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“The Legislature’s plan to compel all 286 school districts to begin purchasing goods and services through contracts negotiated by the Kansas Department of Administration — starting with computers and food — appears to have been shelved. “Neither House nor Senate advocates have been able to generate sufficient traction for the efficiency bill amid challenges by opponents raising questions of cost, logistics, quality and the potential sacrifice of local jobs to out-of-state suppliers. Criticism emerged despite an implementation date of July 1, 2017, and inclusion of targeted exemptions.” Read more here: http://m.cjonline.com/news/state/2016-03-25/bill-placing-state-control-k-12-school-purchases-fails-make-grade#gsc.tab=0...

The House and Senate have passed a bill to attempt to comply with the Gannon equity remedy. We understand that the legislature frankly doesn’t have any additional funds available for education and are glad this plan doesn’t take funding from over 100 districts, but we don’t think shifting funds in this manner accomplishes the goal. We think legislators should be inviting stakeholders to the table and creating a new funding formula so we can get out of our current situation, though we also fear what they might come up with given current revenue limitations. “‘This basically takes the...

“‘We’re in a tight budget. We need to address the court’s findings on equalization and there’s not a lot of resources to be able to do it with,’ Brownback said.” Read more here: http://m.cjonline.com/news/2016-03-24/legislature-passes-school-finance-equity-plan-slammed-topeka-schools#gsc.tab=0....