State Board Of Education To Discuss Funding

The Kansas State Board of Education meets
next week to discuss the state budget and whether public schools
will face a fresh round of cuts in general state aid.
The board’s agenda for the two-day session includes budget
recommendations for the fiscal year that starts in July 2012.
Last year, the state board recommended big increases in state
funding. The gesture was largely symbolic as the state expected to
be facing a budget shortfall and officials weren’t seriously
talking about raising taxes.
Lawmakers ultimately approved a proposal from Gov. Sam Brownback
cutting general aid to public schools by $232 per student, or about
5.6 percent.
The board’s recommendations will go to Brownback’s staff as he
works on his own spending plan to present to lawmakers in January.