Takeaways from Emporia USD 253 Education Board Meeting
Week of July 9, 2026
Reever and Lingenfelter elected to lead school board
State board review supports Logan Avenue Elementary closure
Board approves negotiated agreement and staff salary schedules
School board adopts new cell phone policy to meet state mandate
New pre-K through eighth-grade code of conduct tabled for revisions
Handbook revisions prompt debate over truancy enforcement flexibility
Board questions air gun exemptions in high school handbook
District summer meal program serves 18,000 meals
Emporia Rec Commission pitches $24 million expansion, quarter-cent sales tax
Reever and Lingenfelter elected to lead school board
EMPORIA, Kan. — The Emporia Board of Education unanimously elected Jami Reever as board president and Lillian Lingenfelter as vice president for the 2026–2027 school year. The board thanked outgoing President Art Gutierrez and Vice President Leslie Seeley for guiding the district through its ongoing administrative transition under Superintendent David McGehee.
State board review supports Logan Avenue Elementary closure
EMPORIA, Kan. — The Kansas State Board of Education's administrative review concluded that the Emporia Board of Education's decision to close Logan Avenue Elementary at the end of the 2026–2027 school year is a reasonable action. Superintendent David McGehee shared the findings at the July 8 meeting, noting the state hearing officer cited declining enrollment and the district's fiscal health as valid reasons that fall in line with how other Kansas districts handle similar challenges. The district must hold another public hearing before a final board vote, which McGehee anticipates scheduling in September.
Board approves negotiated agreement and staff salary schedules
EMPORIA, Kan. — Following cost-containment measures that restricted the district's ability to offer significant base salary increases, the Emporia Board of Education unanimously approved the 2026–2027 negotiated agreement and salary schedules for licensed professionals, administrators and classified staff. To provide a non-monetary benefit to staff, the district agreed to shift 13 hours of required professional learning time to flexible teacher work time.
School board adopts new cell phone policy to meet state mandate
EMPORIA, Kan. — To comply with newly passed House Bill 2299 regarding electronics in schools, the Emporia Board of Education unanimously approved an updated student cell phone policy requiring devices to be powered off and stored away during the school day. Administrators noted the policy meets the letter of the new law without forcing the district to spend funds on specialized locking pouches, which several board members felt was a financially prudent way to handle the unfunded state mandate.
New pre-K through eighth-grade code of conduct tabled for revisions
EMPORIA, Kan. — A proposed comprehensive student code of conduct designed to standardize discipline definitions and consequences across the district's elementary and middle schools was tabled until August. Board members requested legal amendments to the draft, including correcting the financial threshold for felony vandalism from $500 to $1,000 to align with Kansas Statute 21-5813 and adding clear procedures for patrons to appeal disciplinary decisions to the board.
Handbook revisions prompt debate over truancy enforcement flexibility
EMPORIA, Kan. — During a first reading of the 2026–2027 student handbooks, board members questioned a shift in truancy policy language that changes disciplinary actions from "will" to "may" for unexcused absences. While administrators stated the change aims to provide building principals with necessary flexibility, some board members expressed concern that the vague language could lead to inconsistent disciplinary action for similar infractions across different buildings.
Board questions air gun exemptions in high school handbook
EMPORIA, Kan. — A discussion over the Emporia High School student handbook raised concerns about language seemingly permitting air guns on campus during supervised activities. Board members pointed out that the district does not currently offer programs, such as hunter safety, that would necessitate the exemption, and administrators agreed to review Kansas Statute 72-6134 and potentially remove the language before finalizing the handbook in August.
District summer meal program serves 18,000 meals
EMPORIA, Kan. — Superintendent David McGehee announced that the district's food service team has already provided 18,000 free meals to Emporia children this summer. The program, staffed by 24 food service employees, offers nutritious meals to youth ages 1 through 18 at Emporia Middle School and William Allen White Elementary and will continue operating through July 31.
Emporia Rec Commission pitches $24 million expansion, quarter-cent sales tax
EMPORIA, Kan. — Emporia Recreation Commission Executive Director Amanda Gutierrez presented a proposed $24 million expansion project that hinges on a quarter-cent city sales tax. The plan includes constructing a new facility at the Jones Aquatic Center with two pools and two gymnasiums while renovating the existing Lee Beran Recreation Center into an expanded fitness facility and indoor turf area. The Emporia City Commission must approve the sales tax proposal in August for it to appear on the November 2026 ballot.
Click here for local obituaries
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
