Kansas and regional news
Meeting fuels Corkins speculation
November 21, 2006
Advertisement
A notice about a special state school board meeting set for Wednesday is continuing to fuel speculation that Education Commissioner Bob Corkins is on his way out the door.
However, none of the members of the Kansas State Board of Education contacted Monday night could say whether Corkins will lose his job at the meeting - or whether someone else will be hired to replace him before the new moderate majority takes control on Jan. 8.
Corkins, who was appointed by the board's conservative majority in October 2005, has been criticized by some legislators, many educators and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. That's because he was Kansas' first top school administrator in more than 80 years not to have served as a local superintendent first.
Corkins previously operated two small think tanks, lobbied against large increases in education funding and championed school voucher programs.
As commissioner, he led a reorganization of the department, creating a School Innovation Division, and has continued to support increasing the number of charter schools, which are freed from some state regulations to encourage innovation.
The special meeting, which will be done via telephone conference call, is being called to have a nonpublic executive session "to discuss nonelected personnel."
The call will originate at 3:30 p.m. in the board room of the State Education Building in Topeka.
Several board members who have discussed replacing Corkins said they had been calling each other to find out whether Corkins is the topic.
Janet Waugh, a Kansas City Democrat, said she had spoken with Bill Wagnon, a Topeka Democrat, and Sue Gamble, a moderate Republican from Shawnee, but none of them knew the nature of the executive session.
"I've gotten a call saying there is going to be one regarding nonelected personnel. But I don't have a clue," Waugh said.
Waugh said she hadn't been over to Corkins' office and thought he was still in his office Monday working on the board's December meeting agenda.
However, Waugh said that last week, after the board meeting, she had been told that Corkins' schedule had changed.
"It's my understanding that his appointments have been canceled and his law degree is down from the wall," Waugh said. "That was hanging on the wall, behind his desk."
Wagnon said he had no knowledge whether Corkins was moving out of his office, although he had heard "rumors to that effect."
Attempts to reach Corkins at his Lawrence home were unsuccessful Monday night.
Steve Abrams, the board's conservative Republican chair, also could not be reached.
And the board's vice chair, John Bacon, an Olathe conservative Republican, was tight-lipped about the nature of the executive session or whether it had anything to do with Corkins.
Bacon said he didn't know whether there would be a motion coming out of the executive session, where a formal vote could be taken.
Action could be taken if there were at least six members present and all would vote in the affirmative. It takes six votes on the 10-member board to approve a motion, Bacon said.
When asked whether Corkins had moved out of his office, Bacon dismissed it as hearsay.
He didn't know whether Corkins would be at the meeting.
"A lot of times, executive sessions are just the board members, or whoever we ask to be in the meeting," Bacon said.
Two conservatives on the board, Iris Van Meter, a Thayer Republican, and Connie Morris, a Republican from St. Francis, both said they had no knowledge about the nature of the executive session.
"We'll have to wait until the meeting Wednesday," Morris said.
Top ads RSS
- Now hiring FT Leads for a variety of positions including ...
- Summer Instructors Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy at KU is ...
- RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community is currently accepting applications ...
- Cleaning Technician Sun. - Thurs. Evenings 2-3 hrs. per eve. ...
- District Manager Immediate opening with locally owned property management company. ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Proposed constitutional amendment to block federal health care reform considered February 9, 2010 · 8 comments
- Rep. John Murtha, Iraq war critic, dies at 77 February 9, 2010 · 80 comments
- Bill would allow big-cat hunting February 9, 2010 · 61 comments
- Blog: Marion - Disappeareded 1-23-2010 January 23, 2010 · 803 comments
- ‘Tea party’ is Palin’s people February 7, 2010 · 186 comments
- Blog: Could You Do It In 500? February 9, 2010 · 39 comments
- The only choice February 9, 2010 · 45 comments
- Stabbing victim in fair condition; Lawrence police seek public's help in finding suspect February 9, 2010 · 31 comments
- Tehran moves closer to warhead capacity February 9, 2010 · 31 comments
- UT forward miffed February 9, 2010 · 12 comments
- Bill would allow big-cat hunting February 9, 2010
- Aldrich’s father gets to ‘live a dream’ — in Lawrence February 9, 2010
- Chancellor Gray-Little supports schools February 9, 2010
- Henry gets physical for KU February 9, 2010
- Under her wing: Parent writes book on developmental disabilities February 8, 2010
- HealthGrades releases list of hospitals with lower mortality, complication rates February 9, 2010
- UT forward miffed February 9, 2010
- Eudora man hospitalized after head-on crash into tree February 9, 2010
- District delays moving freshmen February 9, 2010
- Climber prepares to peak in Argentina February 8, 2010
21 November 2006
at 7:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
tanzer (Anonymous) says…
ok that is nearly every board member saying they have no idea…
21 November 2006
at 7:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
werekoala (Anonymous) says…
Corkins needs to go. And people need to stop being appointed to high office based on who they agree with, rather than what they can do. This is the same BS that got us in trouble during Katrina and Iraq -
“you're doing a heckuva job, Corkie!”
