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Staff Directory

Staff | Division | Team Name

Kansas State Board of Education

(785) 296-3203

Website

Board District Member Name Title Phone
1 Danny Zeck   (913) 683-1836
2 Melanie Haas Chair (816) 226-7728
3 Michelle Dombrosky   (913) 782-1835
4 Ann E. Mah Legislative Liaison (785) 266-9434 - home
(785) 231-0823 - cell
5 Cathy Hopkins   (913) 634-0445 
6 Dr. Deena Horst Legislative Liaison (785) 827-8540 - home
(785) 822-5521 - cell
7 Dennis Hershberger   (620) 931-7459
8 Betty J. Arnold   (316) 684-7792 - home
(316) 259-1610 - cell
9 Jim Porter Vice Chair (316) 617-6779
10 Jim McNiece   (316) 729-9742 - home
(316) 708 5752 - cell
  Deborah Bremer Executive Secretary (785) 296-3203

 

Office of the Commissioner

(785) 296-3202

 Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Dr. Randy Watson Commissioner (785) 296-3202
   Makayla Auldridge Administrative Officer (785) 296-3202
Dale M. Dennis Special Assistant (785) 296-4923
Jake Steel Director, Strategy and Operational Alignment (785) 368-7356

 

 

Communications and Recognition Programs

(785) 296-4950
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Denise L. Kahler Director (785) 296-4876
Ann Marie Bush Communications Specialist (785) 296-7921
Keaton Flowers Communications Spec. (785) 296-5223
Cheryl Franklin Graphic Designer Specialist (785) 296-4909
Tiffany Littler Communications Specialist (785) 296-2551
Tamla Miller PSA (785) 296-4950

 

 

Office of General Counsel

(785) 296-3204

 Website

Name and email  Title Phone
R. Scott Gordon General Counsel (785) 296-3204
     Cheryl Austin Legal Assistant (785) 296-3204
Ron Gish Special Investigator (785) 296-3204

 

 

Human Resources

 (785) 296-7795
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Wendy Fritz Director (785) 296-5363
Sarah Miles HR Professional II (785) 296-3906
Marisa Seele HR Professional (785) 296-7795

 

 

Division of Fiscal and Administrative Services

(785) 296-3871
Division Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Dr. S. Craig Neuenswander Deputy Commissioner (785) 296-3871
     Sherry Root Sr. Admin. Asst. (785) 296-3871
Gabrielle Hull Legislative Analyst (785) 296-7840

 

 

Child Nutrition & Wellness

 (785) 296-2276
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Kelly Chanay, MEd, RDN, LD  Director (785) 296-2276
Karen Campbell Assistant Director (785) 296-2276
      Katy Hatch Admin. Spec. (785) 296-2276
Arleen Anderson, RD, LD Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Emily Bonilla, MPH Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Eryn Davis, RDN, LD Farm to Plate Coordinator (785) 296-2276
Barb Depew, RD, LD Farm to Plate Director (785) 296-0062
Robert Dillman, MS, RD, LD Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Angela Dittmer Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Valerie Donelan, MS, RDN, LD Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Diane Dysart Program Consultant II (785) 296-2276
Jeanie Galemore Senior Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Dessa Gifford Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Hilary Hanvey Senior Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Laura Hodgson Child Nutrition Consultant, Procurement Specialist (785) 296-2276
Dayna Kriley, MS, RD, LD Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Alicia Newland Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Paula Price Program Consultant (785) 296-2276
Lynette Osner, RD Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Jessica Reece, RD, LD Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Pam Rosebaugh PSA (785) 296-2276
Rachel Schiferl, RD, LD Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276
Karen Seymour, RD, LD Child Nutrition Consultant - FFVP Program Coordinator (785) 296-2276
Holly Steinlage, MPH, RD, LD Professional Development Coordinator (785) 296-2276
Hannah Tillery Child Nutrition Consultant (785) 296-2276

 

 

