The Emporia Public Schools Board of Education officially began the search for USD 253âs new superintendent Wednesday, approving a job search agreement with the Kansas Association of School Boards. âRight now in Kansas, weâre at about 25 [superintendent] openings, which is up from where it typically is at this time of year⦠â said KASB Deputy Executive Director Brian Jordan. âIn a heavier year, weâve been at around 12-15 openings at this time⦠The COVID pandemic stress has taken a toll on educators across the state, and I think itâs contributing to that. The good news is that ⦠there really arenât a lot of other districts [searching] in your region that are of a similar size.â