It’s as I thought back when so many were supposedly dropping all their “DEI” programs; those were “washing” names to begin with, for the profit-makers, who likely run their HR the same way today as they did under “DEI”, and as they did before we used the term, “DEI.” I like this guy in Wichita; obeying the law and the federal E.O., and taking good care of things. My guess is, this is similar to how most entities are doing things. I actually was reading the story because I’m curious how our (KS’s) public schools are working things out, with various federal funding methods stalled. Schools here have to turn in their next-year budgets to the state Leg. in the Spring before the session ends, then receive their money after July 1, when KS’s fiscal year begins. But as we’re aware federal dollars are held up, so I was curious. Some of that is addressed in this story, but what a nice surprise to read about the other!

Wichita Public Schools provides district-wide updates ahead of coming school year

• Sydney Ferguson Jul 25, 2025 Updated Jul 25, 2025

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) — As summer comes to a close for Wichita Public Schools students, the district is preparing the welcome students back to the same schools with some slight changes.

The very first change is monthly updates from Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld through press conferences, the first of which was held Friday. Superintendent Bielefeld says WPS  principals returned to school this week, and teachers and students will soon follow as school is set to begin on August 14.

Over at Isely Traditional Magnet Elementary School, a 6th-grade class will attend the school for the first time. This is the start to a transition that will take years as Isley begins to accommodate grades Kindergarten through Eighth.

“The parents that I’ve talked to that have students attending Isely are very excited about it, the fact that their kids can stay there for middle school,” said Bielefeld. “The plan was to also do something similar at Cessna had the bond passed. That’s on hold for now.”

The district says it’s looking to communicate better with parents in light of the feedback it received after its bond failed in February. 

In addition to monthly updates from the superintendent, the district announced the creation of a new “Director of Partnerships and Belonging” position. The district says it’s accepting applications, adding that this person will be responsible for working with community partners and strengthening the school-home connection for students and parents.

“This program will target more the community engagement piece that we’ve been hearing from parents, constituents, teachers, everybody, we need to do a better job of that,” said Bielefeld.

This new title replaces the district’s “Director of Diversity, Equity and Accountability” position. This comes as the district works to comply with federal mandates and preserve the legacy of Dr. William Polite — the district’s former DEI director who suddenly died in April after seven-and-a-half years with the district.

The district says programs that fell under Dr. Polite will continue, as those programs have never been about race and instead focused on the different risk factors students face.

“The guidance we’ve been given from the Department of Education currently is that any race-based initiatives are illegal. We have not been doing that,” said Bielefeld. “We’ve been complying with the law. We continue to comply with the law, which is why we’re continuing the programs. And it wasn’t necessarily intentional, but it does describe the position better.” 

The district will be creating a Night School at West High as a way for students to complete additional coursework in the afternoons. This is the first time the credit recovery program will be offered at a comprehensive high school.

Over at South High, the “school within a school” alternative program will help sophomores who get off track as freshmen.

“So instead of waiting until junior or senior year when they’re significantly behind on credits, we’re intervening earlier,” said Bielefeld.

The Superintendent says the district will also be establishing AI guidelines at an upcoming board meeting. Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Education released a statement encouraging teachers to utilize AI as a tool in their classrooms.

“The better they understand it, I think, the less they fear and the more they can understand how students are using it,” said Bielefeld. “We continue to look for ways to support our students to become future-ready, and every student in the district to become future-ready.”

Additional information released by the district is as follows:

• In-person enrollment is July 28, from 12 to 7 p.m.
• All kindergarten families need to enroll in person.
• (snip-local info)
• Girls Flag Football will launch this year at all 7 comprehensive high schools, supported by the Kansas City Chiefs and Chiefs Flag Football League.

The district says it now expects to receive some funding for after-school programs from the $6.3 million in federal funding that was previously paused in July. (snip)