Constitutional amendment approved that changes the Kansas Supreme Court:
On March 6, the Kansas Senate voted to change our state constitution by replacing the current merit-based process of selecting Supreme Court justices with a partisan election process.
Changing the state constitution is a really big deal. This change would introduce politics into our courts and could be detrimental to the future of public education funding. Kansas public schools have relied on the courts on multiple occasions to ensure our schools are constitutionally funded. Learn more here!
Action Alert! Email your state (i.e. Topeka) House Representative asking them to oppose changes to the selection process for the Kansas Supreme Court. Go to bit.ly/SMACSCR1611 for an easy link to contact your representative! They will be voting soon- act now!
Education budget bills underfund special education; however, millions in new spending on voucher programs still being considered
Kansas has underfunded special education since 2011. While the governor recommended $72 million in increased special education funding, the House reduced that down to $10 million. On March 6th, the Senate Education committee recommended NO additional special education funding and cuts to several existing education programs. This budget appears to be moving to the Senate Ways and Means committee next week.
Action Alert! Email our TW area senator Cindy Holscher, and CC all members who serve on the Senate Ways and Means committee with her. Let them know how important it is to you, as a parent, that the state fully fund special education. SMSD continues to spend millions from the general fund budget to make up for special ed shortfalls; this takes away funds for staff and other resources we need in our schools. The state should prioritize meeting its obligation to fully fund special education before adding new spending on voucher programs for private schools.
Vouchers Bills Still Alive:
SB75, a proposal to give families who want to enroll their children into private schools a refundable tax credit would cost $125 million in public dollars. Referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee with a hearing expected soon. SB87 , expands the Tax Credit Scholarship voucher program up to $25 million. Passed the Senate on Feb. 18th, and will have a hearing in the House Education Committee on Monday March 10th.
Bill limits student pronoun use
SB 76 the Given Name Act (aka the “Pronoun Bill") would prohibit school district employees from referring to a student by a pronoun or name inconsistent with their biological sex or birth certificate. This bill passed the Senate, then received a hearing in the House Education committee on March 4th. (Of note, for the March 4th hearing, there were 255 private citizens who submitted written testimony in opposition to this bill; only 1 private citizen testified in favor.)
Action Alert! SB 76 will likely be up for a vote on the House floor very soon, so you contact your state (i.e. Topeka) House Representative now to share your thoughts on the bill.
As always, follow Trailwood PTA and/or SMAC PTA for updates, as these state-level bills and budgets will be moving very quickly over the next few weeks! Your voice is very important for these local policy issues that impact our school!
