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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KCUR podcast on Gannon case and school finance
This is a very informative podcast about school finance in Kansas. As we listened to the broadcast, we thought there was a question raised about whether anything could harm the big 3 districts in Johnson County. We would like to offer that while districts throughout the state are feeling budget constraints differently, JOCO districts are also feeling the pressures of insufficient funding to fully meet the educational needs of northeast Kansans. JOCO districts have made difficult budget decisions while facing increasing numbers of students, increasing percentages of English Language Learners and students receiving free and reduced lunch and...
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Leave a Comment Rep. Ryckman, Jr. questions district funding needs
Rep. Ryckman, Jr. doesn’t seem to think the funding our school districts seek is necessary. “Rep. Ron Ryckman Jr., head of the House’s budget panel, said Kansans should ask questions of their local school boards to understand whether tax increases are justified. “’I think that’s where a lot of the scrutiny needs to come — at the local level and how the school boards are spending the money,’ said Ryckman, R-Olathe. “We can’t control that. We allocate money to a school board, and they decide how much goes to administration, how much goes to the teacher, how much...
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Leave a Comment Supt. Allison explains “instruction” spending
Thank you, Supt. Allison! We have been disappointed to see the Kansas Policy Institute, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, multiple legislators and our governor repeatedly argue that our schools aren’t abiding by the 65% policy, which was first proposed by the CEO of Overstock.com and has been rejected multiple times by experts and state efficiency commissions, largely because it excludes many types of spending that are deemed essential. “I’ve taken this conversation to business groups and parents over the past several months. They’ve heard the comment that schools are not getting enough money into classrooms. And they are...
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