This follows approval of a reorganization proposal by the USD 253 Board of Education during its regular meeting Wednesday evening and will see the FHSEC go from six coordinator positions to four and add an assistant director role by the end of the 2024-25 academic year. According to Director Tara Glades, the restructuring effort has been discussed for several years and following natural attrition and a desire for more efficient service, the decision was made to move forward with the plan this year.
Glades says the restructuring could be partially completed if recent attrition numbers were to continue this year and two coordinators were to move on from their current roles. If more than two coordinators were to resign, Glades says they would fill the needed positions to bring the cooperative up to four and the only remaining item would be the hiring of an assistant director.
In addition to increased efficiency and bringing the cooperative in line with other state co-ops, Glades says the restructuring could lead to an estimated annual cost savings of more than $22,000 per year.
In other business Wednesday, board members entered into a pair of executive sessions, the first, for 15 minutes, was for consultation with an attorney. Following the session, board members approved a resolution to “determine appropriate sanctions” with no further explanation provided.
When asked for further comment on the matter, USD 253 Board President Jami Reever stated “we cannot comment on personnel matters.” A document posted to the district’s BoardDocs page following the meeting noted the action finalized the termination of the district’s contract with former Emporia High School Forensics Coach and teacher Adam Moore.
Per the resolution, Moore also is to have no contact with or presence on district property without notice or supervision.
Separately Wednesday building principals from the Pre-K through secondary levels presented an overview of their data discussion processes to the board. The purpose of the data discussions is to help building principals and staff make the best-informed decisions to improve success across district schools.
Also Wednesday board members approved 6 pm as the board’s new regular meeting time. Additional details from Wednesday’s meeting can be found under the Board Docs page on the district’s website USD253.org.
The USD 253 Board of Education is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, January 24 at 6 pm inside of the Mary Herbert Education Center.
