Logan Avenue Elementary School’s future will be discussed as part of a special Emporia Public Schools board meeting Wednesday.
Residents are invited to give their thoughts as USD 253 considers whether to shut down school operations at Logan Avenue as the key component of the district’s ongoing cost containment discussion. Residents interested in speaking to the board will have one chance to speak and will have a 3-minute maximum on their time at the podium. There will be a sign-up sheet as people arrive at Mary Herbert. Only people who sign in will be allowed to speak to the board.
The board is considering the end of school operations at Logan Avenue because of low enrollment numbers — the lowest for a district elementary. It is also looking at “the fiscal health of the district” with an overall goal of trimming close to $5 million in costs over the next two years. Ending school operations at Logan Avenue would put around $1.4 million into that effort, according to district estimates.
If the board approves the closure, students would go to either Riverside or William Allen White, while Superintendent David McGehee has mentioned a possibility of moving the district offices to Logan Avenue, reflecting significant structural issues at Mary Herbert, as well as a possible move of Flint Hills Learning Center out of Flinthills Mall to Logan Avenue and the development of other school and community programs inside the building.
The meeting will start at 6 pm at Mary Herbert and will lead into the regular meeting April 22, where the board could take action on the recommendation.
USD 253 is not the only Lyon County school district with a special meeting Wednesday.
USD 251 North Lyon County has a special meeting to discuss plans for possible new facilities for the district. Board members will get an update from TESSERE before having an executive session on data relating to financial affairs.
North Lyon County is moving closer to a key decision on future district facilities. The board is looking at three options, including a full K-12 campus near the district’s population center, a new high school near North Lyon County Elementary/Junior High in Americus or a new high school somewhere near the Americus city limits.
The USD 251 special meeting starts at 6 pm at the board office in Americus.
