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“But they’re unlikely to be heard or even considered, based on comments from House Speaker Ray Merrick, the Stilwell Republican closely aligned with the governor who recently unleashed this gem: ‘Government employees produce nothing. They’re a net consumer. And you got that cost forever and ever and ever because they’re on the KPERS (pension) plan, they’re on all the government insurance and everything.’ “Yet alongside teachers, firefighters, police and other state employees, state legislators like Merrick also participate in KPERS. “Consider his uninformed, insulting remarks more proof of the thoughtlessness that’s helped drive poor decision-making of late in...

The 2015 legislative session is coming, and with it we expect to see the continuing claim that our Kansas schools are failing. So, in addition to pointing out why we need more funding, and the dangers of the education “reforms” that will be pushed, we will also highlight some of the ways our schools are rising above their challenges. Here’s one. “The Lawrence school district is shrinking the graduation rate gap among the highest and lowest achieving groups of students, thanks to an emphasis on fine-tuning classes and curricula so the needs of disadvantaged students and students of...

“State Board of Education member Janet Waugh expressed concern about the possibility of cuts in education ahead of a Wednesday meeting of the board where she expects some discussion of the state’s fiscal situation.’We just don’t have (anything) frivolous anymore. We’re down to the bare bones,’ Waugh said of Kansas schools. “Board member Carolyn Wims-Campbell also feared cuts. ‘I’m afraid they’ll look at us again for another cut since the predictions are so sad for the state of Kansas. I guess we just have to wait and see what our legislators will be able to accomplish,’ Wims-Campbell said.”...