Board Approvals:
  • minutes of November 10, 2021
  • treasurer’s report for October 2021
  • fiscal payments
  • donation of $1,000 from Aunt Fred’s Hollow LLC to the class of 2023 for helping with the haunted house
  • donation of $500 from Gregory Ek to the EHS girls' basketball team for expenses
  • Mobilizing Literacy Family Liaison job description 
  • let bids for furniture, fixtures, and equipment for EHS general classroom space, study space, and break room
  • return to the semester system and end the use of the trimester system at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year for all grade levels
  • interagency agreement for student support specialist between Kansas Department of Children and Families and USD 253
  • District Support Liaison job description 
  • bid from Modern Business Interiors for Emporia High School Science and Chemistry furniture, fixtures, and equipment
  • recommendations to update district-level administrative position titles, corresponding job descriptions, and administrator salary guidelines as well as change administrator contract renewals to one year and conduct a district facility study

Board Information:
Academic Report - Kindergarten Readiness, Graduation Rate, and Postsecondary Success:
Mrs. Judy Stanley, Interim Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Ryan Karjala, Associate Executive Director of Assessment and Accountability, and Mr. Jared Giffin, Interim Associate Executive Director of Teaching and Learning reported on district data that shows advancement towards the State Board of Education outcomes. The outcomes discussed included kindergarten readiness, graduation rate, and postsecondary success.

Semesters and Trimester:
Mr. Dathan Fischer, Emporia High School Principal, presented information for the board to gain an understanding of the impact of trimesters versus semesters for district secondary students. Fischer reviewed details of why the district originally moved to trimester starting the 2016-2017 school year including hopes of improved academic data as well as decreasing the number of students failing classes. Although there are some positives in a trimester schedule the district has not seen an increase in test scores and the number of students failing classes has remained flat.

Over the past year, Fischer has spoken to many students and parents as well as staff members who have all expressed an overwhelming majority in favor of returning to a semester schedule. With last night's support from the board, the district will now move forward in transitioning back to a semester schedule for the 2022-2023 school year. An exact semester schedule will be determined in the upcoming weeks along with changes to the calendar and the course schedule. Click here to review the semester/trimester presentation.

Emporia Middle School Course Catalog:
Keith Glotzbach, Emporia Middle School Assistant Principal, reviewed the 2022-2023 course catalog which will remain unchanged from this year. Since the board voted to transition to semesters, the EMS counseling department and administrative staff will make updates reflecting semester courses and bring them back to the board for approval at a later date.

Construction Update:
Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, Superintendent, and Rob Scheib, Assistant Superintendent of Business, provided updates on the district’s construction projects. Currently, there are 3 projects under construction which include Logan Avenue Elementary, Emporia High School, and the Jones Early Childhood Development Center. All 3 projects are on schedule and the construction crews have appreciated the current weather patterns which have been helpful during the past several weeks. Additionally, Walnut Elementary is enjoying its new and renovated spaces. Walnut still has a few projects that will be completed over winter break and construction related to the building fire code that will be wrapped up this summer. Construction will begin next at Emporia Middle School and Village Elementary. Both buildings are currently in the design development stage of preconstruction. Click here to review the construction updates.

COVID Report:
Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, Superintendent, Dr. Brad Kempf, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and Jennifer Arndt, Director of Nursing, provided the board with updated information regarding the latest community COVID-19 surge. Unfortunately, all COVID gating criteria have increased drastically over the past few weeks. These trends are challenging for district nursing staff and the volume of active cases and testing is requiring a great deal of time.  

On a more positive note, the health department is now following KDHE guidelines and the Lyon County quartine periods have been reduced to 10 days, or 7 with a negative PCR test. This immediately allowed several of our students to return to class and reduces the time away from school for students who do have to quarantine. Dr. Kemp reviewed the KSHSAA guidelines that were adopted in September of this year regarding student-athlete return to participation guidelines. Emporia Schools follows these recommendations for student-athletes who have tested positive for COVID. Click here for KSHSAA Guidelines. It was recommended by the COVID Advisory Committee to continue current protocols and the next update will be provided on January 26th. Click here to review the COVID updates.

Administrative Organizational Structure:
Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, Superintendent, reviewed the administrative organizational structure that will be implemented beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. The change is due in part to the natural decline in enrollment over the past several years as well as the staffing and administrative efficiency study that was conducted by KASB. Recommendations that are included in the new structure and approved by the board are.
  • update district-level administrative position titles, job descriptions, and corresponding administrator salary guidelines
  • change administrator contract renewals from “rolling two years” to one-year
  • conduct a facility study as another factor of “right-sizing” the district

Future Board Calendar Dates:
  • Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center