Kan. Education Board Laments Cuts In School Funds

JOHN MILBURN

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Members of the State Board of Education expressed frustration that further cuts in Kansas public schools would hurt the quality of education.

The 10-member board received an update on state finances and their impact on the 293 school districts in Kansas. Last week, a group of economists and policymakers slashed the state revenue outlook by $235 million for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2010.

Board Chairwoman Janet Waugh on Tuesday said there's little reason to be optimistic that schools won't see further cuts in the coming weeks and during the 2010 legislative session.

"I just think we've gone beyond the point of no return," said Waugh, of Kansas City, Kan. "It's beyond ridiculous. We're hurting kids at this point."

Dale Dennis, deputy education commissioner for finance, said some cuts were inevitable. He said districts already had a shortfall in their general fund budgets of $100 million that wouldn't be made up by the state. That drop would force a cut in base state aid per student of $150, taking the amount to $4,068.