Several changes are on the horizon for Emporia High School with some coming sooner than others.
During the USD 253 Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening, board members approved the resignation of current Emporia High School Principal Dr Britton Hart. Dr Hart will be stepping down as principal at EHS to assume a new role as the Director of Leadership Services and Partnerships for the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB).
Hart has served as principal of EHS since 2014 when he replaced former principal Scott Sheldon. USD 253 Superintendent Kevin Case says the district will begin the search for Hart’s replacement immediately.
Case adds Hart, “had a great vision for what the high school can be” and his leadership will be missed. Hart will officially step down as principal at the conclusion of this school year.
In other business, Emporia High School will be receiving a new roof, however, it will not be coming this year. Board members unanimously voted to reject bid offers for roof work on the high school to replace sections that were damaged during a hail storm back in May of 2018.
The work was meant to replace failing sections of the roof specifically located over the main gymnasium, pool and auditorium. During the pre-design phase of the project, RTI Consultants Inc. discovered asbestos inside the roof’s materials.
Bids for the roof replacement were received on March 22, however, RTI recommended the project be rebid to include the removal of not only the current sections of roof but all components of the roof to ensure all traces of asbestos are removed. Superintendent Case says the new process is a more fiscally responsible option for the district.
The rebidding process is scheduled to take place in November of this year with the project to begin in summer 2020.
Also during Wednesday’s meeting, the board received an update on secure entrances for district buildings and HTK Architects was once again in attendance to continue conversations regarding the district facility needs assessment. One executive session also took place no action was taken.
The USD 253 Board of Education will next meet Wednesday, April, 10 at 6 pm inside the Mary Herbert Education Center.
