Ripple Effect: The “baby bust” and Kansas schools

Thursday, November 16 | 12:00 p.m. Central
A livestream event (Facebook and YouTube)
Special thanks to media sponsor, KMUW, Wichita Public Radio at 89.1 FM.

A decline in births and outmigration from Kansas will bring ripple effects that could leave state and local policymakers with difficult choices. The implications of these demographic shifts will impact K-12 schools and ultimately carry over to the state’s public universities, workforce and economic development efforts. And it’s not clear what might be or ought to be done.

Already, school districts have had to make tough decisions due to declining enrollment numbers. The shifts impact both rural and urban districts like Lawrence Public Schools, which made the call to close two schools earlier this year. Journal contributor Joel Mathis reports on this complex topic in the Fall 2023 edition of The Journal.

Don’t miss the opportunity to engage on a critical issue shaping the future of the Sunflower State. Civic engagement reporter Stefania Lugli will moderate the discussion with the following featured guests:

• Melody Alexander, Lawrence public schools parent
• Donna K. Ginther, director of the Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas
• Dr. Anthony Lewis, Lawrence superintendent of schools
• Joel Mathis, Journal contributor