Staff Bulletin | December 15, 2016
District News

Introducing a New
Skyward 
Mobile App
You can now get easy access to your Sk yward Employee Access account using a free mobile app. Here are instructions for downloading the app  to your Android or iOS device.  The app gives employees quick access to payroll information and available leave. 

Administrators also can approve leave requests for classified staff. Certified staff in Emporia  will still  use AESOP for time-off requests and administrators will continue to approve that leave in AESOP.

Log Into Skyward
If you have not logged into Skyward in a while, please take time to log in. You will automatically see an option to print your own W-2 Wage & Tax Statement. This will allow you to get the document before the end of January.
See details here

Hopkins Nominations
Have you nominated a colleague for a Hopkins Award this fall? The committee will meet soon so now is the time to submit nominations. 
It's fast and simple using this online form . Each winner receives a $2,000 cash award to use as he/she wants, plus another $1,000 for your school or district.

Emporia Board of Education

Personnel Report

Appointments

Ebony Monroe
4th grade, Riverside (1/4/17)

Brenda Nickel
school nurse, elementary schools

Brittany Bontrager
teacher intern, Timmerman (1/4/17)

Andrea Davis
teacher intern, Riverside (1/4/17)

Ashley Burkett-Crist
math strategist, EMS (1/4/17)

Kailee Dettmann
school psychologist, FHSEC

Madison Steward
physical education, EHS

Dallas Shafer
math, EHS

Grant Bachura
teacher intern, EHS (1/4/17)

Elizabeth Cline
math, EMS

Kylie Kater
teacher intern, Logan Ave (1/4/17)

Darla Yelverton
paraeducator, Americus

Sadie Boline
paraeducator, Timmerman/Logan

Mackenzie Jackson
paraeducator, Neosho Rapids

Makayla Brooks
flex worker, Food Service

Angela Acevedo-Felix
paraeducator, WA White

Barbara Goodman
paraeducator, Prairie Heights

Daniel Trujillo
Maintenance Department

Beth Hayes-Jackson
custodian, Maynard

Jennifer Casey
paraeducator, FHSEC

Veronica Benitez
bus aide, Transportation

Darrell Bowman
Maintenance Department

Resignations

Amanda Arndt
instructional coach, Timmerman

Lexie Keisler
1st grade, Riverside

DiShannon Cassity
paraeducator, Neosho Rapids

Linda Metcalf
paraeducator, Riverside

Alexandra Portofee
paraeducator, WA White/TPA

Jessica Scheib
paraeducator, Village

Tammie Lahr
paraeducator, FHSEC

Amanda Carson
paraeducator, Logan Avenue

Retirements

Mike Luce
speech/language pathologist, FHSEC

Cindy Rangel
paraeducator, Village

Margaret Henricks
assistant cook, Walnut
  Emporia Public Schools
1700 W 7th Ave
Emporia, Kansas 66801

Moments

2017 KTOY Nominations
Laura Evins, Maynard Early Childhood Center, and  Christy Dragonas , Emporia Middle School, have been selected as the district's elementary and secondary nominees for Kansas Teacher of the Year. Both were honored this week at their respective staff meetings. They now will be part of the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network.

Hunter Education Award
John Young, currently a department clerk at EHS, received an Order of the Buffalo Award earlier this month for his work with the Youth Hunter Education Program. He received the award from Phil Taunton, Lyon County area coordinator for Kansas Hunter Education, "for his efforts in creating safe, ethical and responsible hunters. His leadership and volunteerism is greatly appreciated in a number of areas."

Teacher Interns Join Staff
At  Wednesday's board of education meeting, the district hired four teacher interns who will join our Emporia family starting  January 4. Each school has been authorized to hire a paid teacher intern for the second half of the school year. 

This action is designed to help alleviate the current substitute teacher shortage and is part of a new district recruitment plan to start the hiring process earlier in the yea r.  The need for expanding the sub pool  and recruit high quality teachers earlier  has been discussed with principals and Emporia NEA officers.

During the second half of the school year, the interns will serve as a full-time permanent substitute for their school and participate in professional development and other teacher responsibilities. These paid interns will be considered for permanent positions for 2017-18. 
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Long-Range Planning
Assistant Superintendent Rob Scheib talked with the board how the district might approach the long-range capital improvements in the district. He outlined a construction manager process that school districts can now use to develop large capital projects with more accurate estimates. The district is considering hiring a construction management firm to complete a facilities study over the next 9 to 12 months. This study would be used as a basis for a possible bond election in the future as the current bonds are paid off.

2016 Climate Survey
The board reviewed the 2016 Climate Survey results. The survey was given in October to staff; students in grades 5, 7, 9 & 11; parents; and community members. The district gives the survey every two years and this is the third in the series. Overall, the survey results cast the district in a positive light.
See Survey Highlights

Student Achievement Data
Superintendent Kevin Case previewed data that indicates more high school graduates need to complete some post-secondary education to successfully compete in the workforce. At least 71 percent of the future workforce will need  a certificate or a 2-year or 4-year degree. 

Based on National Student Clearinghouse Data, only 42 percent of Kansas students are finishing high school and going on to get associate's or bachelor's degrees. This gap in post-secondary success also shows up in state assessment results. 

In January, the district will begin to look at local data to refine current board goals to align with the Kansans Can visition of post-secondary sucess.

Grants and Donations
The board accepted the following donations :
  • Oral Health Kansas grant for $15,000 for water bottle stations in schools
  • two washers & two dryers to EHS for a student pantry/laundry
  • Community Foundation grants to EMS for $783.96 and to $800 to WA White/Turning Point
  • Etude Study Club donation of $500 to EMS for STEM equipment
  • Flint Hills Volleyball Club donation of $1,000 to EMS for water bottle stations
Other Board Business
Acquisition of Property:  The board approved a contact to purchase a lot at 929 West Street for $15,000. The land is adjacent to Walnut School and may be considered for parking in the future.
Classified Salary Schedule: The board approved the addition of Bus Para to the classified salary schedule
Bus Bids: The board authorized the district to solicit bids for three buses and accept a $40,000 rebate from the Environmental Protection Agency
Surplus Property: The board approved requests to dispose of surplus property and technology equipment

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