Military Families

Kansas schools serve many students from military families. Because military families often relocate, military-connected students may experience transitions between schools and communities. The Kansas State Department of Education works with school districts and partners to help ensure military-connected students in Kansas schools have the support and resources they need to succeed. This page provides information about programs, policies and resources that support military families in Kansas, including the Kansas Purple Star School Recognition Program.

Kansas Purple Star School Recognition Program

On October 11, 2022, the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) unanimously voted 10-0 to approve the Kansas Purple Star School Recognition Program. This program is designed to help schools respond to the educational challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and keep them on track to be college, workforce and life-ready. The Purple Star School designation is awarded to military-friendly school districts and schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation's military, including active duty, National Guard or Reserve. A Purple Star School will actively support students as they relocate to new schools due to a parent's change in duty station.

The Purple Star School Recognition Program is a partnership between the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Military Children Education Council (KMCEC).

Kansas Purple Star Schools  

Fort Riley – U.S. Army

  • Geary County USD 475 (Junction City)
  • St. Francis Xavier (Junction City)

Fort Leavenworth – U.S. Army

  • Piper USD 203 (Kansas City)
  • Fort Leavenworth USD 207 (Fort Leavenworth)
  • Spring Hill USD 230 (Spring Hill)
  • Leavenworth USD 453 (Fort Leavenworth)

McConnel Air Force Base – U.S. Air Force

  • Derby USD 260 (Derby)
  • Emporia USD 253 (Emporia)
  • Mulvane USD 263 (Mulvane)
  • Maize USD 266 (Maize)
  • Rose Hill USD 394 (Rose Hill)

Kansas Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)

Children of active-duty military families may experience challenges with school enrollment, eligibility, placement, and graduation due to frequent relocations. The Military Interstate Children’s Compact (MIC3) helps address these challenges by providing consistent educational treatment for military-connected students who move between school districts and states.

The Compact was developed through collaboration among the Council of State Governments’ National Center for Interstate Compacts, the U.S. Department of Defense, national education associations, state and federal officials, school administrators, and military families. It became effective in July 2008. Kansas was the first state to adopt the Compact on April 9, 2008. Since January 2015, MIC3 has been adopted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.

MIC3 is overseen by an Interstate Commission, which is responsible for rulemaking, enforcement, and general oversight.

Note: The Compact applies to public schools only.

For additional information, visit the National Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) website. [external link]

Kansas Military Children Education Council (KMCEC)

Each state represented on the Military Interstate Children’s Compact (MIC3) Interstate Commission is required to establish a state council. In Kansas, this role is served by the Kansas Military Children Education Council (KMCEC). The council supports the implementation of the Compact and addresses educational issues affecting military‑connected children in Kansas public schools.

Kansas State Department of Education

Dr. Randy Watson
Commissioner
(785) 296-3202 

Makayla Aldridge
Administrative Officer
(785) 296-3202 

Dale Brungardt
School Finance Director
MIC3 Commissioner’s Designee for Kansas
(785) 296-3872

Department of Defense Liaison and Military Representative

Col. Duane L. Mosier
Garrison Commander
U.S.A.G. Fort Leavenworth
(913) 684-2993

Executive Branch Governor’s Military Council

LTG (Ret) Perry L. Wiggins
Executive Director
(910) 916-9308

Superintendents of USD’s With High Concentration of Military Children

Dr. Reginald Eggleston
Superintendent Geary County USD 475 (Fort Riley)
(785) 717-4000

Dr. Keith Mispagel
Superintendent Fort Leavenworth USD 207
(913) 651-7373

Heather Bohaty
Superintendent Derby USD 260
(316) 788-8400

 

Other stakeholders:

Ashley Parsons
School Liaison Officer 
Fort Leavenworth, Child and Youth Services
(913) 684-1655

Greg Martin
School Liaison Officer 
McConnell AFB, Airman and Family Readiness Center
(316) 759-3326

Sandy Johnson
School Liaison Officer
Fort Riley, Child and Youth Services/DFMWR
(785) 240-3261

Legislative Appointments:

Senator Jeff Longbine
District 17 (Emporia)
(785) 296-7384  

 

KMCEC Meeting Summaries

  • Feb. 29, 2024: Virtual meeting (PDF) - Document available upon request.
  • ​Feb. 24, 2023: Virtual meeting (PDF)​  - Document available upon request.

Resources for Military-Connected Families and Educators

Kansas Board of Regents – Military Education Support

Veterans and active-duty military members with questions about federal financial aid for enrollment at a Kansas university or community college may contact the Kansas Board of Regents for assistance.

Kansas Statutes Related to Military-Connected Students

  • Interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children. Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.)  72-8268 [ksrevisor.gov]
  • Age of Entrance. K.S.A. 72-3118 [ksrevisor.gov]
    • Fact Sheet Compliance with age requirements (PDF) - Document available upon request.
  • Textbook rental plan; fees K.S.A.  72-3346 [ksrevisor.gov]
  • Board of Education; authorization to purchase certain items for use of pupils. K.S.A. 72-3352 [ksrevisor.gov] 
  • Fees; supplemental charges authorized to be prescribed and collected, disposition of moneys. K.S.A. 72-3353 [ksrevisor.gov]

National and Statewide Organizations

Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3)

Provides national guidance, resources, and oversight related to the Compact. For more information, visit the MIC3 website. [external link]

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)

A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military‑connected children succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. For more information, visit the MCEC website. [external link]

For more information, contact:

Katie Albright
(785) 296-3872