Category: Wichita and Kansas schools
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Wichita School Bond Economic Impact
In February 2008, Janet Harrah of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University produced a report titled “Wichita Public Schools: Impact Analysis Operations Impact, Bond Impact and Success Measures.” This report painted a glowing picture of the USD 259 (Wichita, Kansas public school district) bond issue in 2000. The district…
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Wichita School Bond Issue on Kansas Week
From the October 31, 2008 broadcast of the public affairs television program Kansas Week on KPTS.
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Wichita school district’s favorite architect stands to win big
Shortly after USD 259 (the Wichita school district) passed a bond issue in 2000, a contract was formed between the district and its favorite architectural firm, Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architecture. The contract, portions of which you can read here, pays this firm one percent of the bond amount for “Project Management Services.” Plus expenses,…
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Wichita school district campaigns for the bond
An article in today’s newspaper reports on how USD 259, the Wichita school district, uses school district assets, personnel, and funds to promote the proposed Wichita school bond issue.
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Wichita School Bond Issue: It’s not the $42.55, it’s the $1,927
Twelve cents per day for the owner of a $100,000 home is the mantra of supporters when it comes to selling the cost of the proposed USD 259 $370 million school bond issue to district taxpayers. That amount equates to about $42.55 per year or $3.55 per month in additional taxes. Who could oppose such…
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Wichita test scores largely mirror Kansas
Officials at USD 259, the Wichita school district, and school bond issue supporters are quick to point out that the Wichita schools have an 11-year record of rising test scores. That’s a good thing, as long as the tests are reliable and valid measures of student learning and achievement.
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Wichita Eagle’s Bob Lutz and the Wichita School Bond Issue
In his column Cochran has succeeded in spreading anti-bond message, Wichita Eagle sports columnist Bob Lutz argues for the passage of the Wichita school bond issue. This is the same Bob Lutz who, on learning that the Wichita school board might cut some spending on athletic facilities from the bond issue, became “flustered now about…
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Wichita School Superintendent Martin Libhart: What’s Wrong With “Government Schools?”
In a recent email from Wichita School Interim Superintendent Martin Libhart to Wichita school employees, he took issue with those who, using his words, “openly refer to public education as ‘government schools.’” It seems as though Mr. Libhart regards the term “government schools” as derogatory. Or at least as something that should be used only…
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The Wichita School Bond Yard Sign Never Used
Wichitans may remember that the upcoming election on November 4 regarding a bond issue for USD 259, the Wichita school district bond issue, isn’t the first time this year that this matter was to be voted on. Originally the Wichita school board passed a resolution setting May 6 as the date for the election. But…
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Wichita Eagle Political Contributions: This Year?
A Wichita Eagle editorial argues for voluntary disclosure of ballot issue campaign donations, stating: “The groups on both sides of USD 259’s bond election should voluntarily disclose their donations before Nov. 4, rather than hide behind the state’s ridiculous disclosure laws applying to ballot questions.” (“Bond groups should declare donors,” August 28, 2008.) If the…
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Final Wichita School Bond Issue Cartoon
Helen Cochran of Citizens for Better Education has released the final political cartoon whose topic is the Wichita school bond issue. Click here to go to CBE’s website and see this cartoon. The others are there, too, including the one that the Wichita Eagle would not accept as a paid political advertisement.
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Credit Card Records Give Insight to Wichita School District Management and Priorities
If you were leading a school district that’s always pleading for more money “for the kids,” would you spend $439.70 for meals at the Capital Grille, a swanky and expensive steakhouse? Would you stay at expensive hotels like the Raphael in Kansas City, described on its website as “Kansas City?s Original Boutique Hotel”? Would you…