State Board of Ed Recommends $471 Mil Increase in School Funding (KS)

July 16, 2010

The State Board of Education this week recommended that the Kansas Legislature increase funding for public education by $471 million in order to "fund the law". Prior to the past year’s significant budget cuts, the legislature had enacted state statutes that provide $471 million more for school funding than what is in the current state budget. $471 million would amount to about a 15% increase.

Under current law, base state aid per pupil is supposed to be $4,492, approved by the Kansas Legislature in 2008. It was $4,012 for FY10, the school year that just ended.

The board voted 7-1-1 in favor of recommending the increase. Board member Kathy Martin of Olathe abstained from voting. Walt Chappell of Wichita was the only dissenting vote. Chappell stated that the board needed more time to determine if a smaller recommendation could be made. Chappell said this recommended increase would be "dead on arrival" in the legislature.
&#x 0A;
Board members also considered the effects of the coming school finance lawsuit. Schools for Fair Funding, a coalition of school districts, has notified the legislature of its intent to file a lawsuit alleging that recent cuts to school funding are unconstitutional.

Schools for Fair Funding won an earlier lawsuit, leading to significant increases in education funding in 2005 and 2006. Much of those increases have been lost as the state cut education funding by over $300 million to cope with falling revenues.

During the last legislative session, a 1% increase in sales tax was passed and took effect July 1. Board member John Bacon of Olathe was concerned that the recomended funding increase would require further tax increases. Other board members said tax policy was not their job, and they needed to focus on educational issues and provide a budget proposal based on needs rather than resources.

"We need to stand firm for our students and schools to fund what the law has required" said Board Member Jana Shaver of Independence. Board member Sally Cauble of Liberal shared similar views. "I don’t think asking the legislature to fund the law is not working with them" she said. Sue Storm of Overland Park added "We’re the ones who are supposed to be the advocates for children. If we’re not, who will be?"