Please read and share KASB’s Mark Tallman’s explanation of why school districts are cutting budgets when total funding is up. Why are school districts cutting budgets when total funding is up? As school boards across Kansas adopt budgets for the upcoming year, the media is reporting two different situations. School administrators in some districts have laid off staff and are cutting programs for students while nearly all districts are making tough choices. But others, such as Gov. Sam Brownback and legislative leaders, are saying that school funding is at an all-time high, and the new block grant system,...
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Kansas public education needs supporters
“Facing a zany block-grant funding system that ignores changes in student census numbers, districts like Olathe face hundreds of new students with zero new dollars. Superintendents are issuing desperate letters to constituents, as courts rule the entire funding scheme unconstitutional. “In response, Kansas teachers are getting out while the getting is good, a story that’s gone national. Teachers feel unsupported because of budget cuts, the elimination of their bargaining power, the attempt to have them prosecuted for teaching sex education, legislation trying to take over their teacher of the year program and so on… “To prevent an upcoming...
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Leave a Comment Kansas cash reserve estimate lowered in first month
For the foreseeable future, investment in Kansas public schools will be limited by an inadequate revenue stream. Any discussion of district reserve funds needs to acknowledge the realistic likelihood of mid-year budget cuts despite the promised “certainty” of the block grant funds. “When lawmakers left Topeka last month, it was with the understanding the state would have $86 million in its cash reserves by the end of June 2016, which marks the end of the fiscal year, if the governor went ahead with $50 million in cuts. “But those estimates have already been lowered less than a month...
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Leave a Comment Wichita superintendent wary of future cuts
“The Wichita school district’s 2015-16 budget will be ‘ultra-conservative,’ superintendent John Allison told school board members Monday. Even so, schools could face midyear reductions or cuts to personnel and programs in coming years if state revenue doesn’t meet projections… “’It’s going to look like there’s a big increase where, in reality, the dollars we have to spend are the same. It’s just how it’s being counted and reported that will be different.’ “Allison and board members again expressed frustration with the state’s recent change to block-grant funding, which essentially freezes districts’ budgets at this year’s levels. “’The bigger...
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