Kansas Adequately Fund Education and Keep Certified Librarians

The Kansas Legislature has not adequately funded education for the past several years and as such the Kansas court system has been involved. A couple of criticisms are that the current block grant funding does not provide additional funds when the number of students within a district increases nor does it provide additional funds for students who are more expensive to educate such as students who are physically or mentally challenged.

Many school districts have chosen to reduce or eliminate certified library teacher positions as a way to cut expenses. This means that in an age where information is available 24/7, students will no longer have a teacher who teaches them about information literacy. Concisely stated, "In the nonstop tsunami of global information, librarians provide us with floaties and teach us to swim - Linton Weeks."

The sentiment from elected officials is that anyone can teach. Certified teachers invite legislature members to spend a week in the life of a teacher, planning, teaching, conversing with parents, dealing with discipline, completing paperwork, etc. so that they have a better understanding regarding what it means to be a teacher. It's easy to claim that something is simple when you've never done it before.

It is the responsibility of the Kansas Legislature to adequately fund public education.