[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6590865,"mediaKeyId","5461094-4b9dfd2903fb56f20773d7cf2f30d265","parentId",5461094,"title","Board discusses AI misuse, dress code and off‑duty law‑enforcement visitor language during policy first reads","audioSeconds",317,"startMs",862000,"endMs",1179000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461094-4b9dfd2903fb56f20773d7cf2f30d265&start=862&end=1179","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461094-4b9dfd2903fb56f20773d7cf2f30d265/thumbnail_862000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6590865/Emporia/School-Boards/Kansas/Board-discusses-AI-misuse-dress-code-and-offduty-lawenforcement-visitor-language-during-policy-first-reads","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590865-6642fb95cf3f47a073d844646ec68b67/orig.mp4?Expires=1775023675&Signature=Old04jN0bTSnDKv0-HImINCFPQ05vkyBLNREhWX0cALWGpHBTTiXE73BLVVcRkC5c9eh4kIZGPl51VYWm8DCw3KQ2Ui6CxuZPGQGpE0QdLL~XHnQztFekoOhtFf3TDkQGKw0agfgbGtaFuJsFZzNAlXnaWFxJs-UYzUQYkWOKU0iRv1r~YJyc3yx-xeu6S9IEZyoZDFC2X9EVWxsZ52fvA1yDMOplAhcUhUK~iuwZ68gApGzSQHtTU6fcrkJ-~vk4k5str7qKHYojseIsZjAy3svCipybhBViRImFv9S35WSnv3ZSHEJAqug67t1JZDQj52bjIuva3mP9piFKSNq4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Emporia USD253 ","date","2025-07-23T17:40:48Z","article","At its July 23, 2025 meeting the Emporia Board of Education held first readings and extended discussion on student-handbook additions related to artificial intelligence, dress code alignment and a proposed board-policy insertion addressing off‑duty law‑enforcement officers entering district buildings.

Human resources staff said the student handbook adds a prohibition for misuse of AI tools and replicates the board’s AI policy language in the handbook to avoid ambiguity. Dr. Erica Mickelson told the board the AI language was placed directly into the handbook so “there's no question about what the board policy is and what it states.” The handbook first read also contains dress-code edits that will be discussed further when the board considers related policy language on hairstyles.

Board members focused significant discussion on a policy recommendation from the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) that attempts to align district visitor rules with a state law change. During the discussion a board member cited House Bill 2052 and Kansas statute 75‑7c22 (as written in the draft policy) and expressed concern that the statutory language, if adopted verbatim, could limit the district’s ability to require visitors to sign in or to request identification from off‑duty officers entering district buildings.

One board member summarized the apparent statutory cross‑references and described subsection (b) and subsection (b)(2) as creating ambiguity: while subsection (b) allows an off‑duty officer to enter with agency identification and to present that identification “when requested by another law enforcement officer or by a person of authority for the building,” subsection (b)(2) states a person of authority shall not require, request or record personal information of an off‑duty officer. That board member said the text, as drafted, “kind of neuters and renders meaningless” the identification clause and described it as “poorly written law.”

Other trustees raised security and verification concerns: if an individual claims to be off‑duty law enforcement but is not required to identify themself or to permit the district to record identifying information, the board member said, it could create a safety risk. Board members agreed to seek guidance from the district attorney; the draft policy was already submitted to the district’s attorney who was reported to have the policy “in queue to review.” One board member specifically urged follow‑up with legal counsel before final adoption.