21 November 2006
at 8:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
This reeks and stinks to high heaven of impropriety!!!
This reeks and stinks to high heaven of scandal!!!
This reeks and stinks to high heaven of cover-up!!!
This reeks and stinks to high heaven of housecleaning!!!
The recent speculation about Corkins and the “new” KBOE makes perfect sense. It's only natural to wonder, “What will the new 'moderate majority' think of Corkins' lack of educational experience, and what will they do about it?”
But now… the *current* kboe… including two or three conservative extremists who were recently voted out… suddenly decides they need to have a meeting?!?!?
Mark my words: Connie Morris is behind this one.
Whether they plan to fortify Corkie's position as commissioner, or whether they plan to quietly cut him a severance check at the end of the week, this is a cover-up!!!
Remember what happened during the final days of Enron, folks. It's happening again.
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
21 November 2006
at 9:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
nugget (Anonymous) says…
Editorial error.
The two “small think tanks” Korkins ran were actually “one-man think tanks”. In other words, well, you get it. Guess there's no need for him to dust off the resume, but bets are his mid six-figure income as Kommissioner is headed back down to the $30-40K the news reported he made prior to his appointment.
Korkins, Kline, Kongressman Ryun. Three reps this state is better off without. Just my opinion, but the state majority shares it. Remember dear red team, it took a lot of your folks voting blue to get to where we are.
21 November 2006
at 12:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
Exactly what do you base your assessment on, karma_king? Admittedly, I have never met Foster—but somebody with a background in K-12 education is probably more qualified to be commissioner than someone with no experience whatsoever.
If there's a better candidate out there than Foster, let's find 'em! I trust the new board to pick a new commissioner based on criteria like experience, trust, and commitment to serving the children of Kansas.
So what's wrong with Foster? You had the cajones to open the door—do you have the cajones to walk through it?
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
21 November 2006
at 1:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
rhd99 (Anonymous) says…
Corkins knows nothing about Kansas education. Anyone who thinks he is the best thing since sliced bread is fooling him/herself. Look at this loser. He has NO education experience as a teacher, coach, let alone, NO credentials as a PROVEN leader in education administration. He is a backstabbing LAWYER who argued against school funding. OUT with the trash & IN with someone who has FRESH ideas. Thanks to Corkins & that loser conservative majority on the Board of Education & their pollution, which is no more come January, Kansas has been the laughing stock of the nation, politically & on late night talk shows. Well, NO MORE!
21 November 2006
at 1:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
We don't want anyone in education to head the education department! So does your plumber tune your car? School adminstrators oversee and manage staff and operations, and they were former classroom teachers. I get sick and tired of everyone thinking that teachers are incompetent. Why don't you try teaching sometimes? I mean anyone can teach, can't they?
21 November 2006
at 1:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
jayheel (Anonymous) says…
Wow nugget, you are really Klever with your interesting little misspellings. I'm surprised you didn't randomly bring up the city kommission just to go for the homerun.
The whole premise of this article is based on speculation. LJW, either get a scoop or wait until facts come out. Or print it in the opinion section where you can come right out and say what we all think: Sack Corkins.
21 November 2006
at 2 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
rhd99 (Anonymous) says…
dorothyhr, you're way off base, NOBODY was trashing the teachers, EVER in this message board. We are trashing the very poorest excuses of leaders in Kansas like corkins who make our state's education system look bad because of his pro-charter schools ANTI-public school funding rhetoric, not to mention the anti-evolutionists who have turned our great state into a base of endless late-night talk jokes. teachers, dorthyhr, thank you very much are the foundation of our education system. The brightest & most innovative teachers go on to be administrators of schools & school systems. So, the difference between corkins & the education professionals in Kansas, is that corkins never taught our kids!
