Workforce Network of Kansas

Workforce Network of Kansas
Leadership Team Conference Call
June 24, 2003

Board members participating in the call were Ken Bell, Karin Brownlee, Gerald Cook, Val DeFever, and Dwayne Peaslee. Staff members in attendance were Barb Reavis and Konnie Leffler.

The call was convened at 2:00 p.m. Bell had requested this call to report back to the Leadership Team on the June 5, 2003 meeting he and Cook had with Jim Garner, Secretary of KDHR and Jim DeCoursey, Director of Employment and Training, KDHR. Bell and Cook agreed that the outcome of their meeting was not encouraging with regard to the status of the WNK board and its proposed projects. The research project, which had been approved by the WNK Board, has not been approved by Garner, who has concerns that this project will be a repetition of the work that LMIS already does.

The perception shared by Bell and Cook was that the Board will hold no funds, and KDHR will exercise all budgetary control over WIA money, although KDHR will continue to reimburse board members for their expenses traveling to and from the board meetings. They also believed KDHR will expect the Board to meet infrequently, act in an advisory role only and be staffed by a KDHR employee.

They also understand that DeCoursey has put together a group of people responsible to the Local Areas, and that this group is meeting on a regular basis to establish policy with no input from the State Board.

During the meeting, Bell and Cook both emphasized their volunteer status in serving on the Board, and suggested to Garner that a new Board be appointed immediately.

Reavis reported that although the research project still hasn't moved forward, it wasn't wholly defunct yet, and that Garner, DeCoursey, and Bill Layes of LMIS had met this week to discuss it further. She had three meetings last week and one this week with DeCoursey to discuss the structure of the State Board and to determine its legality. If the Board is significantly changed, as it would have to be to fit with the Lieutenant Governor's proposals, it would negate its "WIA alternative entity" status. It would then need to be restructured completely to meet WIA board requirements. Reavis reported she urged whatever action will be taken regarding the Board structure to be done quickly.

Reavis alerted Leadership Team members that the Employer Services PowerPoint presentation had been sent out this week to those who requested it and to the LWIB chairs. Bell commented on the professional look of the presentation and the efficiencies of providing the foundation for Local Area to customize.

Reavis checked to make sure everyone had received invitations from KDHR to the Lt. Governor's presentation on Friday, June 27 and to gather RSVP's. Bell had not received an invitation but would not attend since his presence might have created some discomfort.

Bell announced that he will be resigning from the Board and expressed regrets that the Board was being rendered ineffective just as it was beginning to make significant advances in directing workforce issues in Kansas. He will be submitting his letter of resignation after he visits with the Lt. Governor. Bell stated that he appreciated all that the Leadership Team has accomplished and thanked everyone for their time, support, and dedication.

Brownlee expressed concern that a new Board may cause a loss of accountability since it will have no authority and all authority will shift to the executive branch or back to KDHR. She also suggested that Reavis compile a summary of the Board's accomplishments and send it to the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of KDHR, and all the Board members. Reavis agreed to do so.

The call adjourned at 2:45 p.m.