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School funding facts from the Garden City superintendent

I was very disappointed to hear of Governor Brownback’s comments on Tuesday which singled out Garden City Public Schools for requesting “extraordinary needs” funds from the State Finance Council in May. Governor Brownback asserts that a budget crisis exists in Garden City. Governor Brownback’s actions including a mid-year reduction of over $375,000 in state aid to Garden City during the 2014-15 school-year and the conversion of a 23 year-old school finance system to a block grant funding system which unfairly locks in funding at current levels and doesn’t account for changes in enrollment or student demographics are creating...
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Education funding remains a concern

“Brownback repeatedly touted K-12 education during the news conference, but would not definitively say that cuts to K-12 education would be off the table. “’I didn’t hear a specific answer,’ said Scott Rothschild, spokesman for the Kansas Association of School Boards. ‘Our position is we need a sustainable, reliable source of tax revenue, and we’ll see if this does it or not.’ “’Schools have been on high alert for years. There’s all this talk about was our funding increased or was it decreased. Schools are dealing with severe funding challenges,’ Rothschild said. ‘Our funding is not keeping up...
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Game On thanks legislators and journalists

We would like to take a moment to thank those legislators who stood strong against tremendous pressure. We understand the difference between those who say they support public education and those who truly do, and we know how difficult it can be to do the right thing. We would also like to thank the journalists and photo journalists who make it possible to follow what’s happening in Topeka when we can’t be there. Your long hours over these past few weeks are appreciated. Your tweets, reports, stories and images are invaluable. Thank you!...
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Game On Twitter favorites

We’ve compiled some of our favorite tweets from the past few weeks. If you’re not on Twitter, we highly recommend you get on it before the next legislative session. John Celock @JohnCelock Jun 2 House chaplain urges ‪#‎ksleg‬ to resist urge “to choke the living daylights out of someone” Yael T. Abouhalkah @YaelTAbouhalkah Jun 1 ICYMI, Sen. Greg Smith (R-OP) ranted last night: “Taxes are legalized theft.” Smith’s jobs: Navy, law enforcement, teacher, senator #ksleg Peter Hancock @LJWpqhancock Jun 8 Topeka, KS Ballard is miffed. 119-page CCR. Actual bill is 600+ pages. Wasnt printed til after Senate began...
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