by KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Facing a $155,000 loss in state funding, the administration of Hays USD 489 is asking the board of education to retain increased enrollment fees approved last summer for another school year.

The proposal states “should there be an increase in state or local funding, fees could be lowered at that time.”

Board member Lance Bickle expressed concern the community was told the fees would be in place for just one year and asked Katt if all other avenues have been looked at, including cuts to sports.

Superintendent Dean Katt said considering the state is proposing to cut base state-aid per pupil 1.5 percent and possibly change the school finance formula altogether, the administration is looking at everything it can to make up the difference.

“That is my rationale. We may be looking at pay-to-play and some of those things in addition just to get through without having to whack programs and all that, and we may get to that point, but we are looking at all that now.” he said.

Finance Director Tracy Kaiser presented figures showing retaining the $100 increase to workbook/materials fee along with the $50 activity fee increase at Hays High School and Hays Middle school will generate a total of nearly $360,000 by the end of the school year.

Last month, Gov. Sam Brownback announced the proposed 1.5 percent cut to K-12 funding along with a 2 percent cut to higher education, and also suggested changing the school finance formula.

The state is facing a budget shortfall of $344 million July 2016, after income tax reductions enacted by Brownback and the Kansas Legislature in 2012-13.

The board is expected to vote on the issue at next week’s board of education meeting.