Sen. Masterson again shows his true colors on public education funding. Will voters remember when he’s up for election? “Brownback’s allies contend it’s unfair to portray the trend as a cut because the amounts for fiscal 2016 and 2017 exceed the aid for fiscal 2014. Senate budget committee Chairman Ty Masterson suggested that the governor’s critics are ‘myopically focused’ on the changes from 2015 to 2016. “‘It’s certainly not the whole truth,’ said Masterson, an Andover Republican. “But Sen. Laura Kelly, the budget committee’s ranking Democrat, scoffed, ‘It is a cut.’ “‘You’re taking money out of the classroom,’...
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Kansas teacher Lori Rice informs legislators
Thank you to Lori Rice, Kansas teacher, for speaking out and advising others to join her. “Below is my letter I will be sending to my government leaders as they start planning funding and making laws about this world I live in every day. As you write your letter, give a short background about yourself, tell about your school or classroom and tell what should be done. Be specific if you know of a bill or funding that is being considered in education. Share your voice and stand up for education.” Read her letter here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/01/25/teacher-to-legislators-heres-how-your-decisions-impact-my-students-every-single-day/ This advice applies...
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Leave a Comment Gov. Sam Brownback’s plan to “block grant” school funding both ignores the courts and puts fewer dollars into the classroom. It’s not “a time-out in the school finance wars,” as Brownback claimed. It’s more like a diversionary tactic. Brownback announced during his State of the State address that he wanted the Legislature to repeal the current school-finance formula and spend the next two years developing a new formula. In the meantime, he wants the state to fund schools using block grants based on current funding levels. But it turns out – surprise, surprise – that school districts wouldn’t...
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Leave a Comment Brownback’s proposals on courts linked to school finance
“This is precisely why some lawmakers say Brownback wants to remake the courts. “Brownback’s proposed budget for next year cuts more than $100 million from classroom aid. And even when spending increases in other areas of the budget are factored in the cut stands at $22 million. “Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said there’s ‘been an attempt to blackmail our courts by essentially saying if you issue rulings that members of the Legislature don’t like…we’re going to come after you and essentially oust you from office.’… “In addition to Brownback’s push to change...
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