Kansas Commissioner of Education
From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 5 min
| Kansas Commissioner of Education | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $230,000 |
| 2021 FY Budget: | $5,672,204,775 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serve at the pleasure of the Kansas Board of Education |
| Authority: | Kansas Constitution, Article 6, Section 4 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the Kansas Board of Education |
| Current Officeholder | |
Kansas Commissioner of Education
Randy Watson | |
| Other Kansas Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Secretary • Insurance Commissioner • Wildlife and Parks Secretary • Labor Secretary • Corporation Commission | |
The Kansas Commissioner of Education is a state executive position in the Kansas state government. The commissioner is appointed by the State Board of Education and oversees the day-to-day administrations of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). The KSDE oversees the state’s K-12 education system, including standards and assessments, special education services, child nutrition and wellness, title programs and services, career and technical education, and financial aid.[1][2]
Current officeholder[edit]
The current officeholder is Randy Watson.[3] Watson took office July 1, 2015, relieving Deputy Commissioner Brad Neuenswander of his role as interim commissioner. Neuenswander filled in for former Commissioner Diane DeBacker, who resigned in April 2014.[4][5][6]
Authority[edit]
The Kansas Constitution addresses the office of the Commissioner of Education in Article 6, Education.
Under Article 6, Section 4:
|
The state board of education shall appoint a commissioner of education who shall serve at the pleasure of the board as its executive officer. |
Qualifications[edit]
There are no specific qualifications for the office of Kansas Commissioner of Education.[1]
Appointments[edit]
Chapter 72, Article 76 of the Kansas Statutes addresses the method for selecting education commissioners:
(a) The state board shall appoint a commissioner of education as is provided by section 4 of article 6 of the constitution. The commissioner shall serve at the pleasure of the state board and perform such duties as are prescribed by law or by the state board.[1]
Vacancies[edit]
According to Kansas statute, "The state board may appoint a person to be the acting commissioner of education in any interim in which the office of commissioner of education is vacant."[1]
Duties[edit]
The commissioner provides guidance for the Kansas Department of Education's implementation of state and federal law in the state's 286 unified school districts.[7]
Divisions[edit]
As of January 25, 2021, the Kansas Office of the Commissioner of Education contains the following divisions:
- Fiscal and Administrative Services
- Learning Services[8]
State budget[edit]
- See also: Kansas state budget and finances
The Department of Education's budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 was $5,672,204,775.[9]
Compensation[edit]
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2020[edit]
In 2020, the commissioner’s salary was $230,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2019[edit]
In 2019, the commissioner’s salary was $175,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2018[edit]
In 2018, the commissioner’s salary was $175,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2017[edit]
In 2017, the commissioner’s salary was $175,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2016[edit]
In 2016, the commissioner’s salary was increased to $175,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2015[edit]
In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $170,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2014[edit]
In 2014, the commissioner received a salary of $170,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2013[edit]
In 2013, the commissioner received a salary of $170,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2011[edit]
In 2011, the commissioner received a salary of $170,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
Historical officeholders[edit]
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Kansas Commissioner of Education has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news[edit]
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Kansas Commissioner Education. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information[edit]
Randy Watson
Kansas Commissioner of Education
Phone: (785) 296-3202
Email: rwatson@ksde.org
Penny Rice
Administrative Officer
Phone: (785) 296-3202
Email: price@ksde.org
See also[edit]
- Superintendent of Schools
- Kansas school districts
- Kansas Department of Education
- Public education in Kansas
External links[edit]
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, "Kansas Statutes Chapter 72 - Schools," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Kansas State Department of Education, "About us," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Kansas Department of Education, "Office of the Commissioner," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Kansas Department of Education, "Commissioner of Education," accessed June 21, 2013
- ↑ The Topeka Capital-Journal, "Kansas Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker resigns for Abu Dhabi ed council," April 9, 2014
- ↑ The Wichita Eagle, "Kansas ed board meeting seeks opinions on qualities for new commissioner," May 22, 2014
- ↑ Kansas Division of the Budget, "FY 2021 Governor’s Budget Report Volume 1," accessed January 24, 2021
- ↑ Kansas State Department of Education, "About us," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Kansas Legislative Research Department, "FY2021 Appropriations Report," accessed January 24, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of States 2011- Table 4.11," accessed January 15, 2015
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