Sebelius appoints three to Regents

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday appointed three new members – all with political experience – to the Kansas Board of Regents.

Sebelius appointed former state Sen. Christine Downey-Schmidt of Inman, former congressional and attorney general candidate Dan Lykins of Topeka and Garden City Mayor Janie Perkins to four-year terms on the board.

“The Board of Regents has been critical to maintaining the level of excellence we’ve come to expect from Kansas universities, colleges and technical schools,” Sebelius wrote in a statement. “I’m confident the three individuals I’m appointing today will help continue that tradition of excellence.”

The appointments, which are effective immediately, are subject to confirmation by the Senate when the Legislature reconvenes in January. The appointments were made in time for the new members to attend an annual regents retreat next week at the Circle S Ranch north of Lawrence.

The nine-member board governs the six state universities and coordinates activities of Washburn University, 19 community colleges and 11 technical schools and colleges.

The new regents replace Deryl Wynn of Kansas City, Bill Docking of Arkansas City and Lew Ferguson of Topeka, each of whom did not seek to be reappointed.

Downey-Schmidt, a 56-year-old Democrat, served in the Senate from 1993 to 2004. She was ranking Democrat on the Senate Education Committee and previously spent 14 years as an elementary school teacher in Newton.

She was co-author of the 1999 legislation that reorganized governance of higher education in the state.

“From talking with former constituents, I know tuition increases and the decline in state support (for higher education budgets) are a big concern,” he said.

Lykins, 59, has run unsuccessfully as a Democrat in the 2nd Congressional District, for state attorney general and for state senate. He is a lawyer with Bryan Lykins, Hejtmanek and Fincher in Topeka.

He said increasing funds for university building maintenance will be among his priorities.

“They’re not getting adequate money to repair buildings, and it’s getting worse,” Lykins said. “We need to address that issue.”

Perkins, in her second term as Garden City mayor, also is supplemental program coordinator for the Garden City school district. Before that, she taught fourth grade and elementary art and reading.

She said living in Garden City has given her an appreciation for the state’s community college system, but she said she didn’t know what her priorities would be as a regent.

“I can say I’m looking forward to it,” said Perkins, a 43-year-old Republican.

Donna Shank of Liberal, who will be the chairwoman for the regents in the next year, said she was pleased with the appointments. She said she knew Downey but didn’t know Lykins or Perkins personally.

“It looks like they have excellent credentials,” she said. “Anybody who decides to jump in and do this has their work cut out for them. It’s very challenging and very rewarding.”