USD 253 Emporia’s Cost Containment Committee has its second meeting coming up next week and there is a lot of work to be done before then, according to Superintendent Dr. David McGehee.
During an appearance on KVOE’s Morning Show Monday, McGehee noted the main focus for the containment committee at this time is trying to find a way to carve out $1.5 million in savings from the district’s budget between now and the 2026 academic year. The reason? The significant dip in student enrollment that McGehee noted during an update back in August.
To refresh your memory, McGehee noted that the district had seen a total enrollment drop of almost 240 students from September 2024. He says that reflects five percent of the district’s enrollment and thus five percent of its budget.
In addition to the aforementioned $1.5 million in savings between now and next year, the district is also looking at a need to carve out another $1.5 million to $2 million over the next two to three years. McGehee says that, contrary to what many might think, this task is much easier said than done, especially when it comes to the fact that there are certain dollars the district simply cannot touch.
A question on the minds of many is how these efforts will affect current staff and personnel, which accounts for 75 to 80 percent of the district’s budget, like many other businesses, with McGehee saying they are going to try and “Impact real people as little as possible” through this process. McGehee stated that “it can be tough,” but it is doable.
In addition to cost savings, McGehee says the committee, which consists of more than 70 individuals representing both the district and community, is also being charged with finding ways to generate revenue to help bring more dollars into the district.
While the committee may seem large, McGehee says they will be breaking into smaller groups to focus on specific ideas and efforts in the near future. As for outside input, namely district patrons and families, McGehee says they are keeping discussions within the committee at this time, however:
The Cost Containment Committee is next scheduled to meet Tuesday, October 21, just a day before the Emporia Board of Education’s next regular meeting.
