Blog

Education needs stronger champions

We agree with this editorial. We’re doing what we can, but we have also noticed a reluctance on the part of some of our university leaders and our most prominent superintendents to effectively advocate for our students. While they must be respectful and maintain relationships with our legislators, we believe they have an obligation to clearly explain what our students need to legislators and communicate with their communities regarding whether their concerns are being addressed. We are tired of hearing statements indicating this is the best we can expect under the current circumstances while opportunities for our children...
Read more Leave a Comment

Lawrence increases would go to KPERS, not classrooms

“Total state aid for Lawrence would go up in the 2015-2016 school year to about $70.3 million, but nearly all of the increase would be for increased contributions to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, and increased funding for the district’s virtual school. “For the 2016-2017 school year, Lawrence would get another $1.2 million increase, nearly all of which would be for increased KPERS contributions. “Furthermore, because the new formula would no longer be based on per-pupil funding, there would be no automatic increase in funding if the district’s enrollment grows over the next two years. The only...
Read more Leave a Comment

Block grant proposal would cut millions from Topeka area and shift tax burden

The block grant proposal cuts operational budgets for many districts and would force some to raise their mill levies, which would be a further move towards shifting tax burdens in Kansas from income tax to property tax. “Shawnee County school districts appear poised to lose millions of dollars in operational and maintenance funds under a bill that would replace the state’s school finance formula with block grants… “’We believe, from what we know, that it’s going to be a net loss of $400,000′ for Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437, superintendent Brenda Dietrich said… According to The Topeka Capital-Journal’s...
Read more Leave a Comment