Staff Bulletin | September 11, 2025

Emporia High School Spartan Pride Band takes the field for their halftime performance during last Friday night’s football game.

District News:


A message from the Emporia High School Debate Team:

The Emporia Debate Team needs your help!  We are hosting a debate tournament on October 4, 2025, from 8-4 at Emporia High School.  We need judges.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided for those who participate in judging. No experience is required to judge, but we are offering a judging clinic for those who want to learn how to judge.  Recent high school students are welcome to return. Please note you are not required to be here all day.  If you are interested in helping the Emporia team and the other teams in attendance, please use this link to complete the EHS Debate Team Google Form.

 

90th Annual Seasonal Celebration Alumni Choir:

This year, as we celebrate the 90th annual Seasonal Celebration, all EHS Choir Alumni are invited to sing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah on December 10 & 11. Alumni may participate in just one or both performance dates. Musical scores and practice tracks will be emailed to participants.  EHS Seasonal Celebration Alumni Participation Form


Grant Opportunity - A message from the Emporia Community Foundation:

The Emporia Community Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization with the mission of connecting caring individuals with causes that build stronger communities in our region.  We started in 1995 with a group of six individuals and a gift of $5K and have grown to over $45 million in assets and close to 400 funds.  One of the funds we have is called the Emporia Public School Foundation Non-Endowed Fund. It is available as a funding resource for teachers within USD 253.  The fund provides financial assistance for non-budgetary items, which look at alternative learning strategies, creative teaching ideas, various ways to motivate students, and inspire lifelong learners. 


 In 2019, the fund was updated to also include helping with the needs of the district nursing staff in order to better serve the students.  If you have needs that might qualify, please consider filling out the application.  Use this link, Emporia Public Schools Grant Application, to get started. Applications are accepted during September, and you can find information at www.emproiacf.org.  All grant applications must have the principal’s signature on them before it is submitted to the grant committee for review.  Examples of previous funding:


  • a series of family-oriented events throughout the year.
  • economics in real life course.
  • sensory support project.
  • room transformation items.
  • flexible workstations.



KPERS Optional Life Insurance:

KPERS Optional Life Insurance open enrollment is September 1 to 30.  As part of your KPERS benefits, you have the opportunity to purchase additional coverage beyond KPERS basic life insurance.  You can decide how much you need and pay your premiums through payroll deduction.  For further information, please review the KPERS Open Enrollment Handout and the KPERS optional life insurance website.


United Way:

Our USD 253 United Way of the Flint Hills Campaign 2025 kicks off next week! The campaign will run from September 1 to September 26. Please contact your building captain for additional information. https://www.unitedwayoftheflinthills.org/usd253


Personal Illness Pool and Maternity/Paternity Leave Pool:

USD253 offers two valuable benefits: the Personal Illness Pool and the Maternity/Paternity Leave Pool. To join either, you must donate one day of chargeable leave per pool by October 1st and meet eligibility requirements. You may join one, both, or neither.  If you've already donated, no action is needed unless a pool is depleted. 


To learn more or to donate a day and join a pool, please review the policy and complete the Google Form on the leave pool site. For questions, contact HR and Payroll at human-resources@usd253.net and payroll@usd253.net.


Spanish Stipend:

Emporia Schools offers a Spanish language stipend to eligible classified and licensed staff. Stipends range from:


  • Licensed Staff: $250–$1,000/year
  • Classified Staff: $0.25–$1.00/hour


Separate verbal and written Spanish tests are required. To learn more, contact HR at human-resources@usd253.net. To schedule testing, contact Jenny Flores-Guerrero at jenny.flores-guerrero@usd253.net or 620-341-2395.


Schedule for Staff ID Photos:

As a reminder, all staff should have their photo taken on school picture day so you will have a 2025-26 Staff ID. Please plan to have your photo taken while Interstate Studios is in your building.  Your Staff ID badge will also get you and your family into home events. If you need an ID badge before your 2025-26 badge is available, please contact community.relations@usd253.net to schedule a time for an individual badge to be made. 

  • Village Elementary, September 22 
  • Flint Hills Learning Center, September 25
  • Logan Avenue Elementary, September 26  
  • Riverside Elementary, October 2
  • Timmerman Elementary, October 6
  • Jones Early Childhood Development Center, October 15 
  • William Allen White Elementary, October 22


Employee Assistance Program:

As a USD 253 employee, you can utilize resources provided by New Directions through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additionally, New Directions offers a variety of free online webinars for all employees. If you or a family member are experiencing any stress or heightened emotions due to events in our world, please contact the EAP support line at 833-848-1764 or log onto the New Directions website and use the code usd253. September Newsletter, read more here.


District Events:


Save the Date, District Tailgate:

The District Tailgate is Friday, October 10, on the Emporia State University campus. Bring your family for an evening of food and fun! Each meal includes a hot dog, chips, a snack cake, and water. Food will be available for the first 400 people.


