State of the State - case closed, money is bad for schools

[ednksu]

Oh man the KS Supreme Court just mushed block grants.

edit:
http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article59752316.html

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

This sounds like something our Supreme Court should be weighing in on. The Kansas Budget Crisis - brought to you by a bunch of crazy libs on the Supreme Court, who don't have the power to craft a budget but evidently do have the power to order the legislature to spend more money.

[Rage Against the McKee]

This sounds like something our Supreme Court should be weighing in on. The Kansas Budget Crisis - brought to you by a bunch of crazy libs on the Supreme Court, who don't have the power to craft a budget but evidently do have the power to order the legislature to spend more money.

You would think that the legislature would have learned by now that they are going to lose this lawsuit every time they cut school funding. They need to amend the constitution if they are going to cut school funding.

[ednksu]

This sounds like something our Supreme Court should be weighing in on. The Kansas Budget Crisis - brought to you by a bunch of crazy libs on the Supreme Court, who don't have the power to craft a budget but evidently do have the power to order the legislature to spend more money.

You would think that the legislature would have learned by now that they are going to lose this lawsuit every time they cut school funding. They need to amend the constitution if they are going to cut school funding.

Or....and this is just a crazy idea I'm throwing out here....they could adequately fund schools....

[Rage Against the McKee]

This sounds like something our Supreme Court should be weighing in on. The Kansas Budget Crisis - brought to you by a bunch of crazy libs on the Supreme Court, who don't have the power to craft a budget but evidently do have the power to order the legislature to spend more money.

You would think that the legislature would have learned by now that they are going to lose this lawsuit every time they cut school funding. They need to amend the constitution if they are going to cut school funding.

Or....and this is just a crazy idea I'm throwing out here....they could adequately fund schools....

They don't want to do that, though. They need to get rid of their legal requirements to get what they want.

[star seed 7]

Ghouls

[Emo EMAW]

Seems to me if the state would just offer really crappy education then we'd produce kids who are only educated enough to take over their parents' farming practices instead of going out on their own.  They'd make more money and pay more taxes that way.  Shrewd move, IMO.

[CNS]

The article I read today on the decision noted that the state is required to adequately fund schools in such a way that kids get a constitutionally adequate education.  Surely, the next step is refefining what level of education is considered "constitutionally adequate".  I mean, there is no way that Brownback loses and tosses money back, and no way he raises taxes either.  They are going to let it be ok for kids to simply be under educated.  This has benefit down the road.  Under educated kids don't go to college, so those whiny rough ridin' secondary education budget ppl will find themselves needing less money due to less participation. 

A true KS Win/Win. 

Also, manufacturing will rush to KS due to the corporate tax change and what will soon be a bunch of cheap labor who have no other options in life than your factory job at min wage. 

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

This sounds like something our Supreme Court should be weighing in on. The Kansas Budget Crisis - brought to you by a bunch of crazy libs on the Supreme Court, who don't have the power to craft a budget but evidently do have the power to order the legislature to spend more money.

You would think that the legislature would have learned by now that they are going to lose this lawsuit every time they cut school funding. They need to amend the constitution if they are going to cut school funding.

Or....and this is just a crazy idea I'm throwing out here....they could adequately fund schools....

Please don't start with the "adequate funding" BS. It's ridiculous how much we already spend per pupil, and how inefficiently that money is spent on unnecessary administration because we refuse to consolidate. Just. Stop.

Another alternative would be for the legislature to tell the SC "thanks for your advice, but we make the budget." There is literally nothing the SC can do if the legislature tells them to stuff it. We have co-equal branches of government and the budget has always been within the power of the legislature.

Here is per public spending in Kansas:

http://www.kansasopengov.org/SchoolDistricts/SpendingPerPupil

And that spending doesn't even include local bond revenue.

[CNS]

The do more with less crowd needs to step forward with a plan and lead.  If it's so easy, then propose a plan.  Just taking away money and not providing structure is a horrible idea.

