[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6637213,"mediaKeyId","2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b","parentId",2587355,"title","Votes at a glance: consent agenda, policy updates, E-rate award and executive-session motions","audioSeconds",253,"startMs",253000,"endMs",506000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b&start=253&end=506","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b/thumbnail_253000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6637213/Emporia/School-Boards/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-consent-agenda-policy-updates-E-rate-award-and-executive-session-motions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637213-74b704154a9f6e36abe8118748cae7d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206585&Signature=PWLm8ZpxFws9IyaV-Xxy7V1LvtsH316mu3pJBJf47Ufo4KbS88wCptThJZTgrq9yoD0FbhlWJNhWZ5vavo9zC61FP3gv3-0VB6LJW0b3rRNZB2e0NQcgSogNDVoAMGvoYI87MPl0JSwYbJRaEJCYi2VMrBOQ05TCoypc9DA52bRQgKhgrRxaY6o2fwbdGf4FBgGvMjEzGwa0QpE53cIlrzYaVubFi4SlHBa-vdDRPIpF8gk6XHgh~8QCsXl40ode0GPqXgLA-cY6KZGBbObK704eYIU-IWAF1U5NbduXykt-dOegDkzzS2mtBCjak-XDSkBaM4Iyu38gq5115rmY4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Emporia USD253 ","date","2025-03-13T01:35:33.68Z","article","At the meeting the Emporia Board of Education recorded the following formal actions and votes.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Motion to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Outcome: approved, vote recorded as 7–0.

- E-rate network equipment contract: Motion to approve the bid from 2 Trees for network equipment (access points and licensing) as submitted. Outcome: approved, vote recorded as 7–0. (E-rate to cover 80% of eligible costs; district responsible for 20%.)

- Board policy retire/approve: Motion to retire and approve a package of policies (retire policies ID, IF, JGF, GA, JH, KK, BDA, CD, CG, CGI, CNA, DE, DFAC, ICA, IDACA, JGF, GBA, and KN; approve new/revised policies listed in the motion). Outcome: approved, vote recorded as 7–0.

- Executive session — attorney consultation (Kansas Open Meetings Act exception): Motion to enter executive session for 15 minutes with named attorneys invited. Outcome: approved, vote recorded as 7–0. The board returned to open session later; the meeting transcript shows the return motion carried 6–0 on that particular roll-call when recorded.

- Executive session — negotiations: Motion to enter executive session for 10 minutes to discuss negotiation information; invited superintendent and selected staff. Outcome: approved, vote recorded as 7–0. The subsequent motion confirming return to open session was recorded in the transcript as passing (recorded as 7–0 at the later roll-call for the motion to adjourn).

- Adjournment: Motion to adjourn. Outcome: approved, vote recorded as 7–0.

Notes: Several motions in the transcript did not include recorded mover and seconder names in the available excerpt; where the transcript did not specify names they are recorded here as \"mover not specified\" and \"second not specified.\" For agenda items that bundled many policies or consent items, the transcript reflects a single motion and a single roll-call vote approving the package.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","USD253 Board Meeting 2025-03-12","oneSentenceSummary","The board carried routine and procedural measures during the meeting, including approval of the consent agenda, an E-rate equipment award, approval to retire/approve a set of policies and motions to enter executive sessions. Vote tallies are included below.","taxTitle","Emporia, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",55189,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6637217,"Emporia High students outline theater season, festivals and community outreach",352,1347000,1699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b&start=1347&end=1699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b/thumbnail_1347000.jpg","/articles/6637217/Emporia/School-Boards/Kansas/Emporia-High-students-outline-theater-season-festivals-and-community-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637217-ee794e3286c4a6974f7a386336db7511/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206585&Signature=YyE~34Gwv9C2fcIHuou-MBluEyhXemfpbYOaWRsZ0FUF3lZocbxRVWzVC3GF4rh~fvds9E6yfUfQcquhMSVJE-4IxNDy8I6czSE~CCkFPDlTYXAL-MHB2pKTkIJmcVm3oPizyIVeT3-dFakZRsPpkeNB8uRVbgpqcBU04GBoTSL6v1KFrkYYABLM5hGA13FA4EwPFCJGRXGd9XRcIzOA2KF2n7fD4csDBhEj~Sz3Xhh5QeZgp9yx20OeHFcROg4dO7Wvdx7uK2SosrC6adh7uv-C0jSpNdMqh-wz0dgDuaceRioJYltSS1jBidEnPx8ZHLCjkX5hszQy4Dzs25nvKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amanda Ballard, Emporia High School’s theater teacher, and students presented a program highlight describing recent productions, student participation, festival results and community outreach.

