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Districts: block grants even more unconstitutional

“However, the districts vigorously attacked the argument that the block grant legislation was well reasoned. ‘It was hastily put together, released on a Friday evening, scheduled for hearing on a Monday morning, and forced through the House via a two hour final-action vote (only after a state plane was deployed in an attempt to find a ‘yes’ voter),’ according to the brief. “The state has also claimed that increased funding plays little role in educational outcomes. Again, the district’s brief sharply disagrees. ‘The State’s actions have significantly slowed – and in some cases stopped or reversed – a...
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JOCO Educators respond to Melcher comments on teacher pay

From our friends at Johnson County Educators: Johnson County Sen. Jeff Melcher thinks we make a “pretty darn good living.” He also thinks current teachers are to blame for new teachers not wanting to teach in Kansas. We think Sen. Melcher needs to hear from you and what a “pretty darn good living” you have working as a Kansas teacher. Let him hear about the second jobs, student debt, unpaid bills, etc. Contact him at: Jeff.Melcher@senate.ks.gov Phone: 785-296-7301 Please also send a copy of your message to our friend on the Senate Education Committee Sen. Pat Pettey at...
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Lawrence officials respond to Brownback budget

“Meanwhile, Lawrence school district officials said they are still not pleased with Brownback’s proposal for K-12 funding because, even though there are no substantive cuts in block grant funding, the fact that Lawrence’s enrollment continues to grow means the governor’s plan amounts to a cut, at least on a per-pupil basis. “Furthermore, Lawrence was among the districts that saw substantial cuts last year when the Legislature abolished the old per-pupil funding formula, replacing it for two years with block grants, because in that change, the state no longer counts virtual school students when calculating aid for the district’s...
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Kansans for Fair Courts on merit selection

Governor Brownback would like a court system that doesn’t rule against the state in school funding cases. We are grateful for an independent judiciary. Public school supporters need to be Kansas court supporters. Here we’re sharing a Facebook post from Kansans for Fair Courts Kansans for Fair Courts January 13 at 12:00pm · In response to Governor Sam Brownback’s remarks about our state court system in last night’s State of the State address, Kansans for Fair Courts Executive Director Ryan Wright issued the following statement: “Once again, Governor Brownback is trying to deceive us when it comes to...
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