Fiscal Auditing

(785) 296-4976
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Laurel S. Murdie Director (785) 296-4976
     Peggy Hill Public Service Administrator (785) 296-4976
Nancy Allen Auditor III (785) 296-6230
Kim Burd Audit Manager (785) 296-6058
Ali Cecchini Auditor I (785) 296-6289
Josh Fairman Auditor II (785) 296-6254
Mandi Gilchrist Auditor I (785) 296-6381
Jessica Gomez Auditor I (785) 296-6329
Jenna Haag Auditor I (785) 296-6364
Joe Haverkamp Auditor I (785) 296-6206
Rick Moen Auditor II (785) 296-6390
Jamie Ribordy Auditor III (785) 296-6310
Janis Taylor Auditor IV (785) 296-6221
Jerry Wilson Auditor III (785) 296-6274
Becky Windholz Auditor I (785) 296-3466

 

 

Fiscal Services and Operations

 

(785) 296-3264
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
John Hess Director (785) 296-4962
Angie Funk Assistant Director (785) 296-3264
Denise Dallman Accountant III (785) 296-5060
Patricia Henson Accountant (785) 296-8933
Aubrey Keesee Accountant (785) 296-3962
Jamie Merklein Accountant III (785) 296-3674
Angela Rosier Accountant IV (785) 296-0784
Sierra Stanley Accountant (785) 296-0976
Jan Williams Public Service Administrator (785) 296-3263

 

Information Technology

 (785) 296-7931
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Kathi Grossenbacher Director (785) 296-7931
     Jennifer Marlatt Admin. Spec. (785) 296-7931
Kyle Lord Assistant Director (785) 296-6155
Todd Lowe Assistant Director  (785) 296-7115
Jennifer S. Shaffer Assistant Director  (785) 296-5240
     Anna Stallbaumer Admin. Spec. (785) 296-6829
Christine Armstrong System Software Staff Consultant (785) 296-5711
Trey Austin App. Dev. (785) 296-1203
Josh Bailey Database Admin. (785) 296-0758
Tammy Blaess App. Dev. II (785) 296-2316
Sharon Bloom Project Manager (785) 296-3915
Julie V. Cook Information Systems Manager (785) 296-3300
Tristen Cook Tech. Support Consultant (785) 296-8392
Jennifer E. Cook-Miller Project Manager (785) 296-7943
Denise Davis QA Tech. (785) 368-7192
Eric Dehner Tech. Support Consultant II (785) 296-4961
Chris Edwards System Software Staff Consultant (785) 296-1222
Timothy Enneking Enterprise Security Specialist (785) 296-0950
Kevin Fross Enterprise Support Specialist (785) 291-3622
Jennifer Hayes Requirements Analyst (785) 296-6331
Andrew Higgins Tech. Support Consultant II (785) 296-6766
Greg Hiszczynskyj Database Administrator (785) 296-4928
Brian Hosey Information Systems Manager (785) 296-3709
Jason Howe Webmaster (785) 296-3544
Mike Jordan Information Systems Manager (785) 296-1970
Daniel Kalas App. Dev. (785) 296-7778
Shuming Li App. Dev. II (785) 296-7976
Stuart Lillie System Software Staff Consultant (785) 368-7127
Bob Mather App. Dev. II (785) 296-2317
Richard Matteson Project Manager (785) 291-3534
Karen McClintock Tech. Supp. Tech. II (785) 291-0599
Christopher Ortega Sr Trainer (785) 296-6829
Dina Patel App. Dev. II (785) 296-6143
Ian Preston Sr. Admin. Asst. (785) 296-0574
Matt Preston App. Dev. II (785) 291-3679
Michael Reb App. Dev. Supervisor (785) 296-5125
Donna Reinert App. Dev. III (785) 296-1208
Freddy Richter QA Technician (785) 296-8438
Melanie Scott Trainer (785) 291-3514
Tom Tosh Data Coordinator (785) 296-5039
Philip Watkins Tech. Supp. Tech. II (785) 296-5229
Nathan Weedin Tech. Supp. Tech. (785) 296-5084
Jared Wiley Requirements Analyst (785) 296-5080
Benjamin Wolf IT App. Dev. (785) 296-4958
Charlotte Zeller Project Manager (785) 291-3312
Raymond Zwiener Enterprise Solutions Architect (785) 296-2226

 

 

