USD 253 Emporia will be expanding the use of its relatively new online walkthrough tool this year.
Observe 4 Success is an online resource that provides district and building administrators with a quick informal snapshot of the teaching and learning that happens within district classrooms according to a presentation from district Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Erica Mickelson during the USD 253 Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening. The district began using the tool on a districtwide basis last year and according to Mickelson is looking to tailor the tool on a building-by-building basis this year.
Mickelson says the expansion has much to do with the Kansas Education System Accreditation (KESA) model.
Mickelson says the tool is only available to district staff and allows administrators to take data gathered through the informal walkthroughs to celebrate successes in the classroom while also highlighting areas of needed improvement. Mickelson also stressed Wednesday evening the data collected through the walkthroughs will not be used during an evaluation process.
In other business Wednesday, board members had their latest review of the 2024-25 budget. As it stands, the budget carries a total price tag of more than $41.4 million with a mill levy of of 54.995 which is down 0.494 mills from the prior year. According to District Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Pam Stranathan during Wednesday’s meeting, the decrease in the mill levy was largely due to adjustments in the district’s bonds and interest.
Following the budget review, board members made a pair of motions to publish the budget and a notice to exceed the revenue-neutral rate. Approval of said motions also set September 11 as the date for a pair of public hearings for formal approval of the budget and exceeding the revenue-neutral rate.
Other business included discussions on the district’s facility usage committee following which the board appointed members Jennifer Thomas and Leslie Seeley to serve on. The USD 253 Board of Education will next convene on Wednesday, September 11 at 6 pm.
