News Release August 13, 2026

Board Approves New Strategic Planning Process for Emporia Public Schools

EMPORIA, Kan. — The Emporia Public Schools Board of Education has approved a new strategic planning process designed to establish a clear direction for the district and help guide its work through 2031 and beyond.

The process will bring together students, staff, families, community members, district leaders and the Board to identify priorities for the future of Emporia Public Schools and develop a practical plan for turning those priorities into action.

“We want to be intentional about where we are headed as a school district,” said Superintendent Dr. David McGehee. “This process will help us establish a shared vision for the future while creating clear goals and action steps to help us get there. Just as importantly, we want to hear from the people who are part of our schools and our community.”

The strategic planning process will focus on three key areas:

• Creating a clear vision for the future of Emporia Public Schools.
• Turning priorities into measurable goals with specific action steps and timelines.
• Aligning resources with the priorities that will have the greatest impact on students.

Community input will be an important part of the process. The district will use surveys, stakeholder gatherings, and focus groups to hear from students, staff, parents, and community members before finalizing the district’s priorities and strategic objectives.

The work will take place in four phases: initiation and alignment, stakeholder engagement, strategy development, and implementation and monitoring. The initial planning process is expected to continue through early 2027, with ongoing implementation and progress monitoring continuing beyond that time.

The Board approved an agreement with TrustCentric Consulting LLC to support the district throughout the process. Cory Scheer, Ed.D., EMBA, Founder and CEO of TrustCentric, will lead the work of TrustCentric.

“Our goal is to create more than a document,” McGehee said. “We want a clear roadmap that helps us make decisions, focus our resources and measure our progress while keeping students at the center of our work.”

Additional information about opportunities for students, staff, families and community members to participate will be shared as the strategic planning process gets underway.