“Gov. Sam Brownback and legislative leaders on Monday approved extra cash for school districts facing falling property values and other pressures — ultimately doling out about $4 million. “The State Finance Council’s decision to provide more than a dozen districts with extra funding because of declines in property values came despite a recommendation from the Division of Budget the districts receive nothing extra.” Read more here: http://cjonline.com/news/2015-11-09/kansas-state-finance-council-approves-aid-districts-despite-budget-director...
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Extraordinary need funding for Wichita falls short
“The $366,000 awarded Monday by the State Finance Council to the Wichita school district is better than nothing, though far short of the $980,000 requested or the $1.1 million premium the district paid into the extraordinary needs fund. “Serving hundreds of students who’ve found safe haven in Wichita from Myanmar, Somalia and elsewhere would seem to fit the definition of an ‘extraordinary need…. So the uncaring comments of some State Finance Council members were disappointing. “House Speaker Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, told Associated Press: ‘When groups bring people or send people, the money ought to come with them. You...
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Leave a Comment KCEG: K12 funding supporting Kansas classrooms
See this infographic and explanation from Kansas Center for Economic Growth. “Wichita’s Superintendent, John Allison, wrote over the weekend that successful public schools are vital to the economic future of our state. “While proponents of reduced K12 funding through block grants argue that more money needs to go to the classroom, Superintendent Allison points out that 88% of Wichita’s dollars go to direct support of students and schools. In fact, as our chart illustrates, 87% of K12 funding in Kansas goes toward instruction and support services.”...
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Leave a Comment Kansas Constitution public education provisions
As we talk about Kansas public education and whether current funding levels are constitutional, it’s helpful to look at the actual Kansas Constitution. Here are the relevant portions dealing with public education. We note particularly the reason for schools in §1 being “intellectual, educational, vocational, and scientific improvement” and the requirement in §6 that the legislature make suitable provision for the finance of public education. Article 6.–EDUCATION § 1: Schools and related institutions and activities. The legislature shall provide for intellectual, educational, vocational and scientific improvement by establishing and maintaining public schools, educational institutions and related activities which...
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