Brownback signs education funding bill
Gov. Sam Brownback announced today that he signed an education funding bill, designed to prevent the state Supreme Court from shutting down the state’s public schools.
According to the Little Apple Post the bill, in response to the court’s ruling in February that Kansas isn’t providing enough aid to its poor school districts, redistributes $83 million of the state’s $4 billion-plus in annual aid. It also includes a “hold harmless” provision, which ensures that no school district will see a reduction from its current funding level.
Brownback issued the following statement about the bill signing:
“The legislature has acted to keep Kansas schools open and I agree with its choice. I have signed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2655 because I want to keep our schools open and ensure our students continue to have access to a quality education. I would remind those who criticized this bill as a ‘product of politics,’ that it is indeed the job of the legislature to address these issues. The legislature consists of 165 elected representatives of the people. I do not take their judgment lightly. This bill is the result of a delicate legislative compromise – one that I respectfully endorse and that the Court should review with appropriate deference.”
K-State workers cause of Tuesday’s fires
Riley County Emergency Management announced on Wednesday that the workers at the K-State Beef Stocker Unit caused Tuesday’s fires, which temporary closed of Tuttle Creek Boulevard.
According to KMAN it was Pat Collins, emergency management director, who revealed that a “torch or a welder” ignited the flames while a fence was being built.
About 100-150 mobile mobile home-park residents had to leave their homes due to the fire, according to KMAN, and one home was lost to the fire.
Social work program celebrates accreditation, faculty
Alumni, faculty and friends of K-State’s social work program joined together in the K-State Student Union Ballroom last Saturday to celebrate the program’s 42 years of continuous accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education.
K-State’s social work program has been continuously accredited by the council since 1974, according to K-State Today. The program’s student enrollment has grown steadily for the past 42 years; in 2006, there were 100 social work majors, and approximately 250 in fall 2015.
According to K-State Today the event also honored Jacque Gibbons, associate professor in the program, for his 34 years of social work education and his delivery of direct services to Kansas citizens. Gibbons, who retires this May, was presented a State of Kansas Senate Tribute to Gibbons by Kansas Sen. Tom Hawk
