March 12, 2026, Seward Folly Staff

Community Rallies for Student Success

With the proposed closure of Seward Middle School on the table, local education advocates are mobilizing to protect student opportunities and ensure meaningful education continues. The district faces mounting pressure to make any consolidation a “win-win” for Seward. Community leaders are urging everyone to stay professional and consistent in their messaging as they navigate this critical moment.

Shifting Priorities and Exploring Alternatives

The conversation from district leaders and educators during the budget season has moved from striving for excellence to just getting through the next school year — especially for secondary students. Both the district and The Seward Education Advocates are considering alternative school models, knowing that strong, organized advocacy is essential for meaningful change. Volunteers interested in joining a committee to explore new educational possibilities are encouraged to step forward.

Legislative Action: House Bill 374

Attention is also focused on House Bill 374, which would increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA) to help offset inflation. While the proposed funding doesn’t fully restore recent cuts, it would help soften the blow for students. Community members are encouraged to contact their elected officials before the public testimony hearing on Wednesday, March 11, at 5 p.m. With the local Legislative Information Office (LIO) unstaffed, those wishing to testify should be ready to call in, prepared with a clear statement and the bill number.AKLEG_Testimony_Instructions.pdf

Upcoming Meetings and Proposed Grade Reconfiguration

Superintendent Holland will host a community meeting on Thursday, March 19, at 6:00 p.m. in the Seward High Auditorium. Advocates are urged to come together around key priorities. According to a letter from Dr. Burns, the likely scenario would be:

• Sixth grade moves to Seward Elementary.
• Grades 7–12 are housed in the current high school building, separated by grade, with all science labs remaining downstairs.

Counseling: At Risk

Elementary counselor positions were eliminated last year. This year, the counselor remained only due to a grant, which has now ended. Without new funding, Seward Elementary School’s counselor, Christy Jordan, will not return. Her work has been vital for maintaining a positive school climate and low behavior issues.

High School Staffing and Course Offerings

Under the current consolidation plan and staffing formulas, the high school loses one full-time teaching position. This will stretch resources and force tough decisions about course offerings. Many student supports, such as athletic administration and credit recovery, exist only because teachers take on additional duties. Tara Swanson, Seward Education Advocate, asks: “If staffing drops again, which specific course sections are being removed, and how will students still meet graduation requirements?”

Advocacy Priorities for Seward

Key community priorities include:

• Ensuring a full-time position for credit recovery and intervention in grades 7–12, so core classes aren’t cut.
• Securing funding for a half-time Athletic Director outside the staffing formula to protect course availability.
• Retaining or refilling the Social Studies position following the upcoming retirement to prevent further reductions.
• Securing the Counselor at the elementary school
• Securing the Library Aide positions for the Seward Schools

Parents and community members are also encouraged to keep the focus on the master schedule: If staffing declines, which courses will be lost, and how will students meet graduation requirements? Printed master schedules will be available at the community meeting to support these discussions.

Moving Forward

As the district faces difficult choices, parents and educators are hopeful that a unified, practical message will help protect student opportunities in Seward.

For more information, contact Mica VanBuskirk at mvanbuskirk@kpbsd.org