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5 Critical Battles: What The Kansas National Education Association Is Fighting For In 2025

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As of December 22, 2025, the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) is at the forefront of a high-stakes legislative session, battling to "Promote, Protect, and Strengthen Public Education" across the state. This year’s agenda is intensely focused on reversing a national decline in Kansas’s education standing, specifically targeting the state's alarmingly low teacher compensation and the critical need for enhanced student mental health resources. The organization’s work is vital to the 477,000 students and over 32,000 educators it represents, ensuring that the promise of a quality public education remains secure against ongoing political and financial challenges. The KNEA, an affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), operates as the most powerful voice for Kansas educators, encompassing teachers, administrators, and support professionals. Their 2025 strategic focus is a direct response to legislative actions that have impacted school funding and educator retention, making their advocacy in Topeka, Shawnee Mission, and Olathe school districts more crucial than ever. This deep dive into their current priorities reveals the five critical areas where the KNEA is concentrating its political and community influence this year.

KNEA Leadership Profile: The Architects of Kansas Education Policy

The KNEA’s direction and policy advocacy are steered by a dedicated team of elected educators who serve as the organization's executive officers. This leadership group is responsible for translating the needs of Kansas's classrooms into a cohesive legislative agenda and strategic operational plan.
  • Sherri Schwanz, President: As the chief executive officer, Schwanz is the primary public spokesperson and strategist, leading the organization's efforts to influence the Kansas Legislature and the State Board of Education.
  • Kimberly Howard, Vice President: Howard supports the President and plays a key role in membership engagement and internal organizational development, ensuring the KNEA’s grassroots efforts are effective.
  • Amy Hite, Immediate Past President: Hite provides continuity and counsel, leveraging her experience from previous terms to support the current executive team.
  • Anna Moon Bradley, Director of Teaching & Legislative Affairs: Bradley is instrumental in developing and executing the KNEA’s legislative strategy, working directly with lawmakers on key bills like those related to KPERS and school finance.
This leadership structure ensures that the KNEA’s actions are grounded in the real-world experiences of Kansas educators, from the largest urban districts like Kansas City Public Schools to the smallest rural communities.

The 2025 Legislative Battleground: Key Priorities and Bills

The heart of the KNEA’s work in 2025 is its comprehensive legislative agenda, which focuses on stability, recruitment, and student support. The organization’s priorities are meticulously designed to address the systemic issues driving the teacher shortage and impacting student well-being.

1. Supporting Educator Compensation and Retention

The KNEA has made the financial stability of its members a top priority, recognizing that competitive salaries are the most effective tool for attracting and retaining high-quality teachers. The current financial landscape shows a stark need for intervention.
  • Average Teacher Salary: At $58,146, the average teacher salary in Kansas ranks #44 in the nation, making it difficult to compete with neighboring states.
  • Starting Salary: The average starting salary is $42,800, which ranks #36 nationally.
The KNEA advocates for legislative action to provide full, equitable, and stable funding to school districts, empowering them to offer salary schedules that close the significant pay gap. This push is critical for districts like Topeka and Shawnee Mission, which struggle to keep pace with suburban districts in other states.

2. Strengthening the KPERS Retirement System

A major focus for the KNEA is the long-term health and enhancement of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). The organization is a staunch supporter of measures that improve retirement security for all public employees. * Support for HB 2086: The KNEA has provided oral and written testimony in support of House Bill 2086, which aims to provide enhancements to KPERS Tier 3 benefits. * The Goal: The KNEA believes that a robust retirement plan is a non-negotiable component of a competitive compensation package, crucial for retaining experienced educators and preventing an exodus of veteran staff.

3. Securing Mental Health Intervention Funding (HB 2236)

Recognizing the escalating mental health crisis among students, the KNEA is actively championing legislation to provide necessary support services within schools. * Advocacy for HB 2236: The organization has been a vocal proponent of House Bill 2236, which seeks to enhance the Mental Health Intervention Team program. * The Impact: The KNEA argues that strengthening this program is instrumental in providing timely and effective mental health support, which directly impacts a student's ability to learn and an educator's capacity to teach. This initiative is a clear example of the KNEA moving "Beyond the Classroom" to address societal issues affecting public education.

The Financial Reality: Why Kansas Teacher Salaries Are a National Issue

The KNEA’s focus on compensation is not an abstract political talking point; it is a response to hard data. The national rankings of Kansas teacher pay highlight a crisis that affects every school district in the state. The low rankings—#36 for starting pay and #44 for average pay—contribute directly to the state’s severe teacher shortage. When new teachers can earn significantly more in neighboring states, the talent drain becomes a critical issue. The KNEA's lobbying efforts are therefore centered on ensuring that the state's taxation and school funding policies adhere to the constitutional requirement for adequate and equitable public education funding, a standard established by the landmark *Gannon v. State* Supreme Court case. The KNEA advocates for sustainable, long-term state investments rather than temporary fixes or tax cuts that could jeopardize school budgets.

Beyond the Ballot Box: KNEA’s Role in Community and Equity

The KNEA’s influence extends far beyond the Kansas Statehouse, fostering community engagement and promoting equity within the educational system.

Promoting, Protecting, and Strengthening Public Education Summit

A cornerstone of the 2025 calendar is the annual KNEA Summit, themed "Promote, Protect and Strengthen Public Education." This event brings together educators, parents, community members, and leaders to collaborate on strategies for improving schools. It is a critical platform for discussing issues like racial and social justice in education, and for developing local-level advocacy plans. The summit reflects the KNEA’s commitment to a holistic approach to education, recognizing that policy changes must be supported by community action and a shared vision for a "Bright Future for All Kansans."

Standing Firm with Local Districts

The KNEA has demonstrated its unwavering support for educators and families in major school districts facing difficult decisions and contentious political climates. In early 2025, the organization publicly stood firmly behind the educators, students, and families of Topeka, Shawnee Mission, Olathe, and Kansas City, affirming its readiness to mobilize resources to protect their interests. This solidarity is a powerful message to lawmakers that any legislation negatively impacting these communities will face organized resistance. The Kansas National Education Association remains the essential voice for public education in Kansas. By focusing on five critical battles—competitive salaries, robust retirement benefits (KPERS), student mental health (HB 2236), sustainable school funding, and community-driven advocacy—the KNEA is actively shaping the future of the state’s schools. Their success in the 2025 legislative session will directly determine the quality of education for nearly half a million Kansas students and the professional viability of thousands of dedicated educators.
5 Critical Battles: What the Kansas National Education Association is Fighting For in 2025
kansas national education association
kansas national education association

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