Governor orders flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Associate Justice John Paul Stevens 

In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, and following the proclamation of President Donald J. Trump, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset Tuesday, July 23, in honor of John Paul Stevens, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.  

“Justice Stevens was a remarkable public servant and leaves behind an honorable legacy,” Kelly said. “My deepest condolences are with his family in this difficult time. May we all strive to serve our own communities, state and nation with such conviction.”  

To receive email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors.  

Governor Laura Kelly appointed Earl Lewis as Director of the Kansas Water Office.

“Earl has proven to be a skilled and knowledgeable leader when it comes to water conservation and other important issues related to this precious resource,” Kelly said.

Lewis joined the Kansas Water Office in 1999 working first with reservoir operations and analysis before serving as the agency’s chief technical staff and overseeing agency operations. Before joining the Kansas Water Office, he worked for seven years in the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources working on water use, water right compliance, water conservation, and interstate litigation.

“I’m honored the Governor has selected me for this position and am excited to join the Kelly administration,” Lewis said. “I look forward to working with the Governor and stakeholders across Kansas to improve our water resources.”

Lewis is a lifelong Kansan and was raised on a farm in Osage County. His family raised row crops, cattle, and ran a custom hay business. He attended both Emporia State University and the University of Kansas, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas in 1992.  He also holds a professional engineering license in Kansas.

Lewis’ appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate.

In response to Executive Order #19-08, Governor Laura Kelly appointed 13 members to the Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force.

This task force assesses the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease on Kansas residents; examines the existing industries, services, and resources addressing the needs of people with Alzheimer’s, their families, and caregivers; and develops a strategy to mobilize a state response to the public health crisis.

“Alzheimer’s disease touches so many lives, and we must do what we can to help patients and their families cope with this tragic ailment,” Kelly said. “I appreciate the interest from all willing to serve on this important task force.”

The appointed task force members:

1. Jamie Gideon, Haysville – Chair
2. Cindy Schmidt, Hays
3. Gina Long, Gardner
4. Rita Ortolani, Independence
5. Robert Miller, Wichita
6. Sarah Duggan, Manhattan
7. Steve Harader, Wichita
8. Dr. Joseph G. Schlageck, Overland Park
9. Janie Krull, Wichita
10. Dr. Stephen Benson, Wichita
11. Randy Clinkscales, Hays
12. Carol Jolly, Topeka
13. Rob Razo, Topeka

The task force meets monthly or as needed at the discretion of the Chair.

The task force will receive data, research, administrative support and guidance from the following agencies: Kansas Department of Labor, Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services shall be primarily responsible for and take the lead in providing support.

The Task Force is directed to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature and Governor in the form of a Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Plan by January 13, 2020, or as appropriate during the intervening period.

Governor appoints member to Postsecondary Technical Education Authority

Governor Laura Kelly appointed Dr. Tiffany Anderson to the Postsecondary Technical Education Authority.

“Dr. Anderson is the right choice for this important assignment,” Kelly said. “She’s highly qualified, driven, and knows education at every level, to include higher education.”

Currently, Anderson serves as superintendent for the Topeka public schools district, USD 501. She also served as a school superintendent in Missouri and Virginia. Since 2003, she’s been an adjunct professor in the Department of Educational Leadership for Kansas State University. Anderson received her doctorate and master’s degree in education leadership and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Saint Louis University, Mo.

Dr. Anderson currently resides in Overland Park. She succeeds Sabrina Korentager.

The authority is composed of 12 members. Four members are appointed by the Kansas Board of Regents. Three members are be appointed by the governor. One member is appointed by the president of the Senate, and one member is appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.

Regarding the governor’s appointments, one represents Kansas business and industry, and two represent the general public.

Hep A and Meningococcal Vaccines to be required for 2019-20 School Year

Vaccine changes effective August 2

Two new vaccines will be required for school-age children for the 2019-20 School Year: Meningococcal and Hepatitis A. KDHE proposed changes to the vaccine requirement regulations earlier this year and held a public hearing concluding a 60-day public comment period in June. The regulations were approved by KDHE and will go into effect on August 2.

“We received many comments and input from all viewpoints,” KDHE Secretary Lee Norman said. “We listened and read all of the input and concerns submitted to us. We looked at the evidence. Both Meningitis and Hepatitis A illnesses are severe and preventable, and the safety profile of the vaccines is well-recognized. As an agency charged to establish policies that protect and improve the lives of Kansans, we felt the addition of the two vaccines was essential for the health and safety of our state.”

Changes for 2019-20 School Year

• Students entering Kindergarten and Grade 1 for the 2019 -2020 school year now need two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine.
• Students entering Grade 7 for the 2019-2020 school year need one dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
• Students entering Grade 11 need one dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine if not vaccinated prior to their 16^th birthday. They will need two doses if their first dose was before their 16^th birthday.

Vaccine requirements for schools can be found online at: http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/schoolInfo.htm.

