Kansas high court orders state to boost school funding

TOPEKA, KAN. — The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Monday for the third time in two years that the state’s spending on public schools is inadequate despite an increase approved earlier this year, but gave the state another year to come up with more money.

The high court rejected arguments from the state that a new law phasing in a $548 million increase in funding over five years is enough to provide a “suitable” education for every child as specified in the state constitution. But in a nod to the Legislature’s efforts, the court delayed its mandate until June 30, 2019, or until further order of the court.

Its decision allows Kansas schools to remain open for the upcoming school year.

The court said that by making “financial adjustments” the state can satisfactorily address the remaining issues, largely to account for inflation in its school finance plan.

“This action acknowledges the State’s position — that the 2019 legislature’s efforts and the amount of money added for the approaching school year should permit such an extension through the 2019 regular legislative session,” the court wrote in its 39-page ruling.

The court last year found that parts of the school finance law were unfair to poor districts. The court said in its ruling Monday that the new law resolved those problems.

“Armed with this Court decision today, the Kansas Legislature has a precise roadmap to guide it to constitutionality,” said Alan Rupe, one of the attorneys representing the school districts who sued. “For the sake of all Kansas kids, we hope the Legislature arrives soon at that destination.”

Kansas attorney General Derek Schmidt highlighted the court’s finding that the state’s school funding system is equitable and he said the court has set out a clear path for how the Legislature can resolve the remaining funding issue. Schmidt said compliance with the order will still require the Legislature to approve significantly more funding starting next year.