Kansas Students Build Homes to Revitalize Bartlett Community

BARTLETT, Kansas — Students at Labette County High School are taking part in a program that enables them to build homes for their community, tackling the housing shortage in Southeast Kansas.

The Building Trades program, part of LCHS’s curriculum for several decades, gives students hands-on training in construction skills, including plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC installation. This year, students are completing their second home in Bartlett, expanding on a history of building homes in Altamont.

Tyler Cares, an LCHS graduate who runs the program through Coffeyville Community College, emphasizes the importance of community involvement. “The whole intent is to continue to see young families move back into our district,” said Superintendent John Wyrick, noting that Bartlett is the smallest community in the district.

The program collaborates with the Bartlett City Council, which applied for a USDA Community Development Block Grant to support these efforts. Local businesses, like Volmer Construction, also contribute by providing resources and expertise.

Students earn college credit through concurrent enrollment, and some have graduated with both their high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree in Construction Technology. During summer internships, they can earn $14 an hour for working on building projects.

The homes feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage, aiming to attract young families back to the community. Wyrick expressed optimism, noting visible improvements in community pride as families take interest in the area.

While the program charges customers $1.50 per square foot for labor, it focuses on serving the community rather than profit, with funds being reinvested into tools and materials.

Students also have opportunities to transition into the workforce, with some being recruited directly after graduation by local construction companies. Cares mentioned that employers value the soft skills students acquire, in addition to practical construction skills.

Feedback from students highlights the program’s benefits. Junior Brantley Allen appreciates being productive and gaining practical experience, while sophomore Aaron Simpson looks forward to continuing his family’s construction business. Simpson described learning wiring as a fun challenge and emphasized the value of these skills for future homeownership.

Cares believes the training empowers students, saying, “Whether they go into construction or not, they will have skills that are useful for life.” The latest home built by the students is expected to be completed by March.

Future articles in this series will explore more innovative approaches to housing in Southeast Kansas.