In just their first meeting of 2026, the USD 253 Board of Education has already delved into what could be a months-long process of improving efficiency and culture within a specific district department.
During their regular meeting Wednesday, board members received a comprehensive report from Dr. Kellen Adams of JKA Enterprises regarding an efficiency study that was commissioned back in mid-November to delve into areas of needed improvement within the district’s business offices. According to USD 253 Superintendent Dr. David McGehee, the origin of the study goes beyond the last 12 months to 2023, when he was acting as the Interim Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations for the district.
In his report, Dr. Adams noted two specific areas that stood out to him: communication and role clarity, factors that, in his opinion, are crucial for an office that has, arguably, the most interaction with district stakeholders at all levels.
Adams would note that when it comes to communication, there was a “Tone issue” within the department; however, he does not feel it has reached the level of creating what he calls a “Bitey culture” where individuals feel as though they have just been bitten after an interaction with district staff. That said, he tells KVOE News that if the tone is not addressed promptly, it does not take long for the situation to devolve.
In concluding his report, Dr. Adams laid out a “Phased implementation pathway” with three phases spread out over the course of the next year and a half:
Immediate opportunities – ranging from 0-6 months
Short-Term Structural Adjustments – Ranging from 6-18 months
Long-Term Strategic Considerations – 18 months plus
After laying out the pathway, Adams stated it is important for the district to take its time with the process, noting it is completely editable. He would also stress that it is vitally important that when the district begins looking into way to improve culture and efficiency in the coming months that they “Attack the process, not the people.”
When asked where the district goes from here, Dr. McGehee stated that further examination of the study and its recommendations will be the ideal starting point.
The report did not include any recommendations for staff cuts or layoffs, with Adams saying he feels the department is perfectly staffed for the needs of the district at this time. McGehee would also note this study is not connected to the district’s ongoing cost containment efforts, saying he does not see the two intersecting in the near future.
In separate matters Wednesday, board members received a report from Emporia High School Athletics Director Beau Welch regarding EHS Football’s potential move from the Centennial League to an independent school by 2028. More details on that discussion can be found under the KVOE.com sports page.
The board also discussed a tentative agreement with the Emporia Police Department for a full-time School Resource Officer and tabled further discussions on a district facility rental usage rate document.
Members would approve a resolution establishing regular meeting times and locations for the board of education for 2026, with the schedule set to change come June of this year, when meetings will move to once a month as opposed to twice a month. The meetings, as of June, will take place each second Wednesday of each month.
A resolution extending the term of board officers and district appointees to committees and boards for 2026 also gained approval.
Following a 20-minute executive session to conclude the meeting, the board would approve terminating the employment of Gary Croucher, effective Thursday, based on violations of board policies, terms and conditions of employment and authorized Superintendent McGehee to take all necessary actions to implement the decision. Due to confidentiality, the district had no further comment on the matter.
The USD 253 Board of Education will next convene on Wednesday, January 28th at Emporia High School, where the board will hold its annual meeting with EHS Student Council members at 5 pm followed by their regular board meeting at 7 pm.
