“Faced with the recent passage of block grant legislation by the Kansas Legislature, Arkansas City Public School District officials will have just five short weeks to absorb a $204,458 budget cut for the 2014-15 school year… “The total dollars spent per pupil in Kansas with the block grants is $3,811, which is a low that has not been seen since 2000. “The reason for the overall state spending increase from 2008 to the current school year is due mainly to financial obligations outside the classroom, such as new construction, transportation and other items that are not directly related...
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Block grant reduces funding for USD 398
“Ron Traxson, superintendent of USD 398-Peabody Burns offered a different perspective. His district will see a cut in classroom funding of $48,643 this year yet, with only minimal recovery over the next two school years. “’This block grant is not about helping schools with a new formula, it’s about cutting school funding to meet the state’s shrinking budget,’ Traxson said… “In his most recent newsletter to constituents, Rep. John Barker, whose district includes northern Marion County, stated: ‘Our schools are receiving more funding this year than last, and the credible proposals currently on the table have schools receiving...
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Leave a Comment Twin Valley school year to end early due to budget issues
Budget cuts are real, and reserve funds are necessary given the current uncertainty for schools. “A Twin Valley School Board member says the district was facing a $75,000 shortfall this year. He says that by ending the school year early, the district will save about half of that amount. The district says it doesn’t have enough money in reserves to endure the unplanned financial cuts recently signed into law.” Read more here: http://www.kwch.com/news/local-news/budget-concern-causing-twin-valley-school-district-to-shorten-school-year/32120400...
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Leave a Comment Action needed on elections bill
“Over 200 locally elected boards of education in Kansas (more than 2/3) have passed resolutions against moving elections to the fall and making them partisan. These board members govern what Governor Brownback called the ‘5th best schools in the country’ and spend less than any state ranked higher in student achievement. What are we trying to fix? “Last year the Kansas Legislature passed a law that required mail ballots in school district Local Option Budget elections. Kansas election officials estimate that mail ballots can increase voter participation by a factor of three (300 percent). No legislation to try...
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