Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday signed the Legislature's 2024 bill, which provides funding for K-12 public schools, including increased special education funding.
Kelly said Senate Bill 387 “represents a continued commitment to students and schools. The bill fully funds public education for the sixth year in a row and adds to BASE state grants per Gannon's order.” It will provide funding.”
“Additionally, this bill provides $75 million in new funding for special education and establishes the first year of a phased-in approach for states to meet their legal obligations to fully fund special education. .”
Kelly also announced $5 million in public-private partnerships to support child care providers in rural northwest Kansas, $23.7 million in early childhood education and literacy, $3.1 million in teacher workforce support, and school safety grants. It was advertised for $5 million.
Sen. Molly Baumgardner (R-Lewisburg) is the chair of the Senate Education Committee.
“I am focused on increasing school funding to better meet the needs of Kansas' students and dedicated teachers and staff,” Baumgardner said in a statement through the governor's office. “Our commitment to more equitably distribute increased special education funding to Kansas school districts was accomplished by working directly with the Department of Education’s leadership team.”
Representative Christy Williams (R-August) chairs the House K-12 Education Appropriations Committee.
“Fulfilling our constitutional obligation and adding $75 million to special education demonstrates Congress' commitment to supporting our students, teachers, and schools,” Williams said in a statement through House Republican leadership. said. “Approximately $5 billion in state funding is allocated each year and is dedicated to ensuring greater accountability and transparency in improving student achievement.”
Kelly rejects proviso to create no-bid contract
When lawmakers drafted the budget, they included a proviso that school safety and security grants would be used to purchase and install “security cameras that are compatible with the firearm detection software described in subsection (3).” It was. The details in that paragraph effectively made the grant program a no-bid contract to the only companies that met those specifications.
Legislative officials said in a bill briefing that the proviso requires that the grant funds be used “only for a pilot program by ZeroEyes to add software to existing cameras to identify firearms in schools.” I wrote.
Zero Eyes, a company founded by veterans in the wake of the Florida school shooting, is touting its technology to Kansas lawmakers while other states benefit from similar legislation, the Associated Press reports. It is also the only eligible company to receive the award.
In his veto message, Kelly said the grant program had been turned into a “no-bid contract by inserting requirements that eliminate nearly all potential competition.” He also took issue with restricting schools from using funds for other school safety initiatives, such as hiring more security guards or purchasing communication systems, saying, “Student safety is our top priority.'' “Schools need to be able to use funding flexibly to meet growing needs.” ”
“We must continue to work together to ensure our students have a safe and conducive environment for learning,” Kelly said. “To that end, this funding opportunity should not be limited to services provided by one company and inhibit district efforts.”
Jason Aratid is a Topeka Capital Journal statehouse reporter. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.