School Finance


(785) 296-3872
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Dale Brungardt Director (785) 296-3872
     Katie Albright Admin. Spec. (785) 296-3872
Sara McCullah Assistant Director (785) 296-3872
Jennifer L. Barger PSA II (785) 296-4965
Angie Brungardt PSA  
John Calvert Head School Safety Specialist - Kansas Safe and Secure Schools Unit (785) 296-7056
Keith Dreiling Head School Bus Safety Specialist - School Bus Safety Unit (785) 296-4567
     Annette Blevins Sr. Admin. Asst. - School Bus Safety Unit (785) 296-3551
Jim Green School Safety Specialist - Kansas Safe and Secure Schools Unit (785) 296-4946
Rose Ireland PSA II (785) 296-4973
Melissa Ostermeyer School Bus Safety Assistant Specialist - School Bus Safety Unit (785) 296-5659
Marcia Ricklefs Public Service Administrator (785) 296-4209
Dennis Tate School Bus Safety Assistant Specialist - School Bus Safety Unit (785) 296-4545

 

Division of Learning Services

(785) 296-2303
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Dr. Ben Proctor Deputy Commissioner (785) 296-2303
     Pat Bone Sr. Admin. Spec. (785) 296-2303

 

 

Accreditation and Design

(785) 296-3379

Name and email  Title Phone
Jay Scott Director (785) 296-6818
Catherine Chmidling, Ph.D. Assistant Director - Educator Preparation (785) 291-3573
Myron Melton Assistant Director (785) 296-8110
  Rue Huereca-Retana Administrative Assistant (785) 296-3379
Dr. Amber Miller Public Service Executive (620) 765-7490

 

 

Career, Standards and Assessment Services

 

(785) 296-3142
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Beth Fultz Director (785) 296-2267
    Gail Tripp Admin. Spec. (785) 296-3142
Natalie D. Clark Assistant Director (785) 296-4351
Julie Ewing Assistant Director (785) 296-2325
Dr. David Fernkopf Assistant Director, Curricular Standards, Virtual Schools (785) 296-8447
     Juanita Anderson Sr. Admin. Asst. (785) 296-1978
     Barbara Bahm Sr. Admin. Asst. (785) 291-3538
     Casey Barezinsky Sr. Admin. Asst. (785) 296-2078
Stephanie Alderman-Oler TLC - Science (785) 296-3142
Amber Boyington TLC - Mathematics/ELL (785) 296-3142
Joyce Broils Sr. Admin. Asst. (785) 296-6770
Kevin Bronson EPC (785) 296-6214
Nick Brummet Counselor Leader Coordinator (785) 296-3142
Melissa Brunner TLC - Early Literacy/Dyslexia (785) 296-3142
Kathy Camarena EPC (785) 296-3152
Dr. Laurie J. Curtis Early Literacy/Dyslexia Program Manager  (785) 296-2749
Cherryl Delacruz TLC - Mathematics (785) 296-3142
Dr. Tina Ellsworth TLC - HGSS (785) 296-3142
Sarah Evans TLC - STEM (785) 296-3142
Andy Ewing Education Program Consultant (785) 296-3860
Michael Flenthrope TLC (785) 296-3142
Todd Flory TLC (785) 296-3142
LuAnn Fox TLC - ELA (785) 296-3142
Jolene Goodheart-Peterson TLC - Math (785) 296-3142
Jennifer Hamlet STEM Program Manager (785) 296-6823
Hailey Hawkinson TLC - Early Literacy/Dyslexia (785) 296-3142
Joyce Huser EPC - Fine Arts (785) 296-4932
Mallory Jacobs TLC - Counseling (785) 296-3142
Lee Jones Public Service Executive I, ACT (785) 296-7922
Dr. Robyn Kelso Coordinator (785) 296-3444
Hanna Kemble TLC - CLC (785) 296-3142
Dr. Stephen King EPC (785) 296-7285
Eryn Knecht EPC (785) 296-2221
Betsy Lawrence TLC (785) 296-3142
Mary Lonker TLC - ELA (785) 296-3142
Nathan McAlister Program Manager - Humanities (785) 296-3142
Noalee McDonald-Augustine TLC (785) 296-3142
Joann McRell Program Manager, Humanities (785) 296-2144
Casey Meier TLC - HGSS (785) 296-3142
Sindhuja Mishra Coordinator (785) 296-1859
Casey Peine TLC (785) 296-3142
Jeri Powers TLC (785) 296-3142
Kent Reed EPC - Counseling, SECD, Academic/Behavioral and Technical Integration, Juvenile Justice (SB 367) (785) 296-8109
Meg Richard Progam Manager - STEM (785) 296-8108
Denise Scott TLC (785) 296-3142
Melanie D. Scott TLC (785) 296-3142
Xuewen Sheng, Ph.D. Sr. Ed. Research Analyst - Research and Evaluation (785) 368-7435
Guy Shoulders EPC - Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster, FFA State Advisor (785) 296-3956
Taylor Spangler EPC (785) 296-2307
Kelly Spurgeon, Ph.D. Sr. Ed. Research Analyst (785) 296-4924
Lara Staker TLC (785) 296-3142
Hayley A. Steinlage Sr. Ed. Research Analyst (785) 296-6177
Mark Stephenson Coordinator - NAEP (785) 296-4926
Helen Swanson EPC - FACS (785) 296-4912
Amy Walker TLC - HGSS (785) 296-3142
Becky Warren PSE I - SkillsUSA State Director (620) 820-9367
Amanda Williams PSA - Pathways helpdesk, KCCMS (785) 296-4908
Mary T. Williams TLC (785) 296-3142
Blanche Wulfekoetter TLC - HGSS (785) 296-3142

