Leavenworth board votes to keep KASB membership after presentations from two provider groups

The USD 453 Board of Education voted to continue its membership with the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) and to remain in the KASB Legal Assistance Fund after hearing presentations from two organizations offering support to school boards.

Representatives from the Kansas School Board Resource Center (part of the Kansas Policy Institute) presented their services, which the speaker described as largely free and designed to support board members with policy guidance, training and a legal hotline. Dave Trabert, who identified himself as CEO of Kansas Policy Institute, said, “Our basic service platform is free.” He and other presenters described workshops, strategic planning support and a forthcoming superintendent search service.

Brian Jordan, executive director of the Kansas Association of School Boards, described KASB’s century-old, member-driven association model, legal services staffed by attorneys, advocacy and leadership services. Board members asked questions about differences between the organizations, funding for free services, and whether membership was exclusive; presenters said districts could use both resources.

Board discussion included requests for time to review materials from the newer resource center. The board took formal action: a motion to continue membership with KASB and the KASB legal fund was approved (board announced the vote as 5–2). Trustees were also told that districts could use services from the Kansas School Board Resource Center without a formal board vote; local district employees or individual board members could participate in some of that organization’s offerings without district membership.

Board members thanked the presenters and noted the decision’s procedural deadline for membership between mid‑March and Sept. 1 each year.