DALLAS – A school funding formula designed to prevent closure of the public schools in Kansas is awaiting Gov. Sam Brownback’s signature.
House Bill 2655, mandated by a Feb. 11 state Supreme Court order to fix the funding or face school closures, cleared the legislature and was sent to Brownback on March 29. Brownback has until April 8 to sign the measure.
Under the measure, 23 school districts will see funding increases while none will see cuts. The bill reallocates $83 million out of the $4 billion provided for public schools.
The supreme court issued an order directing the legislature to fairly allocate resources among the school districts by providing ‘‘reasonably equal access to substantially similar education opportunity through similar tax effort.’’
The court warned that, if no action is taken by June 30, it may entertain a motion to halt funding the school system for the 2016-2017 school year.
“The legislature is committed to avoiding any disruption to public education and desires to meet its obligation,” according to a preamble to the bill.
“This step, while important, is only the first of many,” the statement added. “Upon enactment of this legislation, the legislature will immediately return to the task of finding a long-term solution, based upon a broad base of stakeholders.”
Even with Brownback’s signature, the bill must pass muster with the state courts.
Passing the bill this early in the legislative session allows the courts to review the bill by May, said Senate Vice President Jeff King, R-Independence, who served as an attorney for the state in an earlier school finance case.
That would give lawmakers time to pass another bill before July if the court rules that SB 2655 is insufficient, King said.
The bill cuts a category called local option budget supplemental aid but gives it back to districts as “hold harmless” aid.
Some Democrats said the bill could lead to $80 million in property tax increases across the state.
