The regular session of the Kansas Legislature is complete and our area legislators are on a break until April 10 when they will return for the “veto session”. During this time, they will have the opportunity to override any vetoes the Governor may issue between now and then.
Here’s are recap from the 2025 Legislative session related to public education:
Judicial Selection: Resolution SCR 1611 seeks to amend the state constitution by replacing the existing merit-based system for selecting Kansas Supreme Court justices with partisan elections. Inserting politics into the courts puts the future of school funding at risk. The Kansas Supreme Court has been integral in ensuring public education has been funded at the constitutionally-required levels.
Taxes/Revenue: Senate Bill 269 would implement a flat income tax for individuals and cut taxes for corporations in Kansas, contingent on maintaining the state’s budget stabilization fund. The flat income tax in the bill could cost up to $1.3 billion. A revenue cut this large threatens public education funding, given that K-12 education accounts for nearly half of the state general fund budget.
Education and SPED Funding: Senate Bill 125, the state budget bill, adds $10 million for Special Education (SPED), despite a proposal from Gov. Laura Kelly to add about $75 million and one from the State Board of Education to add about $85 million. The $10 million still falls very short of the statutory recommended amount the state should pay. See the graphic below and this joint statement from SMSD, Blue Valley and Olathe districts urging lawmakers to increase SPED funding. SMSD has spent more than $60 million in the last three years for SMSD alone from our general fund budget, which impacts all students in the district.
SB 125 also repurposes some money that is meant to support state-base aid and cuts several public education programs, including a professional development and mentor leader program which helps with recruitment and retention of teachers. The budget eliminates funding for the Blueprint for Literacy, an initiative the Legislature adopted last year to train teachers and improve reading levels.
Vouchers: The House chose not to vote on Bill SB 87 that would expand the Tax Credit Scholarship voucher program. In theory, the bill is dead for the 2025 session. (In the past, they have found ways to keep vouchers alive.) Great job to all who advocated for this- they are listening!!
If Gov. Kelly vetoes these bills, then the Legislature will have the opportunity to try to override the veto, during the veto session starting on April 10th. Follow SMAC PTA on Facebook and Instagram for updates and action items!
Federal Update:
On March 20th, President Trump signed an order seeking to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. While a majority of public education funding, administration and policy sits at the state and local level, the federal government provides important funding and support to states and school districts. State officials do not have information at this point as to what the order means for federal programs such as the school lunch program, special education, and Title 1 funding to support schools in high poverty areas. To share your thoughts, reach out to your federal legislators (find them at ksleglookup.org/search).
For questions or further details, contact Emily Meissen-Sebelius.
