HAYS, Kan. - After seeing the pictures and talking to each individual, it came as no surprise that Brad Will and Brenda Craven should team up to chaperon a Fort Hays State University English Trip to Oxford, Miss. Will, whom I can gather is a Star Wars enthusiast after our meeting (as depicted by the adventurous posters in his office), was less of an organizer for the trip as Craven took it upon herself to do the majority of the planning. I first met Craven when I was welcomed into her office, and my eyes were captured by the enormous canvas that engulfed her pasty white wall with bright ranges of reds and oranges.

"We want what's right, not what's left."

TOPEKA, Kan. - The above is the motto of a grassroots groups calling itself Adequate Yearly Funding. This group is organizing a rally to support education in Topeka on Tuesday, March 16. Everyone, educators, teachers, students, grandmothers, grandfathers, and other interested citizens, are welcome to join this rally.

Why should people rally for education? All one has to do is read the local newspaper or watch the local TV news to know what funding cuts will mean for Kansas schools and the students who attend them. According to an article in the March 7, 2010, issue of the Wichita Eagle, "Senate Republican leaders [have] outlined plans to push for $300 million in tax increases to help close a $450 million budget gap for the 2011 budget." (Parkinson cuts roads funding to fix budget) Tax-wary legislators need citizen support in order to follow through with these tax increases.

MOUND CITY, Kan. - In 2002, Tom Holland said that he ran to represent his neighbors in the Kansas House of Representatives, "because our schools were facing severe funding shortages."

He explained, "Year after year, I watched my kids' classroom sizes get bigger and important programs being cut. I knew how to solve problems for businesses, and when I saw the problems facing my kids' schools, I decided to lead. I set out to share my vision with other Kansans. The critics said I had no chance. But, I went on to beat the established candidate, a four-term incumbent, and the chair of the House Education Committee."

Living in Kansas full-time, Holland raised four children: Thomas, a Kansas University graduate; Derek, a Baker University graduate; Brandon, a Kansas University junior; and Louisa, a South Junior High eighth grader. All four attended Lawrence schools during a tumultuous time when public schools faced severe funding shortages.

PRETTY PRAIRIE, Kan. - At a recent legislative forum Reno County Representative Mike O'Neal told the audience they were blaming the wrong people for cuts in education. He claimed it was the local school boards spending too much on non-classroom items that was at fault.

He certainly left me with the impression that it was high administrative costs that were the problem.

I was outraged. How could our school boards be doing this in a time of economic crisis?

Armed with righteous indignation I confronted area school superintendents. What I found was not what I expected. What Mr. O'Neal had called wasteful administrative spending seemed pretty essential to me.

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education Awards. Nominated by their peers, these awardees exhibit outstanding innovation, leadership and achievement, as well as collaboration and cooperation within the environmental education field. For the second year, three schools are receiving Kansas Green Schools of the Year Awards. "We are thrilled to honor these deserving individuals and organizations, who give so much of their time and are so dedicated to environmental education in Kansas," said KACEE President Schanee' Anderson, of the Sedgwick County Zoo.

POTWIN, Kan. - After my previous post on the budget cuts and their effect on my daughter's school, I was able to obtain a list of the cuts which are below.

What amazes me is the 50 percent cut to classroom budgets. Are schools being left to depend on the teachers paying for necessary items? It's either that, or teachers go without. And postponing the purchase of new text books and reducing the library budget? I noticed that they planned on reducing energy costs by lowering the temperature. That would explain my daughter always freezing in her class, despite always wearing a long-sleeved shirt.

Take a look at the cuts that just one small school district have been forced to make.

POTWIN, Kan. - Sending my oldest daughter off to kindergarten last year was beyond difficult. Now that both of us are adjusted to school, I am now having trouble with the budget cuts to education and how it is affecting her small-town school.

I received a letter, like all other parents, stating that budget cuts were made, and changes would happen to help the school save money. There were simple money saving ideas like no longer sending the lunch and breakfast menus home with the student, and cutting down on other notes sent home. They also eliminated several positions, and no longer pay for uniforms for custodians.

But what disturbs me is what wasn't in the note.

PRETTY PRAIRIE, Kan. - As Kansas faces a budget crisis a disturbing trend has developed. It is the special tax being levied on teachers. In many school districts teachers are being asked to take pay cuts. No one blames them for the fiscal crisis. We all agree they are already under paid. So why to some want to balance the state budget on the backs of teachers? The pay cuts amount to a special tax on teachers.

Can you imagine the outrage if we demanded a special tax on bankers or god forbid, lawyers? Balancing our books on the backs of teachers is just as bad.

MANHATTAN, Kan. - A college campus can be a scary and intimidating place at times. Students can often feel like outsiders, become victims of bullying, or some cases, worse. Kansas State University has a program which rejects prejudices and discrimination of all kinds, and promotes non-violence and respect among every person. SafeZone is a program devoted to helping students who feel threatened or troubled. Student's troubles can range from dealing with hate crimes or bullying, to homophobia, to sexual violence or any distressing situation where they may need somebody to talk to. In these cases a student can seek out a SafeZone ally, who have the SafeZone symbol posted in their office or backpack, or are listed on the SafeZone website.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - I grew up two blocks from my small town's public library. The Independent Township Library, to be exact.

I always wondered why the library had such a strange name, not knowing the history of townships in our state or why they were formed, way back when. At any rate, I would stagger home with my arms full of books from the time I could read.

By the time I graduated from high school, I had read every book in the building, plus hundreds more that the interlibrary loan van would bring every couple of weeks. I taught story time to 3-year-olds, and led the summer reading program.

The library was my window to the world, and through its treasures it made me realize that the world was a big place with a lot of opportunities.