Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson under scrutiny for inappropriate remark
Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson made an inappropriate remark at a conference earlier this month, multiple state board of education members say, prompting the board to announce a special meeting set for Friday.
Watson, who leads the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), recounted at a conference on virtual education a story from his childhood in which he said that “you have a higher chance of coming to Kansas and getting killed by an Indian” than dying in a tornado, according to a public Facebook post.
The focus on Watson comes as KSDE and the board push forward on his signature initiative, Kansans Can, which calls for K-12 schools to move away from what it calls a “one size fits all” approach.
The board of education on Wednesday announced a 10 a.m. Friday meeting to discuss “non-elected personnel” in executive session. That discussion is expected to be closed to the public.
Board member Ann Mah said the meeting is about Watson’s comments. Board chair Jim Porter said he called the meeting and while he wouldn’t explicitly say it concerns Watson, he told a reporter to “draw your own conclusions” when asked if that was the topic.
The board hires and fires the commissioner. Watson became commissioner in 2015 and was previously superintendent of McPherson USD 418.
Any action following the Friday discussion will be held in public, Porter said. Watson has already apologized to “lots of people” and will continue to do so, he said.
“He recognizes that it was something that shouldn’t have been said. In my view, he’s taken the responsible position. But that being said, since it has come to the attention of the board of education, it’s our responsibility to address it,” Porter said.
Board member Janet Waugh said that the board is aware of Watson’s comments, but that she had not heard them herself. She said the board “takes matters such as this very seriously.”
Mah said Watson made a comment that was “inappropriate.” She added that Watson, too, believes it was inappropriate.
The board will discuss the matter on Friday, she said.
“People need to know that this board takes this very seriously. We will deal with it,” Mah said.
The Star is requesting recordings of the conference from KSDE, but it’s unclear if any exist. KSDE didn’t immediately comment.
On Feb. 15, Nikki Jackson, a law student, posted the quote on Facebook and attributed it to Watson. She also posted what she said was the bulk of the reply from board member Deena Horst when she emailed her about it.
According to Jackson, Horst wrote that Watson acknowledged telling the story and had been informing board members of what he said.
“In his call to me this morning, he apologized and said that he realized the hurt he caused by re-telling a story that took place during his childhood,” Jackson quoted Horst as writing.
Jackson and Horst didn’t immediately answer messages on Wednesday.
This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 6:27 PM.
