TEA says STARS–Fort Scott dispute is a local contract and service-area issue; recommends institutions work together

TEA members voted to recommend that Fort Scott Community College and the Southeastern Technical Academy for Rural Students (STARS) work together to resolve their dispute over the Pleasanton campus, after staff concluded the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) and the TEA lack statutory authority to force changes to local contracts or to reassign service-area funding.

The recommendation followed an April 27, 2025 letter from STARS requesting a separation from Fort Scott and possible mediation or a release to partner with another institution. April White, Vice President April White, summarized STARS' request to the TEA: "STARS is seeking guidance from the Kansas Board of Regents and possibly mediate a release from Fort Scott Community College to create a partnership with another institution that will agree to a fair and equitable MOU for all parties involved."

TEA staff told members that STARS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which purchased and renovated a building at 1701 Laurel Street in Pleasanton and that Fort Scott operates classes there, hires faculty and provides curriculum. April White and staff reported the first student cohort in 2023 was about 40 students and that enrollment has grown to more than 120 in the third year. Team members said there is no executed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between STARS and Fort Scott despite the long-running collaboration.

Why it matters: TEA staff reviewed state law and Board policy and found three relevant constraints: (1) local boards of trustees control contracts and the college's authority to enter into MOUs, (2) KBOR controls community college service-area designations and those maps are a statewide policy matter, and (3) state statute limits state funding for courses taught outside a college's main campus or service area unless specific exceptions apply. April White told members the specific statute cited prevents the Board from unilaterally reallocating state CTE funding from the college currently serving the area.

TEA staff recommended the matter remain local because Fort Scott currently offers the programs requested by STARS and the statutes and KBOR policies cited do not provide the TEA authority to force a change in contracts or funding flows. "Students are enrolled there and students are the ones who are going to be harmed if this doesn't exist," April White said, urging the two entities to resolve the dispute to maintain services.

The TEA approved a motion to forward that recommendation to the Kansas Board of Regents and to ask the Board to encourage Fort Scott and STARS to negotiate a written agreement that protects students and clarifies financial responsibilities. The motion was made by David (TEA member) and seconded by Deborah (TEA member); the body recorded the motion and approval without further amendment.

Background and next steps: TEA staff noted the Board's service-area map covers all 105 Kansas counties and that revising those service areas would be a major, statewide process beyond the scope of this case. Staff offered to assist Fort Scott and STARS with data analysis and to convene technical conversations, but said any formal MOU or contract outcome must be decided locally by the college's board of trustees. The TEA will transmit the staff report and its recommendation to the full Board of Regents.

Provenance: Staff presentation and discussion of the STARS request began with April White's summary of the April 27 letter and background meetings with both parties. The TEA's recommendation motion and vote occurred at the close of the discussion and were recorded in the meeting minutes.