Category: Wichita and Kansas schools
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Kansas schools have used funds to increase spending
Although revenue to Kansas school districts has declined, schools have been able to increase spending by using fund balances. These fund balances have been the subject of controversy, with school spending advocates insisting that they can’t be used in the way that we now see they have been used.
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Andover schools label opponents ‘anti-education’
Are those who question or oppose the need for additional spending on Kansas schools opposed to education? Melinda Fritze, who is chair of the Andover Parent Legislative Council, says so
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Balance Kansas budget without raising sales tax
The following article is by Dr. Walt Chappell, a member of the Kansas State Board of Education. A version appeared in the Wichita Eagle. Chappell has offered testimony to the Kansas Legislature on many ways that schools can reduce spending and fulfill their mission at the same time
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Kansas school spending facts
In Kansas, we find that few citizens know the facts about school spending, and other government spending too. An advertisement placed in Kansas newspapers by the Kansas Policy Institute aims to increase Kansans’ knowledge of school spending by presenting a few questions along with the answers.
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Kansas citizens lack knowledge about school spending
When talking about Kansas school spending, few Kansans have accurate information. Those with children in the public school system are even more likely to be uninformed regarding accurate figures. But when presented with accurate information about changes in school spending, few Kansans are willing to pay increased taxes to support more school spending.
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Wichita schools, despite claims, find cost savings
Despite claims that school spending has been “cut to the bone,” USD 259, the Wichita public school district, found a way to save $2.5 million per year by adjusting school starting times, thereby saving on transportation costs.
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Study of teachers reports sharp differences in attitudes between public and private
The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice has published research that examined how teachers feel about their jobs. In particular, the study compared how public school teachers and private school teachers viewed their jobs and working conditions.
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Kansas school spending rally examined in video, story
This week Kansas school spending advocates gathered in Topeka for a march and rally at the Kansas Capitol. Kansas Watchdog’s Paul Soutar takes a look at some of the speakers’ claims and the underlying facts. Read the story and watch video at Debunking Myths in the School Funding Debate.
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Tax cuts are a cost, says Kansas teachers union
For those who believe in the principle of self-ownership, taxes are a violation of that principle. But to those who depend on government for their funding, taxes are viewed differently. Any move to reduce taxes is viewed as a cost to government. People who value economic freedom, however, view tax cuts as the government allowing…
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Kansans, including governor, rally for school spending, taxes
Today in Topeka supporters of more taxes for Kansas public school spending marched from the headquarters of Kansas National Education Association (or KNEA, the teachers union), to the Kansas Capitol, where they heard from speakers including Governor Parkinson. The crowd, braving the windy and cold weather, was estimated at 1,000 by the Topeka Capital-Journal.
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As Kansas teachers union rallies, schools stagnate under its rules
Today in Topeka about one thousand supporters of higher taxes for more Kansas public school spending rallied at the Kansas Capitol. Their march on the statehouse started at the headquarters of the Kansas National Education Association (or KNEA, the teachers union), and KNEA president Blake West spoke at the rally. It’s quite ironic that the…
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Kansas school spending lobby impossible to satisfy
A new report by the Kansas Policy Institute provides some insight into the voracious appetite of the Kansas school spending lobby for taxpayer dollars: There’s never enough.