Readin' writin' and politicin'
When Gov. Kathleen Sebelius met with 10 journalists in her office last week she not only was seeking grass roots input, but also wanted to sell her plan for education in Kansas.
As noted in the Malarkey column this week, our governor not only is charming but also has courage. As fellow editor Dave Seaton of Winfield noted, "She's not backing off."
Those who don't understand the vast problem with financing education in Kansas, and that includes nearly all of us, have no idea how complex it is.
First of all, you must consider the federal mandates, and remember that Uncle Sam has yet to honor his commitment to fund special education as agreed. Sam is not a trusty partner.
The governor proposes more money, per child, to keep up with inflation and changing times. Kids no longer walk to school nor do they drink from the common dipper or go to an outdoors toilet, as some of us did. Kids today are educated in classrooms of 20 pupils with an aide to help the teacher. In our son's day, not so long ago, his class of 60 had two teachers and no aides (30 kids per room). Today's class of 60 has three teachers and three aides (20 per room).
But, it's not time to recall how we walked two miles to school, daily, during snow storms, uphill both ways. It's a time to solve our problems.
That will call for bi-partisan agreement backing a reasonable concept. Everybody, including teachers, will need to tighten belts a notch or two and taxpayers again will be called on for support.
After the governor met with us, she went on a statewide blitz trip to explain the situation. Hopefully, Kansans understood what she was saying. At least the hope is that our legislators understood.
One of her cost-cutting measures is consolidation of administrative offices in rural districts, like Marion County. Having lived through consolidation about 40 years ago, it would be painful to face that concept again. But it appears likely.
— BILL MEYER
