Thursday, May 7, 2026 | Issue 188

Feature Stories

Tim Schierbeck, far right, has been a special education teacher and coach at the Kansas State School for the Blind for the past 30 years. Also pictured, from left: Ben Webster, a KSSB student, Christian Puett, a KSSB teacher and forensics coach, and Erin Meyer, KSSB dorm director.

(Photo submitted by Tim Schierbeck)

Paul Ososki, center, now in his 14th year as a kindergarten teacher at the Kansas School for the Deaf, works with two of his students during the Kansas State Board of Education's visit to the Olathe school in April.

Teacher Appreciation Week:

Honoring Kansas Educators Who Champion

Students with Unique Abilities

As Teacher Appreciation Week concludes on May 8, two Kansas educators share why they chose their special education paths.

Tim Schierbeck, Kansas State School for the Blind

The three decades Tim Schierbeck has served as a special education teacher and coach at the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) have “flown by” and he’s grateful for the students and staff who are like family at the Kansas City, Kansas, school.

“The students have provided me with memories and laughter for a lifetime,” he said. “The staff at KSSB have always been supportive and I could not have asked for a better place to work.”

State Board to focus on digital classroom technology during May meeting

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.

Reporting and Operations

Reminder: Safe and Secure Schools

2026-27 grant application open

House Bill 2513 passed during the 2026 legislative session establishes a $2.5 million grant program available for use within Kansas K–12 public school district buildings. Costs associated with school buses or private schools are not eligible under this program.

This program operates on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis and is intended to support the following eligible expenditures:

Secure infrastructure
Secure technologies
Communications systems
First-year School Resource Officer (SRO) positions
Naloxone

The Kansas State Board of Education will review and vote on proposed expenditures at its July 2026 meeting. Districts will be notified of award decisions shortly thereafter. All grant funds must be expended or encumbered by June 30, 2027.

Access the Safe and Secure Schools grant how-to guide - May 2026 for guidance.

Completed applications must be submitted in Excel format to John Calvert, john.calvert@ksde.gov, no later than June 12. He can also be contacted via email and (785) 296-7056 with questions.

Kansas Volunteer Commission offers

9/11 National Day of Service mini grants

The U.S. Congress designated Sept. 1, as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in 2009. AmeriCorps was charged with supporting this effort across the country.

With funding from AmeriCorps, the Kansas Volunteer Commission is working with organizations across the state to engage volunteers in tribute projects to honor 9/11 victims, survivors, and others who rose in service in response to the attacks.

The commission is offering mini grants to recruit and engage volunteers in meaningful service activities OR to deliver a service-learning activity that relates to 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Grant applications are due June 8, for the grant period Sept. 1 - 30, 2026.

Contact volunteer@ksde.gov with questions.

Reminder: Mandated reporting video

available on YouTube

A video describing updates to mandated reporting requirements is available on YouTube.

The video outlines the recent updates that clarify expectations for recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, ensuring professionals and community members can respond quickly and appropriately when concerns arise.

Contact Trish Backman, trish.backman@ksde.gov, or Stacy Clarke, stacy.clarke@ksde.gov, with questions.

ICYMI: Templates for discipline data and

ESI documentation available

With the rollover to the new website, KSDE is aware of two data collection templates not loading. As this gets resolved, they have been attached here for your convenience.

Discipline Data Collection template: Discipline data for 2025-26 is due by June 30.

ESI Data template: ESI data from Dec. 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, is due June 10.

Contact Trish Backman, trish.backman@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6937, or Brian Dempsey, brian.dempsey@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-5522.

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

KESA monthly virtual update set for May 11

The KESA monthly update will be 10:30 – 11:15 a.m., on Monday, May 11.

Join the Zoom meeting here.

Year-end data from the School Improvement Days and action plans will be shared, and there will be a walkthrough of the 2026-27 School Improvement Days.

Contact Jay Scott, jay.scott@ksde.gov, with questions.

