Kansas State Board of Education votes to make emergency substitute license permanent

The Kansas State Board of Education convened on June 11, 2025, to address procedural issues and set future goals for the board. The meeting began with a review of a previous vote concerning the modified emergency substitute license, which required clarification and a recount due to procedural missteps. Board members discussed the need for a two-step voting process when amending motions, ultimately voting to make the modified emergency substitute license permanent, which passed with a vote of 10 in favor and 1 opposed.

Following the procedural discussions, the board shifted focus to the development of strategic goals for the upcoming years. The commissioner highlighted the importance of setting clear priorities, emphasizing that the board had spent several months discussing potential goals. The proposed goals included quality school improvement, leadership development, and enhancing individual plans of study for students. Board members expressed the need for a manageable number of goals, with some suggesting that narrowing the focus to three key objectives might enhance effectiveness.

The conversation also touched on the challenges of supporting new educators and the importance of mentorship and professional development, especially in light of recent funding cuts. Board members underscored the necessity of aligning their goals with actionable measures to ensure accountability and progress.

As the meeting concluded, members acknowledged the need for further discussion and refinement of the proposed goals, suggesting that a retreat might be beneficial for deeper exploration of these priorities. The board aims to finalize its goals by the next meeting, ensuring they align with the overarching mission of improving educational outcomes for students across Kansas.