Blog

“’This has been tried in any number of states,” said [Bruce Baker, a school finance professor at Rutgers University who previously taught at The University of Kansas], who has testified in school funding lawsuits across the country and on behalf of the plaintiffs in Kansas’ ongoing school finance lawsuit, Gannon v. State. ‘Call it a different formula. Call it something structurally completely different, even if it’s not. Give it a new name. “That, he said, can be presented in court as an argument to dismiss a case — based on the idea that the formula specified in the...

Northeast Johnson County elected officials and education advocates shared their thoughts on the governor’s proposals, including his suggestion that the school finance formula be rewritten and his assertion that the state’s budget crisis is being fueled by education spending. Here’s what they had to say: Rep. Melissa Rooker (R), District 25: Many felt that the State of the State address on Thursday night was light on details and lacking in new ideas, however I was floored by a new storyline that emerged. The governor blamed the state’s fiscal crisis on the most vulnerable students in our state. By...

“The ranking minority member on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka, said it’s clearly a significant cut in school funding, potentially more than $100 million. “She said it appears the budget writers essentially froze school revenues at the current level while requiring local districts to pick up pension expenses. “In addition, she said it appeared part of the plan redefines some local property tax money as part of the state’s contribution to education. “The state is essentially telling school districts ‘we’re going to give you back your own money and make you pay for...