2011 Kansas Code
Chapter 72. - SCHOOLS
Article 44. - CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION
72-4468 Establishment; state board approval and legislative authorization required; standards, factors; procedure; determination of best educational interests of the state.

72-4468. Establishment; state board approval and legislative authorization required; standards, factors; procedure; determination of best educational interests of the state. (a) An area vocational school or an area vocational-technical school may be converted to, established as, and officially designated a technical college with the approval of the state board of regents pursuant to standards adopted by the state board and subject to specific authorization by act of the legislature.  Standards adopted by the state board for approval of the establishment of a technical college shall address such factors as present and projected need in the area of the proposed technical college for expansion or alteration of existing educational programs, types and capacities of other postsecondary institutions present in the area of the proposed technical college, potential enrollment in the program or programs to be offered and maintained by the proposed technical college, effect on delivery of vocational education programs to secondary students in the area, operation and accreditation of the proposed technical college, and such other factors as the state board may determine to be relevant to consideration of proposals for conversion of area vocational schools and area vocational-technical schools to technical colleges.

(b) A proposal to convert an area vocational school or an area vocational-technical school to a technical college may be effectuated as follows:

(1) The board of an area vocational school may propose, by resolution approved by a majority of the members of the board, the establishment of a technical college; or

(2) the board of control of an area vocational-technical school may propose, by resolutions approved by a majority of the members of each participating board, the establishment of a technical college.

(c) A proposal for the establishment of a technical college, approved by resolution as provided in subsection (b), shall be accompanied by an analysis, including supporting data, which documents how the educational interests of the state will be better served by the conversion of the area vocational school or area vocational-technical school to a technical college. Such analysis shall include an appraisal of how the benefits to the educational system of the state would be furthered by merger of the area vocational school or area vocational-technical school with a community college, municipal university or state educational institution, together with the rationale for the determination that conversion of the school to a technical college better furthers the educational interests of the state than merger with a community college, municipal university or state educational institution.

(d) If a resolution proposing the establishment of a technical college is approved as provided in subsection (b), the proposal shall be submitted to the state board of regents for its consideration and approval or disapproval.  The state board shall consider the proposal and make a determination concerning whether establishment of the technical college is in the best interest of the educational system of the state. In so doing, the state board shall evaluate whether the educational interests of the state would be better served by a merger between the area vocational school or area vocational-technical school and a community college, municipal university or state educational institution than by the proposal of technical college establishment. If the state board determines that a merger between the area vocational school or area vocational-technical school and a community college, municipal university or state educational institution would better serve the educational interests of the state or, for some other reason, determines approval of the proposal should not be given, the state board shall deny approval of the proposal and make a report thereon to the legislature. Otherwise, the state board shall approve the proposal and recommend establishment of the technical college to the legislature.