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Board authorizes Office of Administrative Hearings contract for hearing officers; five‑year agreement approved after amendment attempt fails
Summary
The board authorized a contract with the Kansas Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) for hearing officer services and related matters, approving a multi‑year contract and cap on expenditures after members debated contract length.
The Kansas State Board of Education authorized the commissioner to contract with the Kansas Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) to provide hearing officers and related hearing services. The board approved a contract period running July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030 with a not‑to‑exceed cap of $200,000 and a locked hourly rate for billable hours as reflected in contract negotiations.
Betty moved the authorization and the board approved the request. During debate, a board member proposed an amendment shortening the contract term to 2027; that amendment failed in a roll call. After additional discussion the full five‑year contract received board approval, voted 10–0. Board and agency counsel noted the benefit of a multi‑year agreement in locking hourly rates for billable review time and reducing yearly administrative renewals; other members expressed concern about binding future boards to long contracts but ultimately supported the five‑year term.
The contract is intended to ensure continuity and timely adjudication of contested proceedings handled by KSDE that require independent hearing officers — for example, child nutrition appeals, contested licensing and professional practices commission cases, and other matters that OAH routinely handles for state agencies. KSDE said the contract includes standard terms and a not‑to‑exceed cap and will be managed by agency counsel.
