Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signs Executive Order 18-10 Creating the Governor’s Education Council
TOPEKA, KS – Governor Jeff Colyer issued an Executive Order creating the Governor’s Education Council with the purpose of improving outcomes for Kansas kids. This group will provide a platform for connecting educators from Pre-K through higher education with leaders in the business community and state policymakers. Their mission will be to promote policies and strategies to effectively prepare students to successfully enter and thrive in the rapidly-changing 21st-century workforce.
“The future of Kansas depends largely on how we educate the next generation and prepare them to contribute their ideas and skills back in to our state,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, “It is our duty to help our students achieve their full potential and ensure they have the relevant knowledge, skills, and training that will prepare them for the jobs of the future.”
“An integrated educational system, from early childhood through postsecondary success, is essential in providing a world-class education for all Kansas children,” said Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson. “That means collaboration between all education providers — Pre-K through postsecondary — business and industry leaders and other agencies is key. I support Gov. Colyer’s efforts to establish this council, and I look forward to working with him on these important issues.”
This Council’s mission will be the following:
Explore methods for integrating college and workforce preparedness into K-12 learning programs that align with and complement the work of the Kansans Can initiative of the KSDE.
Consider the application of public-private partnerships in developing industry-specific learning goals.
Inventory and assess existing workforce development initiatives within the state.
Discuss a system for measuring effectiveness and accountability of educational opportunities beyond the common and known metrics.
Inform and advise the Governor on educational initiatives and policies to improve the overall success of education and workforce development in Kansas.
“The jobs created in the new economy require education and skills beyond high school,” said Blake Flanders, president, and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. “I’m excited to work with Commissioner Watson as Co-Chairs of the P-20 Council, which will focus on the entire educational continuum.”
The Council will be co-chaired by the President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education of the Kansas State Department of Education. The Council will include representatives from three Cabinet agencies, 12 education-related organizations, and members chosen by the leadership of both parties in the House and Senate. The Governor will also appoint 3-5 members from the business community to serve on the Council.
Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS) is a grassroots effort to educate everyone about the benefits of having theatre in the schools, and to draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs for all students. The campaign is jointly sponsored nationally by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE), the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), and the International Thespian Society (ITS).
Fort Scott High School is promoting TIOS through our upcoming FSHS Talent Show on March 15 at 7 p.m. at the FSHS Auditorium, the publication of theatre education research on our social media outlets (Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram), inviting new students to join our theatre endeavors, and participation in the Theatre Education Advocacy Day at the KS State Capital.
Fort Scott High School is the home of ITS Troupe 7365, the nationwide high school drama honorary society planning TIOS activities. TIOS is a chance for students, parents, communities, school boards, and elected officials to become familiar with the benefits of school theatre participation, which include the development of the 21st-century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
In fact, according to The College Board, in 2015, students who took four years of art classes in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who took only one-half year or less. But, according to the U. S. Department of Education, only 28 percent of public high schools in high poverty areas offer theatre instruction.
9 in 10 American adults agree that the arts are part of a well-rounded K-12 education.
90 percent believe students should receive an education in the arts in elementary school, middle school, and high school.
The poll, “Americans Speak Out about the Arts: An In-Depth Look at Perceptions and Attitudes about the Arts in America,” was conducted by Americans for the Arts.
To see ITS Troupe 736, and the FSHS drama program in action, come to the upcoming performances of the FSHS Talent Show on March 15 at 7 p.m. at the FSHS Auditorium ($5 at the door) and the Thespian Improv Comedy Night, April 27 at 7 p.m. at Common Ground.
For more information about TIOS visit schooltheatre.org/programs/tios and follow
#TIOS18 and #TheatreinOurSchools on social media
Anna Lou Inman, age 88, a resident of rural Walnut, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 5, 2018, at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
She was born May 21, 1929, in Lamar, Missouri, the daughter of George Cobb and Mary Cochran Cobb. She married William Howard “Bill” Inman on September 25, 1946, at Girard, Kansas. Following their marriage, Bill and Ann operated their own farm for the remainder of their lives.
She enjoyed taking care of her family and taking care of the daily duties on the family farm. In earlier years, she enjoyed playing the piano and encouraged her grandchildren to take piano lessons.
