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ABOUT US


KAIRS, founded in 1970, represents more than 36,000 Kansas schoolchildren and 22,000 families in 140 Christian, Catholic, Independent, Lutheran and Seventh-day Adventist schools. We provide our member schools with important information on relevant educational issues. We do this primarily through:
  • KAIRS Today - our monthly electronic newsletter (read)
  • Regular communication with our membership
  • Annual & Quarterly Membership meetings
  • Membership in national organization of private schools

KAIRS Mission Statement

"Through its common commitment to quality education, KAIRS serves to unify its member schools while respecting their diversity. KAIRS provides a framework for communication and cooperation among independent and religious schools in the state of Kansas, preschool through secondary.

"In addition, KAIRS strives to maintain productive relationships with the Kansas State Board of Education, the Kansas Department of Education, the Kansas Board of Regents, the local, state, and federal governments, and other agencies that impact quality education."

KAIRS Statistics

In 2009-10, KAIRS saved Kansas taxpayers $210M in foregone State Aid estimated at $6,000 per pupil.

KAIRS Member Schools Statistics

Enrollment of all KAIRS Schools 36,006
Number of Member Schools 140
Families Represented 22,260
Full-time Teachers 2,390
Savings to Kansas Taxpayers*  $210 M

*If all KAIRS children were enrolled in public schools.

(Foregone State Aid Estimated at $6,000 per pupil)


Organization Leadership

  2010-11 Executive Committee:

President
  Dr. Nick Compagnone
  Superintendent of Schools, Catholic Diocese of Salina
    email: nickcom [at] aol [dot] com


Vice-President
  Terry Tilson
  Head of School, Berean Academy, Elbing
    email: ttilson [at] berean.elbingks [dot] com

Secretary
  Michelle Bolin
  Communications Director, The Independent School, Wichita
    email:Michelle.Bolin [at] TheIndependentSchool [dot] com

Treasurer
  Jamie Finkeldei
  Director of Student Services, Catholic Diocese of Wichita
  Principal, Resurrection Catholic School, Wichita
    email: finkeldeij [at] catholicdioceseofwichita [dot] org

Annual Meeting Secretary
  Shelli Kadel
  Head of School, Wichita Friends School
    email: kadelshelli [at] juno [dot] com

Member at Large, Lutheran representative
  Neal Kurtz
  Principal, Linn Lutheran School
    email: linnluth [at] bluevalley [dot] net

KAIRS Communications Director
  Corey Nason Reese
   email: crkairs [at] yahoo [dot] com