“Over 200 locally elected boards of education in Kansas (more than 2/3) have passed resolutions against moving elections to the fall and making them partisan. These board members govern what Governor Brownback called the ‘5th best schools in the country’ and spend less than any state ranked higher in student achievement. What are we trying to fix? “Last year the Kansas Legislature passed a law that required mail ballots in school district Local Option Budget elections. Kansas election officials estimate that mail ballots can increase voter participation by a factor of three (300 percent). No legislation to try...
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2015 school board elections April 7
This year’s school board elections are one week from today throughout Kansas. Please do your homework and VOTE. We are aware of several races in which candidates following the KPI talking points are running. Advance voting is already available. Check with your local elections office for locations....
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Leave a Comment Districts oppose moving school board elections
This is the map of school districts opposing changes to school board elections, yet today the elections conference committee appears ready to forward a bill to move school board elections to the fall of even years with primaries held in August (when school families are underrepresented in terms of turnout) and voters’ attention will be focused on the large federal and state elections. We predict many voters will cast ballots for school board elections they know nothing about. We also would like to point out that school board seats are not paid positions like legislative positions so requiring...
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Leave a Comment Districts face cuts due to block grant bill
Parents, teachers, school board members and superintendents all opposed the block grant bill, but it passed anyway. “State leaders said it was cause for celebration, not cuts to schools. But the K-12 block-grant funding bill is showing its impact on districts around the state, and in ways that don’t square with the proponents’ assurances. “After last week’s closed-door bill-signing ceremony, Gov. Sam Brownback released a statement touting increased funding, and “’getting money into the classroom to immediately benefit Kansas students.’ “As the bill cleared the House, Rep. Mark Hutton, R-Wichita, argued that districts will still get more money...
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