Standards and Instruction

Kansas Preschool Pilot grant End of Year Report in Foundations for School Success

web application is open

Kansas Preschool Pilot 2025-2026 grantees must complete their End of Year Report in the Early Childhood Foundations for School Success (FSS) Authenticated web application by June 1.

This survey can be found in the KSDE Authenticated Applications. The login to KSDE authenticated applications can be found here. If you do not have access to FSS, follow the directions on p. 9 of the Early Childhood Foundation for School Success User’s Guide to gain access. To enter information into FSS, you will need a “District/Org Update” or "Multi-Org Update” user access level.

This report provides important information to support early childhood investments in our state.

Refer to p. 10 of the 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application for a list of the questions in the report.

Contact Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov, with questions.

Committee members needed for higher education preparation standards revisions

The KSDE teacher licensure team is seeking volunteers to revise the following educator preparation standards: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Gifted, Library Media Specialist, Music/Instrumental/Vocal, Physics, School Counselor, and middle-level Science.

Volunteers should hold a license or be higher ed faculty in the content area. Click on the following link for more information about the revision process and to note your availability. Share this call with colleagues whom you think would be interested: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FW5NDYB

Contact Catherine Chmidling, catherine.chmidling@ksde.gov, or (785) 291-3573 with questions.

Student Health and Nutrition

KSDE CNW team to host

procurement training on May 19

The KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team will be hosting “Procurement 101: The Basics," 2-3 p.m., on May 19. This training will introduce the fundamentals of federal procurement, including key requirements and definitions.

This virtual session is available at https://cnw.ksde.gov under Training, CNW Calendar. The training is also available on the KSDE Training Portal at https://learning.ksde.org under K12 Staff, Child Nutrition & Wellness: Procurement.

All sponsors must complete at least one hour of KSDE procurement training by June 30, of this year.

Contact Holly Steinlage, holly.steinlage@ksde.gov, with questions.

Body Venture 2026-27 applications

due May 31

Body Venture is a traveling health education exhibit for K-5 students to help them learn about the importance of making healthy food choices and being physically active.

The “Request to Schedule Body Venture” form for the 2026-27 school year is available at https://cnw.ksde.gov > SNP > SNP What’s New. This form includes more information about Body Venture along with frequently asked questions. The deadline to apply is May 31.

Contact the Child Nutrition and Wellness team, cnw@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-2276 with questions.

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Make plans to attend the

Kansas Literacy Summit, July 27, at the

Great Ideas in Education Conference

Mark your calendars: The Kansas Literacy Summit will be held on Monday, July 27, the first day of the KSDE Great Ideas in Education Conference, at the Hyatt Regency, in Wichita.

The summit is a full day of professional learning for reading specialists, LETRS^® facilitators or literacy leadership professionals.

Morning session: Dr. Dale Webster and Dr. Maya Valencia-Goodall from CORE will present on the intersection between structured literacy and multilingual learners.
Early afternoon session: Dr. Trina Spencer, researcher and designer of assessments and materials, will present on how to identify students who need additional support in oral language.

The day will conclude with a panel discussion of Kansas educators who implemented our “Plan, Do, Study, Act” model to identify literacy problems in practice and address them.

Attendees can register for the full Great Ideas conference and attend the Literacy Summit as “Day 1” of the conference; or register for only the summit by selecting “Pre-Conference Only” when registering. Register here for the summit and/or the Great Ideas conference.

Contact Dr. Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.

Reminder: Registration open for 2026 KSDE

SETS Leadership Conference, June 23–25

The 2026 KSDE Special Education and Titles Services Conference, June 23-25, is designed for Kansas educational leaders overseeing special education, school improvement, ESEA programs, and early childhood.

The latest policy updates and practical strategies for improving district educational services will be provided.

Contact Brad Schwartz, blschwartz@pittstate.edu, with questions.

