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Superintendent reports preliminary enrollment drop of about 239 students; outlines cost-containment plan and after-school update
Summary
At the Aug. 27 Emporia Board of Education meeting the superintendent said preliminary in-seat enrollment is about 3,811, down from last year’s audited 4,050, and described steps for a cost-containment review, changes to state assessment cut scores and the start of after‑school programming.
The superintendent reported to the Emporia Board of Education on Aug. 27 that preliminary in-seat enrollment stood near 3,811 students, about 239 fewer than the previous audited headcount of 4,050, and said the decline will reduce state funding for the district.
"Earlier this week, we kind of landed on, actual physical students in our end seats at right at 38 11, compared to a headcount... our audited headcount was 4,050," the superintendent said, noting the district had been working to verify numbers in PowerSchool. He told the board the district is using a higher earlier funding number for the current year but that a 172-student drop already had been accounted for in the state's funding calculation used this year.
Because personnel are the district’s primary expense, the superintendent said the district will form a cost-containment team that includes three board members, staff and parents to examine programs, class size and staffing ahead of next year’s budget. "My message is always to prioritize things and those things that we do initially try to have as little impact on our programming for students as possible," the superintendent said.
Other items reported: - State assessment cut scores: The superintendent relayed that the State Board of Education approved new state assessment cut scores and said the move aims to align state-assessment results with long-term measures such as ACT performance. Several statewide associations supported the adoption, he said. - After-school programming: Amanda Gutierrez, executive director (employee recreation), reported signups for after-school programs were strong entering September; food-service coordination and principal support were credited for a smooth launch. The superintendent said no significant problems had been reported to his office. - Start of school observations: The superintendent described visiting multiple schools during the opening days and recounted brief interactions with students and staff, saying the start of the year felt "organized chaos" at the early childhood center but overall positive.
Next steps: the superintendent said he will convene a cost-containment review and involve staff and parent representatives, and the district will continue to refine September enrollment counts for state reporting and budgeting purposes.