 

 

Early Childhood

(785) 296-6602

Name and email  Title Phone
Amanda Petersen Director (785) 296-6602
     Beccy Strohm Admin. Spec. (785) 296-6602
Stacy Clarke EPC - SICC Coordinator (785) 296-3953
Natalie J. McClane EPC (785) 296-5081
Lisa Williams Kansas Parents as Teachers Consultant (785) 296-4964

 

Kansas Volunteer Commission

(785) 368-7436

Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Dr. Jessica Dorsey Assistant Director (785) 296-3163
Tierney Kirtdoll Monitoring and Grant Coordinator (785) 368-6211
Haley Matherly Program Development Coordinator (785) 296-5712
Sarah Nelson Traning and Engagement Coordinator (785) 296-7801
Amanda Noll PSA (785) 368-6207
Elaine Rodriguez Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator (785) 368-6232

 

 

Special Education and Title Services


(800) 203-9462 (Kansas Residents Only)
(785) 291-3097

Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Bert Moore Director (785) 296-4949
    Vacant Administration Specialist (785) 291-3097
       
Doug Boline Assistant Director (785) 296-2600
Heather Gould Education Program Consultant (785) 296-8965
Stacey Noll Data Coordinator (785) 296-3129
Jean Rush Education Program Consultant (785) 296-7884
Twyla Sprouse Education Program Consultant (785) 296-5674
     
Brian Dempsey Assistant Director (785) 296-5522
     Sarah Reed Administration Specialist (785) 296-4602
Dr. Christa Grimwood, Ed.D. Education Program Consultant - Dispute Resolution Coordinator (785) 296-7262
Stacie Martin Coordinator (785) 296-6855
Josie McClendon Education Program Consultant (785) 296-5608
Deborah Newby Education Program Consultant (785) 296-3388
Ashley Niedzwiecki Attorney (785) 296-6518
Mark Ward, J.D. Attorney (785) 296-0920
     
Kerry Haag Assistant Director (785) 296-4952
Trish Backman School Mental Health Coordinator (785) 296-6937
Lisa Karney Education Program Consultant (785) 296-6765
Mason Vosburgh Special Education Data Manager (785) 296-4945
     
Tate Toedman Assistant Director (785) 296-6714
     Alysha Nichols Senior Administration Assistant (785) 296-6066
Nicole Clark Public Service Excecutive (785) 296-4925
Pat Hill Education Program Consultant (785) 296-3137
Cary Rogers Education Program Consultant (785) 296-0916
Kelly Steele Coordinator (785) 296-2050
Maureen Tabasko Education Program Consultant (785) 296-1101
Roxanne Zillinger Education Program Consultant (785) 296-7260
     
