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KSD supporters speak in Topeka - Kansas City Star
Gay Jones watched her daughter Danielle become unhappy and reclusive while attending public school in Blue Springs.
Although the school district had a program to help Danielle, who is deaf, it was difficult for her to communicate with her classmates and teachers and to develop intellectually in that learning environment, Jones said.
Jones sold her home and moved to Olathe so Danielle could attend the Kansas School for the Deaf.
“My daughter made a complete turnaround overnight,” Jones said.
Jones was one of several people who testified Monday before the Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission in Topeka.
The committee, established by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, is examining the possible closure or merger of several facilities around the state, including the Kansas School for the Deaf and Kansas School for the Blind in Kansas City, Kan.
Jones wants the committee to keep the school open and in Olathe.
Although Commission Chairwoman Rochelle Chronister told the audience the committee was more likely looking at realignment or other improvements rather than closure, those testifying wanted to make sure the committee understood the importance of the School for the Deaf and its cultural ties to Olathe.
“Olathe embraces its large deaf population,” said Ruth Ann Hackler a longtime Olathe residents. “Interpreters sign at public meetings, some church services, most forums as well as school productions.”
Commissioner Nile Dillmore, 92nd District House representative, said the problem is how to justify keeping both schools open on separate campuses when the schools serve a limited number of students in the state and a limited amount of state funding is available.
“The cost of having the facilities is higher than the need,” he said.
Kansas Secretary of Administration Duane Goossen told the commission that the state could balance its budget if revenue forecasts hold true. And that was only possible because Gov. Mark Parkinson recently approved $160 million in budget reductions and allotments and the state received federal stimulus money.
Funds from the Federal Recovery Act will disappear, however, in the next three year years, making it more difficult for the state, Goossen said.
The state is looking at a deficit of $220 million to $230 million when federal dollars dry up in 2012, Goossen said.
The commission is expected to make a recommendation on the two schools by Dec. 1 to Parkinson and the Legislature.
Gay Jones watched her daughter Danielle become unhappy and reclusive while attending public school in Blue Springs.
Although the school district had a program to help Danielle, who is deaf, it was difficult for her to communicate with her classmates and teachers and to develop intellectually in that learning environment, Jones said.
Jones sold her home and moved to Olathe so Danielle could attend the Kansas School for the Deaf.
“My daughter made a complete turnaround overnight,” Jones said.
Jones was one of several people who testified Monday before the Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission in Topeka.
The committee, established by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, is examining the possible closure or merger of several facilities around the state, including the Kansas School for the Deaf and Kansas School for the Blind in Kansas City, Kan.
Jones wants the committee to keep the school open and in Olathe.
Although Commission Chairwoman Rochelle Chronister told the audience the committee was more likely looking at realignment or other improvements rather than closure, those testifying wanted to make sure the committee understood the importance of the School for the Deaf and its cultural ties to Olathe.
“Olathe embraces its large deaf population,” said Ruth Ann Hackler a longtime Olathe residents. “Interpreters sign at public meetings, some church services, most forums as well as school productions.”
Commissioner Nile Dillmore, 92nd District House representative, said the problem is how to justify keeping both schools open on separate campuses when the schools serve a limited number of students in the state and a limited amount of state funding is available.
“The cost of having the facilities is higher than the need,” he said.
Kansas Secretary of Administration Duane Goossen told the commission that the state could balance its budget if revenue forecasts hold true. And that was only possible because Gov. Mark Parkinson recently approved $160 million in budget reductions and allotments and the state received federal stimulus money.
Funds from the Federal Recovery Act will disappear, however, in the next three year years, making it more difficult for the state, Goossen said.
The state is looking at a deficit of $220 million to $230 million when federal dollars dry up in 2012, Goossen said.
The commission is expected to make a recommendation on the two schools by Dec. 1 to Parkinson and the Legislature.