Kansas Board Of Education Makes Funding Request

The Kansas State Board of Education is requesting an additional $450 million in state spending on public schools for the 2014 state budget cycle.

Board members voted 7-2 on Tuesday to submit the request to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and the GOP-controlled Legislature. The request covers education expenses for the 2013-14 school year.

Members say they felt they had to ask legislators to increase education spending, including increasing the base state aid per pupil to $4,492, up from the $3,838 that districts now receive. The increase represents $440.1 million of the board’s request.

The request includes identifying other priorities, including maintaining required funding for special education and increasing money for teachers’ professional development.