As the election roles around many of you interested voters might be wondering which candidates are worthy of your vote in the gubernatorial race. As it turns out, this decision was easier than most for the two of us. After comparing each candidate’s stances on education and our public schools it becomes apparent which nominee truly supports education and which candidate is full of hollow promises.

Both candidates are campaigning on a pro-education platform. However, the proposed pro-education package of the Republican contender, Tim Shallenburger, is a little misleading. Shallenburger repeatedly has prioritized tax increases over adequate funding for schools. Whereas the Democratic candidate, Kathleen Sebelius, believes that the current state budget can accommodate the increasing demands from our public schools by careful reprioritizing of education spending.

Don’t be fooled by Shallenburger’s pro-education campaign rhetoric. Thus far he has stated that Kansas schools can absorb a 3% cut in funding. Consequently, this translates to a loss of about $69 million dollars for education. Based on national statistics, the public schools would need an additional $124 million in funding each year in order to reach the regional average.

Additionally, Shallenburger has opposed legislation that would create tax credits in the amount of $500 for students attending a Regents institution including opposing legislation that would have created need-based financial aid. He also opposed funding to the Department of Education and he voted three consecutively times against increasing per pupil funding in public schools.

The light at then end of this dark tunnel is the Democratic candidate, Kathleen Sebelius. In her past eight years with the Kansas legislature Kathleen has sought to increase teacher salaries, to attract and retain quality teachers, and she also demands that both teachers and students be sufficiently prepared to excel in the classroom and in the future.

Furthermore, she hopes to improve the character of our schools by specifically stressing strong values, integrity, and quality leadership in our classrooms. As for increased funding for our public education, Kathleen has declared that education in our state is a definite priority. In fact, she has promised to rearrange the state budget to emphasize our public schools instead of increasing taxes or cutting school funding.

When all is said and done, Tim Shallenburger and the Republican Party empirically have and inevitably will focus on lower taxes, which translates to lack of funding for important concerns like public schools and higher education. So when going to the polls, remember, Kathleen Sebelius promises to preserve and protect our schools, while Shallenburger says education spending can be cut further by essentially bribing the voters with an empty “no tax increase” pledge.