Ballard introduced students Trey Hendricks (senior, theater president) and Kaylee Wellman (sophomore, promotions chair), who summarized activities including community-service events, traveling shows and recent productions. The theater presented Legally Blonde as its musical this year with an audience of more than 800 and more than 100 student and staff participants; staff said it was among the top three highest-grossing musicals in recent school history.

Students described service and outreach work including a “trick-or-treat so kids can eat” food drive, participation in the Miss Amazing Pageant supporting young women with disabilities, a kids’ theater camp for elementary students, prom-dress rentals and traveling performances that drew nearby schools to Emporia shows.

Trey and Kaylee reported on festival participation: 14 students competed at the Kansas Thespian Festival, earning seven “superior” ratings, five “excellence” and two “good.” Seven superior ratings qualify those performers to advance to the International Thespian Festival. Students also described their rehearsal schedules — typically Monday–Thursday 3:30–6:30 p.m., additional Saturday work calls, approximately 30 hours per week during active productions and extended tech-week schedules (3:30–9 p.m. with dinner provided by sponsors) — and affirmed they maintain passing grades and eligibility while participating.

Recent productions included 26 Pebbles, a play about community recovery after the Sandy Hook tragedy, and interactive shows that offered audiences different endings. Upcoming events listed by students included a talent show March 28, senior-directed one-acts on April 11, an advanced touring show on April 29 and theater awards on May 9. Students also said the program expects to participate on May 16 in Village Art Day and to pursue gesture/competition awards in early May.

Board members praised the program’s community engagement and fundraising support and asked about workshop learning (for example, combat workshops to stage safe, non-contact fight choreography). Ballard and students said the program leverages community donations and booster support for sets, meals during tech week and travel to festivals.","Teacher Amanda Ballard and students presented the high-school theater program’s recent productions, festivals and community outreach, noting large volunteer time commitments, an audience of more than 800 for the musical and student success at the Kansas Thespian Festival.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6637222,"Board awards E-rate bid to 2 Trees for Meraki access points; UPS replacements deferred",232,275000,507000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b&start=275&end=507","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b/thumbnail_275000.jpg","/articles/6637222/Emporia/School-Boards/Kansas/Board-awards-E-rate-bid-to-2-Trees-for-Meraki-access-points-UPS-replacements-deferred","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637222-56eb5409e776bb200f46459b9ca314e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206585&Signature=fGWHZ7mM3GNMCD6w3MwG-uvljbF14O8jJf~tBv-g5e~XkraQ1UCAy7Z8l6Dvb6B4-8yMaa7KQuyNj0anwTnITfgASLIxNOxMYhrefvTKFe91jSoQoJKmb1UmM2MDZjiAjgB0IFRd66klubHkwIcaAljHbPgdkYhN1iOXBaMcBUTeSiKsrskQNhkXxCUFOt8AilK5K9h~VJSJ9Slgy7w66lwrgi~jIsG~mNrHgP0h411TjF5dAMbLoe1TdfY4W1VPALU8S7JuSuVw9liXIyiFI7iQm1zX0AOMPmfNyEwNLrDOgJqFQGX1zR6mwPEPqOiIWN291vAX-Rwz3G1fsAKRwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Emporia Board of Education approved a district purchase of network equipment and licensing through the federal E-rate program, awarding the bid for access points to vendor 2 Trees by a 7-0 vote.

IT staff member Paul Beetle explained the purchase comes at the end of the district’s five-year E-rate funding window and that remaining funds should be spent before the window closes. Beetle said E-rate will fund 80% of eligible costs and the district will pay 20% of the total cost. The board packet and discussion noted the award focuses on Meraki access points that are compatible with the district’s existing licensing and infrastructure; two lower bids were excluded because those access points were incompatible with software licensing previously purchased through E-rate.

Paul Beetle said the purchase would replace approximately 289 of the district’s 461 access points and would bring older elementary sites closer to the configurations already installed at Jones and Emporia High School. Beetle said the district expects to cycle E-rate-supported access-point replacements on roughly a five-year life cycle.

On uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), Beetle said most UPS bids received were either for units incompatible with the district’s UPS management infrastructure or for 30-amp units that would have required extensive rewiring of electrical closets. For that reason, the district did not accept any UPS bids; staff said they will replace failing batteries as needed out of capital outlay and plan to revisit UPS replacements in a future E-rate cycle.

