WICHITA, Kan. (AP) It was a quiet Sunday morning in 2011 when Jeff Gannon got a warning hed never forget.
A year earlier, he and his family agreed to put their name to one of the most divisive lawsuits in Kansas history. They had gotten a fair share of negative feedback, but nothing like the man who approached him after church.
He said, Do you have any idea what they can do to you? You are coming up against a system that is incredibly large and powerful, Gannon said. He said, Are you prepared for the trouble that could come your way?
It was odd, and a bit disquieting, but even after the nameless man left, Gannon wasnt shaken.
Frankly, it strengthened my resolve, he said.
The Methodist pastor is the namesake of the 2010 lawsuit filed on behalf of four school districts claiming that the state inequitably and inadequately funded K-12 education. For years, the litigation thrust Gannon, his wife, Meredith, an art teacher, and their three children into the state and national spotlight. It was difficult at times, but even now, as the lawsuit winds to what all parties hope is an end, Gannon believes it was the right thing to do.
Were just representing the common Joe, he said. The person that is passionate about public education.
After years of legal jousting, legislators this month passed what they hope will be the solution to education funding problem. Its now up to the Kansas Supreme Court to decide if it satisfies the state constitution, the Kansas City Star reported.
Should the justices approve, it will add an extra $90 million a year to the state education budget. But it will have no impact on the academic lives of the Gannon kids. The youngest, Grace, graduated from Wichita schools last year. Luke, 22, is in his final year at Southern Illinois University, where he plays golf. And Drew, 26, works in commercial real estate.
When it was filed, the suit was a source of unwelcome attention and anxiety.
Luke and Grace at times thought they were living under a microscope in part, he said. Teachers and staff would make comments which were often complimentary. However, there were those awkward moments when it was mentioned in front of peers.
The Gannons made an effort to sequester what they called the lawsuit drama from the rest of their lives. They didnt appear in court. They turned down national television interviews. Jeff Gannon said he made it a point to never preach about it.
I made it very clear that this is as a parent who happens to be a pastor, he said. This is not a pastor who happens to be a parent.
And the Gannons had always been involved parents.
Since moving to Wichita in 1991, the two had been active in their kids schools, serving on site councils and vocally backing a 2008 bond issue.