No final board vote was taken on the hairstyle-related policy or the off‑duty officer language; the student handbook changes were held as a first read because they depend on a related hairstyle policy change. Board members said they will return the items for additional discussion after attorney review.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","USD253 Board Meeting 2025-07-23","oneSentenceSummary","During first readings of student and board policy updates, the Emporia Board examined AI misuse language in student handbooks, dress-code/hairstyle policy alignment, and a recommended provision on off‑duty law‑enforcement visitors tied to House Bill 2052 and Kansas statute 75‑7c22; attorneys will review unclear statutory language.","taxTitle","Emporia, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",55189,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6590870,"Emporia district approves $375,000 settlement to end Boys and Girls Club MOU; funds to support after-school arrangements",116,4222000,4338000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461094-4b9dfd2903fb56f20773d7cf2f30d265&start=4222&end=4338","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461094-4b9dfd2903fb56f20773d7cf2f30d265/thumbnail_4222000.jpg","/articles/6590870/Emporia/School-Boards/Kansas/Emporia-district-approves-375000-settlement-to-end-Boys-and-Girls-Club-MOU-funds-to-support-after-school-arrangements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590870-67ca5b63dc8634605ce7ff3843e21345/orig.mp4?Expires=1775023675&Signature=i6blXk-6fTjDyh3KBXR1-VDIvdP7sbKkTQqpqt2fxZdNmP~ddJCgIUVrqpzqn675MyfKv9QCkoq5Xwlyt~~sPkeKjXWkAh0ZYpeRJZv~geC9tVHT278sqDATQNe8ITZZh8UHwuHA13srp6u5RkeZWa2O0W9wDS9QEnyVcVydlqIpSANluFxlAkf34ghIcjGqC1DxUoLuJd6LIEQHWwvMT16qnzEwpqoHz60YYEDj2YvVWvm5EQ0bUFzEqx6-n9OxcnJaQuhZsPTBbnoxBWJoHOCYwgPBl4RhZFtGOaOwzU4hq~~5DBLhux7sXr6gNNuj4tL2oRattykO48EJMJsb8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After convening in executive session, the Emporia Board of Education voted 7-0 on July 23, 2025, to approve a settlement agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas that releases the club from the remaining obligations of a previously enacted 10‑year memorandum of understanding (MOU) for after-school care.

Superintendent Dr. David McGee told the board the agreement provides $375,000 in financial consideration in exchange for the release. According to the terms described in open session, the district will receive $125,000 as soon as the signed agreement is executed, followed by two additional $125,000 payments on the next two July 1 dates (three payments totaling $375,000). The administration said signatures from the other party were already in place when the board considered the motion.

Dr. McGee described the settlement as a means to ensure after-school programming continues for families while the district works toward an operating arrangement with the Emporia Rec Center. “This action will, assure our community, our families, our kids that there will be an after school program,” he said, referencing ongoing discussions with the rec center.

The motion approved by the board read, in substance, “the board approve the settlement agreement with Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas as submitted.” The motion was passed by a hand vote recorded as 7-0.

Context and next steps: District officials said the funds are intended to support after-school care through an arrangement the district is pursuing with the Emporia Rec Center. Board discussion and the formal vote followed two separate executive-session items described on the agenda as attorney-client privileged under the Kansas Open Meeting Act; the board stated no action was anticipated for the first executive session and that action was anticipated for the second.

The board recorded that Superintendent Dr. David McGee and district attorneys were invited into executive session during the discussion. The settlement action will be incorporated into the district’s agreements and next steps will include negotiating operating details with the Emporia Rec Center and distributing the first payment upon execution of the settlement.

","After two executive sessions, the Emporia Board of Education approved a settlement releasing the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas from the remaining obligations of a 10-year MOU in exchange for $375,000 in payments; the district plans to work with the Emporia Rec Center to provide after-school services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6590874,"Emporia Board unanimously approves multiple handbooks, emergency plan updates and strategic plan measures",85,351000,436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461094-4b9dfd2903fb56f20773d7cf2f30d265&start=351&end=436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461094-4b9dfd2903fb56f20773d7cf2f30d265/thumbnail_351000.jpg","/articles/6590874/Emporia/School-Boards/Kansas/Emporia-Board-unanimously-approves-multiple-handbooks-emergency-plan-updates-and-strategic-plan-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590874-1698d61937b30f22bb0d3c31113e5704/orig.mp4?Expires=1775023675&Signature=VB14BC3cDXciRHxcbfWhoXxblCx86svVCaPit2npWb95GJbMyJcFpcxmkb-6HbRolN8qHx9ojt4BlzPbvTbVMlEzkj2qERmg6OaGpAdb4MDRwQ73iuLOTaXPIC~3Umo0I16WewbRt3spORSmcMlDsu5KLvVLI0baaIvF8OtP9NHJE6bgzZBrEf9-ErrLnMcJK6H2osGeSnYYS-LNyw3gEXIhdcozsgUZGKLsNRZ5zjELjivQkP7ZT5JLvWjmsGc9G8WAZpmTkM-pFo0ALo4bwbxqCiNQpJypmprnWmqaAP5hxuDIUSREecEDruIIGO0rHxuyPU8S39wbzc3rzHtX2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Emporia Board of Education on July 23, 2025, unanimously approved multiple handbook and operational updates intended to prepare the district for the 2025–26 school year.

