th!
Find all the information and important links here:
English: https://www.usd480.net/article/2829370
Español: https://www.usd480.net/article/2829358
Congratulations to the five Liberal High School Class of 2026 student-athletes who signed their letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the colleges of their choice today in The Big House. Today's signees were:
Klaire Anderson - K-State Cheer📣
Ilani Tarango - Dodge City Community College Cheer 📣
Jazlin Marquez - Seward County Community College Soccer ⚽️
Jenavee Zuniga - Seward County Community College Soccer ⚽️
Diego Pavia - Fort Hays Tech Track and Field 🏟️
Klaire Anderson - K-State Cheer📣
Ilani Tarango - Dodge City Community College Cheer 📣
Jazlin Marquez - Seward County Community College Soccer ⚽️
Jenavee Zuniga - Seward County Community College Soccer ⚽️
Diego Pavia - Fort Hays Tech Track and Field 🏟️
USD 480 Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-2027 school year begins on Monday, April 20th at the USD480 Newcomers Center in the McKinley Building! If your child is currently attending Bright Start, they are already registered for kindergarten at USD 480!
