A public hearing is coming next month to republish the USD 253 Emporia 2023-24 budget following action by USD 253 Board of Education members Wednesday evening.
As part of their regular meeting agenda, the board voted unanimously to publish a notice for the public hearing later this month. The reason for the hearing and potential republishing of the budget was a change in weightings for the district following its annual audit by the Kansas State Department of Education according to USD 253 Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Pam Stranathan.
Due to a positive change in its weightings, the district is set to receive more than $594,000 in additional funding from the state, but before the district can draw those dollars down, several funds, including the general fund, must be republished. Stranathan says once that is done the additional dollars will be spread out across those specific funds.
The notice will be published in the Emporia Gazette on April 27.
In other business, board members approved the first of what is to be many maintenance projects included in the list of “immediate infrastructure needs” as compiled by District Director of Maintenance Cory Nicolet and his team. The project approved Wednesday will be for the replacement of interior and exterior doors at the Emporia High School pool totaling more than $80,000.
Stranathan says this is just the tip of the iceberg with several more projects set to come before board members for approval at their next regular meeting. As for exactly what those projects will entail, Stranathan says that is still being determined, however, they are “at all different levels.”
In separate action Wednesday, board members also approved a special education teacher apprentice job description, received a program update from Village Elementary staff and students and held four executive sessions, three for attorney consultation and one for personnel matters, with no action taken.
The USD 253 Board of Education will next convene on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 pm inside of the Mary Herbert Education Center.
