16 WEEKLY 2025
JULY
VOL 3 • NO. 24
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B A L D W I N
C I T Y
N E W S P A P E R
BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL WELCOMES NEW ACTIVITIES & ATHLETICS DIRECTOR
Baldwin High School is welcoming a familiar face back to campus as Dayton Valentine, a 2013 BHS graduate, steps into the role of Activities and Athletics Director. Valentine’s return comes after several years of coaching and teaching at Blue Valley Northwest, and he’s eager to bring
his experience back to his hometown. In a letter addressed to the Baldwin community, Valentine shared his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. “Coming back to Baldwin in this role feels like coming full circle,” he wrote. “This is the place
that helped make me who I am, and I’m grateful for the chance to give back to the community that gave me so much.” Valentine is no stranger to athletic success. After graduating from BHS, he went on to play football at Kansas State University. He credits his experiences at Baldwin for helping him reach that goal and hopes to provide the same encouragement and opportunities for current students. His focus as Activities and Athletics Director is clear: fostering inclusion, confidence, and personal growth through student activities and sports. “I want every student at Baldwin to feel welcome and included,” Valentine said. “I believe being involved helps students grow as people and feel connected to their school.” Valentine’s hiring comes after longtime Activities and Athletics
Director Gary Stevanus announced his retirement from the role after a 20year career. As highlighted in the Bulldog Bulletin earlier this spring, Stevanus will remain on staff as the school’s full-time athletic trainer, a position he’s held alongside his administrative duties for many years. Coaches and staff praised Stevanus’ work ethic, dedication, and deep-rooted Bulldog pride during his tenure. Now, Valentine steps into the position with strong community ties, a passion for supporting Baldwin’s student-athletes, and a deep appreciation for those who came before him. He invites community members to reach out with ideas or questions and looks forward to cheering on the Bulldogs throughout the year. Valentine can be reached at DValentine@ usd348.com.
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BALDWIN CITY SCHOOLS BREAK GROUND ON BOND PROJECTS AND CAREER TECHNICAL EXPANSION Additionally in USD 348 news, Baldwin City community members, school officials, and local leaders gathered Tuesday evening, July 15, to officially break ground on the district’s new Career Technical Education (CTE) expansion. The ceremony, held at the high school’s bus loop, marked the beginning of major construction funded by the $17 million bond approved by voters in May 2024. This bond includes a wide range of projects aimed at improving both academics and safety throughout the district. Along with the CTE addition, the bond will fund renovations to the high school’s chemistry and biology classrooms, safety and security upgrades, and the addition of roughly 200 new parking spaces. Other improvements include a new bus loop, enhanced traffic flow for student drop-off and pick-up, and updated interior and exterior restrooms. Construction on parking areas and traffic flow improvements had already begun prior to the groundbreaking. Work on the CTE addition and surrounding areas will continue over the next two years, with plans to open the new facilities for the 2026-2027 school year. Once completed, the expanded CTE program will offer courses in agricultural technology and mechanics, metals, drafting and graphic design, business and entrepreneurship, culinary arts, and health sciences. The addition will also include an agricultural lab, makerspace, greenhouse, art classrooms, and family and consumer science spaces. The bond projects are being designed by DLR Group with Loyd Builders serving as the construction manager. These improvements aim to expand academic opportunities, provide hands-on career training, and improve safety across district campuses.