About the Vaccines

Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine

The meningococcal ACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease has two common outcomes: meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and bloodstream infections. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease spread through the exchange of nose and throat droplets, such as when coughing, sneezing, or kissing. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. With bloodstream infection, symptoms also include a dark purple rash. About one of every 10 people who gets the disease dies from it. Survivors of meningococcal disease may lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have problems with their nervous systems, become developmentally disabled, or suffer seizures or strokes.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

The hepatitis A vaccine protects against the hepatitis A virus. The virus is spread primarily person to person through the fecal-oral route. In other words, the virus is taken in by mouth from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces (stool) of an infected person. Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, poor appetite, vomiting, stomach pain and sometimes jaundice (when skin and eyes turn yellow). An infected person may have no symptoms, may have mild illness for a week or two, may have severe illness for several months, or may rarely develop liver failure and die from the infection. In the U.S., about 100 people a year die from hepatitis A.

Exemptions from Vaccines

There are exemptions to vaccines. In accordance with KSA 72-6262, legal alternatives to vaccination requirements include medical contraindications and religious beliefs. The medical exemptions signed by a medical clinician must be submitted on an annual basis by the family/guardian of the student.  There could also be instances in which a person has a religious belief that prevents them from receiving a particular vaccination.  The parent/guardian of the student must submit a written statement indicating they are adherent of a religious denomination whose religious teachings are opposed to such vaccination. The school board or governing body for nonpublic schools are responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations and statutes.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that Dr. John Esslinger has been named as the State Medicaid Medical Director. This position had previously been vacant.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Esslinger has decided to join our team,” said Adam Proffit, KDHE Medicaid Director.  “His vast experience, both as a clinician, as well as several years of direct involvement with KanCare, will have a tremendous impact on the members we serve.”

Dr. Esslinger is a graduate of the University of Minnesota for both his undergraduate and medical degrees. His specialty training was at Children’s Mercy through UMKC in Kansas City. He is board certified in Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. He practiced for 12 years at Omaha Children’s Hospital and subsequently was the Vice President for Medical Affairs for that facility.

Dr. Esslinger has been in managed care since 1999 and has experience in commercial and government programs. He has focused primarily on government programs, mostly Medicaid, since 2008, but he has also had experience in the insurance brokerage industry at Lockton in Kansas City.  He has been employed by managed care plans in Kansas since 2014.

“I am delighted to be part of KDHE. I am confident that I can contribute to the department’s mission of providing quality, cost-effective care to Kansas citizens,” Dr. Esslinger said.

Governor Laura Kelly appointed Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Jon Rolph, and Shellaine “Shelly” Kiblinger to the Kansas Board of Regents.

“Cheryl, Jon, and Shelly are highly qualified professionals and ready to step up and take on this challenge,” Kelly said. “I look forward to their contributions as we work to ensure that our universities thrive.”

Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Gardner, recently served as City Administrator for the City of Gardner, Kan. Previously, she served as Chief Administrative Officer for the city of Eatonville, Fla, and as Deputy City Manager of the City of Daytona Beach, Fla. Harrison-Lee received an M.A. from the University of Florida in Urban and Regional Planning Concentration: Public Administration, and a B.A. in journalism from the University of South Carolina.

Jon Rolph, Wichita, is President and CEO of Thrive Restaurant Group (formerly known as Sasnak Management), which owns and operates 41 Applebee’s, 18 Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican restaurants, and two HomeGrown restaurants in the breakfast/lunch space. The restaurants are located in 10 states across the Midwest and Virginia.  Jon was a two-time Student Body President at Baylor University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2001. After graduating, Jon worked with college student leaders as an intern for the National Student Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. He returned to Kansas in 2002 to work in the family-owned businesses.

Shelly Kiblinger, Cherryvale, currently serves as Superintendent of Cherryvale Public Schools, USD 447. Kiblinger previously served as Superintendent of Hutchinson Public Schools, USD 308, from 2011-2017, and prior to that, served as Assistant Superintendent of Garden City Public Schools, USD 457. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership from Kansas State University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University.

The Kansas Board of Regents is a bipartisan, nine-member board composed of members who serve for a staggered period of four years. Each member is appointed by the Governor, and subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Governor’s statement on Justice Johnson’s retirement

“Justice Lee Johnson has been a dedicated and distinguished public servant, first in Sumner County and then for 18 years on the bench in Kansas, to include 12 years on the Kansas Supreme Court,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “I want to thank him for his service to the state and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

The process to fill the vacancy will begin with the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, which will submit the names of three qualified individuals to the governor. The governor interviews the candidates and makes the appointment. Supreme Court justices stand for retention every six years.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Secretary Burghart announces the selection of Ethan Spurling to take over the position of Legislative Liaison for the Kansas Department of Revenue. Spurling joins the Department after serving as Operations and Scheduling Coordinator in Governor Laura Kelly’s office since January.

“Ethan will bring a unique perspective to this position with his previous experience and relationship building at the municipal level,” Secretary Mark Burghart said. “We look forward to taking that experience and expanding that within his role.”

Prior to his time with the Kelly-Rogers administration, Spurling served the City of Frontenac, Kansas as a city councilman for almost four years.

“It was during my time serving as a city councilman I found a great understanding of civic duty.” Spurling said. “This is a great opportunity to continue that passion while working alongside legislators to help Kansans.”

Spurling is a 2018 graduate of Pittsburg State University with degree in Political Science and International Studies.