Jayhawk staff exploring options to launch virtual school in 2027

The Jayhawk USD 346 Board of Education is expected to receive a report at its August meeting on the feasibility and need to establish a virtual school. If approved, the school would not get under way until fall 2027. (Photo by Thomas Park / Unsplash)

By Roger Sims, Journal staff

linncountyjournal@icloud.com

MOUND CITY – At the June meeting of the Jayhawk USD 346 Board of Education, Superintendent Shawn Thomas posited a question to board members: Should the district look at creating a virtual school where students could learn independently from a traditional classroom setting.

At the board’s meeting on Monday, July 14, he told them that the district’s administrative staff was at work on developing plans for a virtual school that will likely be presented to them at the August meeting.

However, if the board gives the go-ahead on developing the online school, Thomas said in an interview on Tuesday that is won’t be ready for rollout until fall of 2027.

Pleasanton began its virtual school at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, and from all indicators it has been a successful program. The program drew students from both Jayhawk-Linn and Prairie View high schools.

Thomas said the reality is that when a family or student becomes disenfranchised with one school, being able to switch to another option becomes attractive.

But he also said that with the rise of enrollment in the STARS (Southeast Technical Academy for Rural Students) program where students, particularly seniors, learn hands-on trade skills, a virtual school allows them to complete core classes, such as language arts or social studies, in an independent setting.

Thomas admits that losing student population in the long run could cause problems for the district.

“I never like to jump on the bandwagon to make money,” he said. “But if you look at the statistics right now there are so many choices available for students.”

Losing students means losing state aid for the district.

But aside from the financial aspect, Thomas said the exploration into beginning a virtual school coincides with what he calls “Project Vanguard.” That project is meant to look more closely at how the district can meet students’ needs.

“Maybe a virtual school is something we should explore,” he said.

He indicated that with a fall 2027 rollout of a virtual school program, the staff and administrators would make sure that it was done right.

“Our goal is not to be reactive but to recognize what students need,” he added.