EXECUTIVE ORDER 06-12

WHEREAS, Kansas public schools have a strong and positive tradition of academically preparing students for their futures; and

WHEREAS, as Kansans engage in 21st century societal issues, there is a growing awareness of the need determining how effective schools are in providing a healthy and prepared learning environment for their school children regardless of geographic location, economic status or social factors; and

WHEREAS, no single Kansas agency has the exclusive responsibility of providing a safe, healthy and prepared learning environment; and

WHEREAS, in the past, on an as needed basis, representatives from selected state agencies met to respond to immediate health or safety issues; and

WHEREAS, as our society and its issues become increasingly complex, there is greater understanding that this past approach will not adequately meet new challenges; and

WHEREAS, our society and especially parents expect their children to be provided with a safe and healthy environment where school officials are prepared to handle unforeseen events that have the potential to blossom into crisis events.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Kansas, I hereby create the Governor’s Commission for Healthy and Prepared Schools (“Commission”) with the following purposes and charges:

1. The heads of the following state agencies and instrumentalities, or their designees shall participate on the Commission:  Kansas Department of Education, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Adjutant General’s Department, Department of Health and Environment, and the Office of the Governor.
2. The Governor shall appoint a representative on the Commission from the following organizations:  United School Administrators, Kansas National Educators Association and Local Education Agency.
3. The Governor shall appoint to the Commission a school nurse, a representative of public health, a representative of mental health, a representative of a non-profit agency, a parent representative, a school resource officer and a representative of local emergency management.
4. The Governor shall appoint the chair of the Council.
5. The Commission shall establish a vision statement, mission statement and guiding principles.
6. The Commission shall conduct a needs assessment to understand the nature of threats to the health and safety of Kansas’ school children and staff members.
7. The Commission shall identify gaps and limitations of current school crisis planning.
8. The Commission shall identify necessary resources to support and equip all schools with a comprehensive all-hazards crisis response plan.
9. The Commission shall explore funding sources (public, private and non-profit) that will sustain the work and recommendation of the Commission.
10. The Commission shall seek ideas to create a multi-agency team that has the authority to establish standards for school crisis plans, training requirements, skills, needed resources and accountability procedures.
11. The Commission shall develop a marketing plan for stakeholders promoting the vision, the needs, the value and obtaining feedback from the Commission’s recommendations.
12. The Commission shall improve awareness and communication with local/state response agencies regarding the unique assets and resources of schools.
13. The Commission shall consider ideas of establishing necessary logistics needed to sustain the work and recommendations of the Commission.
14. The Commission shall explore necessary procedures enabling the State of Kansas to pursue funding opportunities from grants, other government agencies, non-profit organizations, for profit businesses and other sources that would support the implementation of enhanced school preparation efforts which are integrated with community plans.
15. The Commission shall report their findings and recommendations to the Governor.
16. The Commission will meet as determined by the chair of the Commission.
17. Members of the Commission shall not receive compensation, subsistence, allowance or associated expenses.  Officers or employees of state agencies who are appointed to the Commission as part of their duties shall be authorized to participate on the Commission and may claim subsistence, allowance, mileage or associated expenses as permitted by law.
18. All agencies under the control of the Governor which are on the Commission are directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the Commission.