Here’s more on the context of the education allotments. “‘Basically this is taking away the LOB aid school districts were given for the equalization aid last year,’ [USD 249 Superintendent Rick] Simoncic said. “He said many districts had maxed out their local option budgets and receiving the full match triggered local property tax relief in these districts rather than additional dollars in school coffers. “’Most of the school districts around the state – they aren’t seeing an increase in spending,’ Simoncic said. ‘That was a tax break for local taxpayers if your LOB was maxed out.’ “’This will...
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Parnell: top resource in jeopardy
Thank you for the Game On shout out Emily Parnell, and we agree with your conclusion. “It’s easy to look at this sum of money and think that education is in good shape. That at least this school district can breathe a sigh of relief despite state budget cuts. It might appear that the funding our children need to grow and thrive is in place. But this may not be so. “I follow a group, Game on for Kansas Schools, that shares oodles of information about education needs and news. One after another, articles demystify the smoke-and-mirrors surrounding...
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Leave a Comment KSN reports small schools feel pressure of cuts
“Traxson said he has planned ahead because they saw this budget cut coming, even though the governor said in his campaign, it was important to keep money in the classrooms. “So Peabody cut three positions last year, in an already small staff. “‘It’s not just about the classroom, it’s about maintaining. And then, on top of that, we haven’t given our teachers a raise here in probably about six years,’ said Traxon. “So teachers go without raises, but Traxson said he’s lucky to have very dedicated staff who really care about the kids in this small town. “Some...
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Leave a Comment Kansas parents must care enough to be vocal
We’re no longer just predicting education cuts. We can’t afford silence and complacency. Time to make your voices heard, Kansas. Who’s up for a walk in March? That leaves the most important state expenditure: public schools. This is where the state spends half its entire budget. Let’s consider this very carefully. The calculus behind cuts to K-12 education must be exactly right, because this is the politically high-risk area. Legislators and the governor are already saying Kansas schools are inefficient. Cuts are coming and indeed more were ordered last week. The answer to the inefficiency, of course, is...
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