HHS JV Track @ Hesston (Updated Event Schedule)
Hesston has adjusted their event schedule for today's meet. Please see the attached document for the updates.
Hesston has adjusted their event schedule for today's meet. Please see the attached document for the updates.
HHS JV Track @ Hesston
4:00 PM
4:00 PM
CKL Golf Tournament
Crazy Horse Country Club
1:00 PM
Crazy Horse Country Club
1:00 PM
HHS/HMS Weekly Activities
PRESS RELEASE
HALSTEAD, KS — The USD 440 Board of Education is elated to announce the appointment of Mr. Chad Baalman as next Superintendent of Schools of Halstead-Bentley School District, effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Ron Barry, current Superintendent, will continue in his role through June 30, 2026, ensuring a smooth and stable leadership transition.
Mr. Baalman currently serves as the Halstead High School Principal since 2021. Prior to his role in Halstead, Mr. Baalman served as the Assistant Principal at Liberal High School and a Science teacher at Valley Center High School. Mr. Baalman is married to Holly Baalman who serves as a kindergarten teacher at Bentley Primary School. They have three children in the district.
“USD 440 is a special district and community, and I am excited to continue serving in a new capacity as superintendent. I look forward to working alongside our staff, students, families and Board of Education to provide stability, strengthen relationships, and continue moving the district forward.”
“A proud member of our community and a dedicated leader at Halstead High School for 5 years,” stated Board President Zachary Mabry. “Mr. Baalman has earned the admiration of students, families and staff alike for his guidance, passionate commitment to excellence, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential. This announcement fills us with immense pride and excitement – we know his motivation and proven leadership will inspire even greater success across our district. Welcome to the next chapter, Mr. Baalman!”
The Board of Education extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Ron Barry for his leadership and dedication to USD 440 Halstead-Bentley Schools and for his support in ensuring a smooth transition.
USD 440 Halstead-Bentley Schools
521 W. 6th St. | Halstead, KS 67056 | (316) 835-2641 | www.usd440.com
HALSTEAD, KS — The USD 440 Board of Education is elated to announce the appointment of Mr. Chad Baalman as next Superintendent of Schools of Halstead-Bentley School District, effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Ron Barry, current Superintendent, will continue in his role through June 30, 2026, ensuring a smooth and stable leadership transition.
Mr. Baalman currently serves as the Halstead High School Principal since 2021. Prior to his role in Halstead, Mr. Baalman served as the Assistant Principal at Liberal High School and a Science teacher at Valley Center High School. Mr. Baalman is married to Holly Baalman who serves as a kindergarten teacher at Bentley Primary School. They have three children in the district.
“USD 440 is a special district and community, and I am excited to continue serving in a new capacity as superintendent. I look forward to working alongside our staff, students, families and Board of Education to provide stability, strengthen relationships, and continue moving the district forward.”
“A proud member of our community and a dedicated leader at Halstead High School for 5 years,” stated Board President Zachary Mabry. “Mr. Baalman has earned the admiration of students, families and staff alike for his guidance, passionate commitment to excellence, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential. This announcement fills us with immense pride and excitement – we know his motivation and proven leadership will inspire even greater success across our district. Welcome to the next chapter, Mr. Baalman!”
The Board of Education extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Ron Barry for his leadership and dedication to USD 440 Halstead-Bentley Schools and for his support in ensuring a smooth transition.
USD 440 Halstead-Bentley Schools
521 W. 6th St. | Halstead, KS 67056 | (316) 835-2641 | www.usd440.com
3A Regional Baseball
Halstead will travel to Cheney for the opening round of the 3A Baseball Regional on Wednesday, May 13. The game time is set for 5:00 PM.
Bracket Link: https://www.kshsaa.org/react/bracket/6400
Halstead will travel to Cheney for the opening round of the 3A Baseball Regional on Wednesday, May 13. The game time is set for 5:00 PM.
Bracket Link: https://www.kshsaa.org/react/bracket/6400
Congratulations to the HHS Golf team on a solid performance at the Marion County Invitational!
* 3rd place team finish for the 36-hole tournament
* 2nd place team finish at Hillsboro (18 holes)
Individual Results:
* Maxx Linton — 4th place overall for 36 holes
* Lance Anderson — 6th place overall
* Maxx Linton — 4th place at Hillsboro
* Aaron Learn — 8th place at Hillsboro
* Lance Anderson — 10th place at Hillsboro
* Harrison Wilson — 11th place at Hillsboro
Board to Interview Fourth Superintendent Candidate
Dr. Janet Doud will be interviewing for the position of Superintendent of Schools with the Board of Education on Friday May 8, 2026. Doud is the fourth of four candidate that USD 440 Halstead/Bentley Board of Education will be interviewing. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and an online community survey utilized during the search process.
Janet Doud currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent of Augusta Public Schools. She is in her 4th year in that position. Previously, Doud served as a Building Principal for 2 years.
Dr. Janet Doud will be interviewing for the position of Superintendent of Schools with the Board of Education on Friday May 8, 2026. Doud is the fourth of four candidate that USD 440 Halstead/Bentley Board of Education will be interviewing. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and an online community survey utilized during the search process.
