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December 2008 State Board News 
 

A time of transition

The agenda for this two day meeting was light on issues and heavy on transition activities.  The entire second day was entirely devoted to board reports, farewell messages from the outgoing board and a reception for past, present and new board members. Some of the board members’ farewells were tearful and some were expressions of gratitude for the experience of serving on the Board. Out going Board members are Steve Abrams, District 10; Carol Rupe, District 8; Bill Wagnon, District 4; and Sue Gamble, District 2. We know that we will see the former Board members in other public service roles in Kansas, including Steve Abrams who won election as the Kansas State Senator for Senate District 32.

State input requested       

Commissioner Posny reported the formation of a Task Force from KSDE to submit recommendations to Congress, the U.S. Secretary of Education and President-Elect Obama’s Education Transition Team. The recommendations were requested by the President-Elect’s transition team.

Final Report of the Teaching in Kansas Commission

The board accepted the report from the Teaching in Kansas Commission on a 10-0 vote amid much questioning from board members Steve Abrams, Sue Gamble and Carol Rupe. The Teaching in Kansas Commission consisted of six subcommittees:   Teacher Preparation, Working Conditions, Salary and Benefits, Regulations/Requirements/Data, Image and Promotion and Regulation/Teacher Leader. Board members Abrams and Gamble took exception with the wording in different sections of the report. Board member Abrams wanted a clarification and definition of the 21^st Learning Skills that were discussed in the report. He also took exception to the Salary and Benefits Subcommittee wording in their report to “mandate” all districts participate in a health insurance program. Sue Gamble agreed with the objection as did Carol Rupe.

Board Member Sue Gamble stated that “the report has everybody’s viewpoints, but says nothing. We have so many pieces of this that are already in laws, policies and regulations. The report has no hierarchy of importance and we do not know what the subcommittees believe to be most important in the recommendations."

Despite the criticism the decision was made by the Board to accept the report and to turn the refining of the report over to the KSDE staff.

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda was accepted on a 10-0 vote. Included on the consent agenda werer requests from USD 257, Iola, and USD 446, Independence, for authority to hold elections on the question of issuing bonds over the school district’s bond debt limitation.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the State Board is Tuesday and Wednesday, January 13 and 14, 2009 in Topeka. Board agenda and materials should be available on the KSDE  website the week prior.

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.