MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Hutchinson Public Schools is now accepting nominations for its 2026 Certified and Classified Employee of the Year awards, recognizing staff members who have made a meaningful impact on students across the district.
Director of Communication, Stacy Goss said nominations are open through the end of February and may be submitted online by parents, students or community members. Nominees for the certified category include teachers, social workers and special education staff, while classified nominees may include paraeducators, secretaries, custodians and other support personnel.
Award recipients will be selected following a review and interview process and formally recognized during the district’s annual convocation in August.
In addition to the district awards, nominations are also being accepted for teacher recognition through the James A. and Julia L. Davis Foundation, which provides cash awards for selected teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Those honorees will also be recognized at the August convocation event.
Lisa Yantes the district's Director of Curriculum encourages families to explore academic opportunities through the International Baccalaureate program at Hutchinson High School, which has been offered locally since 2004.
The IB program allows students to pursue advanced coursework through three pathways: individual course enrollment, the Career-related Programme or the Diploma Programme. Students in the Career-related Programme complete a career and technical education pathway alongside IB coursework, community service and a reflective project. Diploma Programme students complete six IB courses, an extended essay and additional service requirements.
Participation in IB coursework may allow students to earn college credit depending on assessment scores and institutional policies. Completion of full IB pathways can also open opportunities for scholarship consideration at postsecondary institutions.
District officials recommend students begin planning for IB participation as early as their freshman or sophomore year to ensure they meet prerequisite requirements, including foreign language coursework for Diploma Programme candidates.
Enrollment for the upcoming school year recently concluded, and parents are encouraged to review student course selections through the district’s online planning platform or contact high school counselors for additional information about IB pathways or scheduling adjustments.
Hutchinson High School is among a limited number of Kansas schools offering IB programming and is currently the only location west of Wichita providing the full range of IB pathway options, according to district staff.