A number of Kansas school districts have announced they are ending their school year early, in part because of budget concerns tied to cuts in state funding. Public schools in Concordia, Bennington, Lindsborg, Haven, Tecumseh, Pratt and DeSoto are among those letting students out earlier than expected. Wamego will also let students out early. Like other districts, Wamego didn’t use up all of its snow days during the winter. Superintendent Denise O’Dea says the new “block grant” funding put in place by state lawmakers will cause financial problems for the district. And, she says she’s shocked by statements many lawmakers have made regarding public schools.
O’Dea says she understands why legislators might target education when there’s a large deficit, but says she believes some lawmakers have misguided priorities.
