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By Brian Witt, Superintendent of Schools

There is a familiar energy returning to the Crawford County R-I School District. Staff members are coming back into our buildings, classrooms are being prepared, floors are shining, supplies are being unpacked, and plans are taking shape. After months of preparation, the 2026-2027 school year is almost here, and we are extremely excited to welcome our students and families back.

Our districtwide Open House will be held Thursday, August 20, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. This will allow students and families to visit classrooms, meet teachers, locate lockers, drop off supplies, and become familiar with their buildings before the first morning arrives.

Bourbon High School will also hold registration days for students. Seniors may register Friday, August 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Juniors may register Wednesday, August 19, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and sophomores may register Thursday, August 20, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Registration for students in grades 10 through 12 will be open-house style, so families may stop by anytime during their assigned window.

Freshman Warhawk Day will be held Thursday, August 20, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Freshmen and their parents will meet with Mrs. Hagar, pick up schedules and Chromebooks, complete paperwork, participate in a scavenger hunt, and walk through a mock school day with teachers in their classrooms. This is designed to help our newest high school students feel more comfortable and confident before their first day.

Parents are encouraged to complete online enrollment forms before attending registration. Computers will be available at the high school for anyone who needs help completing the process. High school students should also remember that class dues are $10, and parking permits will be available for students in grades 10 through 12.

The first day of school will be Tuesday, August 25. We will also host our Back-to-School Bash at the elementary school on Thursday, September 3. This event has become a wonderful opportunity for our families, staff, and community to gather, connect, and begin the year together.

We are proud of the work that has taken place throughout the summer to prepare for a great school year. Some of that work is easy to see. Other parts have happened quietly behind the scenes through planning, cleaning, training, scheduling, maintenance, and countless small details. Preparing a school district for another year takes many hands, and our staff members have worked hard to make sure our students return to buildings that are ready for them.

This year also brings visible signs of progress across our campus.

Our community showed its support for our schools when the $8 million no-tax-rate-increase bond issue passed in April. That support is now becoming real work that our students, staff, and families can see.

The new elementary and middle school playground is on schedule to open for the first day of school. This project will provide our students with a safer, more inclusive, and more engaging place to play, explore, and build friendships. Seeing this space come together has been exciting, and we cannot wait to watch our students enjoy it.

The elementary roof project is also underway. Materials were delivered on August 12, and the tear-off began August 13. Our goal is to have the major portion of the tear-off completed before students return on August 25. Roofing work at the elementary and middle school will continue throughout the first semester as crews repair and replace areas that have needed attention for years.

There is still more work ahead.

Plans for the high school front entryway and parking lot improvements are nearing the bidding stage. Our current timeline calls for the new high school entryway to be completed around January 2027. Portions of the parking lot work are expected to be completed during the first semester, with the remaining work scheduled for summer 2027.

The new high school entrance will improve safety, security, energy efficiency, and the way students and visitors enter the building. It will also create a front entrance that better reflects the pride we have in our school and community.

Additional projects, both large and small, will continue throughout the school year. There will be construction equipment, temporary inconveniences, changing traffic patterns, and probably a little more noise than anyone ordered. That is part of improving buildings while continuing to use them every day. We will communicate updates as the work progresses and do everything possible to limit disruptions for students, staff, and families.

These projects matter. Safe roofs, welcoming entrances, dependable heating and cooling systems, secure doors, improved parking, and inclusive playgrounds all contribute to a better learning environment. They protect what our community has built and help prepare our schools for the future.

Still, buildings and construction projects are not the heart of a school district. Students are.

While work continues around our campus, our attention will remain centered on what matters most: children learning in classrooms, building positive relationships, discovering new interests, and having exceptional experiences. We want each student to be known, supported, challenged, and given opportunities to grow.

The 2026-2027 school year will be filled with change, but it is change rooted in purpose. It is change for the better and change for the future. We are improving our facilities while continuing to strengthen the relationships, opportunities, and learning experiences that define our district.

We are grateful for our staff members who have worked throughout the summer, our families who trust us with their children, our Board of Education for its leadership, and our community for continuing to support our schools.

The buildings are getting ready. Our staff is getting ready. Soon, the hallways will be filled again with voices, footsteps, laughter, and all the wonderful noise that tells us school is back.

We cannot wait.

One School. One Town. One Community.

Warhawk Strong.

A No Tax Rate Increase Bond Issue

Over the past two years, our school district has been intentional about listening before deciding.

This proposed No Tax Rate Increase Bond Issue did not appear overnight. It is the result of sustained work, honest feedback, and careful planning across our school community. Students, staff, parents, community members, and local stakeholders have all had a seat at the table. This proposal reflects what we heard and what we believe is necessary to protect the schools our community has already invested in.

The Crawford County R-1 Board of Education is excited to announce the hiring of Mr. Brian Witt as our district’s next Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Witt exemplifies what it means to be a Warhawk through his commitment to community involvement, dedication to students and staff, and a passion for education. Join us in welcoming Mr. Witt as Superintendent of CCR-1.