News Release July 10, 2025 (2)

Emporia Board of Education Approves 2025-26 Tentative Agreement for Licensed Staff

Emporia, KS — On Wednesday evening, the USD 253 Board of Education approved the 2025–26 Tentative Agreement for licensed professional staff, marking a significant step forward in the district’s ongoing commitment to supporting educators and student success. This approval finalizes the Tentative Agreement as the official Negotiated Agreement for the upcoming school year.

The agreement reflects a collaborative and thoughtful negotiation process between district leadership and staff representatives. It includes important advancements in areas such as salary schedules, employee benefits, and updated contract language, changes designed to support a positive and productive educational environment for all.

“The successful approval of this agreement is a testament to the strength of our collaborative approach,” said Dr. David McGehee, Superintendent of Emporia Public Schools. “We deeply value our educators and staff, and this agreement reflects our continued focus on retention, recruitment, and creating the conditions that help all students and staff thrive. Our team’s commitment to respectful and solution-focused dialogue makes achievements like this possible.”

The process was guided by the principles of Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB), with members of both the Board of Education and negotiation teams working to align shared goals with the district’s mission to Engage, Empower, and Inspire.

The Board of Education remains committed to building strong partnerships with staff and all district stakeholders. This approved agreement is an important step in ensuring continued excellence in education across Emporia Public Schools