The Special Education and Related Services Funding Task Force voted to recommend the adoption of the Kansas State Board of Education’s plan for a phased-in increase to special education fund…The four Republican legislators on the task force all voted against increasing special education funding but were outnumbered by the rest of the members, which consisted of one Democratic legislator and people who work in various parts of the education system…

“The Legislature’s own research department said that in the current fiscal year, schools are being shorted $173 million from covering the 92% of statewide excess costs as the law calls for. That was also the figure cited by the Kansas State Department of Education.

“The task force has been a source of political drama around public education. Despite a state law requiring the task force to study the existing formula for special education funding and submit a report to the Legislature, Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, refused to call a meeting.

“Her hand was forced once a majority of task force members found a procedural move to call a meeting themselves, resulting in Williams scheduling the task force to meet Friday afternoon — the very last weekday before the 2024 legislative session starts.

“Dozens of people spoke or sent in written comment, which was overwhelmingly in favor of increased funding.”

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Published on Facebook on Jan. 7th, 2024.