A board motion to approve the 2 Trees bid carried 7-0. No additional procurement approvals were voted on for UPS equipment that evening.","The board approved a bid to 2 Trees to purchase Meraki access points under the E-rate program; E-rate will cover 80% of eligible costs and the district 20%. UPS replacement bids were not awarded because of electrical compatibility and rewiring requirements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6637227,"Board holds first reading of revised service-animal policies clarifying service animals vs. therapy animals",425,887000,1312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b&start=887&end=1312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b/thumbnail_887000.jpg","/articles/6637227/Emporia/School-Boards/Kansas/Board-holds-first-reading-of-revised-service-animal-policies-clarifying-service-animals-vs-therapy-animals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637227-c02341095e0b2962776486570135e590/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206585&Signature=og8VRjRe6ezcp-ZKv0wIEXMwFew7jV91ldPZvto~A2fyPt05xuOVu9LW6fcC2qWGY-rbwqszyeTnKkNC6Dg~1dBP-cwsP5DtbM0-JZuXKJKpPNA~ceQkaiMNRNsyb9gm2l1dDakjEeTgH4mJJc4S~rTcP6kapXUT3wzuxfXJjtO0l6pcfdJOpFjMqD2p9RYRENlyfbccxiVXYLimAfPupClUfTmr1GtUxJD0dTtnkiEucZiySFs47JA3n6jUbAd1NO3KHH2AuG3NO0mbwEjo0KpZIxKIhXkfTwBISZh1nQxdfF7T9qTsV2t7M2ot3PS2tKaWEzLO~hqRDfb~s0FTkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Emporia Board of Education held a first reading of revised board policies ING (plants and animals in schools) and KO (service animals) that clarify the district’s approach to requests for service animals and distinguish them from therapy or emotional-support animals.

Human-resources staff member Jared Giffin presented the proposed changes and said the district’s school attorney recommended modifications to align the policy with federal disability law. The draft removes procedural grievance steps from the board policy and provides forms and a process for case-specific discussions. The packet includes sample forms and a checklist administrators would use in meetings with the student and parent or with employees making service-animal requests.

The proposed ING/KO language sets out several points: service animals are distinct from animals provided for instruction, therapy or comfort, or emotional-support animals; the district will comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and reasonable-accommodation obligations; and requests trigger an integration meeting to plan logistics such as restroom and break locations, transitions between school areas and behavior around large gatherings. Presenters said the forms identify what training the animal has received and the tasks it performs, and that owners must carry liability insurance for injury or property damage.

Board members asked practical questions about implementation. Members raised concerns about how to orient students to respect a working animal (do not pet or approach), how to handle rare instances of other types of service animals (the presenter noted miniature horses are explicitly recognized in federal guidance), and whether a parent could request a class transfer for a child who is fearful or allergic to a service animal (staff said such accommodations would be evaluated and, if necessary, class reassignments could be discussed to meet multiple students’ needs).

The presenter described an “integration” process: an initial meeting before the animal attends school, a staged introduction to the environment, parent notifications, and coordination to protect privacy while accommodating staff or students with allergies or other concerns. Staff said training is expected for service animals but formal certification is not required by the district; the district will ask for documentation of training and tasks performed by the animal.

Board members debated whether to act at this meeting. Multiple members said they were comfortable with the revisions and the single-paragraph complaint structure recommended by staff, but the item remained a first reading and no approval vote was taken.

Because it was a first reading, staff will return with final language, procedures and forms for a subsequent board reading and possible action.","The board heard a first reading of policy revisions (ING and KO) that define service animals in schools, outline integration steps and forms, and require liability coverage for owners; the item was discussed but not voted on.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6637232,"Board reviews quarterly strategic-plan report highlighting SEL gains, assessment and enrollment shifts",2400,1920000,4320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b&start=1920&end=4320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2587355-7c2c95ddf7f765a6bb5b4f8e4595dd6b/thumbnail_1920000.jpg","/articles/6637232/Emporia/School-Boards/Kansas/Board-reviews-quarterly-strategic-plan-report-highlighting-SEL-gains-assessment-and-enrollment-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637232-f644042f52089e74dc837ce4c64b4bea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206585&Signature=K-d4l~zYbHNyJmHnVNCRAHwVW1yLfmBqavC1ubvLiVxpkxjrcCBsxnGHcOeZMs8SHPDWNJyU1nPQla-eGbvucxn-RC~aGWoEC8ubBw8o1fgpQOFPHMgOYGrJwZAvxdkSv~vILzBuhX3tyJ3poSkz6IWfOFk40pXaMg7doKqiWHKHzGUgntjSOPta7rYQznd2kOwSejML754i0sD5ZHDuLqof2cLLi5aCD23Hr9FVeDW0p9HcWjDkO3M~APvLv5V0EiKG68Kh-YaVWgKKRD5Cz~PgCE5TBqNKAykfz6AFecJgtdEnj2aYSP7uhQ~Bi03HKPk3Qqzad1IHmPcpXSsucg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Emporia Board of Education at Mary Herbert Education Center received its quarterly strategic-plan report, with administrators highlighting social-emotional learning (SEL) gains, mixed academic results across subjects and a continuing enrollment decline tied to falling birth rates.

