A native of Hays, Kansas, Mark Tallman graduated from Thomas More Prep High School and received a degree in English from Fort Hays State University. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas, with a thesis on the enactment of the 1992 Kansas school finance law.
After serving as executive director of the Associated Students of Kansas and communications specialist for the Kansas Independent College Association, Tallman was hired as a lobbyist by the Kansas Association of School Boards in 1990. KASB is a non-profit organization providing representation and services to local school boards and education agencies in Kansas. Tallman has served as Governmental Relations Director, Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy, and currently is Associate Executive Director with responsibility for advocacy, communications and research. He was also selected to serve as chairman of the National School Board Association’s Council of State Association Legislative Staff (CSALS).
Tallman’s primary areas of expertise include Kansas school funding, academic achievement and education governance. He is KASB’s chief spokesman before Legislative committees, for media interviews and public presentations on education policy issues, writes articles for association publications, edits the Tallman Education Report blog, and represents KASB through social media. He is a frequent presenter to other associations and at public events.
Tallman was appointed to an open seat on the Auburn-Washburn USD 437 Board of Education in 1989 and was elected to two full terms, serving total of 11 years. His wife Kathy is a former executive secretary for KASB and former local school board member in WaKeeney, KS.
The KSHSAA Governor’s Award Selection Committee is comprised of the presidents of the Kansas National Education Association, Kansas Association of School Boards, United School Administrators, Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals and the Kansas School Superintendents’ Association.
(Courtesy KSHSAA)