Welcome to the Charter and Virtual Education Advisory Council Webpage
The Advisory Council meets quarterly to discuss charter and virtual education in the state of Kansas. The meetings are all held at the Kansas State Department of Education in room 117. The meetings typically last 2 hours and run from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. If you would like to physically attend these meetings or join via Zoom conference call, please contact David Fernkopf utilizing the contact information to the right of this page.
Chairman/Facilitator: Gary Lewis - USD 266 Maize
Facilitator: Brooke Blanck - USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden
Facilitator: Jody Siebenmorgen - USD 258 Humboldt
KSDE Coordinator: David Fernkopf - Kansas State Department of Education
Recorder: Juanita Anderson - Kansas State Department of Education
Administrator – Elementary School Representative: Leroy Parks - USD 259 Wichita
Administrator – High School Representative: Ben Boothe - USD 231 Gardner Edgerton
Administrator – Middle School Representative: Brooke Blanck - USD 383 Manhattan
Administrator – Superintendent Representative: Gary Lewis - USD 266 Maize
Certified Staff – Elementary School Representative: OPEN
Certified Staff – High School Representative: Tammy Clark - USD 331 Kingman - Norwich
Certified Staff – Middle School Representative: OPEN
Community & Business Representative: OPEN
Higher Education Representative: OPEN
Kansas State Board of Education Representative: Michelle Dombrosky - District 3
KSDE Representative: David Fernkopf - KSDE, Mike Pounds - KSDE
Parent Representative: OPEN
School Board Representative: Curt Herman - USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden
School Representative – Charter-Virtual: Monte Westfall - USD 497 Lawrence
School Representative – Early Childhood: Christina O'Toole - USD 259 Wichita
School Representative – Elementary School Charter: Jason Chalashtari - USD 373 Newton
School Representative – Middle School Charter: OPEN
School Representative – Secondary Charter School: Andi Giesen - USD 259 Wichita
School Representative – Traditional School: Christy Ziegler - USD 512 Shawnee Mission
School Representative – Virtual Program: Jody Siebenmorgen - USD 258 Humboldt
School Representative – Virtual School: Leigh Miller - USD 259 Wichita
Service Center Representative: OPEN
Special Education Representative: OPEN
Technology Representative: Bob D'Andrea - Z0030 Diocese of Salina
Youth Representative: OPEN
If you are interested in filling one of the open positions on the council, please contact David Fernkopf with your inquiries and he will provide you with the necessary information.
Assistant Director Charter & Virtual Schools David Fernkopf (785) 296-8447 dfernkopf@ksde.org
Deputy Commissioner Division of Learning Services Brad Neuenswander (785) 296-2303 bneuenswander@ksde.org
Director Career, Standards and Assessment Scott Smith (785) 296-3142 sesmith@ksde.org
Assistant Director Career and Technical Education Stacy Smith (785) 296-0979 slsmith@ksde.org
Assistant Director Curricular Standards David Fernkopf (785) 296-8447 dfernkopf@ksde.org Assistant Director Assessment Beth Fultz (785) 296-2325 bfultz@ksde.org
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)
To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at ogc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.