August State Board News
Board Sets Goals & Objectives
The State Board unanimously endorsed the work they did at their retreat Monday to update and clarify their goals and objectives. The hiring of Alexa Posny as commissioner prompted the review. At the September meeting, Posny will bring a work plan and timeline for addressing the board priorities.
The goal and objectives are:
Ensure that all students meet or exceed high academic standards and are prepared for their next steps (e.g. the work of work and/or post-secondary education) by:
- Redesign the delivery system to meet our students’ changing needs.
- Provide an effective educator in every classroom.
- Ensure a visionary and effective leader in every school.
- Improve communication with all constituent groups and policy partners.
Professional Standards Board, Licensure Review Committee Appointments
The State Board made the following appointments to committees that advise them on licensure issues:
- Linda Stecher, Easton NEA, PSB, classroom teacher
- Bill Meek, Spring Hill, PSB, local boards of education
- Ed Raines, Auburn Washburn, LRC, administrator
Board Approves FY09 Budget Recommendation
The State Board has decided to forward a package containing almost $35m in programs and enhancements to the Governor, for possible inclusion in her FY09 budget. The Board adopted some of the package unanimously and one part on a 6-3-1 vote.
Unanimous approval went to:
- $1.5 m for full funding of the mentor teacher program
- $6.25 m for full funding of the “inservice” education program
- $300,000 for leadership academy activities
- $1.9m for linear transition in allocation of high-density at-risk funds
- $5,000 each to enhance Communities in Schools, KACEE, and Ag in the Classroom
The board voted 6-3-1 [for: Cauble, Gamble, Rupe, Shaver, Wagnon, Waugh; against: Abrams, Bacon, Willard; abstain: Martin] to ask the legislature for an additional $41 on the base state aid per pupil. The school finance formula already allocates $59 for FY09. This amount would bring the new money to $100 per student. This increase would cost the state just over $25m.
The majority of the board selected this option to give districts the greatest flexibility in how the new money could be used. Traditionally, 70-75% of new money goes to increasing salaries, a stated interest of the board.
The Board’s recommendation will be submitted to the Governor, who will use it as she develops her FY09 budget request to the Legislature.
In other action, the State Board
- Heard a presentation from Mike Mathes, USD 345, Seaman, on back to school preparations
- Heard a presentation from Kay Haas, Olathe NEA, on how USD 233 uses instructional coaches
- Heard a presentation from Diana Weiland, USD 315, Colby, on PDCs
- Heard a presentation on how teacher and administrator preparation programs receive approval
- Received the list of Title 1 schools and districts on improvement for 2007-2008
- Received an update on the State Library’s Homework Kansas program
- Adopted recommendations from the Licensure Review Committee to approve 9 and deny 6 license/endorsement requests
- Approved 5 requests from the Waiver Review Committee, 2 special education, 1 pe, 1 FACS, 1 math
- Approved recommendations from the Evaluation Review Committee
- Tabor College , continuing accreditation, through 12/31/10
- Central Christian College, limited accreditation, through 12/31/10
- Approved revisions to internship standards for advanced preparation programs
- Approved new standards for Reading Specialist preparation programs
- Approved requests for bond elections from
- USD 267, Renwick
- USD 377, Atchison County
- USD 458, Basehor-Linwood
- USD 491, Eudora
The September meeting of the State Board of Education will be the 11th and 12th, in Topeka. Board materials should be available on the KSDE website immediately after Labor Day.
The October meeting of the State Board will be the 9th and 10th. It will occur in John Bacon’s district 3. Bacon has selected Olathe as the site of the meeting.
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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.
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