As the legislative session gets underway there are many
issues that are at the forefront, but one issue that affects all agencies is
the lack of revenue. The past several
years many agencies have seen cuts other than education. These cuts have affected many lives and it is
time for our Kansas Government to undo the damage they have caused with their
tax policies.
Kansas ranks 10th in the nation in achievement
but 41st in the nation in teacher salaries. All nine states ahead of Kansas in
achievement spend more money on education.
School superintendents learned earlier this week that education
might receive more cuts by the end of this school year between 2%-4%. The dollar amount for USD 239 would be
between $78,000-$156,000. At this point
in the school year we do not have this amount in our general operating budget; however,
we do have this amount in our contingency reserves. It is for times like this that we have a
contingency reserve; however, if the state’s budget does not get fixed soon we
will not have any more reserves in our contingency budget to draw from.
I mentioned in an earlier article about the new vision the
Kansas State Board of Education has for our schools. It is a great vision; however, with the
vision does come added expenses for the district.
• More programs to close the
achievement gap.
• More guidance and career
counselors to support individual learning plans based on career interest.
• Expanded career
and technical programs to allow more students to successfully complete post secondary education.
• More support for the social and
emotional needs of students.
It is time to say no more to the failed tax policy of the
current Kansas Administration. Our kids
deserve better and they deserve to have a promising future.
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