The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that the state, yet again, is not providing adequate funding for public schools. The court ordered lawmakers to devise a plan that would meet constitutional standards by the end of June.

The court ruling is a rebuke to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, who sought and won historically large tax cuts upon taking office in 2011. Kansas has since struggled with a large budget gap.

It is the third time in four years that a court has ordered the Kentucky government to properly fund its schools. According to the court, the state is failing to provide roughly one-fourth of its public school students with basic math and reading skills.

The State House of Representatives’ K–12 Education Budget Committee released a draft funding proposal on March 21. The new plan resembles the existing funding system’s block grants but provides for per-pupil base state aid and extra funds for English language learners, at-risk students and transportation. The proposal, however, does not include a dollar figure for increased funding.

“It’s hard to have a real judgment on this until you see what that number is going to be,” said Mark Desetti, the legislative director of the Kansas National Education Association.

Mother Jones, March 3
KMUW, March 22