Buhler USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman said the event, titled All Hands on Deck, was a collaborative effort involving representatives from every school district in the county.
The day featured a keynote from national education speaker Kim Bearden of the Ron Clark Academy, who addressed how educators—and leaders at every level—can better navigate emotional or difficult conversations.
Couchman said Bearden emphasized four key principles: giving people full attention, listening for underlying motivation, expressing appreciation, and validating emotions so everyone leaves the conversation with dignity intact.
She said the message applies far beyond the classroom, whether dealing with parents, colleagues, students, or even family members.
In addition to professional development, Couchman reflected on a fast-moving grass fire near Plum Creek just before winter break that led to a precautionary evacuation of the school.
While the building itself was never directly threatened, rapidly changing conditions and road closures raised concerns that parents may not be able to reach their children.
District leaders quickly placed bus drivers on standby, and when additional roads began closing, the decision was made to evacuate. Within an hour, nearly 475 students and staff were safely transported to a nearby church and reunited with families.
Couchman praised school staff, bus drivers, emergency responders, and local churches for their coordination and calm response, noting that the incident provided valuable lessons in emergency preparedness.
As students return from winter break, Couchman said routines are being reestablished, athletics are resuming, and the district remains focused on safety—especially with winter weather ahead.
She said while weather-related decisions can be difficult, the district will always err on the side of caution to keep students safe.