USD 253 Emporia now has a new permanent leader.
Dr. Allison Anderson-Harder was announced as the district’s selection to take on the role of USD 253 Superintendent following a series of finalist interviews from earlier in the week. Anderson-Harder is the district’s executive director of special services for the Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative and has had several leadership positions during her better than 20-year career with USD 253.
USD 253 Board Vice-President Leslie Seeley says Anderson-Harder’s passion for the district and experience in a variety of roles helped set her apart from other candidates.
Anderson-Harder says there are many focuses she has as she prepares to step into the permanent role, but chief among them is continuing to navigate the district through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Anderson-Harder was named to the interim superintendent position following the sudden resignation of Kevin Case last November.
Along with Anderson-Harder, two other individuals interviewed for the superintendent position this past week including USD 252 Superintendent Mike Argabright and USD 512 Shawnee Mission Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Darren Dennis. Per the contract accepted Wednesday, Anderson Harder will assume her role officially beginning Jul. 1 with her contract to run through Jun. 30, 2023 and will be paid a salary of $150,000 per year.
In separate business, the board held a study session to review a recent efficiency study and district expenditures. The efficiency study, conducted by Kansas Association of School Boards Leadership Field Specialist Dr. Marcia Weseman, reviewed enrollment trends, staffing formulas, student needs, allocation of resources and included recommendations for increased efficiency in the future.
Following the presentation from Dr. Weseman, USD 253 Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Rob Scheib and Stephanie Pope provided additional information regarding current and historical expenditures by the district. The report included a look at current budget reduced expenditures, building-based budgets, bilingual expenditures and other categories.
Scheib is scheduled to join KVOE’s 8:20 am Newsmaker 2 segment next Wednesday.
The USD 253 Board of Education will next convene on Wednesday, Mar. 10 at 6 pm inside Emporia High School.
