Kathy Busch, a Kansas State Board of Education member who represents District 8, will serve as the new chair of the board. Janet Waugh, who represents District 1, will serve as vice chair.

Since 2002, National Mentoring Month has been observed annually to recognize the need for mentors in our communities and acknowledge the importance of promoting safe, inclusive and effective youth mentoring practices. To align with the national campaign, Mentor Kansas called upon the Kansas governor and lieutenant governor to declare January as Kansas Mentoring Month with an annual ceremonial proclamation signing.

Thirty-two first-year educators from Kansas are being recognized for their outstanding teaching skills through the 2019 Kansas Horizon Award program.

The next regular Kansas State Board of Education meeting is Jan. 15 and 16, 2019 in Topeka.