Author

Margaret Mellott

Margaret Mellott

Margaret Mellott is a Emporia State University graduate of communication and journalism. During their time at ESU, they spent all four years on the campus paper, The Bulletin. She also spent one year with The Campus Ledger at Johnson County Community College. Outside of collegiate journalism, Mellott has also worked on projects for Vintage KC Magazine and Humanities Kansas.

The Center for Early Childhood Education, which is in the Butcher Education Center at Emporia State University, is set to close in August 2023. (Margaret Mellott/Kansas Reflector)

Emporia State University to close child care center despite student and faculty objections

By: - July 26, 2022

EMPORIA — Emporia State University will close the doors on its Center for Early Childhood Education after the upcoming school year, making it one of the only state university without any kind of on-campus child care. This shutdown is happening in the midst of a national child care crisis. In Lyon County, there are between […]

Kansas public schools sweep national policy debate titles for first time

By: - July 25, 2022

TOPEKA — Three Kansas public high schools won all four national policy debate championships this year, an unprecedented accomplishment in an arena dominated by private schools. Policy debate has a rich history of being one of the most esteemed events in high school debate and forensics competitions. This is the first time Kansas schools have […]

Growing concerns voiced over Johnson County schools losing appeal amid education crisis

By: - July 18, 2022

OVERLAND PARK — In years past, Kansas education has been a selling point for families moving to Johnson County. It has been a recruitment tool to encourage community growth and to pull in young professionals. Today, however, local leaders fear the collapse of their school system. “Essentially, we’re at the point where we’re looking at […]

Former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole accepts the 2022 Gerald R. Ford medal for distinguished public service on Friday, July 1. Both her and her late husband, former Sen. Bob Dole, were recipients of the award. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation video)

Bob and Elizabeth Dole awarded Gerald R. Ford medal for distinguished public service

By: - July 5, 2022

Kansas political icon Bob Dole was awarded the 2022 Gerald R. Ford medal for distinguished public service alongside his wife and former North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole. Elizabeth Dole accepted the award on both of their behalf July 1. Bob Dole died in December after battling lung cancer. He was 98. “Awarding the Gerald R. Ford […]

Ming Zhang, an Overland Park resident, made her naturalization official during a special ceremony for 47 immigrants in honor of Independence Day. (Margaret Mellott/Kansas Reflector)

At naturalization ceremony, immigrants celebrate ‘beginning of a new life’ for Independence Day

By: - July 4, 2022

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In the nearly 14 years she’s been in the U.S., Ming Zhang has completed her law degree, started a family and moved to Kansas. A day before Independence Day, she celebrated her naturalization alongside 46 other new citizens. Zhang, an Overland Park resident, gave her Oath of Citizenship outside the Children’s […]

Four panelists address critical race theory, gender identity and parental rights during a June 13 event by the Kansas Policy Institute in Overland Park. The panelists, from left, were Dave Trabert, CEO of KPI; Wilfred Reilly, author of “Hate Crime Hoax;” Robert Woodson, a self-described "racial exorcist;" and Mary Miller, a private school advocate. The moderator was Michael Ryan, right, executive editor of The Lion. (Margaret Mellott/Kansas Reflector)

Divisions over Kansas K-12 education spawn misinformation and anxiety at Overland Park forum

By: - June 26, 2022

OVERLAND PARK — As she sat in the back of the conference room, behind rows and rows of people, she listened to this panel of four talk about Kansas classrooms. How long have the people on this panel spent in public schools, she wondered. More specifically, how long have they spent in Kansas ones? This […]

While tabling for the office of Native American initiatives at the University of Kansas, Melissa Peterson (right), sits next to Lori Hasselman (left), Native American Student Success Coordinator. The Kansas Board of Regents appointed Peterson, director of tribal relations at the KU, to the Indigenous Education Advisory Council during its June meeting. (Submitted by Melissa Peterson)

Kansas creates American Indian education advisory council

By: - June 25, 2022

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Board of Education has established a temporary advisory council to improve and reform American Indian learning systems in the state. Cheryl Harrison-Lee, chairwoman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said the creation of the council will help state education officials as they try to close enrollment gaps for underserved Kansans. […]

Kansas City protest emphasizes impact of Roe v. Wade ruling on marginalized bodies

By: - June 25, 2022

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hundreds of people came to Mill Creek Park on Friday despite the sticky summer heat to support reproductive rights and to protest the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Imije Ninaz, founder of the Nafasi Center, a nonprofit focused on providing resources to the Black queer, transgender, intersex and non-binary […]

Kansas political leaders, advocacy groups react to Roe v. Wade repeal

By: and - June 24, 2022

TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers and activists across the political spectrum present emotional and starkly contrasting responses Friday to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ranging from celebration to outrage to calls for action. With a proposed constitutional amendment on the August primary ballot offering a vote on whether to maintain a […]

Emporia State University president Ken Hush, says financial realities compelled ESU to realign the budget through a process that includes employee layoffs and changes in academic programs.

Newly appointed Emporia State president plans to bring business practices to higher education

By: - June 22, 2022

EMPORIA — For more than seven months, the president’s office at Emporia State University sat nearly empty, filled only with necessities for the interim leader. Ken Hush didn’t plan on making that office his, but the time he spent as interim president persuaded him to apply for the permanent position.  On Wednesday, he was named […]

With the speech and debate nationals right around the corner, Jeff Plinsky helps a student practice an argument on June 8. Plinsky, a teacher and coach at Lawrence High School, said despite the environment for teachers right now, his students bring a bright spot to his job. (Submitted)

‘Death by 1,000 cuts’: Kansas teachers demoralized by current environment

By: - June 16, 2022

TOPEKA — Caught in a political crossfire and exhausted from the pandemic, Kansas teachers are putting down their books and leaving the profession. In a survey from the National Education Association, 55% of teachers indicated they were ready to leave the classroom. As of April 12, there were 1,381 teacher vacancies in Kansas, according to […]

Republican Louis Reed files to run for Kansas Legislature

Education, health care issues bring out candidates on last day to file for Kansas elections

By: and - June 10, 2022

TOPEKA — As the last day to file for Congress, the state Legislature and the Kansas Board of Education came to a close on June 10, many candidates say they hope to tackle education and health care if elected. “I’m running for my children,” said Olathe Democrat Matt Maciel, who filed for the 14th District. […]