School officials watching legislative season

The USD 234 Board of Education on Monday received a combination of positive news regarding Kansas' academic success, and potentially bad news concerning possible state legislation affecting school finance and operations.

In recent months, the Kansas Legislature has discussed possible cuts in education funding to help offset shortfalls in the state budget. Superintendent Bob Beckham talked about possible legislation on the floor that could affect USD 234. He said there has been discussion on SB 71, a bill that could result in funding losses for districts.

For USD 234, that could mean a hit to this year's budget.

"It would change the formula on how local option budget money is calculated," Beckham said. "The new calculation would cost just over $100,000 out of this year's (district) budget. Statewide, districts with lower valuations would be hit the hardest ... we can't lose that money."

Beckham said there is also a bill being discussed that would repeal the current Common Core Standards educational initiative. He said discussion has revolved around either replacing the current standards with the Rose Standards, or reverting back to the state's original educational standards.

"It's all speculation right now," he said.

Beckham also said the efficiency committee at the state level may recommend all state aid funding on long-range capital projects be cut. He said this is good news for USD 234 and its recently-approved school bond issue, of which 51 percent will be funded through state aid.

"We got in at the right time," he said.

Other possible legislative action that Beckham hit on includes the implementation of a two-year budgeting process; collapsing funds and sweeping cash reserves; implementation of a statewide accounting system; and major changes in the negotiations process between teachers and school districts.

"There are some scary things out there," he said.

Beckham said possible changes in the negotiations process with teachers shouldn't have an effect on USD 234.

"It would be possibly changing items that are mandatory negotiable; it would put a limit on how many things we can negotiate," he said. "I'm confident our two teams can sit down and talk without it having an impact on us."

Beckham also said Kansas students continue to score in the top 10 in every academic test.

"We're the most efficient state in the country," he said. "We're very proud. Our students score in the top 10 in any national test. Anybody who outscores us on any test spends more than we do per pupil, which leads us to think we're the more efficient state of the 50 (states)."

Board Vice-president Gary Billionis said during the board comments portion of the meeting that he encourages citizens "to be in contact with local legislators about what's being done to education" in Kansas. Billionis said he is concerned about recent talk by Gov. Sam Brownback and his plan to start over with the school finance system.

"It's about not allowing the governor to take away the education funding formula," he said, adding "schools are underfunded" and cannot afford losing more money.

"Let Topeka know we need help," he said. "We can't lose money."

Other board business Monday:

* Stephanie George, representative of the Fort Scott chapter of the Kansas National Education Association, reported letters containing lists of items up for discussion between teachers and the district during upcoming negotiations were recently exchanged. Teacher negotiations are set to begin at the end of the month.

George said she looks forward to working "cooperatively and positively" with the district during the upcoming talks.

"We're eager to begin contract negotiations ... sometimes they get heated," George said. "We anticipate a collaborative effort."

Beckham said he anticipates a "good dialog" and to "move forward together." He said many of the items on lists for both sides deal with the same issues. He also said both sides will try to get through the negotiations process this spring.

"I'm excited about the process," he said.

* Beckham announced Robin Button, the district's food service director, submitted two winning recipes in the More Tastes of Kansas Recipe Contest. The recipes will be featured in chef-taught culinary classes.

* Local business owner Mark Shead gave a brief presentation to the board regarding the use of technology in education. Shead talked about studies that have been done regarding students and the use of computers and other technology in the classroom, as well as the impact of technology on education.