4 February 2005

Governor Sebelius Talks Schools in Lansing

LANSING, Kan. – Talk of schools was on the menu as Governor Kathleen Sebelius spoke to parents and community leaders at the Lansing Education Foundation breakfast this morning.

“I stand ready to work with the Legislature on a real solution,” the Governor said. “We can only succeed if we work together and if your voices are heard in Topeka. You are the best advocates for our children, and I ask you to gather up that dedication you show every day in our schools and take it to our Statehouse.”

With the Legislature still struggling to respond to the Supreme Court’s mandate, the Governor said it was important for Kansans to contact their lawmakers, and especially to let them know that some proposed “solutions” are, in fact, illusions.

“Kansas citizens and businesses won't accept quick fixes and borrowing to fund our schools. Just as in a family budget, it doesn't make sense to pay your mortgage with a credit card because that only shifts the costs and digs a bigger hole,” Gov. Sebelius said. “We need to identify solid sources of funding that will allow us to invest in the future of our children.”

Gov. Sebelius also said Kansans will not accept the lowering of school standards or the elimination of the Kansas Constitution’s requirement that schools be suitably funded. Both have been suggested by some state leaders.

“Kansans won’t accept dumbing down our school standards. That’s the equivalent of making the test easier so the Legislature can pass it. Hurting the future of thousands of children just to ease the political burden on 165 legislators is simply wrong,” she said.

The Kansas Supreme Court has given the Legislature until April 12 to pass a plan providing suitable funding for Kansas schools.