KHI NEWS SERVICE
TOPEKA, Aug. 10
A Wichita educator, Emile McGill, has been appointed to the 2010 Commission.
Until recently, McGill was director of early childhood development for USD 259. She retired Aug. 1, closing a 37-year career with the school district.
McGill has a bachelor”s degree in elementary education and a master”s degree in elementary administration. She is a past president of the Kansas Alliance of Black School Educators.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius announced McGill”s appointment Friday. She replaces Barbara Mackey, who resigned.
“Emile brings an expertise to the table that”s second to none,” said Diane Gjerstad, USD 259″s director of governmental relations. “Her voice and experience will be especially helpful to the 2010 Commission as it evaluates the spectrum of early childhood programs in the state.”
The 2010 Commission is charged with advising lawmakers on educational issues.
Earlier this year, legislators asked the 2010 Commission to come up with a plan for better coordinating the state”s early childhood initiatives.
At its Aug. 20-21 meeting, the 2010 Commission will discuss a proposal to put the Kansas Children”s Cabinet in charge of
the over two programs currently administered by the Department of Health and Environment Education: Healthy Start, and the Infant-Toddler (Tiny K) programs. The proposal also would shift Early Head Start from the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and Parents as Teachers from the Department of Education.
Sebelius also reappointed Ray Daniels to the 2010 Commission. Daniels is a former superintendent with the Kansas City, Kan. School district. He retired in 2005.