“This data indicates that both Missouri and Kansas salary amounts have been consistently below the national average since 1970. It also indicates that for 1990 and 2010, Kansas’ average teacher salary was above Missouri’s. However, the data for the two most recent years shows Kansas and Missouri with virtually identical average teacher salaries; with Missouri showing a slightly higher salary in both years. “This is contrary to Gov. Brownback’s assertion that ‘Kansas average teacher salary has increased every year since 2010, and last school year totaled $54,907. This compared to Missouri, where teachers have experienced two pay cuts...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
Block grant cuts into operating budgets
“‘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...
Read more
Leave a Comment 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...
Read more
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/...
Read more
Leave a Comment