Banned Books Week is coming back to Wichita Sept. 18-24 thanks to the Wichita Public Library, which is highlighting books that get challenged in schools. One event the library is having centers around the book “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” On Friday, Sept. 23, the library will host a special live version […]
Trace Salzbrenner
Trace Salzbrenner is the former community journalist for The Wichita Beacon. Follow him on Twitter @RealTraceAlan.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Education, Elections
What you need to know about the school board ballot measure on the November ballot
The Beacon has created a guide to prepare you for the ballot measure so that you can be ready to vote.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Education
Wichita school board elections might violate Voting Rights Act, federal ruling in Georgia suggests
“It is an example of a court finding that the type of procedure that Wichita uses to be a violation of the Voting Rights Act,” Jackson said. “It has some value, some authority, that these types of arrangements might be suspect … it shows that they might be diluting minority voting rights.”
Posted inEducation
Pandemic learning: Federal money allows Wichita Public Schools to invest in summer programs
More than 2,800 students participated in the daylong summer programs that ran through June. Participating students in kindergarten through eighth grade regained knowledge they had lost, according to pre- and post-summer school assessments of their math and language skills. And nearly all parents of participating children felt teachers were well-prepared and made the experience fun for their children.
Posted inEducation
Wichita Black community presses school board member to back change in how members are elected
“Holistically and intrinsically, I like Black people representing me, but that’s not always the case… So, I look for, as Dr. [Martin Luther] King said, I look for the content of a person’s character. I look for someone who is African American but if that is not the case I look for someone who can do the things I just said.”
Posted inEducation
Retaining early-career teachers key to addressing shortage in Wichita
Teacher shortages fueled by retirements and teacher burnout continue to plague school districts across the country. Wichita Public Schools began the 2022-23 school year on Aug. 15 short 100 teachers. That represents about 2.5% of all positions, better than the statewide vacancy rate of 4%. The causes of the shortage are baby-boomer retirement, increased stress […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Education
Black activists in Wichita lead the way in USD 259 school board voting reform
Currently, five of seven school board members want to put school board election reform before voters. Diane Albert of District 1 and Hazel Stabler of District 6 currently do not believe the question is worth putting on the ballot.
Posted inEducation
August means back-to-school in Wichita. Here are local events to get you ready.
School is just about to begin in Wichita, and there are many things to get done: school meal forms, supplies shopping, vaccinations and more must be completed before the 2022-2023 school year begins. Here is a list of events that parents and students might enjoy or find helpful as the final days of summer bring […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Elections, Kansas State Government
Live coverage: Wichita’s 2022 primary election
The 2022 primary is no ordinary election day in Kansas. This year, every voter can vote — even unaffiliated voters who may be unaccustomed to voting in primaries. On all ballots: a proposed constitutional amendment that would remove the right to an abortion from the Kansas Constitution. On party-affiliated ballots: primary elections for U.S. Senate […]
Posted inCivic Engagement, Education
Latest school board redistricting would split historically Black neighborhoods in Wichita
“I think we are at a place now where each district needs to select its own representation,” Jackson said. “And then, if we become smarter, we can get better on how to share the power.”