Staff Bulletin | June 9, 2022

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Members of the Enrollment Study Committee had the opportunity to tour three of the district’s elementary schools this week as a part of their Enrollment Study committee work. Committee members will meet on June 22, for the second Enrollment Study meeting. During that meeting, the information they have gathered will be reviewed to brainstorm possible solutions for consideration.

District News:

Summer Meals:

The district’s summer grab-and-go meal program will run through July 29. Free breakfast and lunch will be available Monday - Friday for all children aged 1-18. Meals can be picked up at Riverside and William Allen White from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. If you have any questions regarding the summer meal program please contact Food Service at 620-341-2382.


Open Enrollment Assistants:

The Community Relations Office is looking for additional staff to help with open enrollment this summer. Staff are needed on July 14 for training and then Monday through Friday from July 18 until August 5. If you are interested please email community.relations@usd253.net or call 620-341-2200.


Late Resignation Reminders from Human Resources for certified staff:

June 1

  • beginning penalty period for late resignations
  • certified staff members resigning on the last statutory day to resign shall pay the district $500
  • any certified staff member resigning after the last statutory day to resign shall pay an additional $25 per day until the written resignation is received in the central office


July 1

  • certified staff members resigning on July 1st shall pay the district $2000
  • any certified staff member resigning after July 1st shall pay an additional $50 per day until the written resignation is received in the central office

August 1

  • certified staff members resigning on or after August 1st and thereafter shall pay the district $5000


Free and Reduced Lunches for 2022-2023:

The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. Our district receives reimbursement from USDA for each meal served to eligible students. During the Pandemic, the USDA issued waivers that allowed schools to provide free meals to all students, regardless of their household income levels. This waiver expires on June 30, 2022. As of right now, meals will not be free for all students next school year.


Families will be able to apply for Free or Reduced price meals by completing a Child Nutrition Application. Applications will be available online beginning July 18, 2022, at enrollment and anytime throughout the 2022-2023 school year. We encourage all families to fill out this free application. If you have any questions please contact our Food Service Department at 620-341-2382.


Kindergarten and Preschool Pre-registration:

Pre-registration for kindergarten and preschool is currently available through Google Form links on the district website. Kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2022, and 3 and 4-year-old preschool students must meet eligibility requirements. All pre-registered students will enroll online beginning July 18th. For more information contact Maynard Early Childhood Center, the elementary school nearest you, or the Student and Family Resource Office at 620-341-2396. Please share this information with any parents you may know that have children who are preschool or kindergarten age.


District Events:

Jones Early Childhood Development Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony:

On June 22, the district will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Jones Early Childhood Development Center, 327 S. Walnut. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 3:00 PM with a welcome from Superintendent Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, remarks from Governor Laura Kelly, and district construction partners. Refreshments will be served followed by self-guided building tours. Please note, no food is to be brought into the building. Click here to view the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony invitation.


2022-2023 Enrollment:

Online enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year will begin on July 18 and run through August 1. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to enroll their students online. Enrollment information will be mailed to all returning and pre-registered students. For those families who may need assistance, a limited number of appointments will be available at the Flint Hills Learning Center, 1624 Industrial Rd, located at the Flinthills Mall.


Back to School Convocation and Breakfast:

Mark your calendars for August 8th. The Back to School Convocation and Breakfast will be held at White Auditorium. Details for the event will be sent during the summer months by email.  




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Kindergarten through 5th grade Migrant Education Program students are having a busy week participating in STREAM, food science, and outdoor sports activities.

