“Overall” funding is up, but so are unfunded mandates.

“On top of the state failing to fund local districts and special education at statutory levels, both state and federal requirements often place additional burdens on districts without additional funding. These ‘unfunded mandates’ put districts in difficult positions, increasing the cost of doing business and the amount of reporting paperwork the district must complete to show compliance with the requirements…[S]tate and federal legislatures add new requirements almost yearly to deal with perceived problems.

“USD 413 Superintendent James Hardy and Assistant Superintendent Diane Watkins shared examples of unfunded and underfunded mandates that strongly affect USD 413” including ELL programs, teacher professional development and mentoring and federal mandates. http://www.chanute.com/news/article_07c238fc-6178-11e4-89e2-001a4bcf6878.html