Emporia board approves cost‑containment plan, schedules public hearing on potential Logan Avenue closure

The Emporia School Board on March 11 approved a two‑phase cost‑containment package designed to address multi‑year revenue shortfalls and directed the clerk to publish notice of a public hearing on a proposal to close Logan Avenue Elementary.

Superintendent Dr. David McGee told trustees the district faces a current‑year deficit and ongoing enrollment losses, saying the district is "estimated to deficit spend approximately $2 million" this year and projects about $2.3 million in state revenue loss next year tied to lower enrollment. He said the district has lost roughly 21 percent of students over the past decade — about 1,000 pupils — which represents about $5 million in state aid. The cost‑containment team recommended a mix of staffing adjustments and program changes that total $3,430,955 in projected savings; the recommendation does not include any savings that would result from a school closure.

The board approved the…