June 14, 2019
TOPEKA—Statement by AFT-Kansas President Lisa Ochs and KOSE President Sarah LaFrenz on the Kansas Supreme Court ruling Friday on state school funding:
“Today’s Kansas Supreme Court ruling on state school funding appears to close a chapter in the long saga that has forced parents, educators—and students themselves—to fight for adequate and equitable support for the schools in every community across our state. This decision is a win for all of them and further recognition that supporting public education is the best investment we can make.
“Kansas teachers, many of whom are also school parents, are grateful to Governor Laura Kelly for her leadership on this crucial responsibility of our state government. She and the Legislature worked hard together to find a bipartisan solution that would satisfy the constitutional requirements laid out by the Supreme Court over the long history of this case.
“Public education must be one of our elected representatives’ top priorities. But for nearly a decade, the misguided policies under former Governor Brownback and a legislative majority that marched lock-step behind him shortchanged Kansas schoolchildren. The case decided today began in 2010. Over that time, many Kansas children began and completed their entire K-12 experience under education financing systems that the state Supreme Court has repeatedly found unconstitutional.
“The Kansas Supreme Court wisely retains jurisdiction over this case and the important issues involved. Along with the court, educators and parents will be monitoring compliance with this decision.
“Adequate school funding is essential under our state constitution, but it should not come at the expense of other public services that are critical to the well-being of all Kansans. Moving forward, this ruling means Kansans and their elected leaders can now turn to other priorities that cry out for our attention. We will continue to press officials for staffing at our correctional facilities that keeps the public, staff and inmates safe. Kansas must work to achieve a child welfare system that can protect kids’ safety and well-being. Staffing at our psychiatric hospitals must be adequate to guarantee positive patient outcomes. And our state higher education institutions must receive the funding that will keep them affordable.”
# # #