Kansas Famlies for Education Policy and Politics

We Want Moore!

2008-10-04T20:10:00.006-05:00

Congressman Dennis Moore, a public school advocate since his election to Congress in 1998, is running his sixth term in the house. Moore has tirelessly pushed for fully funding special education programs and a fully-funded, reformed version of No Child Left Behind.

Professor Larry J. Sabato of the University of Virginia, noted that, his opponent, State Sen. Nick Jordan, has begun bringing noted conservatives such as President Bush for fundraisers, but Sabato also predicts that Moore's campaign skills will help him hold the seat.

KFE will be watching Moore's race against Jordan, a public school foe, very closely. For now, it appears that Congressman Moore has the upper-hand.

-Richard

Senator Allen to retire from Legislature

2008-05-21T22:09:00.002-05:00

Senator Barbara Allen announced she will not seek re-election. Senator Allen has decided to pursue another path to help Kansans. Senator Allen was a staunch supporter of public education and we wish her well in her future work. See the K.C. Star Prime Buzz for the complete article.

Is this where Ben Hodge will set his sights? Remember Rep. Hodge resigned his seat just before last adjournment. The constituents of Overland Park deserve someone who values our public schools and our teachers. That person is NOT Ben Hodge.

We are hoping that former representative Jim Yonally will throw his ring in the hat. He would make an excellent Senator and one who will continue Senator Allen’s tradition of strong support for our public schools

Bush and Rove in Kansas

2008-05-15T12:00:00.005-05:00

I received a phone call this morning from a member in Wichita who informed me that they just crossed paths with Karl Rove. I offered my sympathy.

You have to wonder why anyone running for office would want to be seen with Karl Rove. His disapproval rating is even higher than that of President Bush. Rove is in Wichita today to raise money for the Kansas Republican Party.

Nick Jordan who is challenging Dennis Moore is bringing President Bush to Kansas on May 29 to fund raise. Jordan already has a terrible record on education, so it's no surprise that he would bring the creator of the ill-conceived, unfunded, No Child Left Behind law to stump for him. A little help from the administration that brought us "Abstinence Only Sex Education." And Nick Jordan claims to be a moderate. For only $7500 you can attend and have a photo taken with the President. It's odd that it's scheduled the same day as Sine Die. I guess that's to give cover to all the conservatives who don't show up to have their photo with Bush.

I'm not sure conservatives in Kansas have heard, but Rove and Bush aren't exactly popular with Kansas voters, or voters anywhere for that matter. Moderates need to take back the Republican Party.

Krissy and his minions haven't a clue about Kansans.

Will Phill Run?

2008-04-28T22:07:00.003-05:00

This weekend KMBC Channel 9 reported that Phill Kline is being courted by the right-to-life organizations to seek re-election for the position of Johnson County District Attorney.

Right-To-Lifers Urge Kline to Seek Re-election

Surprise.. surprise as Gomer Pyle would say.

Apparently Kline isn't willing to give up the best paying job he's ever had, or perhaps he just can't find work in the private sector.

Senator Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts have endorsed Steve Howe (R) in his bid for JOCO District Attorney, perhaps in an attempt to keep Kline out of the race. Too bad they waited until now to denounce Mr. Kline. Where were they when Phill was in Topeka slashing taxes to the point that Johnson County schools were forced to cut nurses and increase class sizes?

Brownback endorsed Kline when he ran for Kansas Attorney General and submitted his name for U.S. Attorney General to replace John Ashcroft.

I can't imagine that anyone in Johnson County would elect Kline as dog catcher, but it would certainly make for an entertaining race.

Pass the popcorn..........

Announcement from Slattery Campaign

2008-04-24T08:35:00.006-05:00

Jim Slattery for Senate
Announcement
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

8:30 a.m. - Heritage Hall, Expocentre, Topeka, Kansas (off 17th St.)
Governor Sebelius to introduce Mr. Slattery

11:00 a.m. - K.U. Edwards Campus, Regents Center
12600 Quivira Rd.
Overland Park, Kansas
Lt. Mark Parkinson will introduce Mr. Slattery

1:00 p.m. - Memorial Hall, Lobby
600 N. 7th St.
Kansas City, Kansas
Mayor Joe Reardon will intorduce Mr. Slattery

4:00 p.m. - Newman University
3100 McCormick Ave.
Wichita, Kansas
Dugan Library and Conference Center
(Enter campus off McCormick, turn left on Donlinger Dr., Library on right)

We are also planning a campaign launch this summer for the rest of the state. We look forward to seeing you then!

Watch Party Brings Big News!

2008-04-23T11:38:00.012-05:00

Wow! What a crowd last night for the KFE Primary Watch Party.

This was the second of such gatherings, and people really enjoy the interaction with other like minds to discuss education, politics, and policy.

The consensus is that KFE should continue to have these gatherings once a month to continue to the camaraderie.

So their wish is our command!

SAVE THE DATE: May 6, 2008 for the next Primary Watch Party

The room filled with excitement when Representative Sue Storm's announced she will seek the 2nd District seat for the State School Board.

