A PROVEN, BALANCED LEADER

Hello Good Folks!

There are few things more important than how we educate our kids.  The next generation must be able to compete in a global economy, conserve resources and energy, make tough decisions and prepare for an uncertain future.

So, the person you select to represent the Wichita metro area on the Kansas State Board of Education will either help move our schools forward or set us back.   As a proven, balanced leader, I will work hard to make sure our K-12 students learn practical, employable skills while doing everything possible to make cost-effective use of each tax dollar spent.

My name is Walt Chappell.  I am running for the Kansas State Board of Education.   And, once elected, it will be my honor to serve you.

My opponent in November is Dennis Hedke.   He has little experience with public education.  He home schooled his kids and then sent them to private schools.   Dennis has stated that he wants to go back to teaching “intelligent design/creationism” in our science classrooms.   He says that the scientific evidence of global warming is a hoax and that budgets for K-12 schools should be cut.  It would be a travesty if Carol Rupe’s moderate voice on the State BOE from Wichita was replaced by such a far right extremist.

This District #8 covers most of the Wichita metropolitan area which includes Senate Districts 25, 28, 29 and 30.  So, all the people from just South of Valley Center on the Northwest to the Sedgwick County line near Andover on the East all the way to the South end of Wichita are represented.  However, most of the area West of I-235 is in District #10.

With over 30 years of public service experience—at the local, county, state, national and international level, I understand high priority issues and how to build coalitions to get them resolved.  I have already helped write and pass legislation on education, health, judicial and energy issues in 5 States and the US Congress.  As a result, I understand the importance of building coalitions, listening to all sides, keeping an open mind and working hard to make a positive impact on the problems facing Kansas schools, students, parents and teachers.

Serving on the Kansas Board of Education will allow me to use my leadership skills and experience to focus on education issues like providing an equal educational opportunity for each K-12 student, recruiting and retaining teachers, controlling costs and reducing property taxes.

Public education in Kansas is at a crossroads.   Half of our State budget is spent each year to educate our K-12 students and costs continue to rise.  This amounts to over $4 billion dollars per year.   Yet, in some high schools, 40% of the students never graduate.  In the next 5 years, 35% of Kansas teachers will retire.  We are also not retaining new teachers, so there is already a major shortage of people to teach math, science and technology.         

K-12 schools in Kansas need to prepare students to compete in a global economy—not just go on to college.   This means that each student—regardless of where they live in our State—has an equal educational opportunity to learn employable skills and knowledge so they can earn a living wage after graduation from high school.

Having testified before the Kansas House and Senate Education Committees plus the Legislative Educational Planning Committee on school finance and educational reform legislation, I am very familiar with both the leaders and issues in our state.  I am now willing and able to share my years of management, public administration, education and international experience to help Kansas K-12 students and teachers become the best that they can be. 

I will provide balanced, positive leadership on the State Board of Education.  Rather than serve the far Right or extreme Left, I look for solutions which will serve the greatest number of people.

Kansas schools, parents, teachers and students are facing some serious problems.   With my unique background in education, manufacturing and business management, I understand these issues from all sides.

To serve and represent you on the Board, I would like to focus on the following top priorities:

1. Modify the graduation requirements and curriculum so each student finishes high school with employable skills. 
2. Increase teacher recruitment and retention.  Approximately 35% teachers in Kansas classrooms will retire in the next 5 years.  This is especially true in Science and Math.
3. Work with Kansas employers to identify the skills and knowledge needed by students to compete in a global economy.
4. Form coalitions with Legislative and community leaders to pass legislation to improve the quality of education received by each student without raising taxes. 

Please join in my campaign!!  Volunteer!!  Contribute!! 

I would also appreciate the opportunity to meet you, your neighbors and friends at a "Get Acquainted" meeting in your home.   We can discuss openly the challenges our schools face and how to work together to resolve them.

In addition, please send me an e-mail, sign up to receive my updates or phone me with your suggestions.  

I will do my part to work hard each day to represent ALL the people of the Wichita metropolitan area District #8--Democrats, Republicans and Unaffiliated.   And once elected, I will post updates on my website so your voices and suggestions can be heard--BEFORE I cast my vote on State Board of Education decisions.

This is truly a grass-roots campaign!   Your participation and financial support is vital and will be greatly appreciated.  So, let's work together to deal with the tough issues facing Kansas schools.  With balanced, effective leadership on the State Board of Education, the decisions made will have a positive impact for years to come.

I will appreciate your support and vote on November 4th.

Paid for by Chappell 4 Kansas State Board of Education
Brad Beachy, Treasurer