Lynn Rogers Archives - Page 4 of 4 Voice For Liberty

Aug

Increasing the Wichita School Bond Issue: Why Was Courage Required?

Talking to news media during a break in the meeting of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, on Monday August 11, 2008, Connie Dietz referred to her surprise motion to increase the amount being asked for by $20 million, remarking "I knew what I wanted to do, and I guess I was trying to find the courage to do it." Personally, I want to take Ms. Dietz at her word when she says that her motion was unplanned. But I've talked to quite a few people in the community, and no one I've talked to believes that the board's…

Aug

By Bob Weeks

How to Pass the Wichita School Bond Issue

For tonight's meeting of the board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, a resolution has been prepared that calls for a vote on a proposed bond issue to be held on November 4, 2008. I don't know if the board will vote to approve this measure or if they will even take a vote tonight, but I suspect the resolution will pass. Randy Scholfield's editorial Put school bond issue to public vote is correct in its assessment of the feckless campaign in favor of the bond issue. But it's not all the fault of the school board or…

Jun

By Bob Weeks

Wichita Business Journal: Please Explain the Wichita School Bond Impact

In an article in the June 27, 2008 Wichita Business Journal (Passage of 2000 school bond issue highlights Brooks' legacy in Wichita), reporter Josh Funk makes another error. (The first error is explained in Wichita Business Journal: Where is the Increasing Enrollment in Wichita Schools?) In this case, Mr. Heck claims, in his tribute to departing USD 259 (Wichita public school district) superintendent Winston Brooks, that "He leaves Wichita before resolution of a $350 million bond issue, but his legacy as superintendent will be the passage of another bond issue -- this one for $284.5 million -- eight years ago…

May

By Bob Weeks

Wichita public schools: Open records requests are a burden

Listen to an audio broadcast of this article here. I recently learned that USD 259 (the Wichita, Kansas public school district) considers it a burden when citizens make requests for records. At least that's what Lynn Rogers, vice-president of the board of USD 259, told me at a May 12, 2008 meeting when I was invited to express concerns regarding my opposition to the proposed 2008 bond issue. I suspect the other board members and administration officials agree with him. As a government institution, the Wichita public school district is subject to the Kansas Open Records Act, which requires it…

Apr

By Bob Weeks

Wichita school expulsion myths

Recently Lynn Rogers, a USD 259 (Wichita public school district) board member, made this statement: "I know there are kids from many Catholic schools that have come to public schools when the Catholic schools have kicked them out." This attitude reflects a common perception or myth: that private and religious schools kick out the misbehaving students they don't want to deal with. Since the public school system, by law, must accept them, these problem students are a reason why the public schools have such a difficult task. So goes the story, anyway. I have read that this perception is false,…

Apr

By Bob Weeks

Wichita School Bond Issue: Explain Again the Need for a Delay

In an article published in the April 10, 2008 issue of The Bond Buyer newspaper, USD 259, the Wichita public school district, vice president Lynn Rogers is quoted as follows: School board vice president Lynn Rogers said he supported the delay, but believes the bonds will be approved whenever the election is held. "I don't think if will make any difference if we have an election in May, in August, or in November," he said. "I've had 20 sessions with groups in the past couple of weeks, and nobody has been negative, except those from the anti-bond groups who always…

Aug

By Bob Weeks

Wichita School System Extends Its Monopoly

On Saturday February 12, 2005 I attended a meeting of the South Central Kansas Legislative Delegation. Lynn Rogers, then the USD 259 (the Wichita public school district) school board president, and Connie Dietz, then vice-president of the same body, attended. There had been a proposal to spend an additional $415 million over the next three years on schools. Asked if this would be enough to meet their needs, the Wichita school board members replied, "No." At least Mr. Rogers was not lying. More spending than that was approved, and true to his word, the Wichita Board of Education found it…