The board voted 7-0 to approve licensed staff handbooks for preschool, elementary, Emporia Middle School, Emporia High School and the Flint Hills Learning Center for 2025–26. The board separately approved updates to the athletic and activities handbook for 2025–26, classified substitute and administrator handbooks for 2025–26, and district emergency operations plan updates for 2025–26. The board also approved updated strategic plan measures, 7-0.

The licensed staff handbook changes, presented by Director of Human Resources Dr. Erica Mickelson, reflected alignment with current board policy and mainly date and language updates from the first reading earlier in the summer. “We brought it for the first read. So, on the most of them, it is it was all about, making sure that we are current with board policy,” Dr. Mickelson said.

Emporia High School athletic director and assistant principal Bo Welch described the primary substantive change in the athletic handbook: a clarified approach to dual-sport participation. Welch said the update aims to balance encouragement for students to play multiple sports with practical concerns about coaches’ ability to allocate playing time if athletes regularly miss team practices. “When you start talking about a dual sport of, you know, an athlete maybe, you know, just just picking 1 at random, let's say baseball. Let's say they wanna do baseball and track… if you are missing baseball practice 3 or 4 days a week, that's putting the coach in a really tough spot,” Welch said. He added that dual-sport situations are rare, “probably, this past year, I think we had 2, I think, total, whole year. And, I would say we have 2 or less usually each year.”

Board members indicated the emergency operations plan updates reflected new calendar dates and changes recommended by state preparedness guidance; no substantive operational changes were detailed during the vote. The strategic plan measures vote followed a second reading and the board approved language updating baseline data and reporting timelines; the superintendent’s office said some metrics remain snapshots to be measured after the first day of school.

Several items presented as first reads were not approved at this meeting. The student handbook changes, which include an added AI policy excerpt and dress-code adjustments, were presented for first reading because a related board policy on hairstyles still requires board action before the handbook is finalized.

Votes at a glance:
- Adopt agenda — Motion: “I move to adopt the agenda.” Outcome: approved 7-0.
- Approve consent agenda — Motion: “I move to approve the consent agenda as submitted.” Outcome: approved 7-0.
- Licensed staff handbooks (preschool, elementary, Emporia Middle School, Emporia High School, Flint Hills Learning Center) — Motion: approval as submitted (second reading). Outcome: approved 7-0.
- Athletic and activities handbook 2025–26 — Motion: approval as submitted (second reading). Outcome: approved 7-0.
- Classified substitute and administrator handbooks 2025–26 — Motion: approval as submitted (second reading). Outcome: approved 7-0.
- Emergency operations plan updates 2025–26 — Motion: approval as submitted (second reading). Outcome: approved 7-0.
- Updated strategic plan measures — Motion: “I move to approve the updated strategic plan measures as submitted.” Outcome: approved 7-0.

What happened next: Board and district staff said several first-read items will return to a future meeting for a second reading or additional attorney review; the district outlined start-of-school orientation dates and the first day of school schedule during the superintendent’s report.

Local context: The approvals set policy and operational baselines ahead of the 2025–26 school year, affecting staff expectations, extracurricular eligibility and safety planning districtwide.

","At its July 23, 2025 meeting the Emporia Board of Education voted 7-0 to approve licensed staff handbooks, athletic and activities handbook updates, classified substitute and administrator handbooks, the district emergency operations plan updates for 2025–26, and updated strategic plan measures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board discusses AI misuse, dress code and off‑duty law‑enforcement visitor language during policy first reads

Emporia district approves $375,000 settlement to end Boys and Girls Club MOU; funds to support after-school arrangements

Emporia Board unanimously approves multiple handbooks, emergency plan updates and strategic plan measures