Topeka — The Kansas State Board of Education voted unanimously to suspend a routine financial reporting practice tied to the mentor teacher program until state funding is reinstated.

Dr. Renee Nugent, deputy commissioner for the Division of Learning Services, told the board the regulation requiring districts that receive state funds to submit annual mentor-program evaluation reports remains in statute but that, because there are currently no state funds allocated, KSDE recommends changing practice rather than the regulation.

Board member Betty moved the motion: "I move that the Kansas State Board of Education approve removing the requirement to turn in applications and reports associated with mentor program grant funding unless and until funding is reinstated." The motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous recorded vote.

Nugent clarified the change pertains to the financial reporting stream, not licensure requirements: "So districts really ultimately have to decide how and if they're gonna fund a mentor program," she said, adding licensure reporting linked to mentor requirements still applies.

What it means: Districts may continue mentor programs at local expense and local boards will manage funding and records; KSDE will not require the state-level financial application/report until funding returns. The board made no change to licensure-related reporting requirements connected to mentor programs.