S02 E01: Season 2 Kickoff: Back-to-School Master Guide & New Faces

Release Date: July 27, 2026

Duration: ~54 minutes 

Show Notes: Link

In this season premiere, the #BryanBuilt Podcast kicks off a brand-new school year with everything Golden Bear families need to know for 2026-2027. Superintendent Mark Rairigh and host Chris Malanga return to the studio after a busy summer of campus improvements to deliver a complete roadmap for the year ahead. From key calendar dates and administrative transitions to expanded busing access and state-of-the-art facility updates, Episode 01 highlights the ongoing growth and preparation driving our school community.

This episode covers:

The News Feed: Superintendent Mark Rairigh announces the official completion of the middle school and high school addition, featuring the new Career Tech shop, junior high gym, and weight room. We also share exciting coaching hires in softball and track and detail administrative restructuring across the district.

Back-to-School Master Guide: We break down all essential logistics for families heading into August. Get all the details on MS/HS office hours, Elementary Back to School Business Day, Open House schedule details, staggered start dates for our youngest learners, free breakfast and lunch programs, and the new 0.5-mile busing walk zone that expands transportation access to ~130 additional students.  

The Fun Segment: Mark and Chris test their summer and school vocabulary in a fast-paced game of Taboo. Dodging studio motion-sensor lights that turn off mid-recording, the hosts navigate clever wordplay, from "ouches on your skin" to bikes being "too tired", ending in a high-energy 9–9 tie to open Season 2!  

Golden Bear Standout: We wrap up the show by recognizing Director of Maintenance Ned Ruffer as our Golden Bear Standout. Celebrating 47 years of extraordinary dedication, Mark and Chris highlight Ned’s behind-the-scenes work ethic that keeps our campus immaculate and looking brand new year after year. Ned will be retiring on December 31st.