Author: David Hicks
The “Supply Side” of School Choice: private options increase in states with universal choice
A lack of private options is a common concern among rural Kansas legislators, but a new study suggests school choice…
Louisburg school board caught trying to circumvent state law and prevent public input on property acquisition plan
At the urging of Miami County Attorney Kenton Harding, the Louisburg USD 416 School Board tabled its approval a week…
Overland Park leaders eager to approve $250 million subsidy for Black & Veatch
Overland Park-based Black & Veatch is asking the City of Overland Park for about $250 million in subsidies to help…
Wyandotte Co. property owners providing hefty salaries for government employees
The fallout continues across Kansas after state lawmakers failed to pass legislation limiting property tax increases. Wyandotte County and Kansas…
Again choosing systems over students, JOCO superintendents pen joint letter opposing federal School Choice legislation
Superintendents Dr. Tonya Merrigan of Blue Valley, Dr. Brent Yeager of Olathe, and Dr. Michael Schumacher of Shawnee Mission have…
Johnson County property tax hikes provided some hefty employee pay increases
The failure of the Kansas Legislature to deliver property tax relief this year after promising voters it was its “#1 priority”…
The majority of parents and teachers favor ESAs, but Kansas legislators prioritize administrators over students
Nearly three out of four teachers support Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in America, and optimism among educators about their profession…
Kansas Office of Early Childhood promises streamlined programs, expanded access to childcare services
Kansas’ new Office of Early Childhood (OEC) will merge three departments and consolidate nearly 20 existing state programs serving children…
Prairie Village City Council spends $23,000 on drones for Ukraine
The Prairie Village City Council voted 8-4 to send a $22,900 donation to its Sister City in Dolyna, Ukraine for…
Parents’ right to opt out of school curriculum debated before SCOTUS in Maryland case
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) heard arguments this week on whether parents can opt out of a…
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s leadership drives his state toward school choice
The Texas House and Senate have approved versions of Senate Bill 2, which provides $1 billion to fund Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). This…
Kansas economic outlook continues improvement in annual Rich States, Poor States Survey
The outlook for the Kansas economy continues marching up the rankings of states in the 18th annual Rich States, Poor…
Flipped vote on Lansing School Board certifies district will comply with federal anti-discrimination laws
A month after his vote derailed a resolution calling for compliance with the federal discrimination laws, USD 469 Board Member…
Opponents of Paola School District’s COLA tax on property valuations launch petition drive
A new twist on the contentious issue of property taxes is being played out in Paola. A “protest petition” aimed…
KSDE reverses course on performance level descriptors with another attempted coverup
After toying with the idea of changing performance level descriptors for the state assessment to be even more deceptive, the…
Lansing plan to use property tax incentives for housing development district faces opposition
The City of Lansing is proposing a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) using property tax revenue to repay developers over…
Open Meetings issue raised after KCKCC Board discusses president’s contract at retreat
A recent retreat attended by Kansas City Kansas Community College Board of Trustees members in which details of a new contract offered to…
Former Lawrence Elementary School staffer jailed on eight sexual assault charges, lawsuit filed against district
A former speech pathologist at Prairie Park Elementary School in Lawrence faces eight charges of sexual assault involving students at…
Study: Kansas should verify desired schools’ capacities to accept Open Enrollment students
Kansas’ Open Enrollment law allows K-12 students wishing to transfer to another district to do so, depending on the capacity…
JCCC says it has closed its Office of Inclusion and Belonging, but Zoom meeting assures “the work will continue”
Johnson County Community College (JCCC) recently made headlines by announcing the closing of its Office of Inclusion and Belonging soon…
Lansing School Board defeats resolution to comply with U.S. Department of Education letter on DEI
On a 4-3 vote, the USD 469 School Board in Lansing rejected a resolution offered by a member to comply…
Voters would decide property tax increases above inflation if SB 280 prevails
Senate Bill 280 would require local governments such as counties, cities and school districts to get voter approval to raise…
SB 283 flat tax bill ending subsidies for housing construction, HPIP, PEAK, opposed by recipients
The Senate Tax Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 283, which sets a course for an eventual flat tax but…
SB 259 promises income tax reductions based on increases in state revenue
Senate Bill 259 proposes a path to a flat income tax in Kansas based on increases in state revenues above…