Janet Doud currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent of Augusta Public Schools. She is in her 4th year in that position. Previously, Doud served as a Building Principal for 2 years.
HHS Golf @ Marion County Invitational
8:00 AM
@ Marion Country Club and Hillsboro Municipal Course
8:00 AM
@ Marion Country Club and Hillsboro Municipal Course
Softball @ Bluestem (GM 2)
Halstead 14
Bluestem 4
Softball @ Bluestem (GM 1)
Halstead 21
Bluestem 7
May Menus!
Board to Interview Third Superintendent Candidate
Chad Baalman will be interviewing for the position of Superintendent of Schools with the Board of Education on Thursday May 7, 2026. Baalman is the third of four candidates that USD 440 Halstead/Bentley Board of Education will be interviewing. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and an online community survey utilized during the search process.
Chad Baalman currently serves as a Halstead High School Principal. He is in his 5th year in that position. Previously, Baalman served as an Associate Principal for 3 years.
Chad Baalman will be interviewing for the position of Superintendent of Schools with the Board of Education on Thursday May 7, 2026. Baalman is the third of four candidates that USD 440 Halstead/Bentley Board of Education will be interviewing. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and an online community survey utilized during the search process.
Chad Baalman currently serves as a Halstead High School Principal. He is in his 5th year in that position. Previously, Baalman served as an Associate Principal for 3 years.
HHS Track @ Hesston Invitational
Thursday, May 7
3:30 PM
Thursday, May 7
3:30 PM
HHS Varsity Softball at Bluestem
4:30PM
Bluestem High School
500 Bluestem Rd
Leon, KS 67074
4:30PM
Bluestem High School
500 Bluestem Rd
Leon, KS 67074
🍕🎉 Happy Education Appreciation Week! 🎉🍕
This week, we’re serving up a slice of gratitude for the amazing people who make our schools so special! 💛
Just like a great pizza, it takes everyone to make it perfect:
🍎 Teachers who bring the flavor of learning
🚌 Bus Drivers who keep everything running smoothly
🧹 Custodians who create a clean, welcoming space
📋 Office teams who hold it all together
🍳 Kitchen staff who keep our students fueled and ready to learn
🔧 Maintenance teams who keep everything safe, working, and running strong
🤝 Paraprofessionals who provide extra support, encouragement, and care—helping every student succeed one slice at a time
Each of you is an essential topping—and together, you create something truly incredible! 🙌
Thank you for going the extra mile, day after day. Your hard work, care, and dedication do not go unnoticed—you’re the perfect recipe for student success! 🍕
👏 Let’s give a big, “cheesy” thank you to our education staff this week!
#StaffAppreciation #EducationHeroes #SliceOfSuccess #SchoolFamily #ThankYou #AllHandsOnDeck
This week, we’re serving up a slice of gratitude for the amazing people who make our schools so special! 💛
Just like a great pizza, it takes everyone to make it perfect:
🍎 Teachers who bring the flavor of learning
🚌 Bus Drivers who keep everything running smoothly
🧹 Custodians who create a clean, welcoming space
📋 Office teams who hold it all together
🍳 Kitchen staff who keep our students fueled and ready to learn
🔧 Maintenance teams who keep everything safe, working, and running strong
🤝 Paraprofessionals who provide extra support, encouragement, and care—helping every student succeed one slice at a time
Each of you is an essential topping—and together, you create something truly incredible! 🙌
Thank you for going the extra mile, day after day. Your hard work, care, and dedication do not go unnoticed—you’re the perfect recipe for student success! 🍕
👏 Let’s give a big, “cheesy” thank you to our education staff this week!
#StaffAppreciation #EducationHeroes #SliceOfSuccess #SchoolFamily #ThankYou #AllHandsOnDeck
Board to Interview Second Superintendent Candidate
Brandon Simmelink will be interviewing for the position of Superintendent of Schools with the Board of Education on Tuesday May 5, 2026. Simmelink is the second of four candidates that USD 440 Halstead/Bentley Board of Education will be interviewing. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and an online community survey utilized during the search process.
Brandon Simmelink currently serves as a Principal in USD 373 Newton. He is in his 4th year in that position. Previously, Simmelink served as a McPherson Middle School Principal for 6 years.
Brandon Simmelink will be interviewing for the position of Superintendent of Schools with the Board of Education on Tuesday May 5, 2026. Simmelink is the second of four candidates that USD 440 Halstead/Bentley Board of Education will be interviewing. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups and an online community survey utilized during the search process.
Brandon Simmelink currently serves as a Principal in USD 373 Newton. He is in his 4th year in that position. Previously, Simmelink served as a McPherson Middle School Principal for 6 years.
Halstead Varsity Golf Invitational
Wedgewood Golf Course
1:00 PM
Wedgewood Golf Course
1:00 PM
Baseball (Game 2 Final)
Halstead 15
Belle Plaine 0
Softball (Game 2 Final)
Halstead 12
Belle Plaine 0