Author: David Hicks
“A-F Grades for Kansas Schools” shows artificial improvement from reducing proficiency standards, yet outcomes remain relatively low
The decision by the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBOE) in 2025 to lower proficiency standards predictably produced artificial achievement…
13 homeowners in one Sedgwick County neighborhood win property tax appeals; appraiser admits inflated values are an effort to “catch up” on previously undervalued homes
After receiving a property tax assessment with a 24% increase this year, Haysville homeowner John Eichelberger filed an appeal and…
KPI study: Wealthy Kansans already pay more than their “fair share” of income taxes
For the rest of this political season, the phrase “the rich should pay their fair share” will be often repeated…
KASB latest in education establishment to issue guidance conflicting with the law banning cell phones, governing social media contact in schools
The Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) issued a policy directive to local school districts that appears to conflict with…
Already playing catch-up on new cell phone ban law, state school board further delays offering direction to districts at June meeting
Instead of providing guidance to Kansas school districts on implementation of the new cell phone ban signed into law nearly…
Study finds 87% of recent property tax appeals decisions favor taxpayers
Research conducted by the Kansas Policy Institute (KPI), the owner of The Sentinel, shows that nearly 9 out of 10 decisions…
Inactive Voters: As primaries loom, some Kansas counties do better than others in removing them
More than 250,000 Kansas voters are listed as “Inactive” because their addresses cannot be verified, but they can still vote…
State Board of Education member Debby Potter criticizes colleagues for open records KORA complaints
Multiple complaints of Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) violations by the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBOE) have been received…
Education establishment appears eager to water down new cellphone ban in schools
In his end-of-the-year message to his membership of school superintendents, G.A. Buie, Executive Director of the United School Administrators of…
Four JOCO school districts unite, prepare to sue state over perceived lack of special education funding
The four largest school districts in Johnson County, Blue Valley, DeSoto, Olathe, and Shawnee Mission, are joining forces with the…
Leavenworth School District closes an intermediate school to balance budget
Leavenworth USD 453 will close an estimated $2.55 million budget gap next year by closing Warren Intermediate School for 5th-…
Blue Valley Schools, with bloated management payroll, will trim hourly workers pay and benefits in plan to address $10 million shortfall
Blue Valley USD 229 in Johnson County had 15 administrators making at least $200,000 yearly, and $67 million in operating…
Olathe, Shawnee Mission School Districts choose different paths in response to federal allegations of FERPA, Title IX violations
Last month, the U.S. Department of Education concluded an eight-month investigation by citing four Kansas school districts; Kansas City, Olathe,…
KJI attorney Samuel MacRoberts delivers PELA lecture on free speech and the First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom…
Governor Kelly vetoes bill requiring passage of civics test for high school graduation
While agreeing that a student’s “educational journey” should include Civics, an understanding of our democratic process, Governor Laura Kelly nonetheless…
Governor Kelly’s veto pen ends hope for property tax relief this year
Like most Democrats and some Republicans, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly claims to support property tax relief, but her veto of…
Kansas has more than 5,000 KPERS ‘millionaires’ collecting government pensions
The list of Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) ‘millionaires’ — those who will accrue $1,000,000 in benefits in the…
U.S. Department of Education cites four Kansas school districts for civil rights and parental notification violations
Concluding an eight-month investigation, the federal Department of Education has found the Kansas school districts of Kansas City, Olathe, Shawnee…
HB 2043 remains last shot at property tax reform in 2026
After failing to follow the Senate in passing its version of a constitutional amendment limiting property tax assessments, the Kansas…
Audit shows Kansas may have paid up to $1.2 million in SNAP benefits to out-of-state recipients
Legislative Post Audit, the auditing arm of the Kansas Legislature, estimates between $700,000 and $1.2 million in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition…
Kansas Legislature overrides governor’s vetoes on welfare fraud, freedom of speech on campus, juvenile justice reform, informed consent, among others, in busy end of session
Kansas lawmakers passed into law several pieces of legislation over the vetoes of Governor Laura Kelly in a customary rush…
Olathe USD 233 eliminating mental health professional staff
The jobs of the six mental health therapists who see about 1,000 students in Olathe USD 233 are being eliminated…
Tumbleweed Event Center owners, state fire marshal differ on events leading to its closure.
Salina business owners Jerry and Jenni Jones and Jesse and Amber Bradley opened their Tumbleweed Event Center in Salina in…
7 national organizations join the Cozy Inn First Amendment case against Salina as city appeals recent loss in court
Seven national organizations have filed court briefs in support of Salina’s Cozy Inn restaurant in its ongoing First Amendment lawsuit…