We are very familiar with ALEC education “reform” legislation in Kansas, including the corporate tax credit “scholarship” program passed on 2014 and expanded in 2015. “If a bill is passed that concerns you, you have the right to ask your legislator if that was an ALEC bill. Locally, Rep. Ron Highland (District 51 and Chair of the House Education Committee) and Rep. Peggy Mast (Dist. 76 and House Speaker Pro Tem) are members, while Rep. Don Hill (Dist. 60) and Sen. Jeff Longbine (Dist. 17) are not. “ALEC members in the Legislature hold important leadership positions: Senate President...
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Elections matter for public education, and home values
Thank you for speaking up, Chad Taylor. “I have one suggestion that is simple, but not easy. To protect and improve our home values in Prairie Village, we must protect and improve our local schools. For me, this is not a political issue, although it has been painted as one. By politicizing the school funding issue, we are all distracted with picking sides instead of focusing on the real issues at hand… “I would encourage everyone reading this to visit jocoelection.org to mark your calendars for the upcoming elections. And then to participate in these elections. It is...
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Leave a Comment View new public education advocacy video
Well done, Zach and Norine! My son, Zach, and I created a short video* to promote public education in Kansas — because we believe that an educated populace drives the economy, promotes democracy, and provides opportunities for everyone. And, it is in jeopardy. Kansans can be proud of what they have accomplished with the support of a solid public education, and our current students continue that tradition. If you also believe in public education for Kansas please: 1. Share this video on your Facebook page so that we can spread the word throughout Kansas, and 2. Write your...
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Leave a Comment Chanute board discusses draft K-12 committee report
“Proffitt said despite the report being tabled in the form released Monday, it is still concerning because it shows attitudes held by some legislators about what changes need to be made to K-12 education. “The report found that the current system is not adequate and that the funding system needs to be revamped. He said he found many concerning things in the report. Proffitt quoted a section of 11-page report, which reads: ‘The old school funding system did not require districts to make efficient use of taxpayer money … To be clear, ‘efficient’ does not simply mean cutting...
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