Ed Bideau, local candidate for the House of Representatives, introduced a “new and bold” idea to USD 257 Board of Education members at their meeting Monday night.
“I will communicate with you,” Bideau said, in a light-hearted manner though with serious implications for the embattled school district that has seen a loss of more than $1 million in funding over the past year.
Tony Leavitt, board president, took Bideau’s words to heart.
“I hope the communication from the Legislature to our level is improved,” he said. “If the idea is to starve us into consolidation, let us know, so we can begin working in that direction.”
Bideau said he is making an effort to meet with all the boards of area schools and colleges, hospitals and other public bodies to develop a working relationship that he can take with him to Topeka. Bideau is running unopposed this coming November.
He also envisions organizing an advisory group of area citizens that he can rely on to communicate the Ninth District’s needs. “I’m soliciting your help.”
Bideau noted this spring’s redistricting of legislative districts puts Neosho County Community College and Allen Community College in the same House district — a first.
Funding for education will continue to be a central issue for the upcoming Legislature. “First we need to decide how much money to put into the pot and second, how that is spread out,” he said. “Equalization of those funds has eroded over time due to pressure from the wealthier districts to keep more at home.”
Bideau said one way he could fight for the interests of southeast Kansas “is to vote ‘no’ against any Johnson County legislator” running for leadership positions in the House.
The power to decide funding schools should remain with Kansas courts, not legislators, precisely because urban legislators outnumber those from rural districts, Bideau said.
Bideau said his wife Margaret, a fourth-grade teacher in Chanute, helps keep him abreast of educational trends and needs.
“Too often, once people don’t have a direct connection with schools, they don’t realize the needs of today,” he said. “What was good for them 25 years ago, they figure is good today. Of all fields, education is constantly changing. I can appreciate your frustration,” of an ever-tightening budget, Bideau said.
THE AGE-TO-AGE preschool program at Windsor Place helps keep Iola on the radar of Kansas lawmakers and Gov. Sam Brownback, said Brian Pekarek, superintendent of schools.
“Iola is particularly known for its Bowlus Fine Arts Center, the SAFE BASE after-school program and now this Age-to-Age program,” Pekarek said.
Iola’s is one of three Windsor Place-based preschools in the state that couple preschoolers with elderly residents.
