It’s time for another round of strategic planning for USD 253 Emporia Public Schools.
Board members held a special meeting Wednesday evening with members of TrustCentric, the district’s current partner, as part of the conversation. Superintendent David McGehee called the meeting a chance to get the entire board up to speed on the overall process. He also says this served as a way to start using the board as one of the district’s focus groups as this particular effort begins. It’s a 4-stage effort, and McGehee says things are currently approaching Phase 2. He tells KVOE News most of the general priorities will remain in place, although the “vision priorities” are getting rearranged. A case in point is student success.
McGehee says TrustCentric is both consultant and facilitator. The district is using TrustCentric’s process to “structure our vision priorities.” A community forum is tentatively set for November 18. Other details on that event are developing.
McGehee says TrustCentric is well-versed in strategic planning, both in and out of education settings.
The strategic planning effort comes as USD 253 continues its discussions on cost containment matters, partly in light of the recent decision by the board to close Logan Avenue Elementary at the end of the current academic year and save over $1.3 million in that process. Several potential uses for the property have been discussed. McGehee says the district is shifting students at Flint Hills Learning Center inside Flinthills Mall to Emporia High as opposed to Logan Avenue, but other options remain on the table.
There is another big concern. McGehee says enrollment is behind projections from a year ago when the district began looking at cost containment options.
Official numbers have not been released by the district.
McGehee does not expect another large cost containment study team forming any time soon. Instead, he says this is a time to monitor developments and act accordingly.
Given the ongoing work on the district’s financial health, McGehee sees the strategic planning work coming at an opportune time for USD 253.
The current strategic plan effort could be largely finished by April 2027. The tentative goal is to have a full plan ready for board approval by June 2027.
