The Kansas Association of School Boards has released a report about school funding in the state. Much of the debate about education funding has centered on how much money goes into the classroom compared with the amount spent on administration, maintenance and other costs. Mark Tallman, spokesman for the Association of School Boards, says the figures released by the state can be misleading.
Tallman says about 64 percent of operating funds are spent on teachers, special education professionals, classroom aides and classroom materials. Just over five percent is spent on student support services, such as counselors, school nurses and social workers. Those costs combined with spending for building maintenance, student transportation and food service amount to more than 90 percent of the annual budget for most districts. The KASB is planning to present its figures to lawmakers before they convene for their next session in January to work out a new school finance formula.