Administrators said seven of the district’s nine buildings had been nominated for Capture Kids’ Hearts (CKH) national showcase, and credited a district behavior support specialist, Jennifer Casey, and expanded student-support staffing for improving SEL metrics. Presenters pointed to a large year-over-year drop in logged major behavior incidents at the elementary level as evidence of progress while noting some month-to-month fluctuations.

District leaders told the board the district is tracking academic data across multiple measures. The report showed 65% of students made positive ELA growth on interim measures this year and that several cohorts and subgroups — including English-language learners and students with disabilities — had pockets of growth. Math presenters said some grades and cohorts advanced while secondary-grade benchmarks continue to present challenges.

Administrators and board members discussed constraints on program choices caused by Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) rules for evidence-based resources. Several intervention resources used in prior years are no longer on KSDE’s approved list, which affects how the district may spend at-risk funds for strategist positions or interventions. Staff said they continue to seek approved resources, submit requests to KSDE for review, and prioritize use of existing online materials where possible.

The district’s new dashboard and demographic data were shown. Speakers said Emporia’s birth rate fell from 358 births in 2012 to 272 in 2023 (a decline of 86 births) and that the city population declined from 24,958 to 24,105 (a decrease of 853 residents) over the same period. Presenters tied the demographic trend to enrollment numbers shown in the packet: 217 preschool students, 248 kindergarten students and 231 “grade 13” adult/alternative-enrolled students for the current year.

Communication and family engagement achievements were highlighted. District staff described expansion of Spanish-language posts across social media, implementation of ParentSquare districtwide and statistics staff shared: roughly 62,000 direct messages sent through ParentSquare since rollout, about 97% of families contactable by at least one mode (email, text or phone) and app downloads and parental interaction rates that staff said indicate rising engagement.

Recruitment and retention efforts were reviewed. Staff described increased recruiting activity at local universities and job fairs and continued difficulty filling specialized roles such as HVAC/boiler technicians and some technology positions. Safety and operations updates included recent installation of buzz-in main entrances across sites, plans for an assessment of playground equipment, ongoing vehicle/equipment prioritization for snow removal and a vendor arrangement to secure diesel fuel blended to reduce gelling in very cold weather.

District staff described the QIESA action-plan submission (quality instruction focus) that begins February-to-February and is pending state approval in April; the plan centers on implementing SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) for English-language learners and using the district’s Observe for Success tool for educator evaluation. Staff cautioned that new state assessments and FastBridge renorming in coming years will create new baselines and require re-setting some performance goals.

Board members asked clarifying questions about data logging practices, how minor vs. major behavior incidents are recorded in PowerSchool, the district’s approach to leveling classes and use of at-risk funds to create strategist positions. Staff said the district will continue to refine data definitions, expand professional development and target at-risk funding to positions and interventions aligned to KSDE guidance.

District officials said next steps include continuing CKH implementation, digging into yearlong comparisons for behavior and academic data, pursuing approved intervention resources, and planning for the timing and baselines created by new state assessment cut scores and FastBridge renorming.

The update was for information and discussion; no final board action on the strategic plan itself was taken that evening.","At its regular meeting the Emporia Board of Education heard a quarterly strategic-plan update that highlighted gains in social-emotional learning, mixed academic results in math and ELA, a slowing birth rate tied to enrollment declines, expanded communications work and steps to spend at-risk funds on instructional strategists.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: consent agenda, policy updates, E-rate award and executive-session motions

Emporia High students outline theater season, festivals and community outreach

Board awards E-rate bid to 2 Trees for Meraki access points; UPS replacements deferred

Board holds first reading of revised service-animal policies clarifying service animals vs. therapy animals

Board reviews quarterly strategic-plan report highlighting SEL gains, assessment and enrollment shifts