Office of the Governor

Fellow Kansans,

We’d like to share a few pertinent facts on education funding.

• Governor Brownback is committed to investing in education
• He is working to fix a broken education funding formula so more money gets into the classroom to benefit Kansas students
• K-12 spending is $177 million more this school year than last. (And that is after the recent 1.5% allotment from K-12)
• The Governor has increased funding to K-12 education every year since taking office
• Currently, Kansas schools have more than $370 million in reserves to help them cover this small reduction in increased funding over the next four months

The Governor has requested a timeout in the education finance wars. The current education funding formula needs reform to ensure more money goes to the classroom to benefit Kansas students. Realizing the legislative process takes time, the Governor also has recommended a sunset to the current school finance formula effective July 1, so he can work with the Legislature on reforming K-12 financing with a new – and sustainable – formula. Until a new formula becomes law, Governor Brownback recommends use of a block grant to distribute state education funding. The Governor’s proposal would have school districts funded at the currently approved Fiscal Year 2016 and 2017 funding levels – which includes weightings found in the current formula.

The purchase of a $48,000 piano was an excellent example of the problems with the current school funding formula since the capital outlay funds used to purchase it could not be used in other ways, for example to hire teachers or provide them with raises. The block grant would combine some of the current finance formula funds into one, including capital outlay funds, and would provide districts more flexibility in how they can spend their money.

We hope this information helps you understand why the Governor is taking these actions.

Best,
Melika Willoughby
Deputy Communications Director
Office of Governor Sam Brownback