News Releases

Our press releases provide timely, accurate information about key initiatives, policy updates, and important events in Kansas education. They serve as an official source for news and announcements from the Kansas State Department of Education, helping educators, families, and communities stay informed about developments that impact schools statewide.

The May 2026 meeting of the Kansas State Board of Education will highlight the complexities of technology in the classroom as well as digital health and safety. 

Board members Melanie Haas and Danny Zeck will present recommendations to the board on how school districts can limit educators’ use of digital technology during instruction. They will provide information about what effective practices some Kansas school districts have adopted to curtail the use of technology for direct instruction.  

Paul Larkin, superintendent of Syracuse USD 494, and Josh Houston, principal of Syracuse Elementary School, and several parents will share an initiative they’ve created to educate families on safety issues when using the internet and social media.  The focus will be on using devices in a way that is healthy and becoming aware of some of the dangers children may encounter when using technology at school or at home. 

Dr. Renee Nugent, deputy commissioner for the KSDE division of learning services, will also present board members with information about House Bill 2299, which became law during the 2026 legislative session. This legislation establishes requirements related to student use of personal devices during the school day and restricts the use of social media for official communication between school staff and students. Dr. Nugent will address legislative intent, core provisions of the law, and district-level implementation considerations to ensure clarity, consistency, and the protection of students and educators.     

Shane Carter, director of KSDE teacher licensure, will update board members on the Registered Youth Teacher Apprenticeship Program during the May meeting. Students from Topeka USD 501, Spring Hill USD 230 and Liberal USD 480 will share what they’ve learned and experience as youth apprentices during this pilot program that began at the beginning of this school year. The youth apprenticeship program will be available statewide beginning this fall. Currently, there are 24 youth apprentices participating in the pilot. 

Action items on the board’s May agenda include the following: 

• Approval of career and technical education (CTE) cluster reviews for the 2025-26 school year; approval of pathway credential recommendations made by the Kansas Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education. 
• Approval of school breakfast program waivers recommended by the waiver review committee. State statute requires schools with 35% or more students eligible for free or reduced-price meals to offer a school breakfast program, with waivers available under specific conditions.  
• Approval of recommended language from the Board’s Policy Committee regarding the citizens’ open forum at board meetings. 
• Approval of the recommendations made by the Professional Practices Commission (PPC). 

The meeting will be May 12-13, in the first floor board room of the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka. 

• Watch the meeting livestream.
• View the full agenda and meeting materials.