Issue Position: Getting More Bodies in the Classroom

Issue Position

I became an American Citizen at the age of eight and am very thankful for the public education I've received. I am very supportive of public education and am proud that my oldest son is at Emporia State University with plans to become a public school teacher. During the last few years the Legislature has increased our mutual financial investment in education so that it represents 60-70% of the state's General Budget. During this same period the State has enjoyed revenue surpluses. Unfortunately, recent projections from Legislative Research show a $195M shortfall in the fiscal year 2010 budget. General overspending in the past 4 years combined with economic challenges will necessitate prioritized spending decisions. Because not every spending decision carries the same weight or has the same priority, education will also be asked to estimate and prioritize where taxpayer's dollars are most needed. In comparison to other states, not enough money is getting to the classrooms. It alarms me that teachers often have no choice but to buy teaching supplies out of their own pockets. We must find ways to increase teacher salaries and retention of quality teachers. This will require some difficult decisions, greater transparency in the way monies are spent, and shifting of priorities.

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