State Legislators meet with Andover Schools Legislative Council
February 07, 2008
State Representatives Raj Goyle and Ty Masterson and State Senator Peggy Palmer, recently met with members of the Andover Public Schools Legislative Council.
Goyle toured the school district stopping at Robert M. Martin Elementary School and visiting the Prairie Creek Elementary School construction site. He attended the Legislative Council meeting and took questions from both council members and guests. Rep. Goyle indicated that health care and immigration will be significant topics in the 2008 session.
Masterson, whose children attend Andover schools, met with the council and spoke about some of the important issues facing the upcoming legislative session. He said that all day Kindergarten was a hot topic being discussed in Topeka.
Both legislators listened to the concerns raised by the Council
regarding the difficulties facing a fast growing school district
like Andover. One council member brought up the issue of a second
count. In September all school districts tally the amount of
students attending the schools. The district is then given a
certain amount of funding from the state based on the count. At
this time only one count is taken at the beginning of the year.
Because we receive so many new students throughout the year, fast
growing school districts like Andover would benefit greatly from a
second count in January. Both Representatives agreed that this was
an important issue for Andover and were very supportive.
Palmer met with several Council members in Augusta and spoke about
some of the topics that will be raised during the next legislative
session. Senator Palmer is interested in learning more about the
growth issues in the Andover school district and how funding is
used to improve the environment in which students learn.
All three legislators encouraged parents and teachers to email
or call them at any time. You may find their contact information by
visiting www.kslegislature.org.
The Legislative Council’s primary goal is to keep the Andover school community informed about legislative issues that affect Andover schools and in turn let legislators know of any concerns or issues facing the district.
The Council is co-chaired by Aleris Charleman and Melanie Bayles and includes representatives from each school in the district: Diane Fox - Cottonwood Elementary, Bayles - Robert M. Martin Elementary, Carmen Schulte - Meadowlark Elementary, Kim Bishop - Sunflower Elementary, David Mace -Andover Central Middle School, Terrence Huelskamp - Andover Central High School, Charleman - Andover Middle School, and Bonnie Hoover - Andover High School.
The Council is currently seeking representatives for Wheatland Elementary School, which will open in August 2008. If you are interested in representing this school on the Council, or if you’d simply like to attend the Council’s meetings, please contact Charleman (aleris@cox.net ) or Bayles (m.bayles@att.net).
