October 23, 2014

For Immediate Release: October 23, 2014

Contact: Sharon Cannon, (703) 740-4824, communications@nasbe.org

McNiece Selected to Lead National Association

Arlington, VA — James McNiece, a member of the Kansas State Board of Education and resident of Wichita, was chosen this month to be president-elect of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) for 2015 at the association’s Annual Conference in Denver.

Mr. McNiece was elected to the Kansas State Board of Education in 2012. In 2013, he was elected as the New State Board Member representative to the NASBE Board of Directors. As a member of the Kansas board, he serves on the Kansas Volunteer Commission, the State Board Communications Team, Kansas State High School Activities Association Board, and the Coalition of Innovative Districts Board. He has 39 years’ experience as a teacher, coach and principal in Kansas, serving both public and private schools ranging in size from 2A (100–150 students) to 6A (1300+ students).

He was recognized as the Kansas High School Principal of the Year and for “Excellence in Public Service” for his community involvement and service. His schools have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement at the national level (New American High School, US Department of Education), state level (Challenge Award, State of Kansas), and the local level (Good Apple Award, Wichita).

Mr. McNiece earned his master’s degree in secondary school administration as well as an education specialist’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Fort Hays State University.

Mary Lord, vice president of the D.C. State Board of Education and NASBE president-elect in 2014, will serve as the association’s president in 2015. Jane Goff, a member of the Colorado State Board of Education, has been NASBE’s president this year.

“Jim McNiece has been an education leader at every level from the schoolhouse to the state house,” says Kristen Amundson, NASBE’s executive director. “NASBE is fortunate that he will represent state board of education members on the national stage. We are delighted to have him serve as our president in 2016.”

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The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America’s state and territorial boards of education. Our principal objectives are to strengthen state leadership in education policymaking; advocate equality of access to educational opportunity; promote excellence in the education of all students; and assure responsible lay governance of education. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.