News Releases

Members of the Kansas State Board of Education are expected to vote during their November meeting on a proposed policy regarding the use of instructional technology in Kansas school districts and nonpublic accredited schools.  

Please note: The State Board will meet on Monday, Nov. 9, and Tuesday, Nov. 10, because of Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, which is a state holiday.  

For the past several months, Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Jake Steel has led the State Board in discussions regarding their role in supporting Kansas school communities to create local instructional technology policies. The draft Commissioner Steel will present to the State Board for their approval addresses the following: 

• Purpose and intended use of technology in elementary and secondary education settings  

• Student technology access and use including: 

• Technology access and availability 

• Expectations for student use  

• Take-home access 

• Digital citizenship and student well-being  

• Artificial intelligence  

• Privacy and security  

• Technology-use expectations and violations  

Also, during their November meeting, board members will receive and discuss options regarding guidance to districts for their elementary recess policies. These options include the following: 

• Change the recess time recommendation to a requirement. 

• Adjust the amount of recess time that is counted toward the school term. 

• Allow more flexibility for when the recess time counted for the school term is scheduled. 

Board members will likely take action on the recess policy during their December meeting. 

Additional receive items on the board’s November agenda to be voted on in December include the following: 

• The State Board’s priorities for the 2027 legislative session that fall into the following categories: 

• Academic support efforts 

• Health and safety 

• Funding 

• Education policy governance 

• Grants and contracts regarding apprenticeship programs that will grow the state’s teacher and education leader workforce.  

• An agreement for the transfer of an estimated 125 square miles of territory from Central Plains USD 112, in Ellsworth County, to Sylvan-Lucas USD 299, in Lincoln County, effective July 1, 2027.  

• The Evaluation Review Committee (ERC) recommendations regarding educator preparation provider accreditation for the University of Saint Mary and program approvals for Bethany College, Fort Hays State University, Newman University, Ottawa University and Pittsburg State University. 

• The board’s policy committee recommendations regarding several new and updated policies that govern the operations and processes of the State Board. 

The State Board will hear the following presentations during their November meeting: 

• Examples of quality instruction regarding the partnership with the Southeast Kansas Library System for building early literacy skills, a musical performance from students at Holton High School, Holton USD 336 and a presentation from the president of the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA). 

• Highlights from the Kansas School for the Deaf. 

• Annual update from the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA). 

• Information about the Kansas Open Meeting Act (KOMA). 

The State Board’s November agenda also includes acting on recommendations for Professional Practices Commission cases 24-PPC-31 and 25-PPC-41. Board members will also have an executive session for the evaluation results for the education commissioner, board attorney and board secretary. 

The State Board will meet in the first floor board room in the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka. The full November agenda, including the consent agenda, can be accessed here. The meeting will also be livestreamed.