  • Location: Between the tennis courts and Visser Hall, just west of Welch Stadium
  • Time: 6:00 PM



Feel free to bring lawn chairs, as seating will be limited. Staff, be sure to wear your new district T-shirts (coming soon!) and bring your staff ID for free admission for you and your family to the game.  Let’s celebrate and cheer the Spartans to victory! RSVP for the tailgate here.

Appointments, Resignations, and Retirements:

View the employment recommendations here.

Emporia Middle School students put their creativity on display as they work on projects in Mr. Escobar’s art class.

Students in Ms. Hendry’s class at William Allen White proudly show their CKH Social Contract, demonstrating their commitment to a positive and respectful classroom community.

Board Approvals:




Board Discussion and Information:


Health Insurance Renewal Options for 2026:



Mr. Josh Swartz, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Business/Operations, and Mrs. Cate Cape, Director of Business/Operations, presented the district’s health insurance renewal options to the Board of Education. They noted that recent premium increases have prompted the district to explore more affordable options, while Blue Cross Blue Shield would continue as the district’s insurance carrier. Their report included a review of both fully insured and self-insured models, the advantages and disadvantages of self-funding, and strategies to mitigate potential risks.


Fully Insured: This option involves fixed premium costs with insurance and administration bundled together. Plans are governed by both federal and state law, with standardized benefits available to employers of all sizes.


Self-Insured: This approach combines fixed and variable costs and allows the district to select from a variety of service providers. Governed under federal law (ERISA), self-insured plans offer greater flexibility in plan design and benefits. While typically used by medium and large employers, this option has recently become more accessible for smaller organizations as well.


Pros of Self-Funding

  • Cash Flow Advantages – A “pay-as-you-go” approach allows the district to maintain reserves and benefit from the timing between incurred and paid claims.
  • Cost Savings – Opportunity to earn interest on funds otherwise held by the insurer and avoid some costly state-mandated benefits.
  • Plan Control & Flexibility – Easier monitoring of claim costs, greater access to plan data, and more flexibility in plan design. Not bound by state mandates.
  • Pharmacy Cost Management – Allows the district to shop for more reasonable pharmaceutical options, which represent a large percentage of the district’s claims.
  • Stability, employers that transition to self-funding rarely return to fully insured models.


Cons of Self-Funding

  • Budgeting the Program – Cash flow concerns due to monthly claim fluctuations.
  • Termination of the Program – If discontinued, the district may face the cost of running out claims while beginning a new fully insured plan.
  • Fiduciary and Legal Responsibility – The district would assume additional legal and fiduciary obligations.
  • Increased Employer Involvement – Requirements include maintaining banking arrangements, ensuring HIPAA and privacy compliance, and working with additional insurance partners.


Mr. Swartz emphasized that while self-funding offers potential savings and flexibility, it also carries added responsibilities and financial risk for the district. He also reviewed strategies to help mitigate these risks, including reserve planning and additional insurance protections, to ensure long-term stability if this model is adopted. Importantly, the self-funded model places the financial risk on the district rather than employees, and the employee experience with benefits would remain unchanged.


After the presentation, the Board provided feedback to move forward with pursuing the self-funded option. Review the Health Insurance presentation slides here. 


Summary of Superintendent’s Report – Dr. David McGehee:


Dr. David McGehee shared several updates during his Superintendent’s report.


He began with the recent plumbing issues at Village Elementary. Thanks to the quick work of contractors, Village was able to stay open while repairs were made. Dr. McGehee expressed his appreciation to the Village staff for their patience and support of students during this time. The repair costs also came in lower than expected, so the district did not need to enact policy DJFAB which allows the superintendent to approve additional expenses necessary to prevent additional damage to district property to keep a school open.


He also shared that the Middle School Track and Field has officially been released for use. While the recent rain has left some muddy spots and limited access, fencing will be going up next week, along with more concrete work for the new concession and restroom facility.


Another update focused on the Cost Containment Charter. This new team, made up of district staff, parents, and community members, will look for ways to save money and increase revenue. The group will meet seven times between October and February, with recommendations going to the Board in March. This collaborative approach is designed to be a model for how the district works through important decisions in the future.


Dr. McGehee also explained that Needs Assessment Data Collection will begin earlier this year, in October, as required by the Kansas State Department of Education. The information gathered will help the district update its Strategic Plan with clear goals, strategies, and action steps. Building Leadership Teams and the Board will be involved throughout the process, and the updated plan will be presented for approval in June 2026. Progress will be reviewed during the year and updated each summer to support continuous improvement.



Future Board Calendar Dates:



  • Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center
  • Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 4:30 p.m., Around the World Night, Walnut Elementary School
  • Friday, October 3, 2025, 6:30 p.m., EHS Homecoming, ESU Campus - Welch Stadium
  • Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Board Meeting, Mary Herbert Education Center 
  • Friday, October 10, 2025, 6:00 p.m., District Tailgate, ESU Campus - Welch Stadium

Emporia Public Schools | 1700 W 7th Ave | Emporia, KS 66801 US

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