From left: Mercedes Bogarin, Betty Sanchez, Tania Rodriguez and Amanda Diehl.
Paraguay Teacher Exchange
Associate Superintendent Andy Koenigs introduced
Mercedes Bogarin and Tania Rodriguez,
two exchange teachers from Paraguay. They are co-teaching at Village and Maynard for four weeks. They were joined by their hosts, Betty Sanchez, who teaches third grade at Village, and Amanda Diehl, a FACS teacher at EHS. Amanda participated in the Paraguay teacher exchange last June. A third teacher will arrive in March to spend four weeks at EMS.
CHAMPS Grant
Jami Reever, United Way of the Flint Hills executive director, announced the City of Emporia and United Way had received a $35,000 grant to expand the summer food service program offered through the school district.
The Cities Combating Hunger Through After School and Summer Meal Programs (CHAMPS) initiative made grants available in Alabama, California, and Kansas to ensure low-income youth continue to have access to healthy food when school is out.
Emporia is one of 10 cities in the U.S. to receive a grant.
Refinancing of Bonds
The board authorized the sale of general obligation refunding bonds to refinance existing bonds. Greg Vahrenberg of PiperJaffray reported that over the life of the 2000 construction bonds, refinancing has saved the district just under $1.8 million and this refinancing should raise the savings to nearly $2 million.
Legislative Report
Assistant Superintendent Rob Scheib updated the board on legislative proposals. He reviewed a Legislative Post Audit report that recommends the consolidation of health plans for Kansas K-12 schools.
Other Board Business
The board approved:
- Request for AP Government trip to We the People National Finals in Washington, D.C., in April, partially funded by $5,000 grant from Johnson County 1st Amendment Foundation
- A $11,553.84 grant from the Justin J. Watt Foundation for new EMS basketball uniforms
- A $1,333 donation from the Walnut PTO for educational games and recess activities
- Request to dispose of surplus property
Community Relations secretary
Samantha Estrada is the first recipient of the Mary Herbert Education Center Customer Service Hero Awards. Employees are encouraged to nominate co-workers for the weekly awards. #EmporiaProud
EHS teacher Scott Bonnet has earned a Fourth Diamond degree of membership in the National Speech & Debate Association's Honor Society. The designation is based on student presentations, competitions and service. He will be recognized at the 2017 National Speech & Debate Tournament in June.
