State Board of Education Set to Elect New Chair, Vice Chair

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

On Tuesday, January 10, the State Board of Education will elect a chair and vice chair as it brings on three new members.  

The current chair is Jim Porter, R-Fredonia, and the vice chair is Janet Waugh, D-Kansas City. Waugh, who served a record 24 years on the board, was drawn out of the boundaries of her northeast Kansas district during redistricting.  

The three new members are Republicans Dennis Hershberger of Hutchinson, Cathy Hopkins of Hays and Danny Zeck of Leavenworth.   

The chair and vice chair usually serve two-year terms in those positions. In addition to electing new leaders, the board will elect legislative liaisons.  

In other action, the board will:  

• Conduct a public hearing on teacher licensure regulations that several state agencies have already approved. The board may vote on these changes on Wednesday.  

• Consider approving $3.5 million in federal COVID funds for the Sunflower Summer 2023 program, which will provide Kansas students and families free access to museums, parks and other venues.  

• Present certificates in Child Nutrition Management to Kimberly Baillargeon, Southeast of Saline, USD 306; Kimberly Chambers, Norton, USD 211 and Tara Daniels, Labette County, USD 506.  

• Act on the proposed Interstate Teaching Mobility Compact, designed to reduce barriers to getting qualified teachers into the classroom who move to Kansas from other states.  

• Receive an annual report from the Special Education Advisory Council.  

• Recognize Dr. Mike Argabright, superintendent of Southern Lyon County USD 252, who was named 2023 Kansas Superintendent of the Year by the Kansas School Superintendents' Association.  

To view the board's full agenda and backup materials, go here. The board's meeting islive-streamed here.