Board Approvals:

  • minutes of May 11, 2022
  • fiscal payments
  • treasurer’s report for April of 2022
  • donation of $500 from Oklahoma State University to Village Elementary in support of the Podcast that is broadcast by Village students
  • donation of $500 from Mr. Steve Sauder to the Spartan Stop at Emporia High School to help with student needs
  • grant of $21,579 from the Emporia Community Foundation to replace outdated automated external defibrillators
  • ESSER III expenditures
  • Site Council minute annual review
  • contract for Capturing Kids’ Hearts
  • annual Teaching and Learning software agreements
  • job description updates
  • sale of district surplus to the community, including approx. 130 Apple iPads
  • additional math textbooks for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra 2
  • the recommendation from the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Launch Committee that Village Elementary be approved to launch for the 2022-2023 school year.
  • core resources for Emporia High School Financial Algebra, Integrated Math, and Algebra Essentials courses
  • Safe and Secure Schools Grant application
  • Resolution 2022-5, closing Maynard School building and Consideration of Proposal for Sale
  • 2022-2023 meal prices 
  • 2022-2023 fee schedule
  • tabled Workers Compensation Insurance for 2022-2023 until the June 22 meeting
  • EMS Student Handbook updates
  • recommendation to hire the CEL marketing group


Board Information/Updates:

Budget Study Session:

Mr. Rob Scheib, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, presented a budget study session for the 2021-2022 school year budget. The review session shows how the district's budget and base state aid per student has fluctuated over the past several years. As a result of this, the district has been working diligently to improve the overall budget by aligning staffing through natural attrition to “right-size” the district. Additional planning and improvements have netted positive results which include higher ending balances in Capital Outlay and Carry Over Funds over previous years. Click here to review the budget presentation.


Village Redesign:

Mr. Walker Ayers, Instructional Strategist, Mr. John Martin, principal, and Mrs. Brandi Mitchell, Assistant Principal, of Village Elementary reviewed the school's direction for Redesign as they prepare to launch for the 2022-2023 school year. Ayers outlined the Redesign pillars which include Personalized Learning, Student Success Skills, Real World Application, and Family. For each of the pillars, Ayers highlighted the data supporting each pillar as well as the future plans. Following the presentation, the Board of Education voted to accept the recommendation from the Kansas State Department of Education for launch approval. Click here to review the Village Elementary presentation.


McCownGordon Construction:

Mr. Eric Woltje, McCownGordon Senior Project Manager, provided updates to the board on the district’s current construction projects. Since district construction began there have been only slight adjustments to the original project calendar. Most recently due to the weather, there have been some delays at Logan Avenue Elementary, but Emporia High School and Walnut Elementary have not been affected since all work is being done inside. Upcoming projects include Emporia Middle School and Village Elementary. Both schools will start seeing construction beginning in mid to late June.


McCownGordon, HTK Architects, and the school district are planning the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Jones Early Childhood Development Center which will be held on June 22 at 3:00 PM.  Click here to review the construction presentation.


Emergency Operations Plan:

Mr. Jared Giffin, Interim Associate Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, provided an overview of basic information regarding the district's Emergency Operations Plan. The Emergency Operations Plan outlines information on how the district will respond to emergency situations and the protocols in place for a variety of emergencies. This plan is updated at least annually and shared confidentially with our community Law Enforcement and Emergency Management partners. Click here to review the Emergency Operations Plan presentation.


Health Insurance:

Mr. Rob Scheib, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, shared information that the district Health Insurance Committee received at its recent meeting. Highlights included an update from Brown & Brown/Hays Companies regarding how our current plan is doing so far this year. At this point, the premiums to claims ratio are trending in the right direction leading to optimism in renewal rates for the next year. The company is in the process of marketing the district’s health plan and will be bringing renewal rate options from several companies to the Heath Insurance Committee in late July.


Emporia Public Schools Marketing Proposal:

Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder, Superintendent, presented information to the board regarding a proposal to hire an outside marketing firm. This partnership would help address enrollment declines and improve our communication and electronic presence. The goal of this partnership is to promote the district through additional messages and visuals that are appealing to all district stakeholders. The board voted to approve this proposal. Dr. Harder and district leadership will begin the implementation process in the upcoming weeks. Click here to review the marketing presentation.


