The 2025 operating budget for USD 253 Emporia is now official.
USD 253 Board members approved the budget following a brief public hearing at the top of their regular meeting agenda Wednesday evening. The budget total comes to just over $41.4 million with a mill levy rate of 54.995 mills. The mill rate is a decrease of less than half a mill from the previous fiscal year and can be attributed, in large part, to adjustments in the bond and interest according to USD 253 Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Pam Stranathan.
While the mill levy will go down, salaries for district staff will increase by one percent “across the board” following approval of the tentative local agreement for licensed staff back in July.
The package also included an increase to the district’s coverage of insurance premiums by $50 “per employee coverage option.” This means the district’s contribution for individual coverage plans will go from $530 to $580 while individual plus – family plans, etc. . . — will increase from $580 to $630.
Before approving the budget, board members also held a brief public hearing on the revenue-neutral rate which members later voted unanimously to exceed.
In separate business Wednesday, board members received a trio of presentations including an update on the district’s sheltered instruction observation protocol presentation (SIOP), the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas and the latest Building for the Future construction update from McCownGordon. The board also approved a refurbishing of the Emporia High School greenhouse totaling more than $75,500.
Board members also held a trio of executive sessions, one for student matters and two for personnel, with no action taken.
The USD 253 Board of Education will next convene on Wednesday, September 25 at 6 pm inside the Mary Herbert Education Center.
