The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund’s Early Childhood Recommendations Panel formally adopted an updated Purpose, Roles, Norms and Procedures document and approved the July agenda and June meeting minutes during a remote meeting livestreamed on the cabinet’s YouTube page.

The changes clarify the chair role, set expectations for work‑group documentation and public transparency under the Kansas Open Meetings Act, and establish a cadence for work‑group updates and recommendation feedback.

"We will have expectations that you will use a standard format of taking notes so that we are again in compliance with the open records and with the meetings, our Kansas Open Meetings Act," said Melissa Schoenberger, early childhood system specialist and panel chair, while presenting the document to members.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve July agenda. Mover: Christina Small (Salina Area United Way). Second: Brenda Bandy (Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition). Outcome: Approved by voice/thumbs up; no roll call tally recorded.

- Motion: Approve June meeting minutes. Mover: Patty Peschel. Second: Cornelia Stevens. Outcome: Approved by voice/thumbs up; no roll call tally recorded.

- Motion: Adopt updated Purpose, Roles, Norms and Procedures. Mover: Tammy Ben (Southeast Kansas Library System). Second: Kathy Gray. Outcome: Approved by voice/thumbs up; no roll call tally recorded.

Panel chair Melissa Schoenberger told members the updates formalize the chair role (now part of her position description), add a standardized meeting‑notes template for work groups and require more regular updates to the full panel before recommendations advance to the cabinet. Members asked for clarification about turnaround time for recommendation feedback; Schoenberger said she aims to review items within 48–72 hours when possible.

Work‑group documentation and transparency: Members were reminded that work‑group meetings, including those held between full‑panel meetings, should be recorded in the notes template and stored on the panel’s SharePoint hub. Schoenberger said the intent is to maintain compliance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act while increasing transparency and enabling non‑work‑group panelists to follow and respond to emerging work.

Ending: The panel paused introductions planned for the meeting and moved that agenda item to the next meeting to keep the session on schedule. Panel leadership asked members to review the All In for Kansas Kids strategic plan and identify priorities and speakers they want to hear from over the coming year.