Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Agenda topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Topeka school board approves "one united voice" legislative agenda and will lobby legislators
Summary
The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a consolidated legislative position known as the "one united voice," authorizing district leaders and lobbyist Jim Edwards to present county superintendents' priorities to legislators on Dec. 8 and continue advocacy through the 2026 session.
The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a consolidated legislative statement — called the "one united voice" — directing district leadership and county superintendents to present coordinated priorities to the Shawnee County delegation and continue targeted advocacy during the 2026 legislative session.
Board members voted to expedite approval after a presentation by district lobbyist Jim Edwards, who reviewed last year’s outcomes and warned some issues would return to the Legislature. "Taxpayer dollars for education should only go to public schools that are accountable to students, parents, and communities," Edwards said, urging that funding remain transparent and subject to oversight.
The resolution lists priorities that reflect recurring statewide concerns: school finance tied to the Supreme Court Gannon case, special-education funding, teacher recruitment and retention, KPERS (the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System) reforms, and opposition to voucher or tax-credit proposals that divert public dollars from schools. Edwards told the board some items that failed to move last session — including proposals on vouchers and KPERS adjustments — are likely to reappear.
Board discussion focused on how the district will support the countywide presentation. One member asked whether the district should emphasize the statutory requirement to fund special education at 92 percent; staff replied the December handout will include concise narrative bullets and superintendents will personalize remarks at the delegation meeting.
The board noted a Shawnee County Delegation meeting is scheduled for Dec. 8 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Edwards also invited legislators to spend a day as "principal for a day" to observe school operations.
The motion to approve the "one united voice" language carried unanimously. The board directed staff and its parent/teacher advocacy group to continue outreach and to tailor messages on issues such as special education and teacher recruitment.
The board received no separate public comment on the item at the meeting; next steps include finalizing the handout and coordinating which superintendent speaks to each bullet at the county delegation meeting.
