A closer look at the education budget

The FY2010 budget treats education spending favorably

The strongest lobby in Topeka wielded the most power in budget negotiations in both the Senate and the House. The 42 lobbyists in the education lobby succeeded in gathering the votes necessary to get their budget. But they – and the 295 school districts they represent – must brace themselves for more efficient administration and a willingness to consider the need for funding other critical services, such as public safety and help for the disabled, the elderly and others who are dependent on our support.

The Democrats originally proposed a 3.3% recommended cut to education in FY2010. We ended up with an actual 2.75% reduction in the education budget. But with the Federal contribution toward education, the FY10 budget for education exceeds that of FY09. Put simply, taxpayers are spending an average of more than $12,500 per student in Kansas, using a combination of state, local and federal funds.

The legislature also passed a bill that allows school districts in Kansas to increase their local option budgets, adding as much as 31% to their base state aid.

Education accounts for more than 50% of the state budget, and in the past four years, education spending in Kansas has increased 42%. In FY2010, Kansas taxpayers will devote $3.7 billion to education, while other critical programs have taken deep cuts. We must be fair with all areas of the budget, and education will have to fall in line with other reductions in the FY11 budget. Learn more about education spending.