Kansas State Board of Education

The Kansas State Board of Education consists of 10 elected members, each representing a district comprised of four contiguous senatorial districts. Board members serve four-year terms with an overlapping schedule. View each one's profile and contact information by selecting his/her photo.  Every other year, the State Board reorganizes to elect a Chair and Vice Chair. The current Chair is Cathy Hopkins and the Vice Chair is Danny Zeck. The State Board appoints a Commissioner of Education who serves as its executive director.  The current Commissioner is Dr. Randy Watson.

   Mission

The mission of the State Board of Education is to prepare Kansas students for lifelong success through rigorous, quality academic instruction, career training and character development according to each student's gifts and talents.

The Kansans CAN Vision: Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

Kansas Board of Education imagemap with links to elected members webpage.District 7, Dennis Hershberger, Bio, Contact District 7, Dennis Hershberger, Bio, Contact District 10, Jim McNiece, Bio, Contact District 10, Jim McNiece, Bio, Contact District 8, Betty J. Arnold, Bio, Contact District 8, Betty J. Arnold, Bio, Contact District 9, Jim Porter, Bio, Contact District 9, Jim Porter, Bio, Contact District 3, Michelle Dombrosky, Bio, Contact District 3, Michelle Dombrosky, Bio, Contact District 4, Melanie Haas, Bio, Contact District 4, Melanie Haas, Bio, Contact District 4, Ann E. Mah, Bio, Contact District 4, Ann E. Mah, Bio, Contact District 1, Danny Zeck, Bio, Contact District 1, Danny Zeck, Bio, Contact District 6, Dr. Deena Horst, Bio, Contact District 6, Dr. Deena Horst, Bio, Contact District 5, Cathy Hopkins, Bio, Contact

 

 

 


Logo

Board Office

Deborah Bremer,

Board Secretary
(785) 296-3203

Board Contact Information

Board Meeting

The Kansas State Board of Education is in the process of hiring a new State Commissioner of Education.  The month of March includes several special meetings to conduct interviews.  These interviews are between the Board and the candidates, and will be held in Executive Session.  The Search Firm HYA is helping the Board to navigate this process.  

March 31, 2026  Special meeting, held in the Boardroom, at 8:30 a.m. in person, in the Landon Building, 900 SW Jackson.  On this day, the Board will conduct final interviews.  These interviews and the deliberations by the Board will be held in executive session.  At the April Meeting the Board will introduce the new Kansas Commissioner of Education  

April 1, 2026  Special Meeting, held in the Boardroom, 9:00 a.m. in person in the Landon Building.  The Board will deliberate and choose a Commissioner.  This will be in executive session.  

April 14, 2026  The regular monthly meeting of the Kansas State Board will be on Tuesday, April 14th.  On Wednesday April 15, the Board will be visiting the Kansas State School for the Blind (Kansas City, KS) and the Kansas School for the Deaf (Olathe, KS).  

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Deborah Bremer, Board Secretary, at 785-296-3203, or email at Deborah.Bremer@KSDE.gov.

 

External Resources

Copyright 2026 by Kansas State Department of Education | 900 SW Jackson St. | Topeka, KS 66612 Privacy Statement  |  Terms Of Use  |  System Maintenance Notices  |  Open Records (PDF)

The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)


To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.gov or by 785-296-3201.