Integrity, innovation, community, responsibility, empathy, and resilience are the core values of Maize USD 266. Even in times when the world seems unpredictable and all of us, school districts included, are navigating new scenarios and challenges, these are the values that guide our decisions and direction. For years, the district has embraced its approach to work together as OneMa1ze with a shared focus toward common goals. With this in mind, we celebrate unity within the district and school community with the understanding that we are stronger and better together

As a lifelong Kansan and a career educator who values integrity and is solutions-oriented, I am excited to share with you just a few ways we are putting each of these core values into action.

Integrity: As part of our social-emotional education, we are teaching the children of our community to be successful students. We also are intentional about teaching them to be good people. Starting even with our youngest students, they learn character development lessons related to self-discipline, honesty, cooperation, and other important lifelong traits. 

Innovation: Thanks to the support of our community, the district’s new Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center (MPAAC) will be the first of its kind. This center will house an auditorium and swimming pool, providing new and expanded opportunities for students across the district. This project was part of the exciting $108.2 million 2019 bond issue overwhelmingly supported by voters and designed to address growth, safety, and opportunity for all students.

Community: With our district boundaries spanning parts of the city of Maize and Northwest Wichita, Maize USD 266 benefits from the support of business leaders, graduates, official district partners, and the Maize Education Foundation. Since 2013, the nonprofit organization has supported the district’s students, teachers, and schools through grants, gifts, scholarships, and more. Click here to learn more about the Maize Education Foundation and how you can help.

Responsibility: Beginning in July 2021, our Maize Special Education Cooperative (Coop) began to serve students in Maize USD 266 and Renwick USD 267. This new Coop offers a range of special education services based on an individual’s needs and in accordance with the participating districts’ obligation to ensure a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Coop employees are an important part of the district’s greater OneMa1ze team.

Empathy: Kindness matters to OneMa1ze, and you can find examples district-wide, including our use of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program and our Somebody’s Someone program. This nationally recognized program at Complete High School Maize, the district’s alternative high school, pairs students with caring adult mentors. Please follow us on Twitter to see all the ways that #OneMa1zeCares.

Resilience: As our district continues its third school year affected by COVID-19, we are working to keep our students in school, maintain as many student opportunities as possible, and keep our students safe. Our educators, employees, and students have adapted time and again to keep the focus on our students’ education and individual success. Learn more by visiting our Together Again webpage.

As we move the district forward together as OneMa1ze, I welcome you to join us in being examples of our core values in action. Thank you for helping to make Maize USD 266 the phenomenal district it is.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Chad Higgins, Superintendent of Schools 

chiggins@usd266.com

About Dr. Chad Higgins

I am blessed to be a part of the highly-regarded Maize school-community. I value integrity and collaborative decision-making and balance fiscal responsibility with aggressive efforts to continually improve. A graduate of Kansas public schools myself, I keep asking the following two questions of our district and myself: What is best for our students? Is better possible? As my district leadership team frequently hears from me, I want Maize USD 266 to be the best district in the state of Kansas, not just “one of the best.”

Before coming to Maize in 2015, I worked as the Moundridge Superintendent of Schools beginning in 2009. I previously worked in Douglass as a principal and assistant principal/activities director and in Great Bend as a high school and middle school science teacher. I earned degrees from Emporia State and Fort Hays State universities and my District Level Licensure from Friends University. I completed my Doctorate in Education from Wichita State University.

My wife, Drenda, is an elementary school teacher in Valley Center, and we have two adult children, Taylor and Garrett. They each are graduates of Kansas schools, are married, and are pursuing their careers in Kansas. We are excited to welcome our first grandchild in early 2022.

Maize USD 266 Mission

The mission of Maize USD 266 is to inspire students to discover their potential through connecting, learning and leading.

Maize USD 266 Strategic Plan

For more than 15 years, Maize USD 266 has utilized a long range planning process called the Journey to Excellence. Currently, the district's administrative team is reviving the next stage of the district's strategic plan and is seeking feedback from students, parents, and community members. Thank you in advance for sharing your ideas to improve Maize Schools.

Maize USD 266 Vision

The Maize School District is a student-centered environment where all members of the school-community are empowered to participate and thrive academically, civically, and socially through relevant educational experiences to achieve and fulfill their life’s purpose.