Reminder: Fine arts educator

summer workshops offered

KSDE is offering professional development workshops for any teacher interested in arts integration and any teacher teaching music, theatre, art or media arts classes.

These workshops are designed to address high quality, standards aligned instruction, providing engaging, interactive learning.

May 26-27: Exploring Music in Early Childhood: A Teacher Workshop, in Lawrence.

June 2 – 3: Teaching Theatre Techniques: Applying Classic and Innovative Techniques for Strengthening Belonging, in Manhattan.

June 4 – 5: African Drumming Workshop, in Manhattan.

June 8 – 9: Media Arts: a Growing, Ever-Changing form of Artistic Expression, in Shawnee.

June 11 - 12: Discovering the Conceptual Integration of Art, Math, and Science, in Manhattan.

Contact Joyce Huser, joyce.huser@ksde.go v, with questions.

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and Educate Kansas are hosting the 2nd Annual BOOST Summit (Building Opportunities for Outstanding Teachers), June 29–30, at Emporia State University.

This two-day event will feature dynamic breakout sessions focused on educator recruitment and retention, special keynote presentations from KSDE and The American Association of School Personnel Administrators leadership, and a spotlight on both evidence-based strategies and innovative, emerging practices.

Summit information and registration can be found here.

Contact Cris Seidel, crisseidel@educatekansas.org, with questions.

Administrator Convention Experience to be featured at the 98th State FFA Convention

The 98th State FFA Convention, May 27-29, will feature a special immersive experience for school administrators and CTE directors to learn more about the impact of school-based agricultural education programs.

Jeff Hines, nationally recognized ag educator and principal of Paola High School, Paola USD 368, will facilitate this session, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., in the K-State Student Union, Room 202, on Thursday, May 28.

Contact Anthony Meals, anthony.meals@ksde.gov, with questions.

Save-the-date for fall 2026: “Screen Time and Young Minds” LICC virtual retreat

The fall 2026 Local Interagency Coordinating Councils (LICC) virtual retreat will be 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Oct. 23.

Mark you calendars for this event targeted to providers and teachers of children birth to age 5 and their families, but open to everyone who wants to learn about the screen time effects on infants and kindergarteners. Angie Neal, a speech language pathologist, will review the impacts of screen time on developing brains, offer ways to mitigate the effects, and discuss how to have conversations about screen time with families.

Contact Stacy Clarke, stacy.clarke@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-3953.

Wichita State and Wichita USD 259

to host Propellus Tech Summit on May 29

The Wichita State University College of Education and Wichita USD 259 will be hosting the Propellus Tech Summit at the WSU Rhatigan Student Center, on May 29.

Find more information and register here for this event that will include session on education technology and artificial intelligence, classroom ready ideas, hands-on learning and inspiring speakers. Teachers, coaches, administrators and students in teacher preparation programs are encouraged to attend.

Contact propellus@wichitapublicschools.org with questions.

Kansas Technical Assistance System Network  training opportunities

The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) provides evidence-based professional learning and technical assistance, grounded in the federal requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

View upcoming professional learning opportunities on the TASN events calendar.
Learn more about TASN projects.

Contact Michele Hayes, mrhayes@pittstate.edu, with questions.

Calendar

May

8: ESEA program administrator webinar series, 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Register here: https://ksdetasn.org/event_groups/T0xWJA. Contact: Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, (785) 296-6714.

8: Deadline to submit Special Education Transportation Claim Form (Form 308). Contact: Rose Ireland, rose.ireland@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4973.

11: KIDS Collection End of Year Accountability window opens; closes June 30. Contact: KSDE Helpdesk (785) 296-7935.

11: KESA monthly update, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m., virtual. Join the meeting here. Contact: Jay Scott, jay.scott@ksde.gov.

11: Kansas Parents as Teachers FY27 grant application due. Contact: Lisa Williams, lisa.williams@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4964.

11: Kansas Parent Education Program final expenditures claim form submission opens; closes May 22. Contact: Amanda Williams, amanda.williams@ksde.gov, (785) 296-2020.

