This is an important read and explains a lot about our current school funding situation. “No one denies the obvious – that libertarian ideology is driving the current philosophy of Kansas state government and may be, for the moment, supported by a majority of the voters. The Koch brothers’ influence and financial heft has helped elect the current administration and the majority of the Legislature. Just last week their political arm began to attack some of the remaining Republican moderates, including Rep. Steven Becker of Reno County. The various think tanks and political organizations in Kansas, which are...
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SMSD budget outlook bleak
Stagnant funding is functionally reduced funding when costs for districts continue to rise. We also would like to stress that if school budgets are cut due to the legislature’s response to the Gannon equity decision, we will place blame directly on the legislature, not on the courts. “At the district’s board meeting Monday, Superintendent Jim Hinson said the district already expects it will have to cut $4 million from other programs in the school year beginning in July just to keep up with anticipated increases in personnel salaries and its share of benefit costs, barring an influx of...
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Leave a Comment Hinson warns of possible rising class sizes
SMSD patrons, please tune in and voice your concerns to your legislators. Ready to make a statement? Join our 2016 Walk to Topeka. Walk any or all days March 11-13 or join us Monday, March 14 at 9 am across the street from Topeka High School as we walk into the Capitol to hear from walkers and other speakers. “‘I do not see any scenario where we will see an increase in revenue,’ Hinson said. ‘The likelihood that we will receive the same level of funding is small. The likelihood that we will lose millions of dollars we...
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Leave a Comment Primer on education standards controversy
Here’s a helpful explanation of the status of Kansas standards. We disagree with Rep. Highland’s statement that we shouldn’t be concerned that the bill would eliminate AP and IB: http://cjonline.com/news/2016-02-22/primer-kansas-math-and-reading-controversy...
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