24 August 2005

Governor’s appointments to focus on improving our schools
Group helps states share innovations, new ways to strengthen schools

Governor Kathleen Sebelius is committed to strengthening our schools and believes sharing ideas and innovations with other states benefits Kansas kids and schools.

“Kansans value good schools. We can help make our schools better by learning from the experiences of other states. And soon, other states will learn how to increase school accountability by replicating our first-in-the-nation audits of school districts,” said Governor Sebelius.

Today, Governor Sebelius announced her appointments of Dr. Robert McFrazier and Dr. Alexa Posny to the Education Commission of the States. Each will serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

The Education Commission of the States collects, correlates, analyzes and interprets data and information concerning educational needs and resources in each state.

Dr. McFrazier, Berryton, has over thirty-five years of experience in the education field, both as an administrator and teacher. Between 1999 and 2003, he was superintendent of Topeka Public Schools. He served as a chairperson for Visiting Teams for North Central Accreditation and Advisory Board Co-Chair for the Kaufman Foundation Kansas Superintendents Forum. Dr. McFrazier has been a member of the American Association of School Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and past president of the Kansas Affiliate of the National Alliance of Black School Educators.

Dr. Posny, Lawrence, is currently the assistant commissioner of education for the Kansas State Department of Education. She has worked for the Education Department since 1999, serving as state director of special education before her current position. Working in various capacities, Dr. Posny has over thirty years of experience in education focusing on special education. She also taught at the University of Kansas, where she facilitated the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, the State of Kansas Teacher Education Systemic Reform Initiative and the Kansas-Missouri Initiative in Interprofessional Education and Training.