As Thomas Jefferson reportedly said, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” The founders of our state took that to heart, and Kansans have a strong tradition of valuing and supporting public education.

As the state was settled and communities were built, building a common place for the children to learn - a public school - was a priority for the new Kansans. The schools they built still dot the landscape of rural Kansas, but that legacy is under threat.

Ideological extremists and hyper-partisan lawmakers push legislation that would undermine our public schools by diverting our tax dollars into private schools, and out of public schools - where over 90% of Kansas kids learn. Moreover, these voucher (or "school choice") programs are often unavailable to students in rural areas, simply because there are no private options within driving distance.

Education is a serious issue, and not only because it accounts for around half of the state budget. Education is the process of learning and growth. It's not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of the fire that will guide us throughout our lives. It's important that we get it right.

As Kansans, it's our job to ensure our lawmakers are doing their part to ensure every kid has the opportunity to thrive. That means remaining focused on doing the work of supporting and improving public education in Kansas.

Mitch Rucker

General Consultant