With around two weeks to go before a public hearing on the possible closure of Logan Avenue Elementary, USD 253 Emporia Superintendent David McGehee chatted with KVOE News about the current status of the district’s cost containment process and next steps as the current academic year ends in 3 months.
The public hearing April 15 will go a long way towards determining whether the board approves the closure of Logan Avenue — and generate more than $1.4 million in cost savings towards the overall goal that’s now nearing $5 million over the next two years. The district has cited Logan Avenue’s attendance as the lowest in the district and several factors, including floodplain geography, make enrollment growth unlikely — while a number of households have already transferred their students to Riverside, William Allen White or other local elementary schools. McGehee says he understands the concerns raised by residents of southern Emporia when it comes to the possible school closure.
McGehee says that commitment may not present itself as a school, but he says students will be bused to Riverside or William Allen White, the most likely school options for students. He says the gymnasium and playgrounds will remain available for community use — and he confirmed there is a chance Flint Hills Learning Center and the district offices may move out of Mary Herbert Education Center to Logan Avenue if school operations end. Closing Mary Herbert became a distinct possibility after a structural study in late 2024 demonstrated significant issues, notably with parts of the building sinking close to 4 inches over time.
McGehee also sees other options for Logan Avenue that would benefit southeast Emporia as a whole.
While a decision on Logan Avenue is pending, McGehee says the board approval for other aspects of the overall plan, notably staffing, are a good starting point.
Paperwork released by the district indicates as many as 60 positions affected, but McGehee stresses much of that number deals with position portions that are not full-time-equivalent — meaning the number of impacted FTE positions may be substantially lower when the plan is fully realized. McGehee has said on KVOE’s airwaves the goal is to have attrition handle the bulk of any staffing adjustments as opposed to outright terminations.
The district is in a tough spot, having already lost around 1,000 students over the last decade — including over 200 last year when Tyson shut down all local operations — and with enrollment trends continuing lower for the foreseeable future. On top of that, about 400 students coming off the state aid formula — which both lowers the amount of state aid coming to the district and the district’s ability to raise funds through the local option budget process. To make sure another batch of large-scale adjustments isn’t needed in another 10 years, McGehee says the plan is to have annual reviews.
McGehee says the district is open to suggestions, but he says his role is to outline problems and solutions as this process continues.
Besides personnel moves, McGehee says cost containment activities through the rest of the academic year in June could well slow down somewhat. Summertime will see more conversations about the potential transition of students from Logan Avenue to Riverside and William Allen White if that is the step the board decides to take, including busing and communication.
*Click here for Superintendent McGehee’s letter to district parents and patrons about cost containment goals and objectives.
*Click here for the district’s strategic plan information page.
