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State News September 10, 2025 - 6:27 pm

Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson announces retirement

by Suzanne Perez, Kansas News Service

Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson announced his impending retirement Wednesday. He plans to remain in the post until his successor is named.

Education April 12, 2022 - 4:19 pm

Kansas education commissioner publicly apologizes for racist story about Native Americans

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

The Kansas commissioner of public education apologized Tuesday for telling attendees of an online education conference that when growing up he attempted to convince people visiting the state they should be more afraid of dangerous American Indians than violent tornadoes.

Education February 28, 2022 - 10:31 pm

Lawrence school board blasts state board member for handling of top educator’s racist statements

by Emma Bascom

Several Lawrence school board members expressed anger during their meeting Monday after Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson retained his job despite video showing him making racist comments about Native Americans.

Community Voices February 25, 2022 - 11:37 am

Letter to the Times: Education commissioner’s remarks compound grief Indigenous children are feeling

by Carole Cadue-Blackwood, LMSW

“Now is the time for the State of Kansas to act and invest in our educational systems. Our communities of color deserve better,” Carole Cadue-Blackwood writes in this letter to the Times.

State News February 25, 2022 - 10:20 am

Kansas Board of Education rejects resignation of state education commissioner

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

The Kansas State Board of Education rejected the resignation Friday of the state education commissioner following evidence he said during a video conference that during his youth he tried to persuade children to fear for their safety among American Indians.

Education February 24, 2022 - 8:44 pm

Native American educators call for reform after racist comments from the state’s top educator

by Tricia Masenthin

A professional group of Native American educators from Kansas called for reform after the state’s top educator made racist comments that were recorded on video.

State News February 24, 2022 - 4:18 pm

‘Worry about the Indians raiding’: Kansas education commissioner under fire for conference statement

by Sherman Smith and Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson said during a conference earlier this month that as a child, he convinced his out-of-state cousins that American Indians posed a bigger threat to their safety than tornadoes.

State News February 24, 2022 - 9:50 am

Kansas governor calls on education commissioner to resign for discriminatory remark

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Gov. Laura Kelly said Thursday the state’s education commissioner must resign after making a discriminatory remark and urged the Kansas State Board of Education to work on addressing problems raised by the comments.

State News February 23, 2022 - 6:12 pm

Kansas education board to meet over commissioner’s ‘inappropriate’ comment about American Indians

by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

The Kansas State Board of Education plans to meet Friday behind closed doors to discuss an “inappropriate” comment education commissioner Randy Watson made earlier this month regarding American Indians.

Top Posts & Pages

  • Kansas will get the world’s first mile-deep nuclear reactor and the groundbreaking is next week
    Kansas will get the world’s first mile-deep nuclear reactor and the groundbreaking is next week
  • Lawrence Beauty Brands to close later this month
    Lawrence Beauty Brands to close later this month
  • Kansas is one of the top hemp growing states, but a federal change threatens the industry
    Kansas is one of the top hemp growing states, but a federal change threatens the industry
  • Participants in Lawrence debate on affordable housing all want to see people housed, but the ‘how’ is complicated
    Participants in Lawrence debate on affordable housing all want to see people housed, but the ‘how’ is complicated
  • ‘By hook or by crook,’ the Lawrence Public Library’s collections team gets books, materials in patrons’ hands
    ‘By hook or by crook,’ the Lawrence Public Library’s collections team gets books, materials in patrons’ hands

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Current Top Posts

  • Kansas will get the world’s first mile-deep nuclear reactor and the groundbreaking is next week
    Kansas will get the world’s first mile-deep nuclear reactor and the groundbreaking is next week
  • Lawrence Beauty Brands to close later this month
    Lawrence Beauty Brands to close later this month
  • Kansas is one of the top hemp growing states, but a federal change threatens the industry
    Kansas is one of the top hemp growing states, but a federal change threatens the industry
  • Participants in Lawrence debate on affordable housing all want to see people housed, but the ‘how’ is complicated
    Participants in Lawrence debate on affordable housing all want to see people housed, but the ‘how’ is complicated
  • ‘By hook or by crook,’ the Lawrence Public Library’s collections team gets books, materials in patrons’ hands
    ‘By hook or by crook,’ the Lawrence Public Library’s collections team gets books, materials in patrons’ hands
  • Construction on Bob Billings to reduce road to one lane for multiple blocks
    Construction on Bob Billings to reduce road to one lane for multiple blocks
  • Lawrence Holiday Homes Tour, benefiting Habitat for Humanity, to return
    Lawrence Holiday Homes Tour, benefiting Habitat for Humanity, to return

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