The search for a new superintendent for USD 253 Emporia Schools is now officially underway.
During the USD 253 Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening, the board approved both the superintendent search agreement and tentative search timeline. The agreement was presented by KASB Deputy Executive Director Dr. Brian Jordan.
Per the agreement, KASB will select, train and work in unison with a “Screening Committee,” whose sole responsibility will be to conduct reviews of superintendent applicants and recommend applicant finalists to the Board of Education for final determination. According to the agreement, the committee’s role will strictly be to advise the board with neither the committee or KASB having any decision-making authority.
Board of Education President Mike Crouch says he, and the rest of the board, is excited to begin the search for a new district leader. He says as the search unwinds it is crucial that every board member fully commit to the process.
Dr. Jordan explains the search timeline will essentially break down into four different phases.
The district is scheduled to begin the marketing phase of the timeline within the coming days. According to the timeline, applications will be due by Feb. 5 and if the current timeline holds, interviews for candidates should begin in mid-February.
Regular updates will be presented over the coming months.
Separately, the board received an academic report from Associate Executive Director of Assessment and Accountability Dr. Ryan Karjala regarding kindergarten readiness, graduation rates and postsecondary success. According to the report, the district boasted impressive graduation rates for both its four-year and five-year cohorts with 91.3 percent and 92.9 percent respectively between 2016 and 2020.
Karjala says these percentages are the highest the district has seen since it began tracking this data six years ago.
Karjala says from start to finish, the district is doing a well-rounded job when it comes to serving its students based on positive results also reflected in kindergarten readiness as well as postsecondary success. You can view the reports and related information on the Board of Education page on the district’s website at USD253.org.
During the consent agenda portion of the meeting where numerous items may be approved with a single vote, the board accepted the retirement of Mobilizing Literacy Family Liason Jodi Case. Mobilizing Literacy is a grant funded by the W.S. and E.C. Jones Trust dedicated to improving to improve grade-level reading attainment within participating schools by focusing specifically on school readiness, summer learning, and attendance.
Since it was established in 2016, Mobilizing Literacy has put over $875,000 into kindergarten readiness within USD 253. The grant is set to conclude in 2021.
Case has served as the Family Liason since the grant’s inception back in 2016. Case’s retirement follows the sudden resignation of her husband Kevin Case from the Superintendent’s position nearly three weeks ago.
The USD 253 Board of Education is scheduled to reconvene for its next regular session on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 5:30 pm inside the Mary Herbert Education Center.