21 November 2006
at 2:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
merrill (Anonymous) says…
Mystery of the day…
21 November 2006
at 2:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
wheatridge (Anonymous) says…
Argued against school funding - Would that be the school funding that has produced the US school children who are at the top the class in the world outside the US?
21 November 2006
at 2:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
rhd99 (Anonymous) says…
Folks, I leave you with this: You all may NOT agree with everything that the current Lawrence Schools Superintendent, Randy Weseman, has tried to do to make Lawrence Schools among the best in this great country of ours. Some policies of his may be controversial, but, if given the choice between CORKY & Weseman, I hope seriously you all know who the obvious choice is for the education top job in Topeka. If you don't, then I feel sorry for you.
21 November 2006
at 3:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
rhd99,
I was responding to karma_king's comments above.
21 November 2006
at 7:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
rhd99 (Anonymous) says…
Dorothy, my apologies. out with corkins!
21 November 2006
at 8 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Wilbur_Nether (Anonymous) says…
Regardless of how Corkins got the job in the first place; regardless of whether he should have received the job in the first place; regardless of how attacked he has been…. Now that he's there, shouldn't he be judged on how successful he has been in running the Department rather than on any of those other issues?
Just seems to me like that would be, well, fair. And Kansans are a fair people, yes?
21 November 2006
at 8:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…
“Now that he's there, shouldn't he be judged on how successful he has been in running the Department rather than on any of those other issues?”
THAT is the problem with Corky, all he seems to be able to do is chase off quality educational professionals from the DOE.
What success has he had?
What successes have come out of the KSDOE in the last 4 years that Corky has been at the helm?
21 November 2006
at 8:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
Well, for starters, he hired two people—without the consultation of the KBOE—to help him do his job. On the one hand, I suppose that's good. I mean, Corkie knows he doesn't know jack squat about education… and Corkie knows that WE know that he doesn't know jack squat about education. So, why not hire… not one, but TWO people to help you do your job! People with an actual background in K-12 education!
Trouble is, now we're paying three big salaries instead of one. Six of those KBOE members claimed to be “conservatives.” Guess they weren't talking about “fiscal conservatives.” Oh wait, this has been going on in Washington for six years, too. Sorry, my bad.
Still, you gotta wonder where Corkie dug up Larry Englebrick. Mysteriously, unceremoniously “released” from his last job, no explanation given. Things that make you go “Hhhhmmmmmmmm…” I can only speculate that maybe Corkie was trolling abortion clinics, like Phillllllll Kline did a few years back when he needed somebody to head up the consumer protection division.
Wilbur, did you happen to at least read the transcript from the Tuesday afternoon chat with Janet Waugh? This segment was rather interesting:
****************************
Kropotkin: Bob Corkins, a man with little educational or managerial experience, and Deputy Commissioner Englebrick, terminated from his previous job in Kansas City, gave out dozens of $1,995 “grants” apparently based on the thinnest of applicant qualifications. A great many recipients were not even Kansans. Awards lacked timeline, service or product requirements. One, for instance, was given to a degreeless, uncredentialed Missouri charter school substitute teacher. What is the position of the board on these giveaways?
Janet Waugh: At the last few meetings the board has discussed these grants and concerns were expressed regarding what services were rendered. At the last meeting I asked for a full report on each recipient, who did they work with, how much time did they spend, were applications submitted to local boards for charters, etc. Hopefully we will have a full report at our next meeting.
****************************
Now, I don't know about you, but that amount is kinda puzzling.
$1,995.00
Why welch on the last five bucks? Why not just give 'em an even $2,000?
Could it be that “$2,000” is the amount at which certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements kick in?
Is that “fair” enough for you, Wilbur? :)
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
21 November 2006
at 10:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
ASBESTOS (Anonymous) says…
“Six of those KBOE members claimed to be “conservatives.” Guess they weren't talking about “fiscal conservatives.” Oh wait, this has been going on in Washington for six years, too. Sorry, my bad.”
THat is a great call Agnostik!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
AND another good catch:
“Now, I don't know about you, but that amount is kinda puzzling.
$1,995.00
Why welch on the last five bucks? Why not just give 'em an even $2,000?
Could it be that “$2,000” is the amount at which certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements kick in?”
That is right, Campaign finance law is at $2000.
22 November 2006
at 5:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
road_to_nowhere (Anonymous) says…
Foster could never handle the duties of commish, he's just a weasel who finally had someone at the top to suck up too who was as clueless as him.