District News:
Important information about your April 2020 BCBSKS Dental Premium:
The following correspondence was received from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
"Statewide stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for all Kansans in April caused significant disruption to dental care. While most dental practices were available for emergency care, we recognize preventive and other dental services may have been delayed or canceled. As a response to these challenges Blue Cross is supporting our members by returning April 2020 dental premiums."
Current USD 253 employees who paid an April 2020 premium will receive their refund on their 11/15/2020 paycheck. If you are an administrator it will be paid on 12/01/2020 paycheck. If you have any questions please contact Stephanie Pope at stephanie.pope@usd253.net.
Insurance Reminder:
November 30th is the last day changes can be made for insurance elections for the 2021 plan year which is effective beginning January 1, 2021. American Fidelity is still meeting with employees virtually. Please use the link American Fidelity Assistance to make an appointment if you need to make any changes. Appointments can be made through October 30th. If they need to make a change after October 30th please contact Melissa Vogts at melissa.vogts@usd253.net.
Payroll Update:
You may have seen recent news coverage about a potential payroll tax deferral starting September 1, 2020. According to IRS guidance, this is an optional tax deferral that would need to be repaid in the months of January through April 2021. USD 253 Emporia Public Schools has decided not to participate in this deferral program as it would set employees up to take a huge reduction in take-home pay in the New Year when the taxes come due. If new guidance or legal advice comes out, we will review and reconsider all options for our employees. We appreciate the questions we've received so far. We are told this is an employer decision, therefore we will not participate. There is nothing employees need to do to opt-out. If you have any questions, please email Stephanie Pope at stephanie.pope@usd253.net or call 341-2216
Early Resignation/Retirement Notification Incentive:
Any licensed teacher who has worked greater than two years in USD 253 who is planning to resign or retire at the end of the school year is eligible to receive an early notification stipend.
A written resignation or retirement notice must be submitted to the assistant superintendent of Human Resources. Stipends will be awarded according to the time table below at the end of the contract year.
Written notification received by:
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November 1st would receive $750
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December 1st would receive $500
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January 1st would receive $250
For additional information please see the master contract.
District Events:
Additional Dates For Superintendent Chats:
Thank you to those of you who attended and shared during the Superintendent Chats this week. In an effort to allow more staff to participate, Superintendent Kevin Case will be hosting additional informal "Superintendent Chats". The virtual sessions are meant to be interactive and will give you an opportunity to share your thoughts, ideas, questions, and suggestions in an informal way. Each session will last approximately thirty minutes, however, you are welcome to come and go based on your work schedule. Below is a schedule of upcoming meeting times. Please use the Google meet links to join a session of your choice.
The following two questions will be used to start the conversation:
- What is going well with the 2020-2021 school year?
- How can we better support you during the 2020-2021 school year?
William Allen White 2020 Hope for the Holidays Virtual 5K:
Student and Family Resources Clothing Drive:
The annual clothing drive sponsored by Student and Family Resources is collecting donations. Please bring new or gently used clothing items to the Flinthills Mall, back entrance by the cinema, or front entrance between Claire's and Bling until November 1st. In addition, there is a tan shed for donation drop-offs anytime, located behind EHS back by food service. It is in the far NW corner of the gravel directly behind the bleachers. With the pandemic and all of the financial struggles that have accompanied it, there is an overwhelming need for clothing of all sizes this year, especially winter coats and clothing. Thank you for your donation and for helping serve the students and families of our district. Contact Heather Wagner at heather.wagner@usd253.net if you have any questions.
EHS Wrestling Fundraiser:
The EHS wrestling team is selling metal spartan signs as a fundraiser. Please click here if you are interested in supporting the Wrestling Fundraiser.
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Appointments:
Amethyst Saltkill
paraeducator, 252 Olpe Elementary
Abigail Sanchez paraeducator, Riverside Elementary
Cadee West paraeducator, Maynard Early Childhood Center
Jailine Alvarez paraeducator, Emporia Middle School
Jason Palmer paraeducator, Emporia High School
Brittani Davis health office assistant, Riverside Elementary
Wesley Lowrey teacher aide, Logan Avenue Elementary
Lysie Wenenn paraeducator, Walnut Elementary
Resignations: Aden Lindholm paraeducator, Walnut Elementary
Edyth Hernandez Zuniga teacher aide, Emporia Middle School
Maddison Paugh paraeducator, Riverside Elementary
Rosa Mason bus driver, Transportation
Heidi Cahoon bus paraeducator, Transportation, 11/6/20
Retirement: Michael Schoenberger grade 5, Walnut Elementary, 5/28/21
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Classrooms at Maynard Early Childhood Center got creative and are ready for Halloween.
Board Approvals:
- minutes from October 14, 2020
- minutes from October 21, 2020
- treasurer's report for September 2020
- 2020-2021 School Site Council memberships
- participation in the National Clean Diesel Rebate Program 2020 School Bus Replacement and Retrofit Funding Opportunity
- revised board policies, click here to view policy revisions
- accept the Guaranteed Maximum Price for Emporia High School Addition and Renovations from McCown Gordon Construction for $17,613,376. It is also recommended that the Build for the Future Executive Committee (BFEC) be allowed to apply funds up to the Maximum Master Budget Value of $22,445,608.
- Secondary schools to move to step 3 beginning November 9, 2020
Board Information:
Emporia High School Guaranteed Maximum Price: Charlie Ochs and Eric Wolte from McCown Gordon Construction and Zach Snethen from HTK Architects updated the board on current construction projects as well as reviewed the Guaranteed Maximum Price for Emporia High School. Click here to review the Guaranteed Maximum Price for EHS.
The master budget for EHS is estimated to be $22,445, 608 with the total project cost coming in at $21,509,336. The remaining funds will be applied to prioritized needs at EHS. Construction updates included:
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Early Childhood Center - demolition of trees and structures on the lot is almost complete, the next step will be to strip the topsoil and begin building the pad
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Walnut - temperatures and rain have slowed progress this week, however, crews are hopeful to dig and pour footings at the end of the week
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Emporia High School - in mid-December crews will start mobilizing the construction site with construction beginning after the first of the year
Enrollment Update and Headcount Report: Dr. Ryan Karjala, Associate Executive Director of Assessments and Accountability shared preliminary enrollment numbers for 2020-21 and a historical view of how enrollment and poverty have changed over the past six years. The 2020-2021 unaudited district headcount is 4326. Click here to view the enrollment report
Elementary and Secondary Delivery Models: Kevin Case, Superintendent, began by thanking the COVID Advisory Committee and the secondary principals for their input and participation. The committee continues to review community data regarding COVID and the possible transition to step 3. The group discussed their concern of losing mitigation strategies by moving the secondary schools to step 3 of the hybrid learning plan. Based on the data, Case recommended to continue in step 2 and revisit the issue at the November 11th board meeting. Following the presentation a motion was made and the board voted to move to step 3 beginning November 9th. Step 3 includes the onsite cohort group plus an additional 50% of the student population at both Emporia Middle School and Emporia High School. On average, secondary students will be on-site every other day. Click here to view the COVID Advisory Committee Presentation.
Future Board Calendar Dates:
- Wednesday, November 11, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
- Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
- Wednesday, January 13, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
- Wednesday, January 27, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Emporia High School Library
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Members of The Emporia Board of Education
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Emporia Public Schools
1700 W 7th Ave
Emporia, Kansas 66801
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