By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
Despite large state cuts to school budgets, area Kansas school districts aren’t eager to join more than 70 other school districts in a lawsuit against the state over funding.
The districts in December voted to reopen a lawsuit filed in 1999 that led to Kansas Supreme Court rulings that forced the state to increase funding to school districts. The districts are part of a coalition called Schools for Fair Funding, which represents 168,000 pupils in kindergarten through 12th grade.
But school districts in Southeast Kansas are holding off any action. School officials say they want to give the Legislature a chance to do the right thing.
“We’re kind of taking that under advisement,” said Dennis Burke, superintendent of the Baxter Springs School District. “We’re kind of waiting and seeing first.”
He said schools have lost a lot of ground since the state approved a base state aid per pupil amount of $4,400 based on the court rulings. The figure now is $4,012.
Burke struggled with the proper word to describe the districts joining the lawsuit, ruling out “mercenary” and “greedy” before settling on “premature.”
“I think it’s going to appear a little premature suing, if the Legislature can help,” Burke said.
He said the district won’t rule out joining the lawsuit later.
“We’re giving them an opportunity to do the right thing,” Burke said. “If they don’t, in the spring, we’ll consider it.”
Tim Wilson, president of the Riverton Board of Education, said the board discussed the issue, but decided to closely monitor the lawsuit for now.
State Rep. Doug Gatewood, D-Columbus, has met with local school boards, urging them not to join the lawsuit. He said the Supreme Court is aware of the financial constraints the state is in now.
“I feel it’s the Legislature’s job to step up and do the right thing, and they shouldn’t use the court as a crutch,” Gatewood said.
He said if the Legislature doesn’t approve adequate funding during the session, school districts would be justified in pursuing legal action. He said funding for elementary and secondary education is the only funding specifically mandated by the state constitution.
“We do need to step forward and if it’s not adequate, I would certainly understand if they would step forward,” Gatewood said of area school districts joining the lawsuit.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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Area Kansas education officials not eager to join funding lawsuit
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