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Supreme Court decision a win…!

Kansas NEA is encouraged with the Kansas Supreme Court decision to help public schools close the resource gap. The Legislature is to double the amount of new dollars the state spends on public schools by July 1.

"The decision validates what KNEA has been saying for 15 years. Kansas public schools are under funded to provide a quality education to all students," said KNEA Vice President Blake West. "This will help get the state on the road to full funding. We're gratified by this crucial first step."

What does this mean for education in Kansas?

"We should be better able to offer quality programs that meet the needs of every child across Kansas, regardless of where that child lives," West said. "Quality schools drive the economic engine of the entire state. This decision should help the economy for all of us. We also believe it's important the Legislature not gut other vital programs as a quick fix to the demands of the court."

"The decision is a morale booster," he added. "Districts should be able to start restoring lost programs, reduce class sizes and provide better learning opportunities for kids everywhere. It's important that these funds also be used to attract and retain quality professionals in our classrooms." Kansas ranks 41st in the nation in average teacher salaries.

The unanimous Supreme Court order indicated the Legislature's work in HB 2247 did not remedy the funding situation or comply with the high court's January 3 order. The ruling means legislators will have to add a minimum of $285 million to the school funding formula for the 2005-2006 school year. That includes $143 million in new money on top of the $142 million in existing funds already approved by the Legislature. The $285 million is one-third of what was recommended in the legislatively funded Augenblick and Myers report.

The court will maintain jurisdiction over the adequacy and equity issue of school funding until a long-term solution is in place.

"We were heartened by the specific and direct questions asked by the justices during the hearing. They were obviously well prepared. We think they did a thorough job of understanding the complexities of school funding and they provided for a long-term solution," West noted.

"Hopefully, our state lawmakers will fulfill their constitutional responsibility to provide a suitable education for every child. Up to this point they've been like a fish on a line wiggling to get free," he said. "Now it is time to craft something positive for Kansas schools."

A Summary of the Ruling

The Complete Ruling

Listen to the May 11 Hearing

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