What does it take to transform a small-town school district into a destination for families and educators alike? Deputy Superintendent Jenny Flaw takes us behind the scenes of Sanger ISD's remarkable journey.

A 1990 Sanger graduate with 24 years of service to the district, Jenny shares how this educational ecosystem operates much like a city – with departments, leadership structures, and strategic planning all aligned toward a singular purpose: making decisions that center on students first. Through intentional curriculum alignment, financial ingenuity, and community partnerships, Sanger ISD has created an educational experience that defies the resource limitations typically faced by smaller districts.

The conversation reveals how Sanger's bold move to a four-day instructional week has yielded "off the charts" approval from teachers, students, and families alike. This innovation has dramatically improved teacher recruitment and retention, bringing in educators with hundreds of years of combined experience who are choosing Sanger specifically for its forward-thinking approach.

The crown jewel of their transformation is the stunning new 250,000-square-foot high school opening in August 2025. This "pure awesomeness" as Jenny describes it, features specialized spaces for everything from culinary arts to criminal justice, health sciences to fine arts – all designed with extensive community input. Perhaps most impressive is Sanger's commitment to career pathways, offering fifteen different CTE programs when only one is required by the state.

Whether you're a parent considering educational options, an educator looking for inspiration, or a community member interested in how schools evolve to meet future needs, this conversation offers a blueprint for educational excellence built on student-centered decision making and community partnership.

Ready to see what Purple Pride is all about? Discover why families and teachers are making Sanger ISD their destination of choice.

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to dgreen@sangertexas.org

Laura Klinke, Director of the Sanger Public Library, envisions her institution as "the living room of the community" – a vibrant gathering place where residents dance, watch movies, study, and connect. Far beyond traditional book lending, Sanger's library offers an expanding array of services from hotspots and STEM kits to cognitive care resources and board games.

With Sanger's growth bringing young families alongside longtime residents, Klinke and her passionate staff have strategically developed programming for every life stage. While preschool story times have always been popular, they've expanded to serve the "awkward years" of middle school, high school students planning their futures, and adults in their 20s through retirement. Their innovative offerings range from Kids Can Cook classes and puzzle races to aluminum pours and period parties in collaboration with TWU Nursing.

What library school never prepared Klinke for was the significant social work component of modern library service. Staff regularly help patrons in crisis access essential services through partnerships with organizations like Denton County United Way. This personal touch defines Sanger's approach, where staff pride themselves on knowing patrons by name and witnessing families grow over time. Digital resources like Cloud Library and Peterson's career prep materials complement their physical collection, while participation in a six-library consortium allows resource sharing across communities. Anyone – not just Sanger residents – can get a library card and access these valuable resources.

Looking ahead, Klinke dreams of an outreach vehicle to bring library services directly into neighborhoods. Whether through volunteering, joining Friends of the Library, or simply spreading the word about available resources, community members can help support this vision of a library that truly serves everyone from birth through retirement. Visit SangerLibrary.org to discover everything your community living room has to offer!

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to dgreen@sangertexas.org

Ever wondered what truly makes a farmers market the beating heart of a small town? In our conversation with Amber Whitworth-Spagner, Director of the Sanger Farmers Market, we discover how a simple agricultural marketplace has transformed downtown Sanger into a vibrant community hub where nearly 1,000 visitors now gather on market days.

Amber shares the remarkable journey of relocating the market from its previous location to downtown's beautiful square, creating an atmosphere she describes as "like nothing else." The market has stayed true to its agricultural roots while expanding to feature an impressive variety of local treasures – from dairy, eggs and meats (including bison!) to artisanal crafts, tamales, pasta, cheesecake, and ginger beer. There's something for everyone at this certified Texas farmers market.

The downtown location has been transformative, providing vendors with protection from dust and wind, access to electricity, and improved accessibility. Downtown businesses have embraced the market, reporting increased revenue on market days and supporting its continued growth. Most touching is Amber's revelation that visiting vendors have fallen so in love with Sanger's welcoming community that many are looking to relocate their homes and businesses to the town permanently.

Looking ahead, the market has exciting plans including specialized themed markets, moonlight markets running from 6-10pm, agricultural education events, and potentially a community garden and homesteading classes. The market operates March through November on first and third Saturdays and third Sundays.

Ready to experience this community cornerstone yourself? Visit www.thefarmerswifemarkets.com or follow DS_FarmersMarket on social media for updates. As Amber says, "Come to the farmers market and support your local community. The atmosphere is really great. I feel alive whenever I'm there."

Connect with the Downtown Sanger Farmer's Market:

Facebook: Downtown Sanger Farmers Market

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088718678593

Instagram: @ds_farmersmarket

https://www.instagram.com/ds_farmersmarket/

TikTok: @ds_farmersmarket

https://www.tiktok.com/@ds_farmersmarket

YouTube: @dsfarmersmarket

https://www.youtube.com/@dsfarmersmarket

Website: www.thefarmerswifemarkets.com

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to dgreen@sangertexas.org