Future Board Calendar Dates:

  • Wednesday, June 22, 2022, 5:30 p.m., Special Board Meeting/Enrollment Study Committee, Jones Early Childhood Development Center
  • Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 6:30 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 6:30 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center

Appointments:

Shaelin Watts

paraeducator, Walnut Elementary


Stephanie Murray

support technician level 3, Mary Herbert Education Center


Beau Brecheisen

rule 10 assistant football coach


Coralie Hutcherson

paraeducator, Walnut Elementary


Jill Burton

paraeducator, USD 284 Chase County Jr/Sr High School


Kelly Westcott

bus driver, Transportation


Tara Rockhill

paraeducator, TBD


Amanda Lee

paraeducator, TBD


April Winegar

paraeducator, USD 417, Council Grove Elementary


Aaron Allen

custodian, evening, Emporia High School


Carrie Riggs

paraeducator, USD 284 Chase County Elementary


Caitlin Arrieta

business & human resources clerk, Mary Herbert Education Center


Rebecca Cunningham

gifted, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative


Rani Glades

occupational therapist, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative


Kathleen Bish

special education, USD 251 Northern Heights High School


Nathan Teichgraber

special education, Emporia High School


Ashley Jowers

occupational therapist, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative


Kaitlin Ferman

grade 8 math, Emporia Middle School


Jeanie Gage

grade 2, Logan Avenue Elementary


Stacy Schade

special education coordinator, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative


Michelle Schulze

special education coordinator, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative


Jennie Carpenter

academic interventionist, Walnut Elementary


Rescind Resignation:

Rick Jones

assistant track coach, Emporia Middle School


Resignations:

Abigail Holmgren

paraeducator, Emporia High School


Teagan Brown

paraeducator, Emporia High School


Brailyn Peak

paraeducator, Timmerman Elementary


Samantha Asebedo

paraeducator, USD 417 Council Grove Elementary School


Olivia Granado

paraeducator, Maynard Early Childhood Center


Angie Barber

paraeducator, Walnut Elementary School


Mark Bulson

bus driver, Transportation


Fantashia Brooks

paraeducator, Walnut Elementary


Megan Turner

paraeducator, Kansas Avenue


Diana Montalvo

AVID Tutor, Emporia High School


Reagan Hill

paraeducator, Riverside Elementary


Koey Keough

teacher aide, Emporia Middle School


Eli O’Farrell

paraeducator, Maynard Early Childhood Center


Madison Roth

paraeducator, Timmerman Elementary


Lynsie Wenenn

paraeducator, Walnut Elementary


Tyler Sonneveldt-Grag

paraeducator, Walnut Elementary


Zachary Zerr

rule 10 basketball coach, Emporia Middle School


Abigaile Iseman

paraeducator, Timmerman Elementary


Taylor Tillman

paraeducator, Emporia Middle School


Tabitha Carson

paraeducator, USD 417 Council Grove Elementary


Vicki SIckler

Food service, Emporia Middle School


Elizabeth Anaya

paraeducator, Village Elementary


Zachary Stephey

paraeducator, Timmerman Elementary


Zuleima Duran

paraeducator, Emporia Middle School


Katie Baker

paraeducator, Village Elementary


Tara Davis

paraeducator, Timmerman Elementary


Marisleysis Velazquez

teacher aide, Emporia Middle School


Sarah Henderson

rule 10 assistant girl’s soccer coach, Emporia High School


Sarah Henderson

paraeducator, Walnut Elementary


Dell Jacob

STREAM Teacher, Walnut Elementary


Melanie Curtis

technology teacher, William Allen White Elementary


Roxnne Wendt

speech language pathologist, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative


Lyndsey Kucza

grade 3, Village Elementary


Jacob Kucza

grade 5, EHS asst. Cross country/EMS head track coach, Village Elementary


Jennifer Ramsey

kindergarten, Logan Avenue Elementary


Aaron Scott

special education coordinator, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative


Anthony Markowitz

assistant boys’ basketball coach, Emporia, High School


Termination:

Larry Brown

crossing guard/custodian, Maynard Early Childhood Learning Center/Flint Hills Learning Center


Molly Hamilton

paraeducator, Maynard Early Childhood Center


Hector Aranda

head custodian, Maynard Early Childhood Center


Christina Clements

paraeducator, Emporia High School


Anna-Marie Turner

AVID tutor, Emporia High School


Retirements:

Alisa Milner

paraeducator, USD 390 Hamilton Jr/Sr High School


Lucy Juarez

office/teacher aide, Village Elementary