Takeaways from Emporia USD 253 Education Board Meeting
Week of October 15, 2026
Board approves $13.6 million facility and energy upgrades
Board adopts proactive roof maintenance agreement
District implements comprehensive K-12 math standards alignment
Emporia educators nominated for prestigious state awards
Superintendent highlights strategic planning survey and upcoming forum
"Be the Change" youth program highlights legacy and need for support
Board member highlights upcoming recreation commission ballot measure
Board approves $13.6 million facility and energy upgrades
EMPORIA, Kan. — The USD 253 Board of Education voted 7-0 to approve a $13.6 million performance contract with Trane to address aging heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, upgrade to LED lighting and improve building envelopes across the district. The project targets equipment nearing or past its expected service life, including the expansion of a geothermal bore field at Riverside Elementary and the installation of active dehumidification systems at Timmerman Elementary to combat recurring mold issues. The district expects the upgrades to generate nearly $238,000 in guaranteed annual energy savings, alongside an estimated $104,000 in operational maintenance savings. The debt will be serviced using the district's capital outlay and remaining bond funds, rather than drawing from operational budgets.
Board adopts proactive roof maintenance agreement
EMPORIA, Kan. — In a move to shift from reactive repairs to preventative maintenance, the board voted 7-0 to approve an $11,000 base roof maintenance agreement with Coryell Roofing. The district manages nearly 900,000 square feet of roofing, and the new contract will allow contractors to proactively inspect and reapply sealants before major leaks occur. Officials noted that while major roof replacements will still go out for public bid, this base agreement aims to extend the life of current roofs and prevent costly emergency interior water damage.
District implements comprehensive K-12 math standards alignment
EMPORIA, Kan. — Administrators and instructional coaches presented a sweeping update on the district's initiative to align K-12 math curriculum with state standards. Utilizing new Performance Level Descriptors introduced by the state, educators spent the spring and summer standardizing curriculum guides across all elementary, middle and high schools to ensure consistency in teaching depth and vocabulary. The systemic overhaul, which focuses heavily on math this academic year, will pivot to English language arts during the next school year.
Emporia educators nominated for prestigious state awards
EMPORIA, Kan. — The board recognized several local teachers for recent statewide award nominations. Andy Battenfield, physical education teacher at Village Elementary, was named the state's Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Josie Schrag, English language arts teacher at Emporia High School, and Kate Nicolay, kindergarten teacher at Logan Avenue Elementary, were announced as 2027 Kansas Horizon Award nominees for exemplary first-year teaching. Additionally, Melissa Johnson, kindergarten teacher at Riverside Elementary, was named Emporia's district nominee for the 2027 Kansas Master Teacher Award, while Amy Fehr, third-grade teacher at Walnut Elementary, and Heather Rios, ESL instructional strategist at Emporia High School, were recognized as the district's elementary and secondary nominees for the 2028 Kansas Teacher of the Year.
Superintendent highlights strategic planning survey and upcoming forum
EMPORIA, Kan. — Superintendent David McGehee announced that a community-wide survey to shape the district's long-range strategic plan is currently active, having already garnered nearly 200 responses. The district will also host a community engagement forum on Nov. 18 at the Mary Herbert Education Center to gather direct input on the district's four primary vision pillars. Feedback from the survey and forum will be used in specialized focus groups later this winter to establish measurable, time-bound objectives for the district by July.
"Be the Change" youth program highlights legacy and need for support
EMPORIA, Kan. — In an emotional program highlight, leaders and students from the "Be the Change" program detailed the organization's 18-year history of providing a safe space and mentorship for at-risk youth. The presentation honored the program's late founder, Larry Williams, with current leadership and alumni noting the program's profound impact on mental health, confidence and anti-bullying efforts. Organizers emphasized the need for continued community and district support, including potential scholarship funding, to sustain the program's operations in Emporia.
Board member highlights upcoming recreation commission ballot measure
EMPORIA, Kan. — During the board reports segment, board member Jeremy Dorsey noted that the Emporia Recreation Commission recently approved a $394,000 contract to replace the aging artificial turf at Soden's Grove. Dorsey also reminded the public of an upcoming ballot question regarding a slight sales tax increase intended to fund the construction of a new recreation center and renovations to the Lee Beran Recreation Center, urging voters to educate themselves on the community investment.
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