Survivors include her three children, Shirley Ann Utley and husband, Steve, of LaHarpe, Kansas, William Inman, Jr. and wife, Bernadette, of Walnut, Kansas and Patti Lou Powers, and husband, Steve, of Chanute, Kansas; ten grandchildren, Stephanie, Wes, Brad, Melissa, Jason, Katie, Matthew, Amber, Clayton and Stephanie and eleven great-grandchildren, Elora, Connor, Lauren, Carter, Peter, Henry, Charlie, Claire, Brooklynn, Gavin and Anna. Also surviving are two sisters, Ruth Buck, of Girard, Kansas and Elizabeth Lyons, of California.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, March 9th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Walnut Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main.
Meals on Wheels in Bourbon County delivers a lunch to 45 households Monday through Thursday.
The service is for people 60 years and older.
“There are no income guidelines,” Jackie Sellers, site manager of Bourbon County Senior Citizens, said. “There is a suggested donation of $1 per meal.”
There are two driving routes that take approximately 45 minutes to deliver the meals.
Each Wednesday a frozen meal is delivered with the hot meal, which can be consumed on Friday.
At 9:30 a.m. each Meals on Wheels day, volunteers gather to divide and pack up the meals that are supplied through the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Pittsburg. The meals are then delivered in a local vehicle.
Snowy or icy weather can prevent the van full of food from Pittsburg to arrive, Sellers said.
“People have to watch on TV for cancellations,” Sellers said. “It’s referred to as Senior Meals.”
Deb Needleman, treasurer of the Bourbon County Senior Citizens said the United Way of Bourbon County grant money received goes to the Meals on Wheels part of the Bourbon County Senior Citizens budget.
“The expense of meal preparation is $30,000,” Needleman said. The United Way funds 30 percent of our budget for Meals on Wheels.”
The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging provides oversight for Meals on Wheels, Sellers said.
The SEKAAA Executive Director is Cindy Lane, who can be reached at 620-431-2980.
Mary Ada, Priscilla Sellers, and Ackland Milton prepare the meals to be delivered to 45 area residents over 60 years old.Jacquline Sellers, the site manager at Bourbon County Senior Citizens center, places a quart of milk in a cooler to deliver with Meals on Wheels lunches.
Tri-Valley Developmental Services workers Kylee Thomas and Karesa Sworde transport TVDS clients Greg McGee and Chris Hutchison to help out on the delivery of Meals on Wheels lunches.
From left: Kansas District 12 State Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R), and District 4, Representative Trevor Jacobs (R) listen as District 12 State Senator Caryn Tyson (R) gives remarks at the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coffee. At right is event moderator Mark McCoy. Not pictured is District 2 Representative Adam Lusker (D), who was late to the event.
Legislators gave answers to questions posed to them at Mercy Hospital’s Catherine Cafe Saturday morning during a legislative coffee sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
Senator Richard Hilderbrand, Representative Trevor Jacobs, Representative Adam Lusker and Senator Caryn Tyson sat as a panel and received questions from the moderator,Chamber Member Mark McCoy and also questions from the audience.
Richard Hilderbrand is the Kansas District 13 Senator from Galena. He can be reached at 785-296-7370 or [email protected].
State Senator Richard Hilderbrand converses with the audience following the legislative coffee Saturday.
The following are excerpts from Hilderbrand’s answers to questions posed to the legislators on current issues.
On education, Senator Hilderbrand clarified in a later interview ” My position on restoring Higher Ed. funding is we need to prioritize all of our commitments that have been cut, and not to add any other new items to fund. We need to work on restoring cuts before adding anything new.”
Support of bill lowering the sexual consent age to 11 years of age: “Absolutely not.”
School safety: “It’s a heart issue, no law will fix hate.”
Community college funding: “I haven’t heard anything at the state level.”
Poultry operations: “There were no existing statutes, so this puts some in place for rights….and kept local control.”
KanCare: “When they budgeted it was only for the initial cost….not maintaining…now they have to come back and raise fees.”
Convention of states: “I would not support that.”
Transportation: “For 2019, the finishing of Fort Scott to Pittsburg Highway 69 seems to be the mood.”
Parting remarks: “It’s important to have this interaction with constituents. If there are any issues, contact us.”
