Koesten Comments: Summer Update

With less than a week to go before their self-imposed deadline, the Kansas Supreme Court issued a ruling on Gannon VI on Monday, June 25th, at 3:00 p.m. Importantly, schools will remain open and that is good for our students and families. The court also recognized the work we did this year and the ruling provides clear direction on what it will take to make our funding formula constitutional and bring lawsuits to an end. Our schools remain a top priority for me, as I know they are for all Kansans. Arguments will be made by both sides – some will say this is too much while others will say this is not enough. Our job is to find the right balance, without underfunding other services and without over burdening our citizens. 

In short, the decision stated that the equity components of the 2018 bill are fine, but the funding level needs more work to comply with the legislature’s own metrics for measuring educational standards. The court said this year’s funding level is OK for schools to open on July 1st but they will retain jurisdiction of the case and expect additional funding to be passed and updates provided to the court by April 15, 2019.
Specific funding concerns include:

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