District News:
Payroll Update:
You may have seen recent news coverage about a potential payroll tax deferral starting September 1, 2020. According to IRS guidance, this is an optional tax deferral that would need to be repaid in the months of January through April 2021. USD 253 Emporia Public Schools has decided not to participate in this deferral program as it would set employees up to take a huge reduction in take-home pay in the New Year when the taxes come due. If new guidance or legal advice comes out, we will review and reconsider all options for our employees. We appreciate the questions we've received so far. We are told this is an employer decision, therefore we will not participate. There is nothing employees need to do to opt-out. If you have any questions, please email Stephanie Pope stephanie.pope@usd253.net or call 341-2216
Unemployment Fraud:
Please be aware there is widespread fraudulent activity occurring through the Kansas Unemployment System impacting school districts and businesses across the state. False reports for unemployment are occurring through the misuse of social security numbers. It is not a breach of any of our data systems but rather a far reaching national scam. When the USD 253 human resources office receives an unemployment claim for someone currently working, employees are contacted by Amy Larson with additional information for reporting the fraudulent activity. General recommendations are to check with your financial institution about additional security features they offer and routinely checking your credit scores through credit bureaus such as, Equifax, Transunion, and Experian.
Homeless Education:
The term homeless children and youth mean they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. For more information and what you should know click here. Heather Wagner, is the district Student and Family Resource Specialist and Homeless Liaison call 341-2396 or email
heather.wagner@usd253.net if you have questions or students you would like Heather to follow up with.
Early Resignation/Retirement Notification Incentive:
Any licensed teacher who has worked greater than two years in USD 253 who is planning to resign or retire at the end of the school year is eligible to receive an early notification stipend. A written resignation or retirement notice must be submitted to the assistant superintendent of Human Resources. Stipends will be awarded according to the time table below at the end of the contract year.
Written notification received by:
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November 1st would receive $750
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December 1st would receive $500
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January 1st would receive $250
For additional information please see the master contract.
Helpful links and dates for voting in the November 3 election:
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Absentee ballot deadlines - request by: October 27, return by mail: postmarked by November 3
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Early voting - October. 14 - November. 2, dates and hours may vary
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Links:
District Events:
Student and Family Resources Clothing Drive:
The annual clothing drive sponsored by Student and Family Resources is collecting donations. Please bring new or gently used clothing items to the Flinthills Mall, back entrance by the cinema, or front entrance between Claire's and Bling until November 1st. In addition, there is a tan shed for donation drop-offs anytime, located behind EHS back by food service. It is in the far NW corner of the gravel directly behind the bleachers. With the pandemic and all of the financial struggles that have accompanied it, there is an overwhelming need for clothing of all sizes this year, especially winter coats and clothing. Thank you for your donation and for helping serve the students and families of our district. Contact Heather Wagner at heather.wagner@usd253.net if you have any questions.
Walnut Turkey Day Dash:
EHS Wrestling Fundraiser:
The EHS wrestling team is selling metal spartan signs as a fundraiser. Please click here if you are interested in supporting the Wrestling Fundraiser.
