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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

  • Sheriff’s office makes arrest in fatal hit-and-run north of Lawrence
    Sheriff’s office makes arrest in fatal hit-and-run north of Lawrence
  • Intersections opening, closing on Iowa Street; prep underway for Bob Billings project
    Intersections opening, closing on Iowa Street; prep underway for Bob Billings project
  • Runner struck and killed was KU student from Omaha; deputies still seeking driver
    Runner struck and killed was KU student from Omaha; deputies still seeking driver
  • Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret
    Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret
  • Lawrence school board approves raises for administrators, hires planning firms for Langston Hughes expansion
    Lawrence school board approves raises for administrators, hires planning firms for Langston Hughes expansion

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Current Top Posts

  • Sheriff’s office makes arrest in fatal hit-and-run north of Lawrence
    Sheriff’s office makes arrest in fatal hit-and-run north of Lawrence
  • Intersections opening, closing on Iowa Street; prep underway for Bob Billings project
    Intersections opening, closing on Iowa Street; prep underway for Bob Billings project
  • Runner struck and killed was KU student from Omaha; deputies still seeking driver
    Runner struck and killed was KU student from Omaha; deputies still seeking driver
  • Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret
    Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret
  • Lawrence school board approves raises for administrators, hires planning firms for Langston Hughes expansion
    Lawrence school board approves raises for administrators, hires planning firms for Langston Hughes expansion
  • ‘It’s going to kill all of us’: Lawrence business owners say construction on 9th Street poses devastating financial impacts
    ‘It’s going to kill all of us’: Lawrence business owners say construction on 9th Street poses devastating financial impacts
  • Lawrence school board votes to appoint 4th-place candidate to board vacancy
    Lawrence school board votes to appoint 4th-place candidate to board vacancy

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