(Updated to include more reporting with edits throughout)
Deputy Education Commissioner Dale Dennis, regarded as one of the state’s leading authorities on school finance, is retiring at the end of the month after 53 years.
The Department of Education announced Dennis’ retirement Tuesday. He will retire from the department on Sept. 30.
“For all Kansas school district administrators, he is Mr. Education,” said Republican state Sen. Molly Baumgardner, chair of the Senate Education Committee.
Dennis joined the Kansas State Department of Education as a state school finance administrator in 1967.
He started his career with the state the year after the state constitution was amended to provide for adequate funding of Kansas schools.
He leaves after the state Supreme Court found that schools were adequately funded.
He was named deputy commissioner in 1976. He served as interim commissioner of education four times since July 1995.
“He’s seen it all. He’s been through it all,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley.
“Legislators have come and gone. Governors have come and gone,” Hensley said. “The only thing that was constant through it all was Dale Dennis. He is the consummate public servant.”
As deputy commissioner of fiscal and administrative services, Dennis oversaw the spending of $5 billion in state and federal funds that flowed to school districts.
He also has worked as liaison between the agency and the Kansas Legislature and the governor.
“Dale has been a relentless advocate for Kansas schools, teachers and students for more than five decades. Generations of Kansas children are better off – and will be better off – because of his work,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement.
“I’m inspired by his 53 years of distinguished service, and while he may be retiring, I know that his commitment to our public schools will continue. I offer Dale my sincerest congratulations and best wishes for a pleasant retirement.”
The announcement caught some of his supporters by surprise.
“I can’t even right now,” tweeted former state Rep. Melissa Rooker, now executive director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.
“Dale has been a champion for our kids & public education for so long. He epitomizes servant leadership. God bless him,” she tweeted.
Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson is the 11th commissioner Dennis has served under.
“It is rare that someone like Dale Dennis comes along,” Watson said in a statement.
“He has dedicated 53 years of his life to helping others and giving back to the students, educators and citizens of Kansas – he has done so with honor and integrity.”
Two years ago, Dennis ran into controversy when a state audit said that a formula he and his staff used for years to allocate transportation funds among school districts was “not authorized” by state law.
Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. and Senate President Susan Wagle urged the agency to suspend Dennis and his staff while the issue could be looked at deeper.
They sent a letter to the Board of Education chairman saying they had “lost faith” in the accuracy of work by Dennis and his staff.
Dennis received an outpouring of support as the education community and four former governors stood by his side.
The Board of Education ultimately stood behind Dennis.
Baumgardner called the controversy a “blip” on his career.
“He owned up to what happened with the transportation issue,” she said. “I think that speaks volumes about his commitment to finding solutions.
“He has had long and distinguished career,” she said.
House Education Committee Chair Kristey Williams wished Dennis the best in retirement.
“I’m grateful for his service and his passion for education,” the legislator said. “He provided an important resource to us at the Capitol.”
Craig Neuenswander, who currently serves as the director of school finance, will step into Dennis’ position.
Neuenswander joined the agency in July 2011 after beginning his career in 1982 as a junior high school math teacher in Dewey, Oklahoma.
He moved to serve as principal at Riley County High School in 1988 and served in that role until 1994, when he was named superintendent of Riley County.
He also was superintendent at the Iola Unified School District and worked as an adjunct instructor at Pittsburg State University.
Neuenswander received his bachelor’s in secondary education from the University of Kansas.
He also earned a master’s in school administration from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and his doctorate in school administration from Kansas State University.
