“As a dad with kids in the SMSD, I’ve witnessed the cuts over the last six years. NE Jo Co Rep. Nancy Lusk (D) and I broke with our fellow Democrats, and voted to concur on the bill to protect our schools from additional cuts. I understand how maddening this is for other districts, and I agree that more money MUST be infused into all of our districts.

“Republican leadership killed the Democratic bills that would do that in committee.

“Many believe as a ‘rich’ district, SMSD can weather cuts. However, SMSD has 11 Title I schools, and Shawnee Mission North, my district’s high school, has had its population of students that are economically disadvantaged grow from 36.7% in 2011 to 45.3% in 2015. These kids are my constituents. Their schools cannot afford more cuts. I voted to prevent them, if possible.”

Read more here: http://pvpost.com/2016/03/28/capitol-update-more-money-must-be-infused-into-all-of-our-districts-48789.