“Despite the Legislature’s coercive tactics, Hendricks ruled on Wednesday that taking away the Supreme Court’s power to appoint chief judges violated the separation of powers doctrine, as well as the Kansas Constitution, which says, ‘The supreme court shall have general administrative authority over all courts in the state.’ “As noted at the outset, the governor and Legislature probably were not surprised by this outcome. The highly unusual act of tying the outcome of this case to the judicial budget was intended to challenge the powers of the state court… “Separation of powers is a core principle of democratic...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
Parties file briefs with Supreme Court in school funding case
“’Kansas students deserve more than a few years’ worth of a constitutionally-appropriate education nestled in between court cases and cost studies,’ the plaintiffs write. ‘The Constitution demands more.'” Read more here: http://m.cjonline.com/news/2015-09-03/state-says-latest-school-finance-ruling-violates-separation-powers#gsc.tab=0...
Read more
Leave a Comment Retiring Topeka superintendent speaks out
“I have prided myself in being an effective administrator, but the current political environment in Kansas makes it nearly impossible to lead a school district. The challenges are unlike any challenges I have experienced in my 35 year career. Never before have I experienced educators in Kansas reduced to so little and so undervalued by legislators and the governor. “It is my sincere hope for the children and their families of Topeka Public Schools, including my grandchildren, and the local community will continue to support Topeka Public Schools teachers and staff as they work hard for our students...
Read more
Leave a Comment Court stays ruling that could strip court funding
Here’s the latest on the Kansas legislature’s attack on the Kansas Supreme Court. We are among those who believe this particular law was retaliation for the court’s school funding decisions. Read where things stand as of September 3rd here: http://m.ljworld.com/news/2015/sep/03/court-stays-ruling-could-strip-state-judicial-bran/?templates=mobile...
Read more
Leave a Comment