Member Spotlight: USD 418
It was a beautiful morning to gather at the USD 418 District Office for a Chamber Connection. Members and guests filled the room at 514 N. Main Street, enjoying coffee, conversation, and a deeper look into how McPherson Public Schools continues to “foster greatness every step of the way.” The district’s mission extends far beyond academics—it’s about building a supportive, caring community where students feel safe, connected, and ready to take on new challenges from pre-kindergarten through high school.
Superintendent Shiloh Vincent shared several exciting highlights from the district, including a major achievement through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program. “What’s at the heart of Capturing Kids Hearts, is we want to make sure every student, every family, every individual that comes into our buildings knows that they’re welcomed, that we’ve created an environment that’s focused on positive relationships and that they know they’re cared for and a real part of our community,” he said. Last year, all six McPherson schools were nominated for national showcase recognition—five received the honor, and the district as a whole was recognized as a National Showcase School District. “I think you and we as community members should be very proud of that,” Vincent said. “There’s only two school districts in the state of Kansas that received that level of recognition.”
There was plenty more to celebrate, too. Inge Esping, McPherson Middle School Principal, was recently named the 2025 Kansas Middle Level Principal of the Year by the Kansas Principals Association. Washington Elementary Principal Jill Beam proudly shared that their fall parent-teacher conference attendance rate was an incredible 98%. “That really to me is a huge testament to our staff and helping families feel comfortable meeting them where they’re at,” she said. Eisenhower Elementary Principal Chris Allen spoke about a new approach to student behavior, noting that office referrals are down thanks to a shift in mindset: “Kids will do well if they can, not if they want to.”
Dr. Audrey Herbst, McPherson High School Principal, also had impressive news to share—graduation rates are up to 93%, and the district is aiming even higher. With an average daily attendance rate of 94%, programs like Power Up Bullpup have helped cut the number of failing grades by 75%, keeping more students on track to graduate. Superintendent Vincent closed with a powerful reminder: “The purpose of our facility conversations isn’t about building buildings. It’s about building the future of our schools.” By engaging the community in long-term planning, USD 418 is ensuring McPherson schools remain strong for decades to come. See photos from USD 418’s Chamber Connection by clicking here.