11:48 a.m.  UPDATE  TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Concordia and McPherson school districts have been selected as the first members of the Kansas Coalition of Innovative School Districts.

The districts were chosen Wednesday after submitting applications and making presentations to Gov. Sam Brownback, House Education Committee Chairwoman Kasha Kelley and Senate Education Committee Chairman Steve Abrams.

A 2013 law created the process for districts to seek innovative status, meaning they would be exempt from state rules and regulations in exchange for the freedom to develop strategies to boost student achievement. The districts would operate similar to charter schools, but still be accountable to local boards of education and the State Board of Education.

McPherson superintendent Randy Watson will serve as chairman of the board, which will review the other applications for possible inclusion as innovative districts.

 

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials from eight school districts are to make their final pitch to governor and two key legislators for inclusion as initial board members of the Kansas Coalition of Innovative School Districts.

The district officials will appear Wednesday before Gov. Sam Brownback, House Education Committee Chairwoman Kasha Kelley and Senate Education Committee Chairman Steve Abrams to make presentations.

A 2013 law created the process for districts to seek innovative status, meaning they would be exempt from state rules and regulations in exchange for the freedom to develop strategies to boost student achievement. The districts would operate similar to charter schools, but still be accountable to local boards of education and the State Board of Education.

Two initial districts will serve as the board that will approve future applications for innovative status.