Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB142

Introduced
2/3/25  

Caption

Authorizing each school district to include a teacher representative as a nonvoting member of such district's board of education.

Impact

The implementation of SB142 would amend existing laws in Kansas concerning the structure and composition of unified school district boards. By introducing a nonvoting teacher representative, the bill seeks to promote collaboration and communication between teachers and board members on educational issues without affecting the voting decisions that determine policy and administrative actions. This change could lead to more informed decision-making processes that consider the insights and experiences of classroom educators.

Summary

Senate Bill 142 aims to enhance teacher involvement in the governance of school districts in Kansas by allowing each board of education the option to include a teacher representative as a nonvoting member. This representative is to be a licensed teacher elected by their peers within the district, serving a two-year term with the option for re-election for one additional term. The bill intends to provide a platform for teachers' voices on educational matters, thereby potentially improving relations between educational administration and faculty.

Contention

While supporters view SB142 as a progressive step towards inclusivity and representation for teachers, opponents may raise concerns regarding the effectiveness of a nonvoting position in impacting significant decisions affecting educators and students. Some critics argue that merely including a teacher without voting rights may not sufficiently address the issues faced by educational professionals, leaving unresolved concerns regarding their influence on policy and administration. Additionally, the concerns may extend to the overall governance structure of school boards and how this addition may influence the dynamics of board discussions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB185

Authorizing school districts to include a teacher representative and a student representative as non-voting members of its board of education.

KS HB2261

Authorizing boards of education of school districts to compensate board members for the duties and obligations of board members.

KS SB113

House Substitute for SB 113 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the department of education for FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25; establishing the mental health intervention team program; authorizing certain students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association; requiring school districts to post certain enrollment and academic information on school district websites; revising school district open-enrollment procedures; authorizing local school board members to receive compensation from their school district; authorizing current-year student enrollment for determinations of state foundation aid; continuing the 20 mill statewide tax levy for schools; amending the school districts that qualify for and the amount that school districts are able to levy pursuant to the cost-of-living weighting.

KS SB427

Requiring school districts to publicly list the names and email addresses of current school board members, authorizing local school board members to add new items to board meeting discussions, ask questions or engage in discussion with members of the public and access school property, authorizing members of the public to address school boards at board meetings and authorizing payment of annual dues to any not-for-profit organization that provides services to member school districts.

KS SB465

Authorizing school districts to levy an annual levy of up to two mills for the purposes of school building safety, security and compliance with the Americans with disabilities act and including such levy in the capital outlay state aid determination for such school districts.

KS SB428

Requiring that each attendance center needs assessment be conducted by the local board of education and include input from board members, teachers, school site councils and school administrators and that board members receive certain state assessment data and identifying allocations of money in the school district budget and budget summary.

KS HB2176

Creating the Arkansas city area public library district act and the Udall area public library district act, requiring an election for the creation of such district and authorizing unified school districts No. 470 and 463 to levy a tax on behalf of such library district.

KS HB2738

Revising the special education state aid statewide excess costs calculation to count additional funding, requiring the state board of education to determine each school district's excess costs and to establish a special education state aid equalization distribution schedule to distribute certain amounts of special education state aid and requiring school districts to transfer amounts attributable to the special education weighting from their supplemental general funds to their special education funds.

KS SB304

Authorizing the state board of education to establish a new unified school district, if necessary, for the attachment of territory of a school district disorganized via voter petition and providing for administrative and judicial review of resolutions to permanently close a public school building.

KS HB2458

Authorizing the state board of education to establish a new unified school district, if necessary, for the attachment of territory of a school district disorganized via voter petition and providing for administrative and judicial review of resolutions to permanently close a public school building.

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