Approvals:

• Minutes of February 28, 2024
• Minutes of March 12, 2024 Special Meeting
• Treasurer’s report for January 2024
• Treasurer’s report for February 2024
• amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding to the ERC Steering Committee
• Partnership Agreement between USD 253 and Jobs for America’s Graduates - Kansas for 2024-2025
• Amendment Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU between the Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative, USD 253 Emporia Preschool Programs, and ECKAN Head Start
• Bids for Furniture Fixtures, and Equipment for William Allen White Elementary
• Donation of $500 from Tyson, Inc. to the Spartan Stop at Emporia High School 
• Donation of 3,250 kid’s meal certificates from Applebees for elementary students across the district
• solicit bids/quotes for the Capital Projects from the study sessions on February 28, 2024 and March 27, 2024
• bid from Valu-Net to provide internet service to the district for the 2024-2025, 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years
• bid from SHI for network equipment, licensing, and Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS)
• reemployment of administrators
• Board of Education representative to KSHSAA Board of Directors as submitted
• Board of Education representative to KSHSAA Appeal Board as submitted
• Resolution 2024-9 for disposal of the Kansas Avenue School Building

Board Discussions and Information:

District Infrastructure:

Mr. Cory Nicolet, Director of Maintenance and Grounds, followed up the February 28 Board presentation by reviewing the maintenance needs and cost summary at each of the district’s schools and buildings. Nicolet will communicate with the State Bid site and purchasing vendors to secure quotes for the maintenance projects. Projects over $20,000 will be brought to the Board of Education for approval. Read more here.

Construction Update:

Mr. Eric Woltje, McCownGordon Senior Project Manager, provided updates on William Allen White Elementary, the district’s 9th and final bond project. Construction is just getting underway and is currently 1% complete. WAW is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2025. Renovations at WAW include new parking, updates to the front office space, HVAC system updates, and ADA accessibility in the Kindergarten rooms. New construction will include a media center, music room, kitchen, and a multipurpose/wind shelter room. Over Spring Break, crews completed all of the abatement work and are currently working on the demolition of the front office space and will begin dirt work for the new addition. Read more here.

Budget Update:

Mrs. Pam Stranathan, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations and Ms. Cate Cape, Director of Business, gave updates on the district's budget and the results of the SO66 Audit. Cape reported that the Capital Outlay budget is currently at $6,551,694, the General Fund is at $36,214,858, and the Supplemental General Fund is at $11,332,436. At present time, all of the district's budgets are at the levels they should normally be at this time of the year. Cape also announced that as a result of the district Audit, which shows an increase in weightings, the district is receiving additional funding. Mrs. Stranathan explained that the budget will need to be republished. This increase is from the enrollment growth which occurred for the 2023-2024 school year.

Read more here.

Strategic Plan Quarterly Report:

Dr. Allison Anderson Harder, Superintendent; Mrs. Judy Stanley, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Student Services; Dr. Ryan Karjala, Director of Assessment and Accountability; Mrs. Tara Glades, Director of Student Services; Dr. Erica Mickelson, Director of Teaching and Learning; Mrs. Pam Stranathan, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations; Mr. Jared Giffin, Director of Human Resources; Mr. Lyndel Landgren, Director of Community Relations, who are all members of the District Support Team (DST) provided a comprehensive review of the district’s progress toward the Strategic Plan’s Priorities and Goals. The presentation summarized and highlighted the strengths or successes, challenges, and next steps for each of the district’s Priorities and Goals as they inform and guide the district’s decisions. Administrators and staff across the district have been diligently working to implement and advance the key initiatives defined in the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan focuses on Student Achievement and Success, Culture and Communication, and Resources and Infrastructure. DST’s review of the Quarterly Report detailed the district’s commitment and support in serving the needs of students and support for staff through prioritizing the Strategic Plan. 

Projected, upcoming dates for the next quarterly reports include the BOE meetings in July, October, and December. While all areas will be updated, those reports may focus more heavily on a specific section of the Strategic Plan depending on the needs of the district at that time.

Board of Education members expressed their appreciation for the dedication and hard work that all of our teachers, staff, and administrators have put into advancing the district’s Strategic Plan for the benefit of students. Seeing the progress that has been made so far provides great excitement and optimism for the future of Emporia Public Schools. 

Strategic Plan Quarterly Report, Read more here. 

Strategic Plan Quarterly Update, Read more here.

Future Board Calendar Dates:

• Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
• Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
• Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Staff Recognition, W.L. White Civic Auditorium
• Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center