“Kansas has the fifth largest percentage cut in public school funding in the nation based on a comparison of spending before the Great Recession and now, according to a report released Thursday by the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities.
“The research organization’s findings echo concerns raised by the Kansas Association of School Boards and other school advocates on education funding in Kansas and will likely add fuel to the political debate over Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax cuts, which have significantly reduced the flow of revenue to the state budget — 50 percent of which funds public schools.
“’If we are falling behind other states in school funding, we must be deeply concerned about falling behind in preparing students for success in postsecondary education and the workforce,’ said KASB associate executive director for advocacy Mark Tallman.”