Trevor Jacobs is the District 4 Representative from Fort Scott. He can be reached at 785-296-7616 or [email protected].
State Representative Trevor Jacobs listens to constituents following the legislative coffee Saturday morning at Mercy Hospital.
The following are excerpts from Jacobs answers to questions posed to the legislators.
Education funding: “No more expansion of higher education.”
Support of bill lowering the sexual consent age to 11 years of age: “I would not.”
School safety: “One of the 10 Commandments is ‘Thou shalt not kill’. We need to address the root of the problem. We need a revolution of family and education.”
Property tax: “I’m not into raising taxes.”
Marijuana decriminalization: “I’m not in favor..we have enough problems.”
Convention of states: No
Transportation: (Rep. Jacobs in a later interview stated)”I am on the House Transportation Committee. I was never told any date, it doesn’t look like Hwy. 69 is budgeted.”
Parting remarks: “I was able to introduce a Choose Life (car) license plate. Lord willing, they will pass, to show life is valuable.”
Rep. Adam Lusker speaks with a constituent following the legislative coffee Saturday morning.
District 2 Representative Adam Lusker (D) resides in Frontenac and can be reached at 785-296-7698 or [email protected].
The following are excerpts from Luskers’s answers to questions posed to the legislators.
Lusker was late to the coffee event, therefore did not answer some of the questions, explaining he misunderstood the begin time.
KanCare: “KanCare is problematic.”
DCF: “Deals with tough situations.”
Marijuana decriminalization: “There is no legislation on either side for recreational marijuana. CDB oil passed for epilepsy but never came to fruition. We are a long way from legalizing in Kansas.”
Convention of states: “I would be opposed to a convention of states.”
Transportation: “Highway 69 in late 2019 will be completed. There is a $50-55 million budget. It will be on the front burner of the next transportation incentives for Bourbon County.
Parting remarks:”It’s a pleasure to serve you. I don’t align with these individuals (legislative colleagues) on a lot of issues, but they are very good people. We work together for the best of Kansas.”
Senator Caryn Tyson listens to a constituent following the legislative coffee sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
Senator Caryn Tyson (R) represents Kansas District 4. She resides in Parker and can be reached at 785-296-6838 or [email protected].
Tyson said she is also running for U.S. Congress to replace Lynn Jenkins, who is retiring.
The following are excerpts from Tyson’s answers following questions posed to the legislators.
Education: “Over 60 percent of the state budget goes to k-12 and higher education…We have obligations for education but have other obligations. Schools can we do it better, can we do it smarter? We need to ask, is it a need or want.”
Support of bill lowering the sexual consent age to 11 years of age: “I would not vote to support that bill.”
School safety: “The hall talk is teachers to take training.”
Community college funding: “We have demonstrated our priority…60 percent of our budget is in education.”
Poultry operations: “The whole community should have input on their coming in.”
KanCare: “The legislature did not decide on that, the administration did. KanCare was pushed into the State of Kansas without legislation. We have to make sure our contracts are understood.”
DCF: “There are a lot of problems. (However) We have a new secretary.”
Marijuana decriminalization: “The issue is dosage control. There is no way to control. Kansas has lessened the laws for marijuana.
Convention of states: “It (the U.S. Constitution) is not a perfect document. Women wouldn’t be able to vote without constitutional amendments.”
Transportation: “Highway 69 will be completed.”
Parting remarks: “We are a citizen legislature. When we make decisions we need to know who we are impacting.”
10:45- 11:00 Executive Session for personnel matters
11: 00- 11:15 Justin Meeks- letter to employees regarding smoking
11:15 -11:30 Justin Meeks- letter to Kansas Land Trust
12:00- 1:00 Commissioners gone to Lunch
1:30- 2:00 Jacqie Spradling – JV Detention Center
2:00-2:15 Justin Meeks – Executive Session attorney/client relationship possible litigation
2:15-2:45 Economic Development
2:45 Employee Handbook
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
The Fort Scott Community College Agriculture Department will host the 42nd annual Aggie Day on Friday, April 6. Approximately 1,400 students representing more than 100 schools will compete in the contest.
“We look forward to hosting Aggie Day each year,” said Ryan Edgecomb, FSCC Agriculture Instructor. “We are anticipating another large event, which will draw schools and 4-H clubs from across the Four States.”
