“KPI henchman Trabert does more than ponder issues at the think tank. KPI is active in lobbying and campaigning against tax and spending increases. It financed television ads to oppose the proposed tax increase in Johnson County. “When Trabert speaks in Topeka, legislators bow and scrape. Who wants to be on the wrong side of the Kochs — who also control Americans for Prosperity and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce? (Trabert claims the Koch connection to KPI is ‘hooey,’ but he refuses to identify the institute’s funding sources.) “Trabert tried the same tactics in Johnson County he has...
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KS districts facing funding challenges
“The educational pain is statewide and takes different forms. Many districts can’t fill jobs. “Garden City, in western Kansas, still has a couple of dozen open positions. Wichita is trying to hire more than 250 people. “They’re raising property taxes in Lawrence to make up for less state aid. And Olathe just said it was laying off 80 people to close a $2 million dollar hole. “School Board president Rick Schier says block grant funding already has him worried about next year. “‘We also know that just the cost of living is going up. We know there’s other...
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Leave a Comment A message to Kansas teachers from Game On
As you begin another school year we want to thank you for all you do. Thank for for helping our children discover a love of reading, unlock the mysteries of math, find the wonder in science and learn to play well with others and be good citizens whether they’re in kindergarten or seniors in high school. We know there is a great deal of negativity and uncertainty right now and that demands on our schools are high, but we believe in you and we believe in Kansas public schools. We believe you deserve better and our children deserve...
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Leave a Comment KASB statement on school efficiency
From KASB: KASB Statement on State Efficiency Study Kansas school districts are committed to operating both effectively and efficiently, which means using resources to maximize student success and serve the needs of our diverse state communities. We understand the Legislature’s interest in studying school funding as part of a study of efficiency in state government. We urge them to focus the study on improving results, not just cutting spending. From extensive research, we know that Kansas has one of the most efficient school systems in the nation, ranking in the top ten for overall educational achievement. Kansas spends...
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