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Board Endorses Major Legislative Package

The State Board approved a legislative package that has the potential to significantly increase teacher salaries in Kansas.  They voted to ask the Legislature to fund a 4-year school finance plan with an emphasis on base state aid per pupil and to add $200 to the base, a 4.5% increase.

The intent of both elements is to fund teacher salary increases that allow Kansas to reach the median state average teacher salary in 5 years.  To accomplish this, Kansas must increase average teacher salaries 2% above the national median increase.

Kathy Martin asked if the Legislature could earmark money, to ensure it went to teacher salaries.  Dennis commented that such earmarks would not be consistent with “local control.”

Each element passed on a separate vote.  The 4-year plan passed 8-0 [John Bacon and Ken Willard were absent] and the $200 on the base passed 6-1-1, with Sally Cauble, Sue Gamble, Carol Rupe, Jana Shaver, Bill Wagnon and Janet Waugh voting yes, Steve Abrams voting no, and Kathy Martin abstaining.

According to Dale Dennis, deputy commissioner, Kansas is currently 10% behind the median national average salary and it would take $270 million to reach the median immediately.  $100 on the base, a figure that had been discussed previously, would put us behind, because nationally salaries are increasing 3% per year.

Board Continues Licensure Review

In an ongoing effort to identify barriers to Kansas licensure, the State Board asked staff to forward several proposals to the Professional Standards Board for discussion and review.

Most of the proposals, which were conceptual, address concerns regarding out-of-state applicants, reactivating expired licenses, use of substitute licenses, and the KPA.

The PSB will discuss the concepts and develop specific proposals that could be put in regulatory language.  It is expected that such language would begin the formal review process in early 2008, with adoption and implementation in time for the 2008-2009 school year.

Some key concepts presented included:

• Rename the Conditional License to the Initial License
• Expand the availability of the 1-year non-renewable license, to allow those with out of state licenses access to practice while fulfilling missing Kansas  requirements
• Consider additional ways to add endorsements to existing licenses
• Grant the Professional License to out of state candidates who can document a minimum number of years teaching experience in that state
• Renew emergency substitute licenses for more than 1 year
• Require the KPA at the preparation level
• Allow the KPA as another option to renew a Professional License
• Involve school administrators in the requirements to upgrade from Conditional/initial to Professional License

The Professional Standards Board and the Regulations Committee each meet in November, 2007.

Board to Hold ‘Focus Forums’

Each State Board member will host a ‘Focus Forum’ in his/her district between now and January 1, 2008.  The purpose is to discuss how schools can be more responsive to the needs of society and the needs of students.

Each forum will have about a dozen invited guests, chosen by the State Board member.  Each board member will also choose the location for his/her forum.

Dates for the forums are:

October 31, district 2, Sue Gamble
November 19, district 7, Ken Willard
November 26, [either district 3, John Bacon or district 1, Janet Waugh]
November 20, district 4, Bill Wagnon
December 3, district 9, Jana Shaver
December 5, district 8, Carol Rupe
December 13, district 6, Kathy Martin
December 17 [district 3 or district 1]
December 18, district 10, Steve Abrams
December 19, district 5, Sally Cauble

KSDE Reorganization

Commissioner Alexa Posny announced a reorganization/realignment of two former KSDE divisions.  The new division will be called Learning and Innovative Services.  It will have 6 departments.  Several staff changes were announced as part of the reorganization.

• Deputy Commissioner – Accountability – [Tom Foster, interim]
• Research and Evaluation – Phyllis Clay, director
• Teacher Education and Licensure – [vacant], director
         Susan Helbert, assistant director
• Innovation and Improvement – Bill Hagerman, director
          Robin Harris and Sarah Thomas, assistant directors
• Standards and Assessment Services – Tom Foster, director
          Scott Smith and Jeannette Nobo, assistant directors
• Special Education Services – Colleen Riley, director
           Kerry Ottlinger Haag and Patty Gray, assistant directors
• Consolidated and Support Services – [vacant], director
           Judi Miller and Norma Cregan, assistant directors

In other action, the State Board:

• Held a study session on career and technical education issues
• Received an update from the Kansas Board of Regents on technical colleges, area technical schools and community colleges
• Approved recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission to revoke 2 licenses and deny 1 license application
• Approve a bond election for USD 335, North Jackson

KNEA Legislative Contacts

Blake West, President
Peg Dunlap, Director, Instructional Advocacy
Mark Desetti, Director, Legislative and Political Advocacy
Terry Forsyth, Director, Political Action

The KNEA Lobby Team consists of elected leaders and staff. The Lobby Team welcomes member feedback on issues before the Legislature and on this site.