January 16, 2009
For Immediate Release
Karla Denny, Director , Communications,
785-296-4876
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JANUARY STATE BOARD MEETING
The Kansas State Board of Education met on January 13-14, 2009, in Topeka. New Board members were sworn-in prior to the meeting by Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh. Of those taking the oath of office, Kathy Martin is an incumbent, representing District 6. The other new Board members are Sue Storm, representing District 2; Carolyn L. Wims-Campbell, representing District 4; Walt Chappell, representing District 8; and David Dennis, representing District 10. These Board members began serving four-year terms on the State Board of Education.
The first order of business was the reorganization of the Board. Janet Waugh was elected Chairman, Jana Shaver was elected Vice-Chairman. Sue Storm was elected Legislative Coordinator, with Sally Cauble elected as Assistant Legislative Coordinator. Jana Shaver, Kathy Martin, and Carolyn Campbell will serve on the Policy Committee with Jana acting as Chair. Sally Cauble was elected to the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Dave Dennis will serve on the Kansas State High School Activities Association Board of Directors. Dan Biles was appointed Board attorney and Penny Plamann as Board secretary. The Chair then appointed Board members to various committees.
The Board adopted the 2009 meeting schedule. The Board retreat was changed from Feb. 4 to Feb. 9, 2009.
The Citizens’ Open Forum was convened at 10:30 a.m. John R. Schrock, speaking as an individual, addressed the Board regarding teacher preparation programs. The Open Forum was closed at 10:35 a.m.
Commissioner Posny presented the accountability report to the Board. This year, a new format for the report was introduced. The new format is user-friendly and it is anticipated that the report will be used more extensively. The report is posted under “Hot Topics” on the KSDE website’s home page. To view, go to
www.ksde.org.
Commissioner Posny also discussed the changes in collecting race/ethnicity data with the Board. Federal guidelines for collecting such data have changed. Implementation guidelines are posted on the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) website at
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3370. Live meetings and on-site training sessions will be available to assist schools in implementing the changes.
Additionally, the Commissioner shared information regarding the legislatively created Special Education Funding Task Force. At the December meeting, the task force voted to put on hold a recommendation for changes in the existing funding formula for special education until evaluation data was available on the effectiveness of the current multi-tier system of supports initiative could be shared. A motion was passed to recommend that the following language be put into regulation allowing some flexibility in the current formula: “”Special education personnel may, on a limited basis, provide academic and/or behavioral services to students who are in need of intervention as a means of preventing requisite special education services.”
Dale M. Dennis, deputy commissioner, introduced the Kansas Administrators of the Year. Dr. John Heim, superintendent, Emporia USD 253, has been named the 2009 Superintendent of the Year by the Kansas Association of School Administrators; Mr. Ron Vinduska, principal, Seaman High School, Seaman USD 345, Topeka, has been named the 2008 MetLife Principal of the Year by the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals; Mr. James Krone, principal at Atchison Middle School, Atchison USD 409, has been named the 2008 Principal of the Year by the Kansas Association of Middle Schools; and Mrs. Kim Christner, principal at Garfield Elementary School, Augusta USD 402, has been named the 2008 Kansas Distinguished Principal of the Year by the Kansas Association of Elementary School Principals. The administrators shared successful practices that build instructional capacity to help all students learn and achieve. They were also available to respond to questions by individual Board members.
Pam Coleman, director of teacher education & licensure, Susan Helbert, assistant director of teacher education & licensure, and Dea Lieber, KSDE general counsel, appeared before the Board. Director Coleman discussed the proposed regulation changes for teacher leader and school counselor with the Board. The proposed changes continue the effort to remove barriers to obtaining a license and to provide enhanced access to practice. The first regulation change provides for licensure as a teacher leader, as recommended by both the Teaching in Kansas Commission and the Kansas Educational Leadership Commission. The second change provides a direct pathway for individuals to achieve licensure as a school counselor without having a teaching background. Expanded options to maintain an initial license are provided. These regulation changes will be submitted to review by the Department of Administration and Office of Attorney General. Once that step has been completed, the State Board will need to set a public hearing date for comments on the proposed regulation changes. By a vote of 8-2, with John Bacon and Walt Chappell dissenting, these regulation changes were sent to the Department of Administration and the Office of Attorney General for review.
The State Board next received the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Annual Report: Colleen Riley, director of special education services at KSDE, introduced SEAC’s past chairman Neil Guthrie who highlighted council activities. SEAC council members introduced included Penny Hoffman, Janice Frahm, Mary Lou Heller, Kathy Kersenbrock-Ostmeyer, Vicki Sharp, Kendra Bittner, Dr. Ann Elliott, Susan Clayton, Lesli Girard, Sean Smith, & Dale Rawson. SEAC’s primary role is to consult, advise and provide recommendations to the Kansas State Board of Education regarding matters concerning special education services.
.
Dale M. Dennis reviewed the Governor’s proposed budget recommendations for FY 2009 & FY 2010 with the Board.
The consent agenda was approved 9-1, with Dr. Chappell dissenting.
Robin Harris, director of academic & technical education, appeared before the Board to introduce the students representing Career and Technical Student Organizations. Support for such organizations comes from the Carl D. Perkins Act. The Board received Career and Technical Student Organizations’ (CTSO) report. Student leaders appearing before the Board included: Seth Methvin, president Business Professional of America (BPA); Caty Compton, president DECA—Association of Marketing Professionals; Matthew Finley, executive vice-president Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); Megan Sauber, president Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); Kathy Sexton, vice-president FFA—Organization for Agricultural, Food and Natural Resources Students; Dance Bi, president Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA); Samantha Barney, historian Skills USA—Organization for Trade and Industry Students; and Isaac Leihy, vice-president Technology Student Association (TSA). Samantha Barney and Seth Methvin addressed the Board on behalf of the Career and Technical Student Organizations.
The Board received the Teaching in Kansas Commission’s Action Plan. The plan recommends implementation of the recommendations in three phases. There being no further business, the Board adjourned.
The Board’ next regularly scheduled meeting is February 10-11, 2009, in Topeka. The Board’s retreat is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2009.
# # #
.