Superintendent's Message for April 2026

Hello, Chargers!!

I want to extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community. It is an honor to serve as your superintendent and to partner with you in supporting the success, growth, and well-being of every student.

Our schools thrive because of the strong relationships between families, staff, and the community. Below you will find a parent survey as well an honor our school district has been awarded.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our schools.

Capturing Kids' Hearts Award

We are proud to celebrate an extraordinary achievement for our district—being named a 2025–2026 Capturing Kids’ Hearts® National Showcase Schools® District Award winner. This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff, students, and families to creating a culture rooted in trust, respect, and meaningful relationships. It is especially exciting to see Chariton Community School District honored at the district level, alongside the individual recognition of Chariton High School, Columbus Elementary, and Van Allen Elementary. Together, these honors highlight the intentional work happening across our schools to ensure every student and staff member feels safe, supported, and connected each day. Below is the official email I received from the organization.  

Congratulations! Chariton Community School District is a 2025-2026 Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase Schools® District Award winner.

We appreciate your team’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a safe and supportive environment for students and staff. The outstanding implementation of the CKH™ Process in Chariton Community School District is a testament to your dedication and leadership. Earning this recognition reflects a district-wide commitment to building a culture in which relationships, trust, and intentional practices shape daily experiences for both students and staff.

Thank you for your committed participation in CKH™ District Premium! We appreciate your intentional efforts as we work together to cultivate a positive school culture and forge meaningful connections across your district.

In addition to your district award, the following campuses will be honored and celebrated as Capturing Kids’ Hearts® National Showcase Schools (NSS):

Chariton High School           Columbus Elementary             Van Allen Elementary

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! Your contributions are invaluable to our shared mission.

With gratitude,
Your friends at Capturing Kids' Hearts

Four-Day Week School Year Survey

As mentioned in an earlier superintendent message, the school board and I have been researching the possibility of a four-day school week. We value your input and would like to hear your opinions and thoughts on this topic. The survey will collect email addresses only to ensure that responses are limited to one per participant and to maintain the integrity of the data. It will remain open for two weeks to allow everyone adequate time to review information and provide thoughtful feedback.

Click on the following link to submit your survey - Four-Day School Week Survey

2026-2027 School Calendar Approved

We are pleased to share that the school calendar has been officially approved at last night’s Board of Education meeting. This calendar reflects thoughtful planning to support student learning while also considering the needs of our families and staff.

We encourage you to review the calendar and begin planning for the 2026-2027 school year. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our schools. Approved 2026-2027 School Calendar

Please visit our website at https://www.charitonschools.org/ for additional information about our school district. 

GO CHARGERS and THINK BIG !!!!  

Mr. Baker, #LBE

Phone - 641-774-5967

Email- brad.baker@chariton.k12.ia.us