House Panel Approves Education Funding Plan

A Kansas House committee has approved a plan from top Republican lawmakers to overhaul how the state distributes aid to public schools.

The House Appropriations Committee’s voice vote Tuesday sends the plan to the full House for a debate that could occur later this week.

The committee voted despite bipartisan criticism that it is moving too quickly. GOP leaders unveiled the plan only last week.

The plan jettisons the current formula and gives the state’s 286 districts "block grants" based on their current aid for two years, until the Legislature drafts a new formula.

GOP leaders contend the state’s current per-student formula doesn’t put enough money into classrooms. The state also can face unanticipated but automatic spending increases.

Many educators say the current formula is sound.