A school funding plan has been making fast progress in the Kansas Legislature, passing out of both House and Senate committees Thursday.
The proposal will cut the general state aid all school districts receive by .5 percent, then redistribute that money to assist poorer school districts. It also takes funding from several other places for a total of $38 million.
Republican Senator Ty Masterson believes the bill can win legislative and judicial approval and prevent schools from shutting down.
“Quite frankly, I see this as the only viable option. These negotiations have been so sensitive. I see no other path,” says Masterson.
Democratic Senator Laura Kelly thinks lawmakers can come up with a better plan. She’s concerned the temporary funding cut to school districts won’t be so temporary.
“I know some of our superintendents think this is for one year and one year only, but I’m not buying that. I think this will be a permanent reduction in school funding and I think it’s a big mistake,” says Kelly.
The legislation could be up for a vote in the full House and Senate as soon as Friday.
KPR's Stephen Koranda has the latest on the Legislature's school funding proposal: