Issue Position: Adequately & Equitably Funding Public Schools

Issue Position

As an educator for the past 40 years, I understand that public schools are the very foundation of a strong economy.

Unfortunately, over the past five years, Governor Brownback's allies in the Kansas Legislature have contributed to some of the deepest cuts and worst mismanagement of public schools in Kansas history. They have threatened the quality of education Kansas children receive all across our state.

Class sizes have increased. Schools have closed. Test scores have dropped. Our best teachers are being lured to other states and enrollment in teaching programs at our state colleges has plummeted.

I remain committed to ensuring all Kansas children -- regardless of where they live or how much money their parents make -- receive the first class education they deserve.

In 2015, I proposed that the Legislative Coordinating Council approve a School Finance Formula Study Committee to meet during the interim. The purpose of the committee was to work on developing a permanent school finance formula to replace the unconstitutional block grant system. My request was denied.

It is imperative to put Kansas schools and teachers first by adequately and equitably funding public education. This cannot be done without a fully funded school finance formula.

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