[Rage Against the McKee]

The do more with less crowd needs to step forward with a plan and lead.  If it's so easy, then propose a plan.  Just taking away money and not providing structure is a horrible idea.

cut athletics

[CNS]

Yeah, we discussed that earlier ITT.  I would be fine with that. Munis provide that service for little league and it works.  Why not for the older kids too.  Isn't that how Germany is set up.  No school sports, all club ball? 

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

The do more with less crowd needs to step forward with a plan and lead.  If it's so easy, then propose a plan.  Just taking away money and not providing structure is a horrible idea.

First, the "taking money away from schools" BS. Under the new grant program, some school districts got a bit more, some got a bit less, but overall spending per pupil continues to increase.

Second, a number of plans have been proposed. See, e.g., http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article58283968.html. Naturally, any such efforts are vigorously opposed.

[Kat Kid]

The do more with less crowd needs to step forward with a plan and lead.  If it's so easy, then propose a plan.  Just taking away money and not providing structure is a horrible idea.

First, the "taking money away from schools" BS. Under the new grant program, some school districts got a bit more, some got a bit less, but overall spending per pupil continues to increase.

Second, a number of plans have been proposed. See, e.g., http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article58283968.html. Naturally, any such efforts are vigorously opposed.

Man, governing with a Republican governor, Senate and House is tough.

[star seed 7]

 

[star seed 7]

It's like that time fsd said the kansas democrats have a huge amount of power in the state

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

The do more with less crowd needs to step forward with a plan and lead.  If it's so easy, then propose a plan.  Just taking away money and not providing structure is a horrible idea.

First, the "taking money away from schools" BS. Under the new grant program, some school districts got a bit more, some got a bit less, but overall spending per pupil continues to increase.

Second, a number of plans have been proposed. See, e.g., http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article58283968.html. Naturally, any such efforts are vigorously opposed.

Man, governing with a Republican governor, Senate and House is tough.

Oh I completely agree. It's tough for the legislature and governor to whine about the liberals on the Supreme Court when they refuse to (a) consolidate, or (b) tell the court to eff off. Bad actors all around.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

Did you guys know that Rice County, Kansas, population 10,000 and change (that's total population) has 4 school districts? I just picked a random western county off the list. Those 4 counties spend an average $15,738 per pupil. The Kansas average is $13,124.

But yeah, the problem is we're just not "adequately funding" our schools...

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

Yeah, we discussed that earlier ITT.  I would be fine with that. Munis provide that service for little league and it works.  Why not for the older kids too.  Isn't that how Germany is set up.  No school sports, all club ball?

Of if school districts want sports programs beyond basic physical education classes, maybe require that the communities issue bonds to pay for them? The farmers aren't going to like that one bit.

[star seed 7]

School athletics provide a tremendous positive for society and education

[ChiComCat]

Did you guys know that Rice County, Kansas, population 10,000 and change (that's total population) has 4 school districts? I just picked a random western county off the list. Those 4 counties spend an average $15,738 per pupil. The Kansas average is $13,124.

But yeah, the problem is we're just not "adequately funding" our schools...

Sounds the republicans should consolidate the school districts or is the stupid liberal supreme court stopping that too.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

School athletics provide a tremendous positive for society and education

I agree with you, up to a point. But you don't have to spend much money at all to field, say, a cross country or soccer team. The facilities and equipment for some sports are quite expensive. I would significantly cut funding and let the communities decide to issue bonds if they really want that football team.

[Rage Against the McKee]

Did you guys know that Rice County, Kansas, population 10,000 and change (that's total population) has 4 school districts? I just picked a random western county off the list. Those 4 counties spend an average $15,738 per pupil. The Kansas average is $13,124.

But yeah, the problem is we're just not "adequately funding" our schools...

What would they spend after consolidation?

[CNS]

School athletics provide a tremendous positive for society and education

Would those same positives not be available if you played through your city rather than your school?

[Emo EMAW]

Did you guys know that Rice County, Kansas, population 10,000 and change (that's total population) has 4 school districts? I just picked a random western county off the list. Those 4 counties spend an average $15,738 per pupil. The Kansas average is $13,124.

But yeah, the problem is we're just not "adequately funding" our schools...

How are they spending that much if (I assume) the cost of living is so low out there?