Votes at a glance: Key motions and outcomes from the Sept. 9 Kansas State Board of Education meeting

The Kansas State Board of Education recorded several formal actions during its Sept. 9 meeting. Below are the principal motions, short descriptions and recorded tallies as reflected in the meeting record.

Votes at a glance

1) Contract with Kansas State University to support the Kansas FCCLA state adviser (consent item b) Motion: "Authorize the Commissioner of Education to contract with Kansas State University to support the Kansas state adviser of FCCLA at a total amount not to exceed $60,000 per year up to a total of $300,000 for the period of 5 years from 07/01/2026 to 06/30/2031." (final motion after an unsuccessful amendment to shorten the term) Mover/Second: Melanie (mover); Betty (second) Tally: Yes 6; No 3; Present/Not voting 1 Outcome: approved Notes: Board member Debbie attempted to amend the motion to shorten the contract term; the amendment failed on a 5–5 tie and the original five‑year contract was approved. The record shows substantial board discussion about long‑term contract commitments and a request for future review of contract length policy.

2) Extension of ACT contract for WorkKeys and preACT assessments (consent item e) Motion: Act to extend contract with ACT for ACT WorkKeys and preACT assessments as required by Kansas statute. Mover/Second: Jim (mover); Melanie (second) Tally: Yes 7; No 2; Present/Not voting 1 Outcome: approved Notes: KSDE indicated this extension implements statutory testing requirements.

3) Request from USD 353 (Wellington, Sumner County) to hold a bond election (consent item t) Motion: Act on request from USD 353 to hold a bond election. Mover/Second: Jim (mover); Betty (second) Tally: Yes 8; No 2 Outcome: approved (8–2) Notes: The board discussed local control and public input in bond elections before voting.

4) Contract with America Learns for AmeriCorps performance, progress and financial reporting Motion: "Contract with America Learns for AmeriCorps performance, progress, and financial reporting." (federal grant management platform) Mover/Second: Dennis (mover); Jim (second) Tally: Yes 9; No 1 Outcome: approved Notes: KSDE said federal funds pay for the platform.

5) Act to extend ACT contract (see item 2) and other consent votes Several other consent items were approved or pulled for separate discussion; consent approvals proceeded after pull‑outs and short presentations.

6) Accreditation Review Council recommendation — accreditation for all school systems (QISA action plans) Motion: "Approve the Accreditation Review Council recommendation that each school system in KISA be accredited for the 2025–26 school year." (formal board motion) Mover/Second: Beryl (mover); (second recorded) Tally: Yes 9; No 0 (one board member temporarily stepped out) Outcome: approved Notes: KSDE staff reviewed QISA action-plan review process and compliance checks; all 303 systems were recommended as accredited based on submitted plans.

7) Educator preparation program approvals (Emporia State University; Kansas State University) Motion: Accept evaluation review committee recommendations to approve educator preparation programs at Emporia State University and a new K‑State Elementary Unified residency program (with stipulation for a new program) Mover/Second: board member (mover recorded in minutes) Tally: unanimous (10 yes) Outcome: approved Notes: Board members discussed future alignment of higher‑education program standards with board leadership-development goals.

8) National Association of State Boards of Education dues Motion: Approve payment of NASBE dues for FY2026 in the amount of $19,600 (reduced dues and partial travel support because NASBE offered a discount and division of registration subsidy) Mover/Second: Beryl (mover); Jim (second) Tally: Yes 8; No 2 Outcome: approved Notes: Board members discussed delegation/attendance for the national conference (Austin) and staff noted the association discount.

How to read these tallies - Where the transcript records counts rather than individual roll-call votes, tallies above reflect the counts as recorded in the minutes. - Several consent items were discussed separately after board members pulled them for comment; items that were pulled were either approved after discussion or acted on separately as listed above.

If you need full motions, staff contact or the official roll call, KSDE staff will provide the formal signed minutes and motions as recorded in the official docket and posted meeting packet.