Kansas education committee examines funding increases and spending trends since 2008

The Special Education and Related Services Funding Task Force convened on May 7, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding education funding in Kansas. The meeting focused on the allocation of resources, the impact of funding on public education, and the need for comprehensive data analysis to inform future decisions.

The session began with a discussion led by Representative Williams, who expressed concerns about the significant funding gaps in education. He emphasized the importance of understanding the trends in instructional versus non-instructional spending over the past decade. Williams suggested that research should explore the implications of removing the 20 mills from the state portion of funding, which amounts to approximately $874 million, and reallocating it to local funding. This adjustment could potentially address some of the existing concerns regarding funding disparities.

The conversation then shifted to the overall expenditures in Kansas education, with Williams noting a 25% increase in state general fund expenditures since 2022. He highlighted that this increase likely outpaced inflation and could impact taxpayers' financial burdens. Dr. Harwood supported this point, indicating that the proposed changes could align Kansas more closely with national funding averages.

The task force also addressed the historical context of funding increases, with Representative Williams requesting a review of data from 2008 to the present. He noted that previous analyses indicated a 38% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) during this period, suggesting that funding had exceeded inflation rates. The need for a detailed breakdown of how new revenues were allocated each year was emphasized, particularly regarding their impact on instructional funding.

As the meeting progressed, members discussed the necessity of verifying data from the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to ensure accurate reporting of expenditures. Dr. Nunswander proposed that future analyses should categorize funding increases by their intended use, such as bond and interest versus instructional funding, to provide clearer insights into how resources are being utilized.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the task force's commitment to examining education funding in Kansas critically. Members agreed on the importance of thorough data analysis to guide future funding decisions and ensure that resources are effectively allocated to support educational outcomes. The task force plans to reconvene to further explore these issues and review the requested data.