Staff Bulletin | June 23, 2016
Emporia Board of Education

Stay Informed About
Kansas Special Session

The Legislature has been charged with passing a school funding plan that meets the requirement in the Kansas Constitution that public schools be funded equitably regardless of zip code. The Kansas Supreme Court gave the Legislature until June 30 to pass a constitutional law, or school districts would be forced to close. This special session gives legislators a final opportunity to avoid a school closure.

How can I monitor what's happening in Topeka?
  • School Funding Crisis Information Line, provided by the Kansas City, Kan., School District. Call 913-627-2900 for regularly updated information in both English and Spanish, to help Kansans understand the issues at hand.
  • Game On for Kansas Schools regularly posts news reports from across the state that help explain developments in Topeka.
 
Personnel Report

Appointments

Douglas Bliss
grade 5-8 global studies, WAW/TPA

Todd Millemon
grade 7 math, EMS

Kelsey Buffum
grade 7 math, EMS

Amanda Gutierrez
Rule 10 basketball coach, EMS

Rigoberto Aguirre
Rule 10 wrestling coach, EHS

Joe Mayhew
Rule 10 football coach, EHS

Aaron Hammond
Rule 10 basketball coach, EHS

Natalie Waters
paraeducator, Riverside

Tom Andrews
delivery/maintenance, Food Service

Resignations

Jenna Casteel
grade 2, WA White

Alishia Bush
computer applications, EMS

 Emporia Public Schools
1700 W 7th Ave
Emporia, Kansas 66801
Emporia Public Schools
Clipboard
Grant Strengthens Mental Health Service for Emporia Students
The board heard a report on a joint grant project with Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness to improve mental health services for students. The district and Crosswinds have been partners on the Collaborative Improvement and Innovative Network (CoIIN) grant. Emporia was one of 12 districts in the nation selected to meet regularly via conference calls to discuss experiences in dealing with social and emotional learning challenges in schools and communities. Although the grant does not include financial assistance to the district, it has strengthened the collaboration between the schools and mental health professionals.
Read more here

Health Insurance Premiums
Rob Scheib, assistant superintendent of Business Operations, reviewed new health insurance rates submitted by Blue Cross Blue Shield effective October 1, 2016. The rates include an option for a 15-month contract that would extend the insurance year to December 31, 2017, and an option to help fund the District Wellness Program. Employees will have three options for coverage and those choosing the high-deductible plan will be eligible for a Health Savings Account. Information will be sent to all employees as soon as the final details of the agreement are completed.

Wellness Program Results
Andy Koenigs, associate superintendent of Human Resources, and members of the Wellness Committee updated the board on the first year of the District Wellness Program. Staff participation reached 57.5 percent and the goal is to increase the rate next year. Survey results from participants indicated many employees experienced significant success with health, fitness, nutrition and weight-loss efforts.
Read more here

Other Board Business
The board:
  • Appointed new EMS Assistant Principal John Martin to the Emporia Recreation Commission, replacing Brad Kempf
  • Approved renewal of property and casualty insurance for 2016-17
  • Approved the district fee schedule for 2016-17
  • Approved the Site Council Handbook for 2016-17
  • Reviewed a list of donations made by the 2016-17 Hopkins Award winners

Find Emporia Public Schools on Facebook
 
Follow Emporia Public Schools on Twitter