Dean Zajic Assistant Director (785) 296-2425
     Sami Reed Public Service Administrator (785) 296-2134
Evelyn V. Alden Research Analyst I (785) 296-3868
Steve Backman Education Program Consultant (785) 296-2267
Renee Brant Public Service Executive (785) 296-7077
Christine Macy Coordinator (785) 296-3287
Angela Rice Public Service Executive (785) 296-1785
Christy Weiler Coordinator (785) 296-1712

 

Teacher Licensure

(785) 296-2288
Website

Name and email  Title Phone
Shane Carter Director (785) 296-2289
Connie Comstock Admin. Asst. - Licensure (785) 296-2733
Tanae Olson PSA (785) 296-5114
Jessica Apodaca PSA II (785) 296-0952
Leslie Bruton Coordinator (785) 296-8011
Christa J. Chesmore Coordinator (785) 296-1105
Cindy Coleman PSA (785) 296-4935
Brea Cudney-Christian EPC (785) 296-6712
Joel Gillaspie, PhD Coordinator (785) 296-4351
Ed Kalas EPC - KESA (785) 296-2198
Luke McClurg PSA (785) 296-5138
Joe Midgley Licensure Operations Coordinator (785) 291-3371
Nikkolas Nelson Licensure Coordinator (785) 296-2280
Myra Stithem PSA (785) 296-3835
Ann Yates EPC (785) 296-5140

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directory questions:

Phone: (785) 296-3201
Fax: (785) 296-7933

Email Help Desk

Mailing Address:

KSDE
900 S.W. Jackson Street, Suite 102
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1212

Contact List by Subject

 

Divisions

Abbreviations

AD
Accreditation and Design Team

Admin.
Administrative

CACFP
Child and Adult Care Food Program

CC
Career Cluster

CLC
Content Literacy Continuum

CNC
Child Nutrition Consultant

CNW
Child Nutrition and Wellness

CRP
Communications and Recognition Programs

Coord.
Coordinator

CSAS
Career, Standards and Assessment Services

CTE
Career and Technical Education 

DLS
Division of Learning Services

EAG
Enhanced Assessment Grant

EC
Early Childhood

Ed.
Education

ELA
English Language Arts

ELL
English Language Learners

EPC
Education Program Consultant

ESL
English as a Second Language

FA
Fiscal Auditing

FACS
Family and Consumer Sciences

FAS
Division of Fiscal and Administrative Services

FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

FCS
Family and Consumer Sciences

FFA
Future Farmers of America

FSO
Fiscal Services and Operations

GC
Office of General Counsel

HGSS
History, Government and Social Studies

HR
Human Resources

ICC 
Interagency Coordinating Council

IPS
Individual Plan of Study

IT
Information Technology

KEEP
Kansas Educator Evaluation Protocol

KCCMS
Kansas Course Codes Management System

KESA
Kansas Education Systems Accreditation

KIDS
Kansas Individual Data on Students

KSBE
Kansas State Board of Education

LiNK
Literacy Network of Kansas - Striving Readers Program

NAEP
National Assessment of Education Progress 

OC
Office of the Commissioner

PE
Physical Education

PSA
Public Service Administrator

PSE
Public Service Executive

QA
Quality Assurance

RE
Research and Evaluation

SBSU
School Bus Safety Unit

SECD
Social-Emotional and Character Development

SETS
Special Education and Title Services

SF
School Finance

SICC
Kansas Interagency Coordinating Council

Spec.
Specialist

SPED or SpED
Special Education

Sr.
Senior

SSSU
Safe and Secure Schools Unit

STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Tech.
Technology or Technician

TL
Teacher Licensure Team

TLC
Teacher Leader Consultant
Copyright 2023 by Kansas State Department of Education | 900 SW Jackson St. | Topeka, KS 66612 Privacy Statement  |  Terms Of Use  |  System Maintenance Notices  |  Open Records (PDF)

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 785-296-3204.