The Emporia Board of Education concluded an executive session on Jan. 14 to discuss nonelected personnel and subsequently voted to terminate the employment of Gary Croucher effective Jan. 15, 2026.

A public motion stated the termination was "based on violations of board policy and the terms and conditions of employment as presented and discussed in executive session." The motion was moved, seconded and approved by a 7-0 vote; the board authorized Superintendent David McGehee to take any necessary administrative steps to implement the decision.

The board held the personnel discussion in executive session to protect the privacy interests of the individual; details of the alleged violations were not disclosed in open session. The motion as announced in public did not include additional factual findings beyond the cited policy violations and the effective date.

The board's action was recorded in the meeting minutes. The district did not provide additional public details about the personnel matter during the meeting.