Home -- About Bob Bethell

EDUCATION
My life has been one of varied interests. Educationally I began post-secondary activity with the intent and expectation of becoming an automotive engineer. That expectation changed in reality to my being graduated from John Brown University, Siloam Springs, Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. I received this degree with a major teaching field of Mathematics and minors in Social and Natural Sciences.

My education continued with my being awarded a Master of Education in Administration from the University of Illinois, Champaign, IL. This degree has allowed me to use my talents in both the classroom and administration of public and private schools from elementary to post-secondary settings.

AREAS OF INTEREST
My greatest areas of interest are education (K-post-secondary) and my current area of employment, health care.

HOUSE COMMITTEES
I was assigned to four committees as I entered into the House of Representatives of the State of Kansas. Those committees are Education, Health and Human Services, the Social Services Budget and the Social and Rehabilitative Services Transition Oversight. As a true "freshman" I had the opportunity to serve in leadership roles in both areas of Education and Health Care. I was assigned to two sub-committees from the Health and Human Services Committee. One dealt with the confidentiality of HIV testing, the other with licensure of Masters Level Psychologists. I was also appointed Chairman of a sub-committee of the House Education Committee to study an aspect of Special Education. The sub-committee studied SB129, made recommendations to the full committee concerning the role of the local school administration in determining the site of required services. The full committee reviewed the recommendations and passed the bill as amended favorably. The bill was then passed and the law enacted.

During the second year of my first term I was again appointed as a Chairman of a sub-committee of the House Education Committee to study Charter Schools. With my leadership this sub-committee made a recommendation to the full committee removing the cap on the number of Charter Schools, creating an appeal process for denied applications and increasing the term of the charter. I was appointed Chairman of a sub-committee of the House Health and Human Services Committee to study some issues concerning the State Board of Nursing. This report contained recommendations to change time limitations on temporary licenses, to allow LPNs to take courses for IV therapy without waiting to complete a year of clinical training after graduation from LPN school, and to change the makeup of the Board allowing for added continuity. I introduced three bills that provided better service to the residents of the State of Kansas. These bills dealt with Long Term Care and EMS issues.

In the second and third terms of office I continued to be involved with issues of importance for the delivery of healthcare to the most vulnerable citizens of Kansas.  I was also appointed to the Appropriations Committee and appointed Vice-Chairperson of the Kansas Futures Committee.  These appointments necessitated my being removed from the Education Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee.  During my second term I was also elected Caucus Chairperson.  During my third term the Kansas Futures Committee was abandoned and I was reappointed to the Health and Human Services Committee and was appointed Co-Chairperson of the Long Term Care Services Task Force, a committee that was created by legislation in 2000 and is comprised of Senators, Representatives and Citizens of Kansas.  You may acquire a copy of the reports of this task force by going to the Kansas Legislature website and searching for the Long Term Care Services Task Force.

In November of 2004 I was re-elected to a fourth term and will be continuing to serve on the Appropriations, Health and Human Services and Social Services Budget committees.

You may contact me through this website or by calling my home in Alden, Kansas at 620-534-3085.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
My community involvement includes service and professional organizations. I have been the vice-president of the Kansas Chapter of the American College of Health Care Administrators. My involvement with the Kansas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging has included chairing the Legislative Committee and serving as the chairperson of the Board of Directors. I am a member of the Kansas Adult Care Executives Association, and serve on their Legislative Committee. Prior to my election to the House of Representatives, I was elected, and served as Mayor of The town of Alden, KS from 1994 to 1998. Currently I serve the Alden First Baptist and the Raymond Baptist churches on a part-time basis as Pastor and also serve as the national treasurer of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America and am a member of the Kanza Chapter. I am also a member of the Sterling, Kansas Rotary Club. My work in the field of Long Term Care continues with serving in “Interim” positions as organizations experience change in leadership.

As a legislator I have been challenged to use the talents and knowledge gained through my professional life.

I have been the assistant Principal of a High School of 1500 students, Principal of a Junior High School of 1100 students 43 faculty and seven buildings, was Director of Admissions at two private Christian colleges, operated a private business, opened two new long-term care facilities, managed a health care facility with an annual budget of $1.4 million, and turned a troubled facility in to a viable provider of services for the elderly. In my spare time I enjoy working on the home Lorene and I enjoy and work on restoring the fleet of antique cars we own.
 

PHOTO GALLERY
Check out Bob Bethell's photo gallery

                           The State of Kansas has a declining population base in more than one quarter of the State’s counties. This condition has a very dramatic impact on the ability of communities’ to provide quality educational and long-term care services. My interest in being a part of the Legislative process directly relates to the provision of these services to rural Kansans. My previous experience, I feel, allows me to be actively involved with the shaping of the delivery of these services. The difficulty of recruitment and retention of qualified personnel further complicates the delivery process. I believe there are alternative delivery systems that, as they are set into place, will use developing technologies to relieve these problems. I have during discussions in committee expressed, what I feel is, the opportunity to use the Internet to provide consultation and instruction in a cost-effective manner in rural Kansas. I have been in contact with individuals and corporate personnel concerning a partnership with private and public organizations to accomplish this goal. It is my desire to be one of those persons that makes the commitment, and uses my talents, to improve the lives of all Kansans.