Judges say Kansas has failed to provide adequate funding for schools
A three-judge panel has ruled in favor of parents and schools who say the state of Kansas is not providing adequate funding for public schools.
Parents and school districts had argued the state has failed to live up to its promises to increase elementary and secondary education funding as ordered by the Kansas Supreme Court in 2006. They said schools have had to make cuts that have hurt student achievement.
Friday's 245-page ruling from Shawnee County District Court will likely trigger an appeal from the state, though it's unclear how quickly that case would be heard.
In the ruling, the judges barred lawmakers from further cuts to per-pupil spending. But the ruling also acknowledged the state would likely appeal its findings.
In Wichita, school board president Lynn Rogers called the ruling a win for Wichita kids. He said the ruling would mean another $45 million for the Wichita district, which would restore the cuts that have been made over the past few years.
Kansas attorney general Derek Schmidt issued a statement later in the day, saying he would file an appeal with the Kansas Supreme Court. Schimdt said the ruling has enormous consequences for the state.
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