We could not ask for a more qualified candidate to fill the shoes of retiring board member Sue Gamble. Ms. Gamble is leaving the State Board of Education to seek the office of Kansas Senate for the 10th District.

Other elected officials and candidates in attendance included; Jim Slattery, looking to unseat Pat Roberts for United States Senate; Representative Cindy Neighbor; County Commissioner John Segale; Andy Sandler running for State Representative in the 24th District; and Joe Novak running for State Representative in the 39th District.

Who likes a bully?

2008-04-22T09:33:00.005-05:00

Last year the Kansas Legislature passed a bill to deal with bullying in our public schools. It was a first step to dealing with the ever increasing problem in our schools. This year Representative Tom Burroughs (Kansas City) amended the legislation to include cyber-bullying to the definition, which strengthens the original bill. We appreciate Rep. Burroughs work on this bill, and all the legislators who supported the addition. We question the common sense of those who opposed this legislation.

Cyber-bullying is not unique to Kansas, it is a nationwide problem that requires strong prevention programs. The ad council has an excellent public service announcement that should be shown to every student.

Primary Watch Party!

2008-04-21T11:47:00.002-05:00

Pennsylvania Primary Watch Party

The 2008 race to the Whitehouse is certainly exciting!

Will Hillary have a large enough margin to continue?

Will Barack Obama expand his lead?

Come find out on April 22nd!

We ask are members and friends to join us watch the results roll in.

April 22, 2008

5:30 p.m.'til the votes are counted!

Lucky Brewgrille (Downstairs)5401 Johnson Dr.Mission, Kansas

MAP

Contests and Giveaways

Admission is Free - Suggested Donation $8 for 2008

Appetizers provided

Lucky's will also offer their full menu of food and drink for your consumption.

RSVP - Not required, but this will help us insure that we are staffed properly!

Education - A Responsibility

2008-04-21T11:15:00.002-05:00

The Kansas revenue forecast is over $100 million short. That is a result of the economic stimulus package from your elected officials at the federal level. The state had an opportunity to prevent that shortfall, by decoupling from the federal system for one year. Unfortunately, your legislators passed. If you're thinking they saved you money, not so fast.

The slash and burn tax mentality that some legislators have espoused are not helping Kansas families. Those with students attending our universities or about to enter our universities are most likely looking at a tuition hike. Working class families are unable to provide the early childhood educational opportunities that will insure the success of their children as they enter Kindergarten. And finally, K-12 schools have been waiting for years for the state to provide the funding needed, as indicated by the legislature's own study. You all have felt the rising prices at the grocery store, well our schools feel those same rising prices. Without adequate funding from the state, what's a school to do?

Budget Committees will be meeting this week and we hope they keep their promises to Kansas kids. We realize that the pot of money is only so big, and that makes it critical that the legislature invest our tax dollars in programs that offer us the greatest return.

Related News Articles:
State Revenues $130 million short
Budget decisions may influence tuition rates
Building block to Kindergarten
Some schools forced to raise the price of lunch

Teachers and Student Success

2008-04-17T13:45:00.004-05:00

Student success depends on having highly qualified, properly trained and effective teachers in the classroom. As many of our members are aware we have held forums about Teacher Recruitment and Retention across the state.

During these discussions there was one common thread that we heard repeated over and over again which teachers believe are critical to retention. Create an excellent working condition where teachers feel they are part of a collaborative team for student success. That topped money everywhere we went. It certainly seems reasonable that we should be asking teachers what will keep them in the classroom. Afterall, they are the ones in the trenches. Now that's not to say, professional pay isn't important, because it's critical for our teachers to be able to make a decent living, and it certainly is going to be a leading factor in attracting young people into the profession.

Every school district in Kansas is feeling the pain of the teacher shortage and many districts are working at the local level to solve the problem as we wait for the state to propose and fund solutions.

Wichita School District has developed some promising solutions which were discussed in detail at our forum. You can read more about their creative solutions in a recent article in the Wichita Eagle. Go here for more information on the local programs.

If you're reading this blog - thank a teacher!

Candidate Announcement

2008-04-17T10:28:00.006-05:00

Former Olathe Superintendent, Ron Wimmer is challenging Julia Lynn for the 9th District Senate seat. Dr. Wimmer will kick off his campaign with a Spring Campaign Rally on

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Ball Conference Center

21350 W. 153rd St.

Olathe Kansas

Festivities commence at 6:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 6:45 p.m

Special guest speakers include Bob Regnier, Larry Spotts, Susan Fitzgerald, Bill Roy, and of course Dr. Wimmer!

It's free - so plan to attend!

It's about YOU!

2008-04-15T21:45:00.006-05:00

We are excited to launch our Policy and Politics blog. You can expect to find up-to-date news about policy at the state and federal level which will impact Kansas public schools. If it's hot political news in Kansas, you'll find it here. Most importantly, we want to start a conversation which educates, enlightens, and amuses our readers. The political landscape in Kansas is in your hands, and that landscape determines the policy we will all have to live with.

Send us your thoughts, tips, and ideas. Converse with one another here. Enjoy!