Kemble invited to education breakfast with Gov. Jeb Bush

Jerri Kemble, superintendent of the Centre school district, participated in a breakfast discussion on education with former Florida governor Jeb Bush and high-ranking Kansas education officials Sept. 2 at Johnson Community College.

Organized as part of gubernatorial candidate Sam Brown?back?s ?Road Map for Kansas,? the event drew about 100 people, including Kansas State Board of Education members, college presidents, legislators, state and local school board members, superintendents and students.

Kemble was invited to speak about the programs at Centre and the new virtual school established through Centre district.

?After we were seated, Sen. Brownback came to my table and asked me to join him and former Gov. Jeb Bush at their table for breakfast,? Kemble said.

?Gov. Bush was very interested, as he is a proponent of the use of technology in schools. I felt honored to sit with national leaders and discuss the education in USD 397.

?I did not attend the event for political reasons, nor do I give you this information for that purpose. I believe that people involved in education should engage in the important conversations about the state of our educational system in Kansas.?

During the meeting, Bush stressed the need for K-12 reform while Brownback talked about the need for educational reforms and the way he pursued it as governor.

Brownback talked about changing the new school funding formula that would require more of school funds to end up in the classroom.

He also said he would protect small school districts: ?I am not going to force consolidation at the state level.?

Kemble said: ?At the conclusion of the meeting, Jeb Bush asked me for my business card. He said that he would like for me to meet and visit with the leader of virtual education in the state of Florida.?

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