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Being Brian: Strategies for Teacher Retention and Recruitment

Teacher retention and recruitment are more than just buzzwords; they're critical challenges faced by school districts across the nation. As education leaders, it's our responsibility to ensure that

Special Education Shortfall is Shortchanging Kansas Districts and Kids

During the 2022-2023 school year, Kansas districts spent a total of $382M to cover significant shortfalls in special education funding.   Over the past few days, KASB’s team evaluated extensive

KASB Announces the 2024 Leadership for Tomorrow Class

The Kansas Association of School Boards is pleased to announce its Leadership for Tomorrow Class of 2024.   Leadership for Tomorrow gives board members, superintendents and administrators time to

High Goals, Improved Instruction and Social and Emotional Support Boost Academics in Baxter Springs

Baxter Springs USD 508 is located in southeast Kansas on the Oklahoma border. The district serves about 860 students with nearly 80 percent of those being high needs. Baxter Springs has

Strong Focus on Individual Plans of Study Boosts Postsecondary Success in Frontenac

Frontenac USD 249 in southeast Kansas serves about 1,000 students. The number of students with high needs is 55.8 percent, about 10 percentage points below the state average. In the years 2016-2020,

Haysville and Salina Reduce Chronic Absenteeism Using Parent Outreach and Support

Chronic absenteeism is linked to lower academic performance, and students who already lag in outcomes miss school at higher rates. Absenteeism increased during the COVID pandemic, both in Kansas and

In Kansas, the Good Work Continues

As I write this, not even 24 hours have passed since the news that the Kansas Supreme Court would release oversight of the Gannon settlement that aimed to restore adequate and equitable funding to

Reducing Statewide School Mill Levy

Kansas Republican leaders have said they will propose reducing the statewide 20-mill school levy in the 2024 legislative session. The levy is part of how the state funds public education and without

Higher Expectations, Career Skills Focus Lifts Topeka's Achievement

In September I visited six districts in North Central Kansas that had graduation rates and postsecondary success rates well above what would be expected, based on their enrollment and percentage of

Kansas State Board of Education January Meeting Summary

At their January meeting, the Kansas State Board of Education was briefed on a range of issues that will impact Kansas school districts. Accreditation & Standards Clarification Dr. Ben Proctor,

Mark Tallman Visits Kansas School Districts Setting the Bar for Student Achievement

Recently, Mark Tallman, KASB Associate Executive Director of Educational Advocacy visited six school districts across Kansas that are setting the bar for student achievement.  Whether it’s

Derby Using Budget Needs Assessment to Support Improving Student Outcomes

Kansas school boards are required to conduct a needs assessment of each school building in their district as part of the annual budget process. The needs assessments along with test results must be

Being Brian: Building Relationships with Legislators

It's that time of year again when the state legislature convenes for the 2024 legislative session in Topeka. You might be thinking, "What does this have to do with me, a local school board member?"

Summer Teacher Academy Offers High School Students Exposure to the Profession

With the current high level of concern about the shortage of qualified educators, one strategy to help is the Kansas Future Teachers Academy, an annual event hosted by Emporia State University for

Being Brian: Celebrating the Past, Looking to the Future

As we approach the end of the year, it's not just a time for festivities and holiday cheer; it's also the perfect time for reflection. It is easy to get caught in the trap of continually pushing