Late Start on Wednesday, February 25
What parents need to know . . .
There will be no preschool that day.
Bus will run 2 hours later for pick up in the morning.
Do not drop off your child prior to 9:45 am as there will not be supervision.
Breakfast will be served - Grab n’ Go
School will start promptly at 10:00.
Middle School Quiz Bowl Season is Off to a Great Start!
The Rural Vista Quiz Bowl teams traveled to Centre on Thursday, February 12th for their first competition of the season. The varsity team, made up of 8th graders, went 3-1 for the GOLD, and the junior varsity team, made up of 6th & 7th graders, went 3-1 for the SILVER.
Eleanor Riedy led the varsity team with 8 questions answered correctly. Next was Averi Keiter with 5 questions answered correctly. Then Kayden Stroda and Kaydence Bracebridge answered 3 questions apiece. Josh Lautt answered 2 questions, and Thomas Wakefield-Eufracio answered 1. Rhett Noeth also participated.
In Round 1, Rural Vista varsity lost to Wakefield 35-80, but they bounced back for the next 3 rounds, winning 40-30 over Peabody, 90-35 over Herington, and 60-15 against Centre.
For the junior varsity team, Blake Mistic led the team with 7 questions answered correctly. Holly McCullough answered 5 right. Norah Effland answered 4 correctly. Kiley Otte answered 3 correctly, and Brianna Herndon and Peyton Keiter both answered 1 apiece. Gage Glessner also participated with this team.
In Round 1, Rural Vista JV won over Wakefield 40-30. Then in Round 2 they beat Peabody 60-0. Round 3 they suffered a loss to Herington 30-60, but bounced back for the last round and won 80-10 over Centre.
Congratulations to both teams on their fantastic finishes!!!
No School on February 16, 2026
Rural Vista Families & Staff
There is no school for students or staff on Monday, February 16, 2026. Enjoy your day off!
Regular BOE Meeting
February 9th, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Hope, KS- School Library
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consent Agenda Approval
A. Approval of January Minutes
B. Treasurer’s Report (Cash Summary)
C. Approval of Warrants
4. Adoption of the February Meeting Agenda
5. Public Presentation
A. Citizen’s Open Forum
B. Correspondence
C. Governmental Relations
6. Old Business
A. Policy
7. New Business
A. Audit
B. Resignations
C. New Hires
D. 2026-2027 Calendar
E. Mileage
F. Supplementals
G. Daycare Quotes
H. Executive Session – Negotiations
I. Executive Session - Personnel
8. Administrative Updates
A. Hope Principal
B. White City Principal
C. Superintendent
9. Adjournment
New Board Policy
Re: Public Forum at Board Meetings
Parents and Taxpayers of USD 481 who desire to address the board on any topic related to board work are welcome to do so at this time. Speakers are requested to limit their remarks to not more than 5 minutes; to appoint a spokesperson if the concern is a group concern, and to supplement verbal presentations with written
reports, if necessary or desired. Public comments critical of an individual are not acceptable. Please note, the board will listen to the public comment, but will not respond. The board may direct the superintendent to follow up at a later date on
questions asked or concerns raised.
This policy was approved at the January 12, 2026 school board meeting.
KSDE Insight Podcast - How Kansas Funds Schools and Why It Matters for Families
School funding can feel complicated and disconnected from the classroom, but it plays a major role in the opportunities students experience every day.
In January’s episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, we break down how school funding works in Kansas, where the money comes from, and how funding decisions affect class sizes, programs, and student supports. We also discuss why Kansas’ current school funding formula is set to sunset in 2027, what work is already underway with the Kansas Legislature, and why it is important for families to understand these conversations now.
Joining the conversation are Dr. Frank Harwood, Kansas State Department of Education deputy commissioner of fiscal and administrative services, and Dr. Cory Gibson, superintendent of De Soto USD 232. Together, they offer clear, parent-focused insights into school funding, transparency, and how families can stay informed and engaged.
Full-Time Student Transportation Driver - White City
We are seeking a reliable and safety-focused Full-Time Driver to transport students to and from Salina, Kansas for educational opportunities. This position plays an important role in supporting student learning beyond the classroom.
Position Details:
Full-time, school-year position
Daily transportation of students to approved educational programs and activities in Salina, KS
Maintain a safe, orderly, and positive environment for students during transport
Qualifications:
Valid driver’s license
Clean driving record
Ability to pass background check and required DOT physical screenings
CPR/First Aid Certified or willing to become certified
Ability to pass a Defensive Driving course
Dependable, punctual, and student-focused
We Offer:
Competitive pay
Consistent schedule aligned with school hours
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students’ educational experiences
If you enjoy working with students and value safety and dependability, we encourage you to apply at https://jobs.educatekansas.org/inner.php?p=scripts/funct.search.job&jobHash=52a776b20f29084&employerHash=a6ceb76a91f4b78
Benefits Information:
10 PTO Days - prorated
$420/month toward a Single Health Plan through BCBS
KPERS Eligible
Salary Information: $17/hour
Wheat State League Champions!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rural Vista's Varsity Scholars Bowl team brought home the gold on Monday, January 12th. The team competed in 9 rounds of competition, and they won 7 of the 9 rounds.
Round 1 RV wins over Herington 40-30
Round 2 RV wins over Little River 40-30
Round 3 RV beats Peabody 70-20
Round 4 Canton-Galva wins over RV 50-30
Round 5 Solomon beats RV 50-0
Round 6 RV wins over Wakefield 40-25
Round 7 RV wins over Centre 50-40
Round 8 RV wins against Elyria 20-10
Round 9 RV wins over Goessel 20-10
Hadley Friedli led the team by answering 20 questions correctly. Kevin Smith answered 9 questions correctly, and Paige Linder buzzed in and got 2 questions correct. Jayda Shipman supported the team throughout the competition.
