“‘Oh, I think it’s a war on public education, that began ten, twelve, fifteen years ago. It’s been very incremental, and it’s been erosive to the point, maybe it’s one of those things, you may not notice it. Like rust on a car, you don’t realize it and all of a sudden my gosh, look what’s happened’ [says Steve Wentz of United Teachers of Wichita]… “[USD 259 CFO Richard] Freeman also points out the block grant presents a number of challenges… “’We estimate cost increases of approximately $14 million this year, including operational costs of $2.8 million, and...
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WI legislator reports from ALEC San Diego meeting
Wisconsin legislator Chris Taylor reports from ALEC’s San Diego meeting. “As if not to be undone, public education provokes as strong of ALEC ire as the EPA. “Their strategy on privatizing public education continues to evolve, and is now more focused on co-opting middle-income families by convincing them that public schools are failing their children. “Charter schools seem to be the current craze, perhaps because their private school voucher scheme, directed at low-income children, failed to increase academic performance as they promised. ALEC thinks they have their answer in the independent charter school scheme, which creates another school...
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Leave a Comment Newton superintendent responds to Brownback board member reference
“‘The board member is… surprised,’ said Hamm, ‘that the communication was that somehow the board member was convinced that yes, that is true, when we know it’s not.’ “That may be because Newton’s operating budget for the 2015-2016 school year had to be cut by $750,000 in order to stay even. “Dr. Hamm says there appears to be a disconnect. “’We can talk about how much more money is going in, and yes, it is. But, we have a number of needs that are going unmet,’ said Hamm.” Read more here: http://ksn.com/2015/07/24/newton-superintendent-responds-to-brownbacks-board-member-reference/...
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Leave a Comment Teacher drain is a warning
“Brownback and the Legislature should treat the reports on the teacher exodus as a wake-up call. Kansans value public education. They want schools staffed by talented, enthusiastic professionals. “The governor and lawmakers must give schools adequate, stable funding and stop proposing laws that teachers find offensive and punitive. Until that happens, the drain will continue.” Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article28659634.html ...
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