Doug & Joseph both commented...

> Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas any more.

Ah, but some of us are!   Because of the past discussions on this group and
the respect I have for Wirt, I will not choose this forum to make any
comments (good, bad or indifferent) regarding the goings-on in Topeka.

Actually, we have much more pressing issues around here to deal with... like
ice and snow that have closed many of our schools for the 3rd time in three
weeks.  The falling price of grain and the rising price of fuel which has
shaken our agricultural community to its very core (and most of the state
too!).  In addition, our state education system is in turmoil because of
multiple lawsuits regarding the inequity of funding.  It seems that this
time it is the "middle sized" school districts complaining.  The big
districts get more state money  because they are big and have so many
additional things that they *have* to spend money on.  The little districts
(like St. John - and 90% of all the other districts in the state) get more
because they can't afford to offer even the basic remedial and
special-service classes.  The middle sized districts don't think it's
fair...   The bottom line is if you don't have money to provide classes and
and equitable distribution system so all are equal in ability and
opportunity, what difference does it matter what you teach?

Glenn Koster (a proud resident of St. John, KS)
Quintessential School Systems

*NOTE* The opinions expressed here are solely mine and not those of my
employer.