Johnson County School Districts Unite to Sue Kansas Over Special Education Funding Shortfalls
These Johnson County schools will sue Kansas over funding. See why
Kansas City Star
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Four school districts in Johnson County, Kansas, are suing the state for underfunding special education, claiming financial strain from covering costs not met by the state. The Kansas Public School Funding Coalition aims to pressure the legislature to fulfill its legal obligations to fund special education adequately.
- 01The four districts—Blue Valley, Olathe, De Soto, and Shawnee Mission—have collectively spent over $119 million to cover the state's shortfall in special education funding.
- 02Olathe shifted $44 million from its general fund last year to cover special education costs, while Blue Valley transferred $16 million.
- 03Kansas currently funds only 71.6% of excess costs for special education, which is below the statutory requirement of 92%.
- 04The coalition has exhausted efforts to work with the legislature individually and is now seeking legal action to ensure accountability.
- 05The 2017 Gannon v. Kansas ruling mandated adequate funding for K-12 education, but special education deficits remain unaddressed.
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Four school districts in Johnson County, Kansas—Blue Valley, Olathe, De Soto, and Shawnee Mission—have announced plans to sue the state over chronic underfunding of special education (SPED). Forming the Kansas Public School Funding Coalition, they argue that the state's failure to meet its funding obligations has forced them to cover significant costs from their general funds. For instance, Olathe transferred $44 million last year, and Blue Valley is expected to transfer $18 million this year. Collectively, these districts spent over $119 million to address the funding shortfall in the 2024-25 school year. The coalition claims that the financial strain has resulted in staff cuts, larger class sizes, and diminished educational programs. Kansas's funding model, which partially reimburses SPED costs, has fallen short of the statutory requirement to cover 92% of excess costs, with only 71.6% funded in the current school year. The coalition is now seeking legal counsel to hold the state accountable, emphasizing that students and educators can no longer bear the consequences of legislative inaction.
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The lawsuit could lead to increased funding for special education services, potentially improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities in Johnson County.
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