There are likely some big changes ahead for public education in Kansas, due in part to the school funding court decision released in late December. Although the final outcome of that court suit may be delayed, it will trigger legislative activity almost immediately.

Governor Brownback and others want to revise the formula, calling it too complicated and unworkable. But I believe the formula is complex because what it is designed to accomplish is complex. The authors of the school funding formula may not have had the Rose Standards in mind as they crafted the formula in 1992 and later refined it. But I believe the formula is in fact in harmony with the objective of the Rose Standards, which the Kansas Supreme Court declared should be the benchmark for measuring adequacy of school funding. It is designed to direct the money to where it is most needed. It sends extra funds to those school districts with student populations that are more difficult and therefore more expensive to educate.

It may be time to review the entire formula with a view to making it appropriate to today’s student population and to verify that the various weightings are valid. But if folks attempt to revise the formula with an objective of simplifying and saving a great deal of money then we will have moved away from both equity and adequacy of funding… exactly the issues that got us embroiled in the court case in the first place.

Some legislators see an opportunity to implement policy reforms that would divert public funds toward private schools or home schooling. In fact, the first step in that direction was taken with the education appropriation bill last spring. It included provision for state subsidies of corporate scholarships for private education… a significant use of public funds in Kansas for the benefit of private education. That provision was one of the primary reasons that I voted no on the bill.

But here is the thing: public education does not exist for the benefit of students or for the benefit of their parents. It exists for the benefit of the social order. Public schools were established in America to insure that future generations of citizens have an appreciation for democratic values, understand our common American heritage, and have the skills to be productive members of society. It isn’t necessary for one to be a student or the parent of a student to benefit from public education. Each of us benefits each and every day by the existence of a well-educated populace.

Some feel that public education is not the right choice for their child, for a variety of reasons, but often that reason has to do with religion. Those individuals are certainly free to choose private alternatives but that choice does not entitle them to public funds for private schooling.

Some are suggesting that the state ease its current budget problems by raiding school district reserve funds since there is a significant amount of money available there. But there are problems with that logic. Some of those funds never came from the state, but were from local sources or the federal government. The state obviously has no right to those funds. And the funds that did come from the state were distributed through the school funding formula, designed to get the dollars where the need is greatest. If the state were to now reclaim those funds, it would raise serious questions with regard to both equity and adequacy of funding, once again raising the specter of future lawsuits.

Aside from the question of legality, there is the practical effect that sweeping these funds would have. We would be training every school district in Kansas to spend every dollar we send them with the knowledge that if they don’t we will take it back. We would be rewarding those districts who spent every last dollar since they would have no reserves to recapture. We would also be penalizing those districts who were fiscally prudent and responsible, spending only what was necessary and saving the rest for unforeseen contingencies. That can’t be sound fiscal policy, and it amazes me that anyone thinks that is a good idea.

There are several valid reasons that schools carry healthy reserve balances at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. That marks the beginning of the new school year cycle, and schools typically have healthy reserves built up at that time in anticipation of large supplies purchases in late summer. Districts also save up funds in reserve accounts to make capital purchases such as a new school bus, or for unforeseen emergencies.

Carrying some cash in reserve is a sound, conservative principle for any individual or entity, whether public or private, and that is especially true for Kansas schools. During the recent recession the state was experiencing cash flow problems, and frequently was late in making scheduled payments to schools. Given the tight budget situation the state is now facing, I expect those cash flow issues to again be a problem. That will force schools to rely on their cash reserves until the state check shows up in the mailbox.

I am honored to represent the people of the 118th District in Topeka, and I welcome your questions, concerns and suggestions.