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Community Education Forums means Stronger Schools; Stronger Communities

A coalition of education advocacy groups representing teachers, parents, administrators and school board members will tour the state to discuss the state of public education in Kansas.

School finance has been cussed and discussed for what seems like forever. There was, thankfully, some resolution when the legislative special session ended with additional money to school budgets.

And the discussion will begin again when the legislature convenes in January. Legislators who fought against additional school funding during these past sessions are prepared to fight even harder during the 2006 session: A new study of educational costs is underway, and, despite ever-rising demands on public education, new efforts have been initiated to limit state spending and taxes.

Those of us who support public education are also preparing. Beginning this month, four state-wide educational organizations (KNEA, Kansas Association of School Board, Kansas School Administrators and Families United for Public Education) are holding a series of community forums across Kansas to help people understand, explain and support public education:

• Why the Supreme Court ruled that current funding is not constitutionally suitable;
• How and why districts spend money, and what it means for student achievement;
• How tax-cutting, spending limits, and attacks on the judiciary affect public education
• What the school community can do to support public education.

KNEA encourages members to attend these forums. Talk with parents and parent organizations about the importance of learning about school finance. City and county officials are invited to learn how adequately funded quality schools favorably impact the community.

Public support of our public schools depends on public understanding and advocacy of school leaders. These community forums can strengthen that support, but only if local leaders participate and encourage others to do the same.

Forums have been scheduled across the state:.
Sept. 26, 10:00 a.m.
Hutchinson, Dillon Nature Center, 3002 East 30th, Hutchinson

Sept. 28, 7 p.m.
Pratt, Liberty Middle School Auditorium, 300 South Iuka, Pratt

Oct. 4, 10:00 a.m.
Garden City, Education Center at the Lee Richardson Zoo, 312 East Finnup, Garden City

Oct. 5, 10 a.m.
Oakley, Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center, 703 West 2nd, Oakley

Oct. 6, 10 a.m.
Hays, District Board Room, 323 West 12th, Hays

Oct. 11, 11 a.m.
Great Bend, District Education Center Board Office, 201 Patton, Great Bend

Oct. 13, 11 a.m.
Parsons, Middle School Community Room, 2719 Main, Parsons

Oct. 18, Noon
Ottawa, Ottawa Middle School, 1230 South Ash, Ottawa

Oct. 20, 10 a.m.
Salina, Hageman Center Multi-Purpose Room, 409 West Cloud, Salina

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