Director of Special Education- Special Services Cooperative USD 320- 323- 329

Wamego USD 320 is a progressive school district committed to working cooperatively with families and community to educate students to be responsible, problem-solving citizens who produce quality work in their individual pursuit of excellence. We accomplish this by offering relevant, academically challenging and diverse learning experiences.  We are passionate about kids! Our four schools ensure that we have the best teachers using high impact teaching strategies to engage students in all tiers of learning. We use the latest core curriculum resources to deliver Tier 1 core instruction to ALL students. Our facilities are some of the best in the state and many of our students are competing at the state level in activities and athletics

The Wamego school district serves the needs of approximately 1,675 students in two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Enrollment has increased approximately 13% over the past 10 years. USD 320 is the sponsoring district for the Wamego Special Services Cooperative, which serves the needs of our students as well as those in two neighboring school districts.  There are approximately 185 certified staff and 265 classified staff. 

Our teachers enjoy many benefits including an attractive salary schedule, a number of fringe benefits, generous sick leave (including a sick leave pool), small class sizes, a teacher mentoring program, and an excellent professional development program. Special incentives for teachers interested in earning their National Board certification are detailed in the district`s negotiated agreement and include a $2,000 annual bonus upon successful completion of the program.

USD 320 Innovative Teaching Techniques & Programs

1. District-wide implementation of Kansas TASN MTSS, KAGAN Cooperative Learning, and professional learning communities
2. Advanced Placement courses are offered at the high school
3. Community Mentoring Program at the high school
4. Parents as Teachers Program
5. Extensive vocational programs offered at the middle school and high school
6. One to One Technology devices for all students

District Highlights

1. Central Elementary (PreK-2) renovated in 2011
2. West Elementary (3-5) renovated in 2005
3. Wamego Middle School renovated in 2018 (including a new Science wing)
4. Wamego High School renovated in 2005
5. Health & Performance Center added in 2019
6. Sports Complex with turf field, new track, press box, medical center, and new locker rooms added in 2019
7. Technology Center
8. Educational partnership with Highland Community College & Manhattan Area Technical College, providing concurrent college credit courses          during the school day
9. State-of-the-Art District Kitchen added in 2018
10. Kansas Honor Flight

The Wamego Teachers Association actively works with the USD 320 Board of Education to help create working conditions that benefit our students, teachers, and the school district in general. A strong, positive relationship has been developed through years of honest and empathetic dialogue used in the Interest Based Bargaining process.

Located at the intersection of Kansas Highway 99 and US Highway 24, just 13 miles east of Manhattan and 40 miles west of Topeka, Wamego offers friendly small town living with quick access to city convenience. A multitude of recreational options are available in Wamego; Wamego City Park which includes train rides for children, a playground, fishing pond, and public tennis, basketball and pickleball courts; an Aquatic Center with both indoor and outdoor pools as well as a spray park; a recreation complex which includes four baseball/softball diamonds, two soccer fields, six tennis courts, a walking trail, and an active recreation program for youth and adults. The Wamego Country Club has a beautiful 18-hole golf course that serves as the site for the State 4A and 1/2A Cross Country championship meets. The city is also home to the Oz Museum and the Columbian Theater, which provides for numerous theatrical performances throughout the year. Nearby federal reservoirs and state lakes offer excellent opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, as well.

The City of Wamego is well known for its many festivals and celebrations such as Oztoberfest, the Tulip Festival, and Celebrate Freedom, which is a week-long celebration of July 4th with a carnival, parade, Antique Car Show, and the #1 ranked fireworks show in Kansas

For those with fervor for learning, the Wamego Public library offers a multitude of volumes and periodicals, in addition to audio books, videos, microfilm and Internet access. Adult education classes are offered in Wamego through Highland Community College, and nearby at Kansas State, Washburn, and Emporia State Universities. Wamego is immersed in history with sites including Kansas’ only authentic stone Dutch Mill, the Oregon Trail, the home of Walter P. Chrysler, the Oz Museum and the Columbian Theatre. The Columbian Theatre is a unique experience for people in love with the arts. People from all across northeast Kansas come to Wamego to attend the theatre`s productions of plays and musicals.

Citizens of Wamego are well protected and cared for with a city hospital and medical clinic, the Stormont Vail Medical Clinic, city police, fire, and EMS departments. Due to our proximity to Manhattan and Topeka, quality medical specialists are easily accessible at three nearby health care centers, should the need arise.

We encourage you to visit our web site at www.usd320.com for further information about our school district. Complete application instructions may be found under the Human Resources button. We also welcome you to call our district office at 785-456-7643 with any questions you may have.