TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Thirty-eight Kansas school districts are seeking a total of $14.8 million in additional aid from the state to address local budget issues. The requests submitted to the state Department of Education by Monday's deadline outstrip the available funds by nearly 21 percent. Those applying for extra dollars represent more than 13 percent of the state's 286 districts. The state has $12.3 million in extra funds available. Governor Sam Brownback and legislative leaders plan to meet next Monday to consider the requests. A majority of districts are asking the state to make up for unexpected drops in property tax revenues. Others have enrollment increases. The Wichita district is seeking $980,000 to hire teachers, counselors and classroom assistants to deal with an unexpected influx of refugee children from Burma, Congo and Somalia.
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