Track Legislation
2015 Legislative Session
READ KANSAS SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS' BUDGET CHALLENGE STORIES AT THIS LINK:
http://andoverlegislativecouncil.weebly.com/2015-education-funding-reductions-impact-on-kansas-school-districts.html
http://andoverlegislativecouncil.weebly.com/2015-education-funding-reductions-impact-on-kansas-school-districts.html
"More than 60 school districts approve resolution in opposition of bill making school board races partisan and moved to November"
More than 60 school districts from across the state have approved resolutions opposing making school board elections partisan and moving them from the spring to November.
Most of the districts approved the resolution on Monday, during their monthly meetings and on the same day that Senate Bill 171 was filed and set for a Wednesday hearing before the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee.
SB 171 would make school board and city election candidates run by party, including in a primary if needed. The general elections would be moved to November starting in 2016.
The bill would also require school districts make buildings available for polling places.
http://www.kasb.org/wcm/_NB/15/NB0210f.aspx#.VNqkLoT1soc.twitter
More than 60 school districts from across the state have approved resolutions opposing making school board elections partisan and moving them from the spring to November.
Most of the districts approved the resolution on Monday, during their monthly meetings and on the same day that Senate Bill 171 was filed and set for a Wednesday hearing before the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee.
SB 171 would make school board and city election candidates run by party, including in a primary if needed. The general elections would be moved to November starting in 2016.
The bill would also require school districts make buildings available for polling places.
http://www.kasb.org/wcm/_NB/15/NB0210f.aspx#.VNqkLoT1soc.twitter
Andover School Board Adopts Resolution to Focus on Students and Keep Partisan Politics Out of Education:
School Board Adopts Resolution to Focus on Students
and Keep Partisan Politics Out of Education
and Keep Partisan Politics Out of Education
The Andover USD 385 Board of Education voted Monday to adopt a resolution aimed at focusing on students and educational excellence while keeping partisan politics battles out of the classroom. With a vote of 6-0, the Board of Education adopted Resolution #14-15-08 regarding the Kansas State Legislature’s proposal to alter the process for electing public board of education members in Kansas.
“The future of education and student success is dependent on our ability to work together and focus on continued student achievement while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” said Scott Wilson, Andover USD 385 board president. “It’s not about being Republican or Democrat. Decisions made at the board table are about ensuring we provide the best educational opportunity and environment for our students. Our students, teachers and community deserve a school board which is elected based on the desire and focus to serve Andover schools, not just what’s trending politically. We have a great relationship and open dialogue with our state legislators who represent our district in Topeka, and that is without party affiliation. We want to keep our focus on our local school while they focus on the politics. We adopted this resolution to help ensure those relationships continue.”
The adopted resolution was signed by the board clerk and delivered to the five state lawmakers who represent Andover.
Andover continues to focus on achieving educational excellence while constantly looking for ways to improve and operate efficiently. “We believe the current system of elections has served us well,” said Andover Superintendent Greg Rasmussen. “We are extremely proud of our accomplishments, but we aren’t yet satisfied. We have high expectations for our students, teachers and staff. We owe it to our community and patrons to continue to strive to be better. So with that in mind, we will continue to find ways to promote higher levels of student learning while at the same time, operate in a cost efficient and effective manner. That’s the Andover Way. And that’s what we will continue to do. A non-partisan Board of Education will help us to do just that.”
“The future of education and student success is dependent on our ability to work together and focus on continued student achievement while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” said Scott Wilson, Andover USD 385 board president. “It’s not about being Republican or Democrat. Decisions made at the board table are about ensuring we provide the best educational opportunity and environment for our students. Our students, teachers and community deserve a school board which is elected based on the desire and focus to serve Andover schools, not just what’s trending politically. We have a great relationship and open dialogue with our state legislators who represent our district in Topeka, and that is without party affiliation. We want to keep our focus on our local school while they focus on the politics. We adopted this resolution to help ensure those relationships continue.”
The adopted resolution was signed by the board clerk and delivered to the five state lawmakers who represent Andover.
