Board Approvals:
  • minutes of July 28, 2021
  • Fiscal payments
  • participation in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for all six elementary schools
  • 2021-2022 Memorandum of Agreement for a concurrent enrollment partnership between Emporia State University and Emporia Public Schools for concurrent courses offered during the regular school day and taught by Emporia High School teachers
  • Memorandum of Agreement for the Emporia High School girls’ and boys’ golf teams to use the municipal golf course for practices and matches for the 2021-2022 school year for the contracted amount of $1900
  • Memorandum of Understanding for the Emporia High School girls’ and boys’ golf teams to practice at The Emporia Country Club for the 2021-2022 school year for the contracted amount of $200
  • Memorandum of Agreement between USD 253, the Emporia Recreation Commission, and the Emporia Arts Council to provide an after school program
  • Dr. Ryan Karjala to serve as representation on the Emporia Recreation Commission Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 school year
  • Guaranteed Maximum Price for Logan Avenue from McCownGordon Construction for $5,273,239, and the Build for Future Executive Committee (BFEC) be allowed to apply funds for architectural and engineering costs, soft costs associated with the construction phase, and USD 253 furniture, fixtures, and equipment up to the Maximum Master Budget Value of $6,261,827
  • publication of the Notice of Hearing 2021-2022 Budget and Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate for the 2021-2022 school year in the Emporia Gazette and on the USD 253 website
  • recommendation of COVID mitigation strategies as recommended by the COVID Advisory Committee:
  • To keep students in schools, universal masking for PreK-12 students, staff, and visitors in any district building. 
  • Sports and activities are times for optional masking if there is no contact; however, KSHSAA guidelines will be followed 
  • Attendees at sporting events must wear masks (there is typically less than 3 feet of distance and cheering/shouting) 
  • Recess is considered a mask break so masking is optional
  • Schools can mix cohort groups with the understanding that this practice will make it a larger testing group if there is someone who is positive 
  • Breakfast and Lunch - follow the last year’s plan of elementary students eating in classrooms; secondary students maintaining as much spacing as much as possible and use of barriers as much as possible

Board Updates:
District Construction Projects:
Eric Woltje, McCownGordon Senior Project Manager, provided updates on the current district construction projects and shared photos of the progress being made at each location. All projects continue to run on schedule and are on track to meet the target completion date. Walnut Elementary is nearing completion except for three classrooms that will be completed this Fall. Staff is scheduled to move in this weekend just in time for the open house and classes next week.

Logan Avenue Elementary, Emporia Middle School, and Village Elementary are all in the preconstruction phase. Logan Avenue will be first up with construction scheduled to begin in November of 2021. Click here to view the construction update and photos

Woltje was joined by Zach Snethen, HTK Architects to provide recommendations regarding the Guaranteed Maximum Price for Logan Avenue Elementary. The board approved their recommendation for $5,273,239 for renovations and construction costs as well as approved that the Build for the Future Executive Committee is allowed to utilize funds associated with additional costs. Costs that could include architectural and engineering costs, soft costs, and furniture and fixtures up to a total not to exceed the Maximum Master Budget Value of $6,261,827 Click here to view the Logan Avenue Guaranteed Maximum Price presentation.

FY21 Budget Review:
Rob Scheib, Assistant Superintendent of Business, reviewed the district's 2021-2022 budget as prepared for publication. State statute requires a notice of hearing for the budget and Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate to be published at least ten days before the public hearing which is scheduled for September 8th. The Notice of Hearing for the 2021-2022 Budget and Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate for the 2021-2022 school year were approved by the board and will be published in the Emporia Gazette and on the district website. Click here to review the Budget Presentation Workshop, Click here to review the 2021-2022 District Budget

COVID-19:
Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, Superintendent, updated the board on the recent COVID Advisory committee meeting which included a review of recent COVID statistics as well as new recommendation strategies that were approved by the board. Dr. Brad Kempf, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources shared highlights of the district's COVID Operations Plan while Judy Stanley, Interim Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, provided a review of the Teaching and Learning Departments' procedures for student quarantines. The trio answered questions and provided clarification for board members who discussed each topic in detail. Click here to review the COVID-19 presentation

Future Board Calendar Dates:
  • Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, September 8, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, October 13, 2021, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center