The House Appropriations hearing on the block grant bill was held earlier today. There were only 3 proponents (all with a free-market, low-tax ideology that appears to trump all other concerns): the Kansas Policy Institute, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce (which should not be confused with local area chambers) and Kansans for Liberty. KASB, Kansas PTA, Game On and multiple districts are among those opposing the bill. Here’s part of our testimony: We oppose House Bill 2403 on multiple grounds. This bill does not help Kansas schools meet the needs of Kansas students better than the current formula....
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
Concern over block grant bill in House Appropriations
The block grant bill was heard in the House Appropriations Committee on March 9 and will be heard in the Senate Ways and Means Committee March 10. Contact House Appropriations members here: Ron.Ryckman@house.ks.gov, Sharon.Schwartz@house.ks.gov, Jerry.Henry@house.ks.gov, Barbara.Ballard@house.ks.gov, John.Barker@house.ks.gov, Sydney.Carlin@house.ks.gov, Will.Carpenter@house.ks.gov, JRClaeys@house.ks.gov, Gail.Finney@house.ks.gov, Amanda.Grosserode@house.ks.gov, Ron.Highland@house.ks.gov, Don.Hill@house.ks.gov, Kyle.Hoffman@house.ks.gov, Mark.Hutton@house.ks.gov, Mark.Kahrs@house.ks.gov, Marvin.Kleeb@house.ks.gov, Jerry.Lunn@house.ks.gov, Charles.Macheers@house.ks.gov, Virgil.Peck@house.ks.gov, Richard.Proehl@house.ks.gov, Gene.Suellentrop@house.ks.gov, Troy.Waymaster@house.ks.gov, Kathy.WolfeMoore@house.ks.gov “‘The problem is the block grants aren’t connected to what it actually costs to educate students,’ says KCK Chief of Staff David Smith. “The block grants also provide no extra money for districts whose students need special services, such as learning English. That’s a...
Read more
Leave a Comment Financial crisis impacts Pratt schools
Thank you, Superintendent Suzan Patton, for informing your community. In addition, the 2009-10 major cuts in staffing, student contact days, and frugal spending set the table for the prosperous turnaround. While cash was not free flowing, the district was able to add a part-time nurse’s aid, a College and Career Counselor, and a Kindergarten Transitions classroom. All three positions directly impacted K-12 students. However, since our current budget was built in July, a pall has been cast over Kansas’ finances. Currently, $64,000 has been cut out of our general fund state aid. The general fund pays for all...
Read more
Leave a Comment Block grant would fail to keep up with costs in Newton, elsewhere
Here’s the block grant perspective from Newton. “So, a reduction during our current year followed by some modest increases, right? Well, yes…if you just look at the totals. The legislature has touted that a benefit of the block grant method is taking off the weightings and allowing districts more flexibility in how they use their funds. This is misleading, however, as paying the KPERS obligation is no more an option for local districts than it has been for the state. In order to get a clearer picture, then, I offer you the same information included above, but minus...
Read more
Leave a Comment