How’s that block grant funding working out? Not so well. “Twenty one school districts in Kansas are seeking emergency funding from the state after budget-cut problems are made worse by dropping fuel prices. “The falling prices at the pump have caused property values to drop for oil wells across Kansas. School districts get their money from property taxes, so many districts say their value dropped significantly along with the oil prices… “The 21 districts requesting the emergency funding include Wakeeney, Moscow, Deerfield, Rolla, Hodgeman County, South Barber, Plainville, Quinter, Ness City, St. John-Hudson, Woodson, Burrton, Sublette, Russell, Hoisington,...
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KASB explains cash balances
Over the years, we’ve heard complaints about school districts’ cash balances or reserve funds. Our own experience has been that those lump funds hide specific needs or planned spending and varies throughout the year (i.e., you can look at the funds on one date and see a very high balance because of a planned outlay but if you look at a later date, you would see a very different picture). KASB explains cash balances in this helpful piece. “Each July, Kansas school boards receive reports from their superintendents on the unencumbered cash balance of specific funds as of...
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Leave a Comment Lawrence increases property tax, looks at shifting teachers
From our friends at Educate Lawrence, “The legislature’s block grant to Lawrence schools has placed our school district in a stressful financial position. Thanks to our school board for making the difficult decision to increase local property taxes to partially address the $1.2 million budget crisis caused by Governor Brownback and our legislative leaders. Adequately funding our public schools is an investment in economic development, an educated workforce, and our future community leaders.” Read more here: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/aug/10/school-board-approves-property-tax-increase-looks-/...
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Leave a Comment Wichita budget tight
“As Wichita school board members got their first detailed look at a proposed budget Monday, a few words kept popping up: Scary. Frightening. Tight. Really tight. “The $648 million budget for 2015-16 – about $35 million less than last year’s budget and $4 million less than last year’s expenditures – cuts some programs and expenses, raises property taxes and freezes teacher pay. “’There isn’t a whole lot, other than people, that we can start cutting after this,’ said board member Sheril Logan. ‘And that scares me.’” Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/news/local/education/article30669207.html...
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