We’re glad to see a nonpartisan state budget analyst take up the call for an examination of online schools. It’s a good idea that ought to be pursued.
Last week, a state audit committee killed a request to examine the efficacy and finances of the state’s online K-12 schools. The debate was bogged down by politics, since the main proponent of the audit was state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, a Democrat who is running for Congress against Republican incumbent Cory Gardner. The committee voted along party lines, and that, seemingly, was that.
This week, a staffer for the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee brought up the matter again, saying it would be appropriate to look at per-pupil funding levels as well as student achievement and retention.
Previously, media outlets including The Denver Post had pointed out problems with the system. As education funding grows ever tighter, it is the state’s duty to make sure money is spent wisely.
Lame defense of the indefensible. It may go down as one of the all-time worst decisions.
We are talking, of course, about disgraced Penn State football coach Jerry Sandsusky’s decision to subject himself to a phone interview with NBC’s Bob Costas on national television.
The cringe-worthy moments were numerous, but perhaps none moreso than Sandusky’s takeaway quote: “I shouldn’t have showered with those kids.”
You think?
Good lawyers limit what their clients say publicly. Sandusky’s lame attempt to defend the indefensible amidst Costas’ able line of questioning is a case study as to why.
There he goes again. Secretary of State Scott Gessler was rebuked this week by a lawyer for the legislature who said Gessler exceeded his authority on an election reporting matter.
The secretary had eliminated a requirement that campaigns file biweekly reports of contributions before a primary election. Last session, the state legislature passed a law moving the state’s primary from August to June. Lawmakers didn’t, however, change campaign reporting requirements, which left a bit of a mess. The way it worked out is that reports would have to be filed on a biweekly basis for 11 months before the primary — instead of just the usual one month before.
Instead of going to the legislature and asking them to fix the situation, Gessler wrote a rule saying campaign-finance reports in the period before a primary only have to be filed monthly. The legislature needs to fix its oversight, and Gessler needs to gain a keener understanding for the limits of his authority.
Short Takes is compiled by Denver Post editorial writers and expresses the view of the newspaper’s editorial board.
