“But Bonner Springs Superintendent Dan Brungardt questioned the process. He pointed out to the council that the extraordinary-need fund was financed by the school districts. The block grant formula sets aside 0.4 percent from each district to create the fund. “His district had paid about $52,000 into the fund, he said, and under the budget director’s recommendation would have received about $55,000 to help pay for its enrollment increase of 39. In effect, he told the council, ‘that’s only $3,000 for an additional 39 students.’ “Sen. Ty Masterson of Andover, a council member, responded that the 0.4 percent...
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District aid requests trimmed
On August 24th, the State Finance Council didn’t give any district all of the funding they requested. Instead they assigned discount percentages to the requests, including only giving funding for population growths over 2% based on Sen. Susan Wagle’s recommendation. “’You look at most businesses in Kansas,’ Wagle said, ‘whether they’re technology, whether its recreation, hotel, restaurant. Doesn’t really matter what type of business it is. They are used to accommodating with specific personnel a fluctuation in their clientele.’ “’Two percent above last year’s enrollment can easily be accommodated in the classroom I would think,’ Wagle said, ‘and...
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Leave a Comment KCK letter to state says budget measures are cuts, not efficiencies
“It would be inaccurate to describe these cuts as ‘efficiencies;’ rather, they were cuts to programs, staff and activities that were essential to student outcomes. However, we could no longer afford them.” See this report here: http://www.kshb.com/news/state/kansas/kansas-city-kansas-public-schools-sends-letter-to-state-about-need-for-extra-funding Here’s the link to the letter: http://media.kshb.com/pdf/KCK%20Response%20to%20State%20Finance%20Council.pdf?_ga=1.22693371.1327278612.1417195414...
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Leave a Comment Block grants not meeting districts’ students’ needs
We knew. “So locking in funding for two years – though it’s more stable and certain for the state – isn’t meeting districts’ needs in a time of increasing enrollments and instruction, transportation, health and utility costs. “Who knew? “Superintendents, school boards, teachers and other education leaders did. “But they were not part of the secretive, hurried work of writing the block-grant funding bill in March before its limited vetting and rushed passage, including the disgraceful two hours during which the House waited as the state plane was sent to pick up a ‘yes’ voter… “Meanwhile, Brownback continues...
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