USA|Kansas

Governor Mark Parkinson has finalized appointments to the Early Childhood Advisory Council and the Commission on Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery. Both commissions, which were created by Executive Orders 10-05 and 10-04 respectively, focus on maximizing and enhancing educational opportunities for Kansans.

“In order for Kansas to create a climate in which citizens can thrive both now and in the future, we must remain committed to the success of our educational system,” said Parkinson. “Providing Kansans with access to quality education opportunities from start to finish is critical to ensuring a strong and prosperous future for both our citizens and the state. I am proud to assemble these committees who, together, will further our children’s opportunities and our state’s success.”

Early Childhood Advisory Council

The following members have been appointed:

Jim Redmon, Topeka, is the director for the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund and will be serving as the council coordinator;
Two representatives have been appointed from the Kansas State Legislature: Senator Tim Owens, Overland Park, and Representative Judy Loganbill of Wichita;
Donna Hudson-Hamilton, Hays, is the director of early childhood services for USD 489 and will be serving as a representative from Head Start agencies;
Bobbi Mariani, Topeka, is the economic employment support director for Social Rehabilitation Services (SRS) and as such, will be serving on the council as a representative of the state agency responsible for child care;
Dr. Eva Horn, Lawrence, is a professor of special education at the University of Kansas and has been appointed to serve as a representative of the state agency responsible for programs under Section 619 or Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
Monica Murnan, Pittsburg, is the director of Family Resource Center Inc. and will serve as a representative of local providers of early childhood education and development services;
Carrie Hastings, Topeka, is the Head Start program manager for SRS and will be serving as the state director of Head Start Collaboration;
Linda Kenney, Topeka, works for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as the Bureau of Family Health director and has been appointed to serve on the council as a representative of the state agency responsible for health or mental care;
Dr. Andy Tompkins, Topeka, is the president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents and will be serving as a representative of institutions of higher education in the state;
Dr. Gayle Stuber, Topeka, is an early childhood coordinator for the Kansas Department of Education and has been appointed to the council as a representative of the state educational agency;
Jim McDaniel, St. Marys, is the superintendent for Kaw Valley USD 321 and will be serving as a representative of a local educational agency;
Mary Baskett, Lawrence, is the executive director for the Kansas Head Start Association and will be serving as an at-large member on the council;
Dr. Dennis Cooley, Topeka, is the president of the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and will be serving as an at-large member;
Leadell Ediger, Salina, is the director for the Kansas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and has been appointed to serve as an at-large member for the Statewide Resource and Referral Agency;
Kim Moore, Hutchinson, is the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund director and will be serving as an at-large member for the philanthropic community;
Dr. Andrew Allison, Topeka, has been appointed to serve as an at-large member for the Kansas Health Policy Authority; and
Jonathan Freiden, Overland Park, is the CEO of U.S. Toy Company and will serve on the council as a representative of the business community.

The Head Start Reauthorization Act of 2007 instructs the creation of a State Early Childhood Advisory Council. Members of the council will conduct a periodic statewide needs assessment concerning the quality and availability of early childhood education and development programs and services for children from birth to school entry. The council will also make recommendations for increasing the overall participation of children in existing federal, state and local child care and early childhood education programs.

Commission on Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery

The following members have been appointed:

Four representatives have been appointed from the Kansas State Legislature: Senator Anthony Hensley, Topeka; Senator Steve Morris, Hugoton; Representative Barbara Ballard, Lawrence; and Representative Jo Ann Pottorff, Wichita;
Adjutant General Tod Bunting, Topeka, has been appointed to serve as a representative of the armed forces;
Christine Downey-Schmidt, Inman, currently works for G & C Farms, Inc. and will be serving as a representative from the Board of Regents;
Keil Eggers, Lawrence, has been appointed as a youth representative;
Dr. John Heim, Topeka, is the president of the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) and will be serving as a representative of KASB;
Donovan Karber, Wichita, is a mentoring coach for Youth Horizons and will serve as a representative of the faith community;
Nancy Keel, Olathe, is the executive director of Kansas Parents as Teachers Association and will be serving on the commission as a representative of a parent organization;
Miriam Krehbiel, Topeka, is the president of the United Way of Greater Topeka and has been appointed as a representative of a non-profit agency;
Malissa Martin-Wilke, Topeka, is a community representative for Community in Schools of Kansas and will be serving on the commission as a representative of communities;
James Mireles, Garden City, is the principal of Garden City High School and will serve as a representative of public school principals;
Melissa Ness, Topeka, is the president of services and advocacy at Connections Unlimited, Inc. and has been appointed as a representative of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund;
Tom Webb, Sublett, is the current Haskell County District Magistrate and will be serving on the commission as a representative of district court judges;
Blake West, Topeka, is the president of the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) and as such, will serve on the commission as a representative of KNEA; and
Dr. Denise Wren, Wichita, is the assistant superintendent for USD 259 and has been appointed as a representative of school superintendents.

The Kansas Commission on Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery is charged with exploring state policies and practices relating to attendance, discipline, grading, compulsory attendance age and the use of alternative schools to outline a timeline for reducing the statewide annual dropout rate. The commission will also assess schools and allocate financial incentives for districts that are effective in graduating at-risk students and recovering high school dropouts.

To read related articles on the Early Childhood Advisory Council, click here.
To read related articles on the Commission on Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery, click here.