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Educate Lawrence hosts rally for Public Education

“Educate Lawrence, a local public education advocacy group, is hosting a rally in South Park on Saturday. “The second annual ‘Rally for Public Education’ will begin at 12:30 p.m. Participants will welcome those walking from Kansas City to Topeka to raise awareness of funding and policy issues affecting Kansas public schools.” http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/first-bell/2016/mar/10/rally-for-public-education-to-be-held-on/...
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Legislature meddling without fixing school funding

“The Legislature has made no move yet to comply with a Kansas Supreme Court order to fund public schools equitably. But lawmakers are continuing their efforts to meddle in education and weaken teachers unions.” Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/now-consider-this/article64849217.html...
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Lynn plans to advance bill to require teachers to vote annually on retaining union

Update: this bill was amended and passed out of committee on March 10. http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2015_16/measures/sb469/ “The chairwoman of the Senate Commerce Committee signaled Wednesday she wants the panel to quickly advance a bill [SB 469] to require teachers to vote annually on retaining their local union. “The committee heard only from supporters of the measure, but Sen. Julia Lynn made no secret she had already made up her mind and asked how to overcome resistance to the bill ahead of opposition testimony Thursday.” Read more here: http://m.cjonline.com/news/2016-03-09/kansas-senate-committee-chairwoman-plans-advance-bill-requiring-annual-elections#comment-1308303&gsc.tab=0...
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SB 311 would transfer financial duties from Dept of Ed

Update: this bill was pulled after public outcry. “A bill that would transfer control of school finance from the Kansas Department of Education to the administration has sparked strong opposition from educators, who say it is an attack on public schools. “SB 311, set for a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, would give the governor more direct control over school finance, which is now overseen by the state Board of Education and the state’s commissioner of education… “Under current law, the Legislature and governor approve the K-12 budget and the Department of Education...
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