USD 306 will be participating in a state-wide “Kansas Conversation” on what our schools are currently required to do, what should be added to improve student achievement and what should be dropped.

The initiative is part of a project sponsored by the Kansas Association of School Boards to encourage school districts in every community in Kansas to have a similar conversation.   The district will also use the information to prioritize budgetary considerations as state resources continue to decline.

Our community’s conversation will take place 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Elementary Cafeteria at Southeast of Saline on Monday, March 28, 2011 and include newly hired Superintendent, Richard Proffitt, staff, the board of education, business leaders, community members, and students.

The Kansas Constitution requires the legislature to establish and maintain public schools for “intellectual, educational, vocational and scientific improvement.” The Governor and legislative leaders are all seeking a definition of what our public schools should be like in Kansas.

Defining public education is best left to local boards of education and local communities. We have an opportunity to talk about what our community believes and send those thoughts to Topeka.

The results from our community will be shared with KASB and combined with results all across the state. The report will then be shared with state legislators and the Governor during discussions about ‘defining a suitable education.’