Representative Don Hineman provides a great explanation of Kansas’ current situation. As a life-long Republican and a fiscal conservative I recognize that government must operate as efficiently as possible and that continues to be a focus for me. But I was also elected to insure that state government continues to provide the services its citizens depend upon and that government delivers those services in a manner that is as user-friendly as possible. I have concluded that it will be impossible to fill the looming budget deficits with nothing but budget cuts. Some form of additional revenue will be...
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Philadelphia charter school closes, leaves students scrambling
Here’s another example of what we don’t want in Kansas. Charters like this one are a waste of taxpayer dollars and a disservice to students and their families. “He estimated that the charter school’s debts total at least $5 million – not including the $9 million it owes bondholders for its building in Northern Liberties…Gallard said that even though the Palmer charter has shuttered, the School Reform Commission will continue the process of revoking the school’s operating charter for poor academic performance as well as shaky finances. Revocation hearings concluded last month. “Said Gallard: ‘This charter was not...
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Leave a Comment Recap of Gannon decision from Kansas PTA
Here’s a recap of the Gannon decision from Kansas PTA. A few key highlights from the three-judge panel’s 100 plus page report: • “We find the Kansas public education financing system – through structure and implementation – is not presently reasonably calculated to have all Kansas public education students meet or exceed the Rose factors…” • Current funding “… is inadequate from any rational perspective of the evidence presented or proffered to us.” • “… the Kansas public education financing system provided by the legislature for grades K-12 – through structure and implementation – is not presently reasonably...
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Leave a Comment Game On summary of December 2014 Gannon decision
In this week’s Gannon v. Kansas decision, the Shawnee County District Court panel applied the Rose standards articulated in the Supreme Court opinion to determine whether Kansas’s K-12 public education system is adequately funded. The court held that funding at current levels is constitutionally inadequate, stating: “it is fair and reasonable to believe, as highly true, from all the evidence advanced in this case emanating from these knowledgeable people, that these educational goals, these Rose standards, are not met, and will not be met, by the current level of state supported educational funding.” Gannon, p. 92. The decision...
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