Several education advocates were named to John Celock’s 14 Most Interesting People in Kansas Politics in 2014, and Game On for Kansas Schools received a nod.
“Johnson County Parents
Parents in Johnson County are prepared to speak out and make sure they are heard on the issue of education and school funding. They have been outspoken in their districts, in Topeka and on social media pressing their case. They have been quick to defend their turf and to challenge Brownback and conservative Republicans on the school-funding bill this year and on proposed changes to the school funding formula. This includes Heather Ousley’s walk from Kansas City to Topeka, Devin Wilson’s Twitter advocacy and the work of Game On for Kansas Schools. They have even elected Ousley’s husband, Jarrod, to the state House. Johnson County parents have become a vocal political lobby and one that won’t be silenced soon.
State Rep. Melissa Rooker (R-Fairway)
A moderate Republican from Johnson County, Melissa Rooker has been a passionate defender of the county’s schools and has opposed changes to the state’s school funding formula in her first term. A former PTA leader, she used her perch on the House Education Committee this year to question proposed changes to education in opposition to conservative Republicans. Not pursuing a go along to get along mentality, you could almost picture Rooker, a former director of development at Clint Eastwood’s Malpaso Productions, telling caucus leaders “go ahead make my day” with her decision to not waiver from her beliefs. Off the education committee in the recent reshuffle, Rooker has been public with her opposition to the move and has shown that she’ll continue to pursue her beliefs going into 2015.
Kansas National Education Association
The state’s teachers union has become the most vocal lobbying group in Topeka this session. Pushing back against the school finance bill, including changes to the due process rules for teachers, the KNEA was vocal in flooding the state Capitol. Packing the gallery for late night votes and saying that the new due process rules were being snuck through the Legislature, the KNEA has shown they will not sit quietly. With the school finance formula coming up in 2015, the KNEA will continue to remain vocal.” Rep. Trimmer was also noted for his work on education and other issues.