In a joint press conference with the Johnson County Chambers of Commerce, the superintendents of all but one school district in Johnson County want funding to go back to the way it was.
They said the funding model used before the controversial "bloc grant" system should be considered equitable in the eyes of the state Supreme Court. That plan represented 81.2 percent of funds, or roughly $38 million in school aid.
Joint statement @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/etS1uyNOP4
— Brian Abel (@BrianAbelTV) June 16, 2016
The superintendents said they're not talking about more revenue, just equalizing the amount of state vs. local cash used to fund school districts.
The deal breaker for the districts could be a provision to hold school districts "harmless." That would mean the districts wouldn't lose any funding - something that would happen in the current formula.
The announcement comes just days before Kansas state lawmakers meet in Topeka for a special session to navigate a state Supreme Court ruling. The court ruled the public schools funding model set by lawmakers is not fair to poorer school districts.
Under the decision, if lawmakers do not find an equitable remedy by June 30, public schools in the state may remain closed.
Gov. Sam Brownback called for the June 23 special session.
In recent days, Brownback has shown support for a plan to add nearly $40 million in state aid for the upcoming school year.
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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
