From the Desk of Patrick McKernan
Dear USD 429 Parents, Guardians, and Patrons:
I hope you are all staying warm and healthy as we finish up the winter months. More sunshine and warmer weather is on the way. However, winter still has a grip on us. Thank you for patience and flexibility as we work through these next few challenging weeks.
Sickness has taken it toll on some of our students and staff. If your children have been immune, congratulations, because some of this stuff has been real nasty. Attendance is very important for many reasons, but no one wants your children here sick and running a fever.
We are winding down the winter activity seasons and have seen many of our students participating in basketball, wrestling, scholar’s bowl, forensics contests, Esports, FBLA, and music events. It is joy to watch your children compete and learn and hear about their successes. Even though we are a 1A school, we work hard to try and find activities any of our students can participate in and enjoy.
The 2025-2026 school calendar was approved by your board of education at our last regular meeting. It will be posted on the website and shared over email and social media. A reminder this is our school calendar and not our activities calendar, which will be finalized in August. This calendar is very similar to last year’s calendar.
Tom Jenkins, our transportation, maintenance, and grounds director resigned his position in January. We thank Tom for seven and half years working with us and wish him well. We are re-organizing that position with more of an emphasis on the basic facilities needs and grounds upkeep and maintenance, for the schools and campuses. If you know anyone who would like to discuss this position with me, please let them know to contact me.
I hope you and your families are doing well. We certainly enjoy seeing your children every day and love their energy and enthusiasm they bring to us, because we need it more than you know.
Sincerely,
Patrick E. McKernan
Superintendent of Schools
Troy USD 429