Gov. Laura Kelly replaces three on Board of Regents appointed by Sam Brownback

Gov. Laura Kelly selected Cherryvale’s school superintendent, a Wichita restaurant owner and a former Gardner city administrator to serve on the Kansas higher education board responsible for coordinating 32 universities, community colleges and technical schools.

The Democratic governor nominated Cherryvale Superintendent Shelly Kiblinger; Jon Rolph, president and chief executive officer of Thrive Restaurant Group; and Cheryl Harrison-Lee, who stepped down last year as administrative officer of the Johnson County suburb of Gardner. Each nominee for the Kansas Board of Regents is subject to confirmation by the Republican-dominated Kansas Senate.

“Cheryl, Jon and Shelly are highly qualified professionals and ready to step up and take on this challenge,” Kelly said. “I look forward to their contributions as we work to ensure that our universities thrive.”

In terms of public education, the board’s ongoing challenge will be the politics of crafting a solid operating budget amid pressure to hold down student tuition rates and demonstrate this year’s $33 million appropriation from the Legislature warranted another significant cash infusion next year.

Read more: https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190713/gov-laura-kelly-replaces-three-on-board-of-regents-appointed-by-sam-brownback
(Topeka Capital-Journal)