Democrats from both the House and Senate criticized Gov. Sam Brownback and his Republican allies today for failing to prioritize school funding or address the current equity crisis facing Kansas schools before leaving town early for turn around.
“As an educator for more than 40 years, I know that great public school are the foundation of our state,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley in a news conference in Topeka. “It has been almost two weeks since the state’s current method of funding schools was ruled unconstitutional. And they have adjourned early for turnaround without a plan from the governor or the Republicans in the Legislature – talk about a lack of leadership.”
House Republicans today posted on social media this message: “The House met the turnaround deadline a week ahead of schedule. We’ll reconvene next Wednesday to begin hearing bills sent over from the Senate.” Earlier this month, they posted this message: “Education dollars need to be supporting classrooms and attracting quality teachers, not tied up with administrative bloat.”
The Democrats today called on Republican leaders to begin bipartisan talks to find a responsible solution to the funding crisis that was created by the governor’s mismanagement.
“Years of mismanagement have taken its toll on our schools,” House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs said. “This mismanagement has had real consequences for the quality of education available to our kids. Class sizes have increased, our best and most experienced teachers are leaving, and student test scores have started to suffer. We must change course. We must solve this – and fast. An entire generation of Kansas kids is depending on us.”
Citing the need for stability for both schools and families, Democrats urged the governor and Republican leaders to begin work immediately on a plan to keep schools open this fall. It is estimated that it would cost $71 million to restore equity for this school year.
“The impact school closures would have on our families and kids, as well as the reputation of our state – is hard to fathom,” Rep. Ed Trimmer said. “The sooner we get to work, the sooner this will be solved. And the sooner our families, kids and teachers, will know our schools will be open in August.”
Democrats reiterated that funding Kansas public schools was a top priority for them, as well as Kansans across the state. They noted that it is the issue they are contacted the most about during the legislative session.
“Kansans have called for our schools to be funded, our teachers to be respected and our economy to be provided with the educated workers it so desperately needs,” Burroughs said. “Instead, the governor and certain legislators made the largest cuts to our schools in state history, attacked our teachers, and eliminated a school finance formula that was proven to be constitutional. And now, Gov. Brownback and his allies have caused a crisis that could leave school doors closed this fall.”