Kris Kobach presented a bill yesterday that would prohibit local government bodies, including school boards, from spending money to inform voters about upcoming ballot issues, such as bond elections. “James Howell, chairman of the Sedgwick County Commission, said contents of Senate Bill 368 would infringe on the right of free speech by those elected to represent people in city, county and school district offices. He said the state shouldn’t impose a law blocking distribution of information to constituents preparing to vote on important issues. “’We work for the people of our respective jurisdictions,’ Howell said. ‘We have a...
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Onslaught of harmful bills stunning
The number of harmful bills impacting education in the legislature right now is stunning. Are they trying to wear out the education advocates? Are they trying to distract us from the fact that they have made no progress on a new school finance formula? Are they “going for broke” in fear that sanity may be restored after the 2016 elections? Are they trying to make us forget that many of the problems facing Kansas public education are caused by underfunding due to our current tax policy? Whatever the reason, we are determined to defend our schools for the...
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Leave a Comment ALEC-based school hits attacking schools and teachers
“Among its ‘free market’ strategies, ALEC devises legislation designed to shortchange public schools and transition support to private, for-profit education. “One such pursuit in the last legislative session created corporate tax breaks for private school scholarships. Ultraconservatives now want to expand the program. “The tax breaks serve to accomplish the same thing as school vouchers, which raise legitimate questions over the constitutionality of using taxpayer funds for private and parochial schools that aren’t subject to the same accountability as public schools. “Offering tax credits is a sly way to divert dollars that otherwise would go to state-funded programs....
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Leave a Comment Game On opposes bill to consolidate districts
Game On was among many submitting testimony to the House Education Committee on the bill to consolidate districts. Here’s what we said: We have several concerns about this bill. Although we recognize the need for efficiency in the operation of our Kansas school districts, especially in light of ongoing revenue shortfalls, efficiency is not the only value that matters. Kansas derives benefit from our rural citizens, and we believe their voices matter when it comes to managing their local schools. Although this bill does not in itself consolidate schools, we can see that there will be an issue...
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