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Appointments:
Savanna Crowley
paraeducator, Maynard Early Childhood Center
Maddison Paugh paraeducator, Riverside Elementary
Jessica Reyle paraeducator, Maynard Early Learning Center
Phyllis Winslow paraeducator, USD 417, Council Grove Jr/Sr High Schoool
Whitney Wilson paraeducator, USD 417, Council Grove Elementary
Kayla Kerbs paraeducator, Riverside Elementary
Cassie Hopper paraeducator, USD 251, North Lyon County Elementary
Alexis Shaw paraeducator, USD 251, Northern Heights High School
Hannah Herron paraeducator/teacher aide, Logan Avenue E
Sydney Farney paraeducator, USD 252, Neosho Rapids Elementary
Andre Maupin paraeducator, Riverside Elementary
Tabatha Sauceda paraeducator, Riverside Elementary
Tisha Barb paraeducator/teacher aide, Logan Avenue
Harley Brewer paraeducator, USD 251 North Lyon County Elementary
Chelsea Britain food service accountability clerk, William Allen White Elementary
Retirement:
assistant cook, Emporia High School, 1/1/21
Curtis Simons assistant principal/athletic director, Emporia High School, 6/30/21 Jay Adkins social science, Emporia High School, 5/28/21 Melissa Tilton strategist, Walnut Elementary, 5/28/21 PJ Marstall physical Education, Emporia High School, 5/28/21 Rhonda Zornes grade four, Timmerman Elementary, 5/28/21 Marilyn Dalton kindergarten, William Allen White, 5/28/21 Brad Bowen
district maintenance-lead HVAC, Maintenance, 5/28/21
Resignation:
Amanda Soule
teacher aide, Logan Avenue, Elementary
Daniel Sanchez ELS/social studies teacher, Emporia High School, 5/28/21
Betty Sanchez kindergarten, Village Elementary, 5/28/21
Rachel Keim special education, Emporia Middle School, 5/28/21
Kaitlin Pedersen paraeducator, Emporia High School, 11/24/20
Kelly Brown paraeducator, USD 252, Olpe Elementary, 10/16/20
Claire Wilson English, Emporia High School, 5/28/21
Andrew Johnson Paraeducator, USD 252-Olpe Jr/Sr High School, 10/23/20
Priscilano Pardo-Castillo custodian, Emporia High School, 10/30/20
Brindy Sanchez paraeducator/teacher aide, Riverside Elementary, 10/7/20
Termination:
Jose Ambriz
custodian, Village Elementary & Maynard Early Childhood Center
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Darrell Bowman plants a red sunset maple tree at Mary Herbert Education Center from ENEA in recognition of the Board of Educations dedication to Emporia Public Schools.
- minutes from September 23, 2020
- September and October fiscal payments
- grant of $1,000 from the Teacher Fund for STEM at Walnut Elementary for STEM classes
- revised Memorandum of Understanding for Parents as Teachers
- let bids for copier and multi-use paper and industrial papers
- donation of $3,000 from the Emporia Community Foundation to assist EHS and EMS music departments in creating a virtual Seasonal Celebration
- microgrant of $25,000 from the Patterson Family Foundation to assist with district needs related to the current pandemic
- Walk-Through Evaluation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2020-2021 school year, click here to view the walk through MOU
- board policy changes as submitted and retire the previous policies, click here to view the board policy revisions
- a contract with Remco to perform the asbestos removal at Walnut Elementary for $22,408 in the areas that will be remodeled
- a bid of $26,274 from Kaw Valley Engineering Inc. for construction materials testing and inspection services for the Early Childhood Center
Board Discussion:
Health Insurance Renewal and Enrollment Report: Rob Scheib, Assistant Superintendent of Business led a discussion on employee health and dental insurance rates for the upcoming year. The district rates are increasing by 31% for the 2021 plan year. The rate increase is due to a significant increase in employee claims over the past year. Charlesworth Consulting is assisting the district to look at options to achieve the lowest rates possible. The board has requested further information from Charlesworth Consulting and has scheduled a special meeting on Wednesday, October 21, to further discuss health insurance.
Additionally, Scheib reviewed the SO66 report which highlights student enrollment and a variety of student weightings that impact state funding. The district experienced an unexpected enrollment drop of approximately 250 students this year. The enrollment drop alone does not have an impact on this year's budgeting process. However, the decrease in this year's weightings will impact the 2020-21 budget. Although some of the student weightings remained flat, others including 4yr-old preschool, bilingual, and at-risk all saw a significant decrease. The district is in the process of analyzing the impact of the loss of weightings on the budget and is working to find solutions to the loss of expected state revenue.
Future Board Calendar Dates:
- Wednesday, October 21, 2020 7:00 p.m., Special Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
- Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
- Wednesday, November 11, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
- Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
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Members of The Emporia Board of Education
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Emporia Public Schools
1700 W 7th Ave
Emporia, Kansas 66801
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