The 2011 session of the Kansas Legislature will begin next week with state government facing a $550 million budget deficit. Since education funding makes up more than half the state budget, there will invariably be calls for further cutbacks at public schools. Guest commentator Blake West hopes that before any more cuts are made, lawmakers will pause to consider the connection between the quality of the state's educational system... and the condition of the state's economy.
Guest Commentator Blake West is the President of the KNEA -- the Kansas chapter of the National Education Association, which represents public school teachers in the state. You can find this commentary online at kpr.ku.edu.