Owen Donohoe - Kansas State Representative 39th District

State budget considerations
for FY 2009 and 2010

Learn about the FY2010 Budget >>

Over fifty percent of state spending is on education. If we are going to meet the FY 2009 and FY 2010 there will have to be some cuts in educational expenditures. Currently there is substantial consideration being given to a plan which would mandate that we not cut any of the 65% of the educational dollars that go to the classroom, but concentrate on the 35% expended outside the classroom.

More about the
KS Budget Crisis >>

If this can be accomplished, we can maintain the gains that we are achieving in the classroom and accomplish our budgetary goals in the state of Kansas.

Another consideration, and this is more long-term, is to consolidate the number of Superintendents/Principals while maintaining the school districts themselves. Potentially we could have (and this is hypothetical) 40 large school districts in the state, maintaining the same number of schools and reduce the number of superintendents.

In the last 30 years, school population in Kansas has remain basically constant yet the number of superintendents has grown by 95%. There seem to be some cost efficiencies that could be accomplished. As we go forward we will be looking at these and other ideas which will help us meet our budgetary requirements and educational goals and requirements.

The Big Picture About Education Spending
in the Kansas State Budget >>

Read about how Rep. Donohoe's leadership on four committees in the Kansas House.

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