Governor is balancing budget ‘on backs of Kansas children’

Sen. Pat Pettey
Sen. Pat Pettey

State Sen. Pat Pettey, D-6th Dist., stated today that the announcement from the governor about budget cuts to public schools “proved our children’s future is not a priority.”

Sen. Pettey was asked for a reaction to the governor’s announcement. Sen. Pettey, a retired teacher from the Turner Public Schools, stated:

“If anyone was still holding out hope that the governor would not support reducing the state budget on the backs of our Kansas children yesterday proved our children’s future is not a priority. Our Wyandotte County schools are losing nearly $2 million dollars out of their 2015 budget. Our school boards will do everything they can to finish out this school year with as little direct impact on the classroom learning. They cannot continue on this path without the funding the school formula says they should be receiving.

“When the governor blamed the purchase of a piano as taking money from the classroom he was being totally dishonest and he knows it. No capital outlay money can be used for salaries. Replacing an instrument that has been in use for 50 years actually says KCK is very prudent with their money. This is just another example of the efforts being made to blacken the image of Kansas Public Education. Education is the key for students to be career and college ready. It is our state’s constitutional responsibility,” Sen. Pettey stated.

A listing of the budget cuts by the state showed a cut of $1.39 million to the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools; a cut of $250,847 to the Turner Public Schools; a cut of $95,680 to the Piper Public Schools; and a cut of $143,152 to the Bonner Springs Public Schools.

The budget cuts to all Kansas public schools may be seen online at http://budget.ks.gov/files/FY2015/Governor_Allotment_BSAPP_Redux_Calc–02-05-2015.pdf.

To see an earlier story, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/governor-cuts-education-44-5-million/

Bonner Springs cancels activities, events

Because of the snowstorm today, the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville School District has canceled all activities and athletic events tonight, except for practices.

This includes the District Choral Festival and the Bonner Springs High School Varsity Swim Meet.

The Clark Middle School boys basketball teams will not be traveling to Lexington Trails for tonight’s games. Rescheduling will be announced later.

Five Wyandotte County students receive dean’s honors at Wichita State

Five students from Wyandotte County are on the dean’s honor roll for fall 2014 at Wichita State University.

To be included on the dean’s honor roll, students must be enrolled full time, at least 12 credit hours, and earn at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Dean’s honor students from Wyandotte County include Melissa N. Cisneros, Bonner Springs; Kayla M. Greer, Bonner Springs; Robriana J. Cole, Kansas City, Kan.; Jabrea D. Strickland, Kansas City, Kan.; and Samantha A. Watson, Kansas City, Kan.