Fwd: Sentinel Spotlight January 28, 2026

Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
sent from mobile 📱
time kills deals

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: The Sentinel Team <news@sentinelksmo.org>
Date: Wed, Jan 28, 2026, 11:24 AM
Subject: Sentinel Spotlight January 28, 2026
To: Henry <mcre13@gmail.com>

View this email in your browser School funding almost $19,000 per student, cash reserves hit $1.33 billion, enrollment declines, and employment increases Data from the Kansas Department of Education shows school funding for the 2024-25 school year set another record at $8.65 billion, averaging $18,858 per student. The average doesn't tell the whole story, however. USD 326 Logan spent the most at $84,396 per student with just 113 kids enrolled; that includes capital expenditures of $58,766 per student. USD 334 Southern Cloud, with only 57 kids enrolled, spent $47,194 per student. Another 126 districts spent more than $20,000 per student. As student achievement declines, report shows NEA funnels millions to social justice causes, supports anti-ICE protest An investigation by a nonpartisan watchdog group has uncovered millions of dollars in union funds spent by the National Education Association (NEA) on far-left activist groups, social justice organizations, and liberal ballot initiatives across the country. On January 23rd, the NEA is sponsoring an anti-ICE protest in schools. Former Emporia State professor awarded more than $5 million in religious discrimination lawsuit A former Emporia State University professor has won his religious discrimination lawsuit against the university. A Lyon County jury earlier this week awarded Dr. Dusti Howell $5,181,344.55 in compensatory and punitive damages, finding the university violated Howell's rights under the Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom act and the Kansas Act Against Discrimination as well as Federal Title VII protections. Lt. Governor Toland won't assure Kansans they won't see tax increases from Chiefs stadium deal Lt. Governor David Toland, who in his dual role as state Commerce Secretary was the architect of the STAR Bonds deal bringing the Chiefs to Kansas, refused to rule out a future tax increase as a result of the arrangement. In an interview with Fox 4 in Kansas City, Toland said the deal answered questions about the Chiefs' future... Cellphone ban bill threatened by private school provisions School cellphone ban legislation is potentially on shaky ground over provisions that would apply to private schools. Senate Bill 302 would require school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to prohibit the use of personal electronic communication devices during instructional time and prohibit any employee of a school district or accredited nonpublic school from using social media to directly communicate with any student for official school purposes. We need your help to stay on the beat! The Sentinel is a non-profit and depends solely upon the generosity of readers like you to keep media and government in line. If you can help, we'd sure appreciate it! If you are aware of a government statement or media report (in Kansas or Missouri) that you believe to be inaccurate, biased, or lacking pertinent information, we want to hear from you!   As always, we hope you'll share the weekly newsletter with your friends and family and encourage them to be regular readers. And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter using the buttons below! The Sentinel Team Privacy Policy You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. News@SentinelKSMO.ORG Overland Park, KS | 66213 US Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.