The KASB Board of Directors will be asking members to approve changes to the Association’s Constitution on Nov. 16. The vote will take place at Delegate Assembly during the Annual Convention in Wichita. 

Among the proposed amendments is a change to the way President Elect nominees are selected. If the amendment is approved, the Board of Directors will assume responsibility for inviting applications from members across the state, interviewing candidates and selecting one or more nominees to be considered at Delegate Assembly.

Reflecting on the proposed amendment, KASB President TinaRae Scott said, "As KASB president, like those who have served before me, I've learned how humbling it is to lead on behalf of 2,000 Kansas school board members. The proposed amendment does not limit who is eligible to lead the Board of Directors as president. In fact, it creates a better opportunity for candidates to gain first-hand knowledge about the Board and be prepared for the demands of leading the Association." 

According to the KASB Constitution, the Board of Directors must form a nominating committee each year to review and recommend candidates for President-Elect. However, it has become increasingly challenging to secure enough nominating committee volunteers to meet the constitutional requirement. 

Art Gutierrez, who currently serves as KASB's past president, added, “It's been a privilege leading the Board of Directors for the last three years. I speak for the whole board that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the many members who have served on the nominating committee over the years. Their work has laid a solid foundation that we intend to honor and build upon.” 

With this change, only candidates nominated by the Board of Directors will be eligible to be elected President-Elect designee at Delegate Assembly. Nominations from the floor for President Elect will not be permitted at Delegate Assembly. The 2024 amendments do not change the process to nominate and elect regional vice presidents. This position is open to any locally elected board member from a KASB district. 

Other proposed amendments address outdated language and inconsistencies with existing business practices.  

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

All KASB member organizations are invited to select a representative to Delegate Assembly for the role of casting votes on behalf of their local board. Each year, Delegate Assembly votes on matters of KASB’s governance, such as Board of Directors candidates and organizational changes proposed by the Board.  

"Those of us who serve on the KASB Board of Directors have a deep understanding of how the Association operates and the vital role of the leaders who support it,” said Kevin Cole, KASB President-Elect. “Allowing only the Board's nominees to be considered at Delegate Assembly creates peace of mind that KASB’s governance will be stewarded by leaders who are committed to serving Kansas public schools. Only then can we keep our members’ best interests at heart and stay true to KASB’s mission." 

The KASB Board of Directors is made up of four elected statewide officers, as well as 15 vice presidents that represent 10 geographic regions of the state, as well as the five KASB member districts with the largest enrollment at the time of the election.  

“We are thankful for the visionary leadership and hard work of KASB’s board from one year to the next,” said Dr. Brian Jordan, KASB Executive Director. “The strength of the board is a direct reflection of the exemplary people who serve on local school boards across Kansas. Our members’ needs, challenges and opportunities are always changing, and the board continues to adapt. We can all be proud of the transparent and mission-driven governance provided by every member of KASB’s Board of Directors.”

Read more about the changes proposed by the Board of Directors that will be voted on during Delegate Assembly on Nov. 16.