Kansas School Board Seeks $471 Million

Members of the State Board of Education are seeking an increase of $471 million next year from the Legislature to fund Kansas public schools.

The board made its recommendation Tuesday on a 7-1-1 vote. Supporters say the request encourages legislators to “fund the law” governing public school funding.

Board members made the request as part of their annual plea to the governor as the 2011-12 budget is prepared. The amount would be a 15 percent increase over current levels.

However, some board members argued that seeking such a funding increase would require a tax increase at a time when other areas of state government and the private sector are cutting

budgets and staff.