KPI is frustrated that districts are explaining that current funding is leading to cuts, so they’ve paid for a full-page ad in the Wichita Eagle. Here are a few things to remember when looking at data KPI chooses to highlight.

1. The first chart includes all spending (KPERS, fed, special ed, buildings, etc.).

2. The increases over last year largely reflect the legislature’s effort to comply with the Gannon equity decision and were essentially court-ordered. Candidates took credit for those increases when running for office last year.

3. The state pulled back on that promised and needed funding, with the school year more than half over and contracts already signed.

4. Small increases in funding are functional cuts because districts face rising costs (increasing numbers of students, increasing numbers of students with additional needs, increasing standards, new technology, new security costs post-Sandy Hook, increasing health insurance costs, step increases for staff, etc.).

These are just a few of the reasons. Many of us are concerned our state isn’t sufficiently investing in our children, but the paid lobbyists are spending thousands of dollars to promote their low-tax, small-government ideology and try to prevent our schools from getting the funding they need.