We haven’t posted much about “school choice” lately because the legislature appeared to have its hands full with budget/tax issues, moving elections, limiting teacher negotiations and threatening the courts, but Capitol press corps members yesterday reported on Twitter that in the Republican caucus Rep. Bradford asked about a school choice provision and wants it inserted into the tax bill. Apparently a promise has been made to include it. There is abundant research on massive problems with expansion of charters, vouchers, and in Kansas, it would be particularly ironic to start funneling public funds to nonpublic schools when we’re...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
Topeka school board makes additional cuts
“Citing fiscal uncertainty amid the state’s $400 million budget hole and the inability of lawmakers so far to resolve it, members of the Topeka Board of Education gave the green light Thursday for nearly $2 million in spending cuts. “Board members expressed regret and concern about the impact of the cuts on classrooms and children, but said the $1.8 million in reductions are necessary not only to handle state aid losses so far, but to brace for further cuts.” Read more here: http://cjonline.com/news/2015-06-04/topeka-school-board-cuts-18-million-citing-legislature#.VXGulnMDF2o.facebook...
Read more
Leave a Comment Sen. Masterson campaign contributions are revealing
From our friends at Johnson County Educators on Sen. Masterson who we’ve been posting about quite a bit lately for his policy positions which we oppose. One only has to examine the contributors listed on Sen. Masterson’s campaign finance reports for the 2016 election cycle (easily accessed at the Kansas Ethics Commission) to know whose bidding he’s doing, and it’s not the schoolchildren of Kansas. Some might consider this to be an ‘ad hominem’ attack, but we believe understanding the role of money in the political process is necessary to be an informed voter. Donors make contributions because...
Read more
Leave a Comment Proposal would cut 6% from everything including schools
Remember when legislators sold the block grant bill as a way to provide districts with certainty in funding? We were skeptical; still are. Sen. Masterson has proposed a 6% cut across the board, which would include schools. “The latest destructive plan emerged Tuesday, pushed along by Sen. Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. “It calls for a nearly 6 percent across-the-board cut of close to $400 million in state spending — including an estimated $180 million from K-12 school districts. That would be an unconscionable decision by legislators, one that would have long-term, devastating effects on the state’s educational...
Read more
Leave a Comment