| Check Registers for 16 Kansas School District Now Online
Districts covered represent 41 of Kansas' student population
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October 26, 2012 - Wichita - A database of school district expenses has been updated with 2012 school year data from 16 Kansas districts at KansasOpenGov.Org, a government transparency site operated by Kansas Policy Institute. Taxpayers in the Andover, Blue Valley (USD 229), Coffeyville, Colby, Emporia, Great Bend, Hays, Haysville, Hutchinson, Lawrence, Manhattan-Ogden, Olathe, Salina, Shawnee Mission, Topeka, and Wichita school districts can track how their money is being spent down to check date, amount, and payee. The data was obtained via open records requests and reflects official government bookkeeping, as does all data on KansasOpenGov.Org.
"There is significant public interest in this information but most people don't have the time or money to track it down," said KPI president Dave Trabert. "We've simply done much of the leg work for them and placed government spending information at their fingertips."
The checkbook information is fully searchable for the check amount, a description from the district, date, and payee. Expenses are directly from the individual district and offer an insight into how money is being spent.
Trabert continued, "Parents are right to ask questions when teachers are being laid off and programs are being trimmed back or stopped. It is a question of prioritization when people are let go but districts still find it in their budgets to spend money on other priorities. With this updated tool, parents will be able to ask better informed questions."
For many of the districts included, payroll data is also available for 2012 and prior years. Data on student achievement, total per-pupil spending, and carryover cash reserves for all Kansas public school districts is also available.
Trabert concluded, "KansasOpenGov.Org aims to make more good information available to the public so that they can make good decisions about the direction of our state."
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Kansas Policy Institute is an independent think-tank that advocates for free market solutions and the protection of personal freedom for all Kansans. Our work centers on state and local economic policy with primary emphasis on education, fiscal policy and health care. We empower citizens, legislators and other government officials with objective research and creative ideas to promote a low-tax, pro-growth environment that preserves the ability of governments to provide high quality services. To speak with Kansas Policy Institute, please contact James Franko at (316) 634-0218.
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