Kansans weigh five of ten seats on state education board
The state board of education in Kansas faces a pivotal election with five seats up. Republican Mandy Specht campaigns in District 9 against Val DeFever and Clifdel Wehmeier while Democrats Harry Coker and Richard Wurtz contend, with Coker praised for practical plans to raise standards and extend curriculum. Specht touts higher graduation requirements amid a split board, and the race underscores concerns over appointment, policy direction, and coordination with higher education.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State Board of Education
BOE
State Education Board
Board of Regents
Kansans
Kansas
Franklin
Anderson
Miami
Osage County
Mandy Specht
Iola
Val DeFever
Independence
Clifdel Wehmeier
Harry Coker
Parsons
Richard Wurtz
Mound City
Bdican Side
Eelection
Specht
Tola
DeFever
Coker
Navy
Parsons School Board
Childhood ditties drive lifelong nerves and guilt
Vickie Hull notes how well meant maxims from teachers and parents foster perfectionism, fear, and habits that linger into adulthood. The column surveys common phrases from childhood such as “quitters never win” and “eat the worst first,” linking them to anxiety, eating issues, insomnia, and a general distrust of doctors.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
China
Folka
Vickie Hull
Lawrence
Reader Forum Returns to Ottawa for Summer Art Camp Tradition
A recurring Reader Forum highlights the Ottawa Community Arts Council OCAC annual summer art camp. The author recalls nine years of growth from a borrowed office to expanded programs including scholarships and plans for the old library building. The piece praises local arts growth and Carnegie building use for arts and Suzuki Strings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa
Ottawa Community Arts Council
OCAC
Ottawa Suzuki Strings
KNEA tactics appalling and a politics letter criticized
A Kansas reader blasts KNEA for urging Democrats to switch to Republicans to back Graves then revert. The letter cites quotes about leadership and urges voters to choose principled government on Aug. 4. It also discusses job hunting reality and warns readers to be street wise in employment searches.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas
KNEA
Graves
Literacy debate shapes Kansas public education policy
The piece contrasts the skills versus content theories in Kansas public schools. It argues for a knowledge-based curriculum with prioritized core subjects and culturally relevant facts, asserting literacy rests on a sequenced body of information taught through texts and policy. It cites E D Hirsch and mentions figures like Sitting Bull and Mark Twain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas
E.D. Hirsch
Reader Forum guidelines for letters to The Ottawa Herald
Readers are invited to submit opinions to the Reader Forum. Submissions must be hand signed and include the author’s address and telephone number. Send letters to Reader Forum at The Ottawa Herald in Ottawa Kansas or via email. Submissions should be no longer than 500 words.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa Herald
Ottawa
Ottawaherald
Letters to the Editor Deadlines for Primary Election
The final date to submit letters to the editor about the primary election is Thursday, July 30. Letters received by that date will be considered for publication, with the last publication date set for August 1.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Manners
IRS
Ingange
Penny
Gofist
Ely
Vickie
Hull
Arts
Harris News Service
Gov. Graves
LaVerne K. Cole Garnett
Herald
States
Doonesbury
Sumner
Jeffrey
Leonardo Dicaprio
New York
Mallard Fillmore
Matiz
L A. Times
Yee
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