Board Approvals:
  • minutes of October 27, 2021
  • minutes of November 3, 2021, special meeting
  • fiscal payments
  • solicit bids/quotes for furniture, fixtures, and equipment for the new Emporia High School science wing
  • donation of $750 from the Bourbon Cowboy to the Gay Straight Alliance at Emporia High School
  • Art Gutierrez authority to make informed decisions on behalf of the board regarding the Kansas Association of School Boards legislative policy position at the upcoming Delegate Assembly
  • declare a 2006 Ford Expedition as surplus and dispose of via Purple Wave internet auction
  • bid from Kaw Valley Engineering for Construction Materials Testing and Inspection Services for Logan Avenue Elementary renovation of $13,247, click here to review the proposal
  • 2020-2021 financial audit conducted by Varney & Associates, click here for the Financial Statement
  • dispose of district Chromebook surplus, sell 20% of grade "A" Chromebooks to the community for $30 each with the remaining Chromebooks being sold to AG Parts
  • a resolution that will re-authorize a one-half mill property tax levy for five years for adult basic education 
  • retire board policy EE as written and replace it with updated policy EE as submitted
  • 2022-2023 Emporia High School Enrollment Guide, click here to review the 2022-2023 enrollment catalog changes 
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the USD 253 Multi-Disciplinary Team, click here to review the MOU
  • Resolution 2021-12 

Board Recognitions:
  • The board presented an American Education Week Proclamation to ENEA representative Stacey Johnston in honor of American Education Week, November 15-19.
  • The board presented certificates to the First United Methodist Church and their community partners for the donation of school supplies for all students for the 2021-2022 school year.

Board Information:
KASB Strategic Plan Report:
Sue Givens, Leadership Field Specialist with the Kansas Association of School Boards, presented the results of the recent strategic planning sessions. During those planning sessions input was gathered from staff, parents, and community stakeholders to develop the district’s strategic plan. During last night’s board meeting current and newly elected board members reviewed that information and collaborated to provide feedback regarding district strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Next, district administrators will review the feedback and narrow it down to district goals which will be presented to the board for approval.

Construction Update:
Eric Woltje, McCownGordon Senior Project Manager, provided updates on the district’s construction projects. Renovations have been completed on the last three classrooms at Walnut Elementary and staff will be moving into those rooms next week. Final construction on work that has been required by the fire marshall will be completed during the summer months. Emporia High School is 58% complete with work currently happening on the science wing roof, storm shelter area, and pool. Jones Early Childhood Development Center is now 80% complete. Construction crews are installing the flooring and classroom casework. Logan Avenue has been outfitted with the construction fence with site demolition to start soon. Emporia Middle School and Village Elementary are next in line with both buildings currently in the preconstruction phase. Click here to review the construction presentation.

USD 253 Multi-Disciplinary Team:
Jared Giffin, Interim Associate Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, presented the Memorandum of Understanding and the plans that have been developed to create the USD 253 Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). The team is composed of district staff, Crosswinds, the County Attorney’s office, Lyon County Community Corrections, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The purpose of this group is to provide another layer of support for students and their families during times when the student is experiencing great needs in the school or community. For a student to be reviewed by the MDT they must be referred by an agency member and parents or guardians must sign the consent form authorizing for Disclosure of Protected Health Information. Click here to review the MOU

State Academic Achievement Report:
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, provided an overview of the academic report as shared in the Kansas State Assessment (KSA) results. Performance level indicators are divided into 4 levels. In most cases over the last 7 years, the district has seen a slight improvement in English Language Arts (ELA) and science levels while seeing a decrease in math. In comparison with other districts the size of Emporia, similar results were seen in ELA, math, and science. According to Stanley, the district will use this information to evaluate core resources and curriculum for math and science. Once resources have been identified, staff will receive professional development in implementing those resources and interventions. As a result, the district would anticipate seeing more students at levels 2 and 3 and a decrease in those students performing at level 1. Click here to review the Kansas Assessment Report.

Future Board Calendar Dates:
  • Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 9:00 a.m., Cookie Delivery for American Education Week, All Buildings
  • Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 2:00 p.m., Groundbreaking Ceremony, Logan Avenue Elementary
  • Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 5:30 p.m./7:00 p.m., StuCo Dinner/Board Meeting, Emporia High School