Students will compete in a variety of areas, including agronomy, entomology, farm management, floriculture, food science, livestock, meat evaluation, milk quality and products, nursery/landscape, poultry, speech, and veterinary science.
Sponsored by Purina and Purina Mills Honor Show Chow, this event is the longest running interscholastic competition in the region. “We are honored to have Purina and Honor Show Chow back as our sponsors for a third straight year, and we’re grateful for their support,” said Edgecomb.
Teams should pre-register online at http://www.fortscott.edu/aggieday/registration before Friday, March 30. Registration for the event will begin at 7:00 am on April 6 at Arnold Arena, 2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, Kan. For more information, please call Ryan Edgecomb at 620-223-2700, ext. 3280.
Kansas Implements Changes to ABLE, 529 Accounts. Individuals living with a disability can now roll funds saved within a 529 Education Savings Account into their ABLE Account. Additionally, Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Account holders can utilize their funds for K-12 education tuition. These changes came about due to tax reform on the federal level. Like with past federal tax changes, the Kansas Department of Revenue will implement the changes as prescribed by Congress. http://www.koamtv.com/story/37549429/ks-implements-changes-to-able-529-accounts
On Friday February 23rd, Dr. Lori L. Taylor gave a preliminary presentation to a joint session of the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives on the methods, data, and analysis plan for her research on K-12 education funding in Kansas.
Dr. Taylor was hired by the Legislature in December to act as an expert witness and to investigate whether Kansas’ K-12 funding is adequate. This comes after the Kansas Supreme Court declared the current funding level is not enough and gave the legislature an April 30th deadline to create a new funding system.
Taylor, a native Kansan, holds a BA in economics and a BS in business administration from the University of Kansas and received her PhD in economics from the University of Rochester.
She is currently a professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and works as the Director for Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy. Taylor’s research is focused in school finance and she has consulted for numerous state legislatures and state and federal agencies on the topic.
During Friday’s presentation, Taylor outlined her study’s objective to estimate the level of spending required to produce a given outcome within a given educational environment. Taylor explained that she is looking at many different factors of school finance such as differences in spending, student outcomes, student needs, labor costs, geographical differences, and many other variables. One major variable Taylor will investigate in her research is student achievement relative to spending per pupil.
Taylor is expected to deliver her results to the Legislature by March 15th, a few weeks before the court mandated deadline.
I had the opportunity to attend the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce First Friday Legislative update on March 2nd, at the Kansas Crossing Casino, and on Saturday March 3rd, I had the opportunity to attend the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.
TASK FORCE ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
On Thursday, Governor Jeff Colyer issued an executive order creating a task force addressing substance use disorder. The objective of the task force is to gather information regarding substance abuse in Kansas, particularly regarding the growing number of opioid and heroin overdoses in the state along with methamphetamine addiction. The task force will work to find useful resources and initiatives to fight drug abuse. It will also examine practices for prevention and treatment along with recovery options for at-risk individuals through early detection and education.
Since 2012, more than 1,500 Kansans have died from opioid or heroin overdoses and more than 100 Kansas residents continue to die each year. In 2016, drug poisoning was the cause of death to more than 300 people in Kansas, with 95 deaths caused by methamphetamine alone. The task force acknowledges that substance abuse is an illness which not only impacts the lives of those addicted but also their families and surrounding communities.
The task force will be chaired by Dr. Greg Lakin, Chief Medical Officer at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Membership will be comprised of heads from numerous state agencies, legislators, and professionals in industries such as education, law enforcement, hospitals, and more.
AVIATION DAY:
The Kansas Department of Transportation Division of Aviation along with the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education (KCAE) held their 4th annual Aviation Day event Thursday.
The day began with an economic development training event for city officials on how to best harness state and local resources to boost the aviation industry. During the Aviation Day event, legislators, manufacturers, suppliers, and aviation organizations gathered to discuss industry growth and opportunities and addressed development potentials for Kansas economic stakeholders.
The Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education highlighted industry development opportunities throughout the day, spreading awareness regarding STEM and aviation education through KCAE.
