Board approves sale of Kansas Avenue School building for $85,000

District allocates over $220,000 for summer carpet replacement

Board tables transfer capacities ahead of potential school closures

Updated school resource officer agreement approved

District explores costly pouches to comply with state cell phone law

Board adopts 'controversial issues' policy, rejects exclusive KASB membership requirement

Assessment data shows academic gains for English language learners

Emporia High theater selected for international festival

Students connect with astronaut via amateur radio

Board approves sale of Kansas Avenue School building for $85,000

EMPORIA, Kan. — The Board of Education approved the sale of the former Kansas Avenue School building to an unnamed buyer for $85,000 after an earlier offer did not move forward. The property is expected to be used for multi-family commercial purposes, according to district realtors. District administrators stated the sale came together quickly and will eliminate maintenance and upkeep costs for the district.

District allocates over $220,000 for summer carpet replacement

EMPORIA, Kan. — The Board of Education approved a $222,012 carpet replacement project for Emporia High School and Emporia Middle School funded through the capital outlay fund. The project includes approximately 20 classrooms and the library at the high school and two classrooms and the library at the middle school. An additional $88,000 in existing district inventory will also be utilized for the installation, which marks the final phase of a three-year flooring update.

Board tables transfer capacities ahead of potential school closures

EMPORIA, Kan. — The Board of Education unanimously voted to table approval of the district's class-size capacities for transfer requests until April 22 to accommodate potential school closures. District administrators initially presented the capacities to meet a May 1 state deadline, but concerns were raised during the meeting over publishing available transfer spots for Logan Avenue and Riverside elementary schools, which may face closure in the 2027-28 school year. District administrators will prepare two capacity scenarios for the next meeting.

Updated school resource officer agreement approved

EMPORIA, Kan. — The Board of Education approved an updated school resource officer agreement with the Emporia Police Department that updates expectations for the school-based officer's role and operating procedures. The agreement also addresses uniform expectations and the use of body-worn cameras during enforcement actions. District administrators said the officer will receive specialized training, including through national school-based policing resources.

District explores costly pouches to comply with state cell phone law

EMPORIA, Kan. — The district is evaluating cell phone pouches to comply with Kansas' bell-to-bell school-day restriction on student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices, a move that could cost the district between $60,000 and $90,000 every three to five years. Administrators expressed concerns about the logistical and safety challenges of locking away student phones, particularly during open lunch periods at the high school where students leave campus. District leaders said they will continue monitoring state guidance and implementation requirements as they draft a local policy.

Board adopts 'controversial issues' policy, rejects exclusive KASB membership requirement

EMPORIA, Kan. — The Board of Education approved several policy updates, including a revised "controversial issues" policy that establishes guidelines for how staff address personal political viewpoints during classroom instruction. During the meeting, language that would have limited professional memberships to a single organization was rejected, preserving the district's flexibility in its affiliations, including its participation with the Kansas Association of School Boards.

Assessment data shows academic gains for English language learners

EMPORIA, Kan. — The district's winter 2026 FastBridge screening data showed academic improvement trends, including among fourth-grade English language learners, according to district administrators. Administrators said chronic absenteeism continues to negatively impact student performance, remaining a key focus area for truancy and attendance interventions.

Emporia High theater selected for international festival

EMPORIA, Kan. — The Emporia High School theater department announced it is one of only 12 schools in the nation selected to perform "A Piece of My Heart" at the upcoming International Thespian Festival in Bloomington, Indiana. Theater director Amanda Ballard reported that 27 students will attend the festival, bolstered by a recent $10,000 donation from Kelly J. Lapping. The department is nearing its $30,000 fundraising goal to cover travel and registration costs.

Students connect with astronaut via amateur radio

EMPORIA, Kan. — Emporia-area students successfully communicated with European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot aboard the International Space Station on April 8 using amateur radio equipment, speaking with her for roughly 10 minutes as the station passed overhead. The contact was a collaborative educational effort involving Emporia Public Schools, neighboring school districts USD 251 and USD 252, Emporia State University and the Emporia Amateur Radio Society through the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program.

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