TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Critics say that a new Kansas bill to protect current out-of-district students in school districts does not address the problem of state budget cuts.
The Topeka Capital-Journal (http://bit.ly/1HxyEWe ) reports Republican state Sen. Ty Masterson’s new bill is designed to let current out-of-district students remain in their districts. But some say it does not address budget cuts related to the state’s new law establishing temporary block grants for schools. Seaman Unified School District 345 and Silver Lake USD 372 will not accept new students who live outside their boundaries next year.
Under the block grant law, districts will receive grants that largely freeze their general aid at this year’s level. According to Democratic Sen. Laura Kelly, this law puts schools in a position where they need to preserve money for students who live in their district.