Print edition: 
These Andover parents have Topeka on their mind.
As schools statewide wrestle with budget cuts — Andover public schools cut $1.5 million for the 2009-10 school year in response to flat state aid — a group of parents meet each month to support Andover schools through the Kansas Legislature.
The Andover Parent Legislative Council tracks legislation and helps parents understand that what's going on in Topeka that affects their schools — including upcoming budget cuts.
"It's a nice exchange of information," said Nancy Kirkendoll, a 20-year Andover school board member who is also the board liaison for the Parent Legislative Council this year. "We have personal relationships with our legislators now and we can talk to them from a parent's point of view."
The group is unusual in that it hasn't been formed in response to a particular issue, superintendent Mark Evans said. Typically, a group will form in support of a bond or property tax referendum and then disband after the vote.
Evans said the group has been valuable in getting information to the public, including the ability to dispel rumors.
Andover school officials believe the group is one of only a few statewide.
Chairwoman Melinda Fritze said she first got involved to understand how school districts received funding. Once she attended meetings, she quickly realized that true change comes from the Legislature.
"Before I did this, I never really knew who my representatives were," Fritze said. "The bottom line is they do represent you."
Turnout ranges from 80 people during particularly controversial meetings to about a dozen during slower periods.
On Oct. 21, the group welcomed state Rep. Aaron Jack, a Republican who represents the 99th District.
Jack spoke with about a dozen people who peppered him with questions for more than an hour. They had concerns about such things as how the Legislature can adequately fund education and why Jack didn't support the temporary one-cent increase in the sales tax rate approved this year.
Jack told the parents that he supported a budget that had been developed previously by the House, rather than the bill that included the temporary sales tax increase.
School finance could be the biggest issue next session, he said, with proposals for changing the state education funding formula already floating around.
Afterward, Jack said such meetings allow him to talk directly with interested constituents.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to be engaged with parents who are concerned about their children getting a good education," he said.
