Tag: Wichita and Kansas schools

  • At Wichita school district, it’s always kids first, sometimes

    At a recent meeting of the board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, board member Connie Dietz affirmed the district’s policy of always putting kids first. At least in words, that is. Scolding a member of the Kansas State Board of Education, she said “This board always, always puts children first. And don’t…

  • Wichita BOE’s Rogers: Kansas taxes are not high enough

    According to Lynn Rogers, president of the board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, the problem in Kansas is that our taxes are not high enough. According to sources in the meeting, Jeff Turner, CEO of Spirit AeroSytems, made a remark about how there may be no reasonable way the state can deal…

  • Wichita school board chooses not to keep business local

    Paul Driver of ATG Sports wonders why the board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, is about to award a construction contract to an out-of-state company when a local, cheaper alternative is available. The district’s clear message during the bond issue campaign last year was that the construction business would be good for…

  • Wichita election results equal status quo, worse

    The result of yesterday’s elections in Wichita is an endorsement for the status quo. For those interested in liberty, free markets, and education in Wichita, the election was a total disaster.

  • Dr. Chappell asks the Wichita school board to NOT sell bonds

    Ffter seeing the way several members of the board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, treated Kansas State Board of Education member Walt Chappell at last Monday’s meeting, I contacted him. I was curious as to what his rebuttal would be to the scolding he received from board members Connie Dietz and Betty…

  • Wichita school board video shows why members should not be re-elected

    On Monday March 30, 2009, Walt Chappell, who was recently elected to the Kansas State Board of Education and whose district overlaps some of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, spoke before that district’s board. The hostile reaction by board members, which you may view on video that I captured, is remarkable for the…

  • Karen Walker for Wichita school board

    Karen Walker is a strong candidate for board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district. Her commitment to fiscal responsibility is refreshing. With training and experience in accounting and auditing, she will help hold down costs plus provide transparency about where our tax dollars are being spent in Wichita schools.

  • Wichita school board members should not be re-elected

    Next Tuesday, four members of the board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, seek to be elected again to their current posts. These members — Lanora Nolan, Lynn Rogers, Connie Dietz and Betty Arnold — are part of a board and school district that is increasingly out-of-step with education reforms that are working…

  • KNEA, the Kansas teachers union: more taxes are needed

    The public education spending lobby in Kansas is always looking for more tax dollars. A recent edition of the Kansas National Education Association newsletter Under the Dome for March 30, 2009 lays out the education spending lobby’s plans.

  • Wichita school board of education campaign contributions

    Recent campaign finance reports filed by candidates for the board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, show some contributions that may be of interest to Wichita voters.

  • In the Wichita school district, supplies must be really tight

    Two questions: With $13,000 to spend each year per pupil, why do teachers have to spend their own personal money on supplies? Does the Wichita school district really have to rely on the teachers union for supplies such as paper?

  • Barb Fuller: Feds should pay, and leave us alone

    In an op-ed piece printed in the Wichita Eagle (“Barb Fuller: Feds should facilitate, not dictate, on education,” February 20, 2009 Wichita Eagle, no longer available online), Wichita school board vice president Barb Fuller makes, indirectly, the case that the U.S. Federal government should fund education, but keep its nose out of how local school…