12: Juvenile Detention Center final expenditures submission window open; closes May 22. Contact: Amanda Williams, amanda.williams@ksde.gov, (785) 296-2020.

12-13: Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Landon State Office Building, Topeka. Click here for agenda and meeting materials.

15: CTE Pathways Student Data Management window opens; closes Aug. 15. Contact: Pathways Helpdesk, (785) 296-4908.

15: Window closes to request June federal funds (Form 240), if funds are available. Contact: Amanda Williams (785) 296-2020.

19: KSDE CNW hosts “Procurement 101: The Basics," 2-3 p.m., virtual. Go to https://cnw.ksde.gov under Training, CNW Calendar. Contact: Holly Steinlage, holly.steinlage@ksde.gov.

22: KIDS Collection TASC (Teacher and Student Connection) data submission closes. Contact: KSDE Helpdesk, (785) 296-7935.

28: ESEA Title IA monthly office hour, 9 – 10 a.m. Register here: ESEA Title IA May Office Hours . Contact: Roxanne Zillinger, roxanne.zillinger@ksde.gov.

29: Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) 2026-27 application due. Go to https://cnw.ksde.gov under SNP, SNP What’s New. Contact CNW@ksde.gov or (785) 296-2276 with questions.

31: Deadline to submit 2026-27 application for Body Venture exhibit: https://cnw.ksde.gov > SNP > SNP What’s New. Contact: Child Nutrition and Wellness team, cnw@ksde.gov, (785) 296-2276.

June

1: Applications are due for the next Kansas Registered Teacher Apprentice Program cohort. Contact: Joel Gillaspie, joel.gillaspie@ksde.gov, or Aysha Satterlee, aysha.satterlee@ksde.gov.

1: Deadline for Kansas Preschool Pilot 2025-2026 grantees to complete EOY report in the Early Childhood Foundations for School Success (FSS) authenticated web application. FSS User’s Guide. Contact: Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov.

3-5: Kansas School Transportation Safety Conference and State Driving Competition, DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport. Driving competition is June 3, in Maize. Go to https://www.kspta.net for conference information and registration.

8: Kansas Volunteer Commission 9/11 National Day of Service mini grant applications due. Contact: volunteer@ksde.gov.

9-10: Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Landon State Office Building, Topeka. Click here for agenda and meeting materials.

10: ESI data from Dec. 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, is due. Contact: Trish Backman, trish.backman@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6937, or Brian Dempsey, brian.dempsey@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-5522.

12: Safe and Secure Schools 2026-27 grant application due. Access the Safe and Secure Schools grant how-to guide - May 2026. Contact: John Calvert, john.calvert@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-7056.

23-25: KSDE Special Education and Title Services (SETS) Summer Leadership Conference, Wichita. Register here. Contact: Brad Schwartz, blschwartz@pittstate.edu.

29-30: 2026 BOOST Summit, Emporia State University. Register here. Contact: Cris Seidel, crisseidel@educatekansas.org.

30: Discipline data for 2025-26 is due. Contact: Trish Backman, trish.backman@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6937, or Brian Dempsey, brian.dempsey@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-5522.

July

14: Deadline to register for 2026 Great Ideas in Education conference, Wichita. Contact Kelli Byrne, kelli.byrne@ksde.gov, with registration questions.

27-29: 2026 Great Ideas in Education conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center, 400 W. Waterman, Wichita. Contact: Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov.

31: Using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) to Engage Families and Support Learning (Intermediate ASQ), virtual, 9- 10:30 p.m. Register here. Contact: Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov.

August

7: Introduction to the ASQ, virtual, 1 – 3 p.m. Register here. Contact: Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov.

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The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: KSDE General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, KSDE, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-3201.

State Board to focus on digital classroom technology during May meeting

Reminder: Registration open for 2026 KSDE

﻿SETS Leadership Conference, June 23–25

SETS Leadership Conference, June 23–25