Board Approvals:
  • public comment will be allowed with a duration of 3 minutes per speaker to be timed by the Board Clerk, and speakers to sign up for in-person or remote public comment by 1:00 p.m. the day of the board meeting, that public comment by e-mail not be accepted, that those giving public comment not approach the board or move past the podium, no handouts will be allowed but such materials may be e-mailed in advance to the board clerk for distribution to the board, and that public comment may not include reference to names of specific students and/or personnel matters which would potentially violate an individual's privacy, and that the board will not engage in discussion at that time except to gain clarification.
  • minutes of August 11, 2021
  • treasurer’s report for July 2021
  • Memorandum of Understanding with Greenbush for Drivers Education for the 2021-2022 school year
  • Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (ELTP) Driver Education Reimbursement Grant with the Bureau of Transportation for the 2021-2022 school year
  • Memorandum of Agreement with CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness Center and USD 253 for the 2021-2022 school year for case management and therapeutic services
  • Director of Health Care Services job description
  • donation of disinfecting wipes from the Walmart Distribution Center in Ottawa
  • purchase of Sonday classroom materials from Winsor Learning in the amount of $37,436.58 to provide reading support to students in grades PreK through 8th grade
  • quote of $309,682 from Athco to furnish and install playground equipment at the Jones Early Childhood Development Center

Board Discussions:
Summer School 2021:
Judy Stanley, Interim Executive Director of Teaching and Learning provided a review of the summer school opportunities the district provided students this past summer. Elementary and Middle schools students were selected based on at-risk factors and participated in on-site instruction for two weeks. High School students completed Credit Recovery and Course Retake and were selected based on unsuccessful completion of courses during the 2020-2021 school year. Additionally, students in both elementary and secondary schools were able to receive social emotional support individually and in small groups throughout the months of June and July. Resources from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) were used to provide this year’s summer school instruction. Click here to view the summer school presentation.

COVID Update:
Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, Superintendent reviewed the latest community COVID data and highlighted strategies being implemented in our schools to increase social distancing opportunities during lunch and in the classrooms. Dr. Brad Kempf, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources provided an overview of the current COVID-19 Dashboard. Although there have been a number of students exposed to COVID, the district’s test to learn quarantine plan and having a number of students vaccinated have greatly reduced the number of students who are at in-home quarantine. The district was also approved for a Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) grant. The grant will provide financial resources to help offset the cost of expenses related to COVID. Plans for the grant include additional nursing staff, as well as COVID-related supplies such as test kits, and mileage for mobile testing. Click here to view the COVID-19 presentation.

Real Estate Property:
Jim Witt with the Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) and Rob Gilligan with Ignite Emporia discussed with the board their desire to purchase unused district land. The land would potentially be used to help alleviate the housing shortage in the Emporia community. The property discussed included the north end of 1700 W 7th near Mary Herbert Education Center and 327 West Street near Riverside Elementary. Board members were interested in gathering additional information regarding potential future district use of the property before making a final decision.

Future Board Calendar Dates:
  • 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