Brownback spares K-12 but cuts occurring as costs increase
Gov. Sam Brownback spared K-12 from budget cuts but school cuts are occurring because the state budget locks in a third year of essentially flat school spending amid rising costs and expectations.
And Brownback said if the Kansas Supreme Court orders more funding for an equity fix to the school finance system that could force him to make more cuts to higher education and health care for the poor, which he slashed along with other areas in the amount of $97 million.
The actions announced Wednesday came as Brownback signed into law the state budget and made cuts, most notably to Medicaid and universities, to shore up the budget’s bottom line.
KASB said it appreciated the Legislature and Brownback not cutting K-12 funding, but noted the budget basically puts in place a freeze on the level of funding for the third straight year under the block grant finance system and increased costs causing school districts across the state to cutback on important services and programs.
On Wednesday, the state’s largest school district, Wichita USD 259, approved $18 million in budget cuts, which included the elimination of more than 100 positions, closing an alternative high school, and ending bus transportation for thousands of students. And more cuts are on the way, officials said.
Wichita school board vice president Mike Rodee blamed Brownback and legislative leaders for the school cuts. “All of these budget cuts are tough. There’s nobody up here that likes it. But we need to look at the people that are doing it to us,” Rodee was quoted in Thursday’s Wichita Eagle. “Our legislators, our government, our governor — we are the ones who are fighting to keep the schools alive and they are fighting to close them,” he said.
But Brownback’s office said the budget shielded K-12 funding during tough economic times.
“Our economy continues to face challenges with declines in oil and gas production, agriculture and aviation, our three major industries. This budget recognizes those challenges while protecting K-12 education and public safety,” the office said.
When legislators approved the budget sent to Brownback they assumed
he would have to make some cuts so they also passed a proviso to protect K-12 from those cuts. Brownback could have vetoed that proviso but didn’t.
And Brownback said if the Kansas Supreme Court orders more funding for an equity fix to the school finance system that could force him to make more cuts to higher education and health care for the poor, which he slashed along with other areas in the amount of $97 million.
The actions announced Wednesday came as Brownback signed into law the state budget and made cuts, most notably to Medicaid and universities, to shore up the budget’s bottom line.
KASB said it appreciated the Legislature and Brownback not cutting K-12 funding, but noted the budget basically puts in place a freeze on the level of funding for the third straight year under the block grant finance system and increased costs causing school districts across the state to cutback on important services and programs.
On Wednesday, the state’s largest school district, Wichita USD 259, approved $18 million in budget cuts, which included the elimination of more than 100 positions, closing an alternative high school, and ending bus transportation for thousands of students. And more cuts are on the way, officials said.
Wichita school board vice president Mike Rodee blamed Brownback and legislative leaders for the school cuts. “All of these budget cuts are tough. There’s nobody up here that likes it. But we need to look at the people that are doing it to us,” Rodee was quoted in Thursday’s Wichita Eagle. “Our legislators, our government, our governor — we are the ones who are fighting to keep the schools alive and they are fighting to close them,” he said.
But Brownback’s office said the budget shielded K-12 funding during tough economic times.
“Our economy continues to face challenges with declines in oil and gas production, agriculture and aviation, our three major industries. This budget recognizes those challenges while protecting K-12 education and public safety,” the office said.
When legislators approved the budget sent to Brownback they assumed
he would have to make some cuts so they also passed a proviso to protect K-12 from those cuts. Brownback could have vetoed that proviso but didn’t.
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