District Events:
Open House Schedule:
- August 17 - Maynard - 3:00-5:00
- August 17 - All elementary schools - 4:00-6:00
- EMS - Thursday, August 12 - 5:30-7:30 - 7th/8th Grade and Monday, August 16 - 5:30-7:30 - 6th Grade
- EHS - Tuesday, August 17 - 5:30-7:30
2021-2022 School Start/End Times:
2021-2022 Enrollment Continues:
Enrollment continues at the Flint Hills Learning Center through Friday, August 20, by appointment. Beginning on Monday, August 23, enrollment will return to Mary Herbert Education Center. Appointments must be scheduled by calling 620-341-2396.
Kansas Can Success Tour:
Kansas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Randy Watson, and Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Brad Neuenswander will be participating in a Kansans Can Success tour. The tour will include a stop in Emporia on Wednesday, September 1st from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at the Clint Bowyer Building. Please reach out to your building administrator if you would like to attend.
District News:
After-School GAP Care:
If you are in need of after-school GAP care for your elementary student/s please fill out the google form link by Friday, August 13, at 1:00 PM. Plans are being made for GAP care until the after-school care program through the Emporia Recreation Center/Emporia Arts Council begins on September 7th (anticipated start date) 2021-2022 After-School Gap Care
Salary Movement:
September 1st is the deadline for certified staff to submit paperwork for salary movement for the 2021-22 school year. If you have any questions please contact Megan Rahe megan.rahe@usd253.net.
Voicemail Update:
Due to a change in the phone system life cycle, desk voicemail is no longer connected to your email. To retrieve your voicemail, you will need to use your assigned PIN number. If you do not know your assigned PIN please put in a work order tech-help@usd253.net.
Spanish Stipend:
The ability to speak and write English and Spanish is a much-needed skill in order to better serve the students and parents of Emporia Schools. Classified and licensed staff are eligible to be considered for the Spanish stipend program. Candidates will take separate verbal and written exams in Spanish. Depending upon your proficiency levels in Spanish, stipends for licensed staff may be $250 - $1000 per year and stipends for classified staff may be .25 to $1.00 per hour. You do not have to qualify for both verbal and writing to receive a stipend. Proficiency in just one area will also earn a stipend. If you are interested in more information on how to receive this stipend, please contact Human Resources 341-2330 or if you have questions about the test or to schedule the test, please contact Felix Lizarraga 341-2200. Please note, it is expected that staff members accepting this stipend will serve as an interpreter and/or translator according to their Spanish proficiency level when reasonably asked to do so by their supervisor
COVID Reminders:
- COVID vaccinations are still available. Employees and their family members wishing to be vaccinated can contact Lyon County Public Health or their medical provider.
- Effective June 1, 2021, employees will use chargeable leave, personal leave, and if applicable, vacation leave for any COVID related absences.
- The option for employees to work from home as a result of COVID is ending at this time.
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Cam F Awesome shared a message which focused on teamwork, resilience, and service with district staff at Monday's Back-to-School Convocation.
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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.
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
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Appointments:
Kathleen Bish
paraeducator, 251 NLC Elementary School
Allyssa Beck
paraeducator, 251 NLC Elementary School
Maria Jimenez de Garcia
bus driver, Transportation
Tassie Kelly
paraeducator/teacher aide, Logan Avenue Elementary
Brandy Mason
paraeducator, Walnut Elementary
Amanda Meade
assistant cook, Food Service
Terri Seastrom
flex worker, Food Service
Taylor Stuart
food server, Food Service
Teresa Thompson
paraeducator, William Allen White Elementary
Laken Vandergrift
paraeducator, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative
Olivia Shaw
paraeducator, William Allen White Elementary
Jalen Carter
rule 10 freshman boys basketball coach, Emporia High School
Bill Nienstedt
rule 10 assistant boys basketball coach, Emporia High School
Andrew Johnson
paraeducator, 252 Olpe Jr/Sr High School
John Cramer
paraeducator, Emporia Middle School
Zuleima Duran
paraeducator, Emporia Middle School
Lauren Rowe
paraeducator, Emporia Middle School
Alexia Johnson
office aide/health office aide, William Allen White Elementary
Annahastasia Row
paraeducator, 251 Northern Heights High School
Victoria Stair
paraeducator, Walnut Elementary
Debra Marsh
paraeducator, 252 Neosho Rapids Elementary
Resignation:
Naomi Gonzalez
student and Family Services Secretary, Mary Herbert Education Center
Retirement:
Nancy Lawson
math, Emporia Middle School
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