TOPEKA Kan.
Four people won the seal of approval Thursday from a key
Senate committee to start serving on the state Board of Regents.
In a move unusual for the board’s size, Gov. Kathleen
Sebelius appointed five regents last month, subject to Senate approval.
One appointee, Jill Docking, couldn’t attend the
Confirmation Oversight Committee hearing but will be on hand next month, when
her approval is expected. She is vice president of investments for A.G. Edwards
in Wichita and was the Democratic
nominee for U.S.
Senate in 1996.
The committee also recommended the reappointment of Donna
Shank, of Liberal, vice chairwoman of the nine-member board first appointed by
Gov. Bill Graves. The terms for Shank and Docking end June 30, 2010.
Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, the committee
chairman, said he didn’t expect any problem with the regents nominees being
approved by the chamber in January.
“The governor has chosen a very strong group of Kansans
to serve on the Board of Regents, and I expect strong support in the
Senate,” said Schmidt, R-Independence.