Andover continues to focus on achieving educational excellence while constantly looking for ways to improve and operate efficiently. “We believe the current system of elections has served us well,” said Andover Superintendent Greg Rasmussen. “We are extremely proud of our accomplishments, but we aren’t yet satisfied. We have high expectations for our students, teachers and staff. We owe it to our community and patrons to continue to strive to be better. So with that in mind, we will continue to find ways to promote higher levels of student learning while at the same time, operate in a cost efficient and effective manner. That’s the Andover Way. And that’s what we will continue to do. A non-partisan Board of Education will help us to do just that.”
HOW SB 71 WOULD AFFECT AREA SCHOOLS:
(This is in ADDITION TO GOVERNOR BROWNBACK'S 2/5/15 EXECUTIVE ACTION TO CUT ANOTHER $44 MILLION FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION)
Here are funding cuts for area school districts proposed in Senate Bill 71.
▪ Wichita, $3,934,746
▪ Andover, $304,087
▪ Circle, $223,529
▪ Derby, $513,485
▪ Goddard, $302,760
▪ Haysville, $188,063
▪ Maize, $430,929
▪ Valley Center, $150,848
Source: Kansas Department of Education
Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article9096584.html
(This is in ADDITION TO GOVERNOR BROWNBACK'S 2/5/15 EXECUTIVE ACTION TO CUT ANOTHER $44 MILLION FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION)
Here are funding cuts for area school districts proposed in Senate Bill 71.
▪ Wichita, $3,934,746
▪ Andover, $304,087
▪ Circle, $223,529
▪ Derby, $513,485
▪ Goddard, $302,760
▪ Haysville, $188,063
▪ Maize, $430,929
▪ Valley Center, $150,848
Source: Kansas Department of Education
Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article9096584.html
Read January 15, 2015 Kansas State of the State Address & Response:
Click on this link to read the text of Governor Brownback's speech, as posted on The Topeka Capital-Journal website on 1/16/15:
http://cjonline.com/news/2014-01-16/gov-brownbacks-state-state-address-transcript
Click on this link to read Sen. Anthony Hensley's Response as posted on Lawrence Journal-World website on 1/15/15:
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/jan/15/text-sen-anthony-hensleys-democratic-response-stat/
Click on this link to read the text of Governor Brownback's speech, as posted on The Topeka Capital-Journal website on 1/16/15:
http://cjonline.com/news/2014-01-16/gov-brownbacks-state-state-address-transcript
Click on this link to read Sen. Anthony Hensley's Response as posted on Lawrence Journal-World website on 1/15/15:
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/jan/15/text-sen-anthony-hensleys-democratic-response-stat/
"Cashing in on Kids: 139 ALEC Bills in 2013 Promote a Private, For-Profit Education Model", as posted on prwatch.org on 7/16/13.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THIS LINK:
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/07/12175/cashing-kids-139-alec-bills-2013-promote-private-profit-education-model
READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THIS LINK:
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/07/12175/cashing-kids-139-alec-bills-2013-promote-private-profit-education-model
"Full Show: United States of ALEC — A Follow-Up", as posted on billmoyers.com on 6/21/13.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THIS LINK:
http://billmoyers.com/episode/full-show-united-states-of-alec-a-follow-up/
READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THIS LINK:
http://billmoyers.com/episode/full-show-united-states-of-alec-a-follow-up/
The Kansas Association of School Boards' web site maintains a "Capitol Updates" page which lists, describes and discusses House and Senate Bills that are presently being considered by the Kansas Legislature. Please click on this link to view that page: http://www.kasb.org/wcm/Advocacy_Research/Capitol_Updates/wcm/_Advocacy_Research/Capitol_Updates.aspx?hkey=e495566d-ced7-4ccc-a94b-39856b7bbbe7
To view the list of SENATE BILLS in the Kansas Legislature, click on this link: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/bills/senate/#1
To view the list of HOUSE BILLS in the Kansas Legislature, click on this link: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/bills/house/#1