Kansas lawmakers are considering a new education funding plan that school districts are both praising and criticizing. The proposal shifts money between districts to reduce funding disparities. It also moves some money from another fund to make sure no district loses overall state support. Shawnee Mission School District Superintendent Jim Hinson appreciates that no districts would lose out.
“This bill allows us to have stability during very uncertain financial times, which is extremely important for us,” Hinson says.
The proposal doesn't add new state spending for education. Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Superintendent Cynthia Lane believes more money will be needed to satisfy the courts.
“What we’re trying to do here is just redistribute money for schools that has already been determined not to be meeting the needs of schools, school districts and most importantly the students,” Lane says.
Supreme Court justices say if funding disparities aren't reduced by this summer they could shut down Kansas schools.
