Category: News

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…

Education lobby gearing up for funding fight, potential lawsuit, as formula review begins
The Kansas Education Funding Task Force has begun meeting to discuss potential changes to the school funding formula before it…

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…

Audit finds ‘inconsistencies’ in Commerce’s handling or COVID funds
A new audit by the Kansas Department of Legislative Post Audit has found that the Kansas Department of Commerce did…

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…

Shawnee Mission shortchanges students on services in the name of equity
The Shawnee Mission East High School student newspaper, Harbinger, reports that the school board “has formed a fairness-fighting task force:…

Kansas #15 for per-student spending, #40 in NAEP outcomes
A new analysis by Kansas Policy Institute shows that the Sunflower State ranks #15 for cost-of-living-adjusted spending per student, but…

KSDE, lacking credibility, responds to LPA audit by attacking the process
A recent Legislative Post Audit (LPA) audit of the Kansas State Department of Education’s funding of the adult virtual school…

KC pediatrician says ADHD is “over-diagnosed, overtreated”
As many as 7% or more of school-aged children — mostly boys — have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity…

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…

New study again confirms that school choice improves outcomes
A new study shows the Ohio school choice program is producing better outcomes for students, the Wall Street Journal reports.…

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…

Audit finds easy change to Medicaid billing for schools could save state $22.5 million
A recent audit of how schools are reimbursed for school-based health care, found a potential $22.5 million savings. According to…

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…

Kansas Justice Institute files amicus brief in U.S. Supreme Court over warrantless digital searches
Americans enter their personal information into websites, use it to access bank accounts, and make digital transactions daily, never realizing…

Kansas lost more than 200,000 residents to domestic migration since 2000
Kansas has once again seen net domestic out-migration, with a net loss of 4,700 residents to other states in 2024,…

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…

Prairie Village denying residents chance to vote on $30 million bond issue
The City of Prairie Village is refusing to allow residents to vote on a $30 million bond issue — and…

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…

Opponents of Westwood park sale win election victory
A small park the City of Westwood, Kansas, attempted to sell to developers for an office park and retail outlets…