> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Takeaways from Emporia USD 253 Education Board Meeting - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/takeaways-from-emporia-usd-253-education-board-meeting-10/ - Published: 2026-09-03T11:11:49.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-03T11:11:49.000Z - Description: Week of September 3, 2026 - Author: Cronkite - Tags: empj, #summary, email # School closure vote scheduled following public hearing # Steep enrollment declines prompt closure proposal # District outlines financial impact of shrinking enrollment # Board learns $2.7 million spent to cover state special education shortfall # Reassignment plan detailed for Logan Avenue students # Transportation planned for reassigned students due to safety concerns # District secures grant to overhaul bus fleet # District plans to retain ownership of Logan Avenue building # Flint Hills Learning Center relocated to Emporia High School # Board addresses concerns over potential data center near Timmerman Elementary --- ### School closure vote scheduled following public hearing EMPORIA, Kan. - The Emporia USD 253 Board of Education held a special public hearing Wednesday regarding the proposed closure of Logan Avenue Elementary School. Following a presentation by district administrators and a public comment period, the board voted to officially close the hearing. The board is scheduled to take a final vote on the school's closure at its next regularly scheduled meeting. If approved, the closure would take effect beginning in the 2027-28 school year, giving the district time to implement transition plans. --- ### Steep enrollment declines prompt closure proposal EMPORIA, Kan. - Superintendent David McGehee presented data showing a 22 percent decline in overall district enrollment since the early 2000s, with K-5 elementary enrollment dropping 23 percent from 2,028 students in 2016 to 1,562 students by 2025\. Logan Avenue Elementary's student population has decreased to just 122 students, with only 87 living within the school's actual boundary and 35 transferring in from other areas. McGehee warned that the Kansas State Department of Education anticipates enrollment declines continuing statewide until 2041, meaning the district may be forced to consider additional school closures in the future. --- ### District outlines financial impact of shrinking enrollment EMPORIA, Kan. - Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations Josh Swartz detailed how declining enrollment directly threatens the district's fiscal health by flattening state funding revenues. Because state funding is tied to per-pupil weightings, stagnant revenues are struggling to keep pace with rising inflation and staff compensation costs. Additionally, Swartz explained that for every $1 million lost in enrollment-based revenue, the district loses an additional $330,000 in its local option budget matching funds, compounding the district's overall financial deficit. --- ### Board learns $2.7 million spent to cover state special education shortfall EMPORIA, Kan. - During discussions on the district's financial constraints, officials noted that local taxpayers are heavily subsidizing state funding mandates. Approximately $2.7 million from the district's local option budget is currently being used to fill a gap in special education funding that is legally designated as the state Legislature's responsibility. District officials expressed frustration that this ongoing state-level funding shortfall severely exacerbates the district's current budget deficit and limits its ability to absorb enrollment drops. --- ### Reassignment plan detailed for Logan Avenue students EMPORIA, Kan. - If Logan Avenue Elementary is officially closed, displaced students will be reassigned to nearby schools based on their residence relative to South Avenue. Students living north of South Avenue will attend William Allen White Elementary School, while those south of the avenue will be diverted to Riverside Elementary School. All current out-of-boundary transfers to Logan Avenue would be nullified, requiring those students to return to their original neighborhood attendance centers or request a new transfer to an open school. --- ### Transportation planned for reassigned students due to safety concerns EMPORIA, Kan. - The district plans to provide busing for Logan Avenue students reassigned to William Allen White and Riverside elementary schools, despite a lack of state funding. Although the students live within a 2.5-mile radius and do not qualify for state transportation reimbursement, administrators cited safety concerns regarding crossing railroad tracks and high traffic speeds on K-99\. To keep costs minimal, the district intends to absorb the reassigned students into existing rural bus routes that currently have excess capacity. --- ### District secures grant to overhaul bus fleet EMPORIA, Kan. - Addressing social media rumors that the district purchased new buses specifically for the Logan Avenue closure, administrators clarified that a federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant allowed the district to acquire four buses for the price of one. The board had long sought to replace aging vehicles in its fleet, and the new purchases are part of a routine, yearly replacement plan. District officials confirmed that no new transportation expenses are being incurred specifically to accommodate the proposed school closure. --- ### District plans to retain ownership of Logan Avenue building EMPORIA, Kan. - The school board does not intend to sell the Logan Avenue Elementary facility if the school is closed next year. Superintendent David McGehee stated the district will maintain the building and its grounds — including keeping the gymnasium available for community rentals — in case future economic development or population growth necessitates reopening the school. A previously discussed plan to move the district office to the building has also been postponed to avoid immediate renovation costs. --- ### Flint Hills Learning Center relocated to Emporia High School EMPORIA, Kan. - Instead of moving the Flint Hills Learning Center to the Logan Avenue building as previously considered, the district has officially relocated the alternative education program to Emporia High School. The move takes advantage of newly available space at the high school due to enrollment declines and allows the district to exit its lease at Flinthills Mall before it renews in October. Administrators noted the relocation will function as a "school within a school," granting alternative students better access to high school services. --- ### Board addresses concerns over potential data center near Timmerman Elementary EMPORIA, Kan. - Administrators responded to community suggestions that Timmerman Elementary should be closed instead of Logan Avenue due to its proximity to the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus data center. Superintendent David McGehee confirmed the district has worked with the city of Emporia to ensure the adjacent land is zoned for "flex industrial" use, which does not grant a data center the automatic right to build. Additionally, administrators stated they are seeking commitments from developer Gary Pinkston to limit large generators and minimize noise pollution near the school, while board member Jeremy Dorsey noted an upcoming November ballot initiative may halt the data center project entirely. --- [Click here for local obituaries](https://cjus.me/empj-obit?ref=citizenjournal.us) --- --- Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below: [Contact Us](https://www.citizenjournal.us/contact/) --- [![Job Board](https://rosebud-ads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/JOB.png)](https://gregl72.github.io/job/?ref=citizenjournal.us)