The Junior Varsity team also competed in 7 rounds at Centre. Although they did not win any rounds, the students scored 80 points total. Members of the JV team included Jameson Lautt, Jeremiah Peterson, Clara Stewart, and Cora Stewart.
Regular BOE Meeting
January 12th, 2026
White City, KS- School Library
7:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consent Agenda Approval
A. Approval of December Minutes
B. Treasurer’s Report (Cash Summary)
C. Approval of Warrants
4. Adoption of the January Meeting Agenda
5. Public Presentation
A. Citizen’s Open Forum
B. Correspondence
C. Governmental Relations
6. Old Business
A. Policies
7. New Business
A. Purple Wave
B. K-12 ITC Contract
C. Negotiation Team
D. New Hires
E. Council Grove Area Foundation Grant
F. Executive Session- Acquisition Real Property
G. Executive Session - Personnel
8. Administrative Updates
A. Hope Principal
B. White City Principal
C. Superintendent
9. Adjournment
Scholars Bowl Team Earns 2nd Place at Herington
Five students from Rural Vista competed at a meet on December 11th in Herington. Paige Linder (Hope), Jeremiah Peterson (WC), and Jameson Lautt (WC) each answered 1 question correctly during the four rounds. Malakhi Kramer (WC) answered 2 questions correctly, and Kevin Smith was on fire and answered 11 questions correctly!
Way to go team!
Next competition will be at Centre on January 12, 2026. The meet will start at 4 pm. This will be the League Scholars Bowl meet. Spectators are welcome!!!
1/19 @ Solomon
2/2 @ Canton Galva
Hope PK-5 and White City K-5 students toured the Body Venture exhibit at Hope Schools on December 9, 2025. Students entered the exhibit at the lunchroom and continued to the following stations: the brain, mouth, stomach, small intestine, heart, lungs, bones, muscles, skin, and ended at the pathway to life station to review what they had learned. The students spent five minutes at each station while high school volunteers explained what each body part does for them and how to protect and keep that body part healthy.
High school volunteers included: (front row) Mason Marsh, Clara Noeth, Litze Bolanos, Addyson Wingert, Harmony Otte, Ellison Riedy, Emma Coffman, Mindy Linder, (back row) Andrew Calvert, Trent Hoff, Hadley Friedli, Tanis Clevenger, Brayden Hollomon, Celian Van Bemten, Kole Riedy, Jayda Shipman, Tyler Brockmeier, Journey Peterson, Grant Eskeldson, Molly Hunnicutt, Koden Sanford, and Clara Stewart.
Thank you to Adam Sobba, Erika Cook, Lorri Kasten, Trish Rhodes, and the Board of Education members for helping set up, run, and tear down the event.
Our elementary students really enjoyed the experience!
Hope High School Junior - Ellison Riedy - Attends Future Teacher Academy
December 2, 2025
Ellison shares her experience:
The Future Teacher Academy was an overall great experience for me. I was able to learn a lot of things as well as meet a lot of amazing people. I learned two valuable lessons: the importance of building a trusting relationship with students while setting clear rules and expectations, and the need to strike a balance between work and personal life, including time for yourself and your family. Being able to have a routine for yourself so that you don’t overwork yourself is vital. Teachers are humans too. And so we need to make sure we’re taking breaks when we need to.
At the Future Teacher Academy, they talked about and showed us that there are many opportunities for those of us who want to become teachers. A couple of examples of that would be the Kansas Future Teacher Academy (KFTA) itself or the Apprenticeship to Education (A2E). The KFTA is offered at Emporia State University. The A2E offers tuition reimbursement of $2,750 for each registered teacher apprentice, with no limit on eligible apprentices, and apprentices can receive this grant for up to four years, starting from day one of their registered apprenticeship.
Another important thing that I took away from the Future Teacher Academy was that we aren’t alone. There are many people our age who share our passion for teaching, and plenty of opportunities to connect with them. It was an opportunity to make friends who have common goals and interests. I know I, myself, was able to make a few new friends while there.
Overall, I had a really great time. I was able to learn about opportunities that I didn’t know were available to me. And I was able to meet lots of great people, as well as make new friends who I can easily talk to about my passions for teaching.
The Body Venture Experience will be at Hope Schools on Dec 9th!
Kindergarten through fifth grade students tour the human body with this exciting immersive experience. Throughout the exhibit, they will learn how to apply the Body Venture Motto:
EAT SMART. PLAY HARD.
At each of the 11 Body Venture stations, a volunteer presenter engages the students in a five-minute activity focused on healthy choices. The tour begins when students, in groups of eight to ten, enter the school lunchroom and become a food such as a carrot, a strawberry or a piece of cheese. In the second station, they walk through a giant brain. Inside the huge brain, students experience “brain waves” and learn about brain function. The “foods” step into the exhibit’s larger-than-life mouth, are “swallowed” through the esophagus tunnel and move into the stomach. From the stomach, the students travel through the small intestine where they become
nutrients that are “absorbed” into the blood stream. Then, they follow the path of the nutrients to the heart, lungs, bones, muscles and skin stations. Students leave the body through Body Venture’s Pathway to Life. This final station recaps key health concepts from each of the 10 previous stations.
Only KSHSAA Passes will be accepted. Admission prices - Adults $8, K-12 $6. Go Heat!