Topeka, KS 

“Blueprint for Literacy” received a great deal of attention this week in education committees. On Monday (4th), a joint committee meeting of House Education and Senate Education committees heard an hour-long presentation on what the “blueprint for literacy” involves. The blueprint has many moving parts, some of which include: create a literacy advisory committee; appoint a director of literacy education; require the State Board of Regents and the State Board of Education to collaborate on credentials and professional development; authorize University Presidents and Deans of education oversight over post-secondary literacy courses; and require a plan to establish centers of excellence in reading. Not surprisingly, there is also a large price tag that comes with the blueprint. On Thursday (7th), the Senate Education committee heard SB 532 (which is the bill number of the Blueprint). Dr. Cindy Lane of the Board of Regents (former Superintendent of USD 500, KCK) provided a majority of the testimony heard and suggested 3 amendments to the legislation. Several others also offered support for the blueprint (myself included). The blueprint will take a considerable amount of time to put into practice. The price tag could have an impact on it being passed this session. Time will tell.

Special Education funding received some attention last week. On the House side, Representative Williams (Chair of K-12 Education Budget Committee) has circulated printouts of the concept of counting LOB (Local Option Budget) as part of the State's contribution to special education. She is recommending that the Legislature provide additional money to SPED, but it is yet to be seen how much of the LOB will be used in her formula. Also, in the calculation is the transfer of cash balances. Representative Williams is using the current SPED formula; however, these adjustments are all suggestions KPI (Kansas Policy Institute) has promoted. On the Senate side, Senator Baumgardner (Chair of Senate Education Committee) is not a big fan of the current formula, and if money is added to special education this year, she appears to prefer using a formula that is based on the amount of money a district takes from their general fund, with the intention to make up for the difference it takes to fund special education. No education funding bills have been passed by either Chamber. I will let you know when this takes place.
 

Looking to the week ahead - March 11-15, 2024 

One issue that has stalled much of the work this session is attempting to reduce taxes. As all of you know, the Governor vetoed the flat tax bill that had been supported by Republican leadership in the Legislature. The House was not able to override the veto. This week, the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation will hear SB 539. This bill calls for a 5.7% flat income tax. The rate would then gradually decrease over the next few years. The bill includes some of the pieces of the former bill that was vetoed but not all. The hearing is to take place on Tuesday, March 12 at 9:30. The Governor has not indicated whether or not she would veto this bill.

Education Issues to be heard this week:

Monday, March 11 - Senate Education - HB 2494 - This bill is the AED bill that was heard earlier and had changes made in the House Education Committee. The bill has been improved and in all probability will pass Senate Ed and move on to the Senate floor.

The House Tax Committee will be conducting hearings on bills that could affect education. These include: 

• HB 2795-This bill makes adjustments to the Revenue Neutral Rate. This bill was worked on by practicing school administrators. It is an improvement on what is required now.
• HB 2683-This bill modifies deadlines for mailing property tax statements to taxpayers and certification of tax levies.
• HB 2815-This bill has to do with abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.
   

I will keep you up to date on what is happening in the legislature. Education budget items should start developing. Have a good week.