A state legislative committee is considering competing studies as it works to lay the foundation of a new school finance formula. The new formula will be considered by the Legislature during its upcoming session. The Kansas Policy Institute, a free-market think tank, released results of a new poll which indicate that Kansas is spending more on the state’s schools than many residents believe. Dave Trabert is president of the Kansas Policy Institute.
The Institute says state funding for schools was actually more than $8500 dollars per pupil last year. The group says that public schools should look for ways to cut administrative expenses. The Kansas Association of School Boards also released a report earlier this month showing a link between school funding and student test results. The association says that report bolsters their argument for increased spending on public schools.