See pp. 2425-2426 (11-12 of shared document) for explanations of votes on S Sub HB 2655 (equity bill). MR. SPEAKER: I am voting YES today on S Sub for HB 2655 for the purpose of keeping schools open. This plan misses the point of the equity portion of the Gannon case, provides no relief to the unequal tax burden facing certain districts in our state and perpetuates funding levels already ruled unconstitutional. However, there is nothing more important than ensuring our children have access to public education. Alternate options exist but this is the only one we have...
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Equity bill timely, lacking
“At least lawmakers recognized the need to make an effort to answer the court on its equity ruling – and in March. But expect them to have to tackle the issue again in May or later.” Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/opinion/editorials/article68342747.html....
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Leave a Comment Bill to change school district purchasing stalls
“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...
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Leave a Comment House and Senate pass equity bill, questions remain
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...
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