NEXT WEEK:
Monday-
Consideration of agency budget: Department of Education – [Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, March 5 at 11:30 am]
Presentation on: High Enrollment Weighting: KSDE, Dale Dennis, Deputy Commissioner, Legislative Research Department & Revisor of Statutes – [Senate Education Committee, March 5 at 1:30 pm]
Tuesday-
Hearing on: HB 2511, Making commercial driver’s licenses renewable every five years – [Senate Transportation Committee, March 6 at 8:30 am]
Hearing on: SB 400, tax lid exemption when taxing entity abolished and duties assumed by a city or county – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 6 at 9:30 am]
Hearing on: HB 2088, allow use of certified drug abuse treatment program for drug severity level 4 crimes – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 6 at 10:30 am]
Presentation on: FutureMaker Mobile STEM Lab – update on Hands on Experience – [Senate Education Committee, March 6 at 1:30 pm]
Wednesday-
Hearing on: HB 2486, allowing golf carts to be driven on certain streets at night – [Senate Transportation Committee, March 7 at 8:30 am]
Hearing on: SB 415, depositing all state sales tax revenues from sales on the Kansas state fairgrounds into the state fair capital improvements fund – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 7 at 9:30 am]
Hearing on: HB 2501, establishing the health occupations credentialing fee fund – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 7 at 9:30 am]
Hearing on: HB 2600, increasing the fees assessed by KDHE for certain radiation protection services – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 7 at 9:30 am]
Hearing on: HB 2458, adding violations of the act for obtaining a guardian or conservator, or both, to the crimes of mistreatment of a dependent adult and mistreatment of an elder person, changing the felony loss thresholds and adding the crimes to the inherently dangerous felony list – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 7 at 10:30 am]
Hearing on: HB 2479, allowing criminal cases to be stayed during state appeal of writ of habeas corpus relief – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 7 at 10:30 am]
Hearing on SB 378, creating the crime of counterfeiting currency – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 7 at 10:30 am]
Discussion on: Joint Senate Select Committee on Education Finance & House K-12 Education Budget Committee- Dr. Jesse Levin, Peer Review of the LPA and Augenblick Studies (Skype Presentation) – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance and House K-12 Education Budget Committee, March 7 at 1:00 pm]
Thursday-
Hearing on: SB 367, sales taxation; treatment of coupons; certain cash rebates on sales or leases of new motor vehicles – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 8 at 9:30 am]
Presentation on: Concurrent Enrollment – KBOR, Dr. Blake Flanders, President & CEO – [Senate Education Committee, March 8 at 1:30 pm]
Below are links to make it easy for constituents to follow the Kansas Legislature:
Website – www.kslegislature.org. It is great for looking up bills, calendars, journals, as well as, the roster in each Chamber.
YouTube of Legislature – http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0 Did you know the legislature is now streaming its proceedings? The YouTube page has an archive of the sessions thus far – including the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary.
Committee Streaming – http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/ The Kansas Legislature is also streaming committees, with every committee room equipped with audio streaming technology.
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I
Fort Scott Middle School Technology Teacher Adam Feagins explains the three-dimensional printer to an attendee of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday.
Learning is hands-on in Mr. Feagins technology classes.
Attendees of the weekly coffee coordinated by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce took a tour of the career technology education class Thursday.
Adam Feagins is the instructor of the classes: Intro to technology,
Pre-Engineering, 6th Grade Technology, 7th Grade technology, and
8th Grade Technology.
USD 234 Curriculum Director Nicki Traul told the Chamber attendees that Feagins classes are popular among students.
“The goal is to teach the students basic technology concepts,” Feagins said in a later interview. “Once they learn the concepts they have to use the knowledge in some type of project.”
The following photos are some of the students working on projects in the classroom.
Eighth-grade students Ashlynn Bagnall and Shawn Barrager press a vinyl pattern piece on a t-shirt in Feagins technology class Thursday.Eighth-grade students Grant Feagins, left, and Bobby Kemmerer, right explain their rolling robot project to Fort Scott Chamber Member John Hill during the tour of the classroom Thursday morning. They are timing how fast the robot can go.Eighth-grade students Amanda Emmerson and Kerragan Davis paint a background as part of their Rube Goldberg Project. A marble will start at one point and set in motion a domino effect with the end result watering of a live plant.Teachers in USD 234 School have a poster of their education process posted near their classroom door. This is Adam Feagins.
