Volume 6, Issue 1

January 2023

First Compact 101 Training of 2023

Elizabethtown Independent Schools Superintendent Kelli Bush and Student Services Director Travis Gay hosted Kentucky Compact Commissioner Steven Bullard, Fort Knox School Liaison Brenda Weatherington, and the National Office on January 2, 2023, for the Commission's first Compact 101 training of the year!

Commissioner Bullard highlighted state initiatives and proposed legislation relevant to Kentucky's public schools; Ms. Weatherington provided attendees with information on the role of the school liaison and the supports available to military families and schools; and the National Office trained on the Compact provisions.

The Commission offers free in-person and virtual Compact 101 training on request. To schedule a session, contact Lindsey Dablow at [email protected].

Monthly virtual Compact 101 webinars are also available - register for February's session here!

Webinar: Exploring the MIC3 Implementation Practices to Advocate for Military Children

Dr. Jenny Cogbill presented the final report from her doctoral capstone project focused on the implementation of the Compact and the role of the Commissioner in supporting military families. The study, which included a survey and interviews with compact commissioners, identifies opportunities to strengthen the compact program across states, and is in line with several areas of focus identified in the 2023-25 Strategic Plan.

MIC3 Featured in NYS Education Newsletter

In 2014, the State of New York adopted the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (the Compact) into law. The Compact addresses the challenges facing military children as a result of their frequent relocations. It establishes a framework for uniform treatment of military children as they transfer between school districts and states. The compact outlines the requirements that school districts must adhere to when enrolling and educating children of active-duty military personnel.

Read more

2021 Demographic Profile for the Military Community

The 2021 Demographics Profile of the Military Community report is available on now Military OneSource!

The full demographic report includes data on the total military force, including active-duty members, reserve and guard members, active-duty families, and reserve and guard families. It also has information at the service branch level, including Space Force.

Read more

Meet the Commissioner

The Commission is happy to welcome newly appointed Compact Commissioner Dale Brungardt for Kansas. Commissioner Brungardt grew up and attended school in Victoria, Kansas. After serving in the United States Air Force as a Nuclear Lab Technician, he earned his bachelor and master's degree from Fort Hays State University.   

Early in his teaching career, Commissioner Brungardt taught Math and Physics at both Hays and Phillipsburg High Schools. In 2002, he became the principal of Ellsworth’s Junior Senior High School. He served in that role until 2015 when he became the Superintendent for the Ellsworth Schools. Dale joined the School Finance team at the Kansas State Department of Education as the Director of School Finance in 2021. He lives in Topeka with his wife Beth and their goldendoodle. They have four children and one daughter-in-law and a very busy toddler grandson.  

National Guard and Reserve Legislative Toolkit

At the 2022 Annual Business Meeting (ABM), the Commission voted in favor of providing resources and guidance to member states who wish to enact new legislation outside the Compact to provide identical benefits to a wider population of NGR members. 

Pursuant to this direction, the Commission developed this toolkit. While this guidance is specific to the NGR population, it may be modified and applied to other highly mobile populations within member states.

Access the Toolkit here

Compact Video Series

Videos developed by the Training Committee outlining the four provisions provided to military children under Compact Article V: Placement and Attendance can be found on the Commission's YouTube Channel.

STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS

• Training - Tuesday, January 24, 1 PM ET
• Finance - Wednesday, January 25, 11 AM ET
• Rules - Tuesday, February 7, 2 PM ET
• Executive - Thursday, February 16, 1 PM ET
• Communications & Outreach - Wednesday, March 8, 2 PM ET
• Compliance - Tuesday, March 14, 2 PM ET
• Leadership Nomination - Monday, March 20, 1 PM ET

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Compact 101 Training - Wednesday, February 22, 4:00 PM ET - register here!