(The Sentinel) – The Lansing, Kansas, school district generated buzz and raised money for scholarships at its recent Lip Sync Battle 2024 fundraiser, a simulated drag show with volunteers as participants.

The event was sponsored by the Women’s Division of the Leavenworth-Lansing Chamber of Commerce. Click here to watch the video of the mock drag show and lap dance.

Although the fundraiser was for a good cause, Lansing’s post raised questions about whether it’s appropriate to spend taxpayer money on this type of entertainment, even if it’s done for fun, when children aren’t encouraged to participate. Some recent events in the area, such as a drag brunch for children and families, “drag queen story hours” at libraries in Manhattan, Wichita and Lawrence where children were also encouraged to come with their parents, and an incident last fall at a Shawnee middle school, drew objections from parents.

Although the “Lip Sync Battle” took place in Leavenworth, USD 453 (Leavenworth) Superintendent Dr. Kellen Adamas confirmed to The Guardian, After some back and forth, his school did not offer to contribute to the scholarship:

“The Leavenworth Unified School District has not Make a payment to the Leavenworth County Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division for this year’s Lip Sync Battle.”

USD 453 may not have made a payment, but may have provided other consideration in order to be listed as a sponsor. On a banner displayed, Leavenworth USD 453 will be clearly listed as the sponsor.

Lansing City Council defends sponsorship of mock drag show

Lansing School Superintendent Marty Kobza defended his decision to make the donation unilaterally and without a vote of the Lansing School Board.

“The ‘entertainment’ consisted of unpaid community members volunteering and raising money for student scholarships. This district was a table sponsor at an event supporting our students. Proceeds from the event go to scholarships.”

The fact that the Lansing School District is spending $400 to sponsor a table at the event provides an interesting contrast to the fact that teachers must pay for classroom materials out of their own pockets.

Superintendent Kobza then referred us to the Chamber of Commerce for further comment. We reached out to the Chamber, specifically Women’s Division Program Director Staci Vega, for comment. We received this response from Chamber Executive Director and President Jen Anders:

“The Lip Sync Battle is not aimed at funding scholarships for area schools. It was a fundraiser by a private organization for students in our community who are going to college. It was most certainly not a drag show, and to say that ‘men dressed as women’ is divisive and disappointing. As a 501(c)(6) organization, the Chamber of Commerce had participants from across the political spectrum involved in this community event. The entertainment was lighthearted and fun, and volunteers performed in costumes to raise money for a good cause. We are proud of how our community came together to support community members’ opportunities for higher education. The event was a huge success and raised significant funds that will make a real difference for the scholarship recipients. I hope this helps clarify the nature and purpose of the event.”

Amy Cawvey, a Lansing board member, opposed the donation:

“We would not recommend using school/district/tax dollars as prize money, scholarship money, or to purchase gifts or even gift cards for employee appreciation days. This creates a misuse of public funds and a public perception problem.”

Cawvey’s fellow board member Kirsten Workman agreed:

“I know it’s only $400, but I think any amount of tax money spent on a playback competition is outrageous. Lansing can give its own scholarship, we don’t need to give $400 to the local Chamber of Commerce, which takes God knows how much of it.”