A group of Kansas school administrators has unveiled a proposal for a new school funding system. State lawmakers have to write a new funding formula to replace block grants set to expire next year. As Stephen Koranda reports, the proposal is a big departure from the past funding plan.
Under a system used for years, school districts in Kansas had the option to raise additional money with property taxes, known as the local option budget.
The new proposal would roll that local option money into the regular budgets for school districts, and lawmakers would instead levy a statewide property tax that would be equal in every district. David Smith, with Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, says this is can be a guide for lawmakers when they’re considering the issue.
“This is information they can use to say where are educators, what would work for a broad cross section of educators from around the state? Because in the end, you have to have a formula that works for everybody,” says Smith.
Lawmakers hope to write a new school funding formula during the next legislative session that kicks off in January.