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Minutes for HB2040 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Revising the Kansas school equity and enhancement act to provide per-student education funding based on student enrollment in the current school year.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 24, 2023
Chairman Thomas opened the hearing on HB2040.
Revisor Jason Long gave an overview of the bill. HB2040 looks at the definition of enrollment and how enrollment is calculated. In this bill the current year enrollment would be included as an option. Schools that are in high growth areas experience an influx of students that are not funded if the enrollment is based on any method other than current year enrollment. (Attachment 1)
Proponents
Jerry Henn, Assistant Executive Director, USA-Kansas, stated his organization is very happy about this proposed legislation. He especially liked the way preschool funding is stated. Positive preschool experience is key to future success. (Attachment 2)
Brian Huff, Superintendent, Gardner and Edgerton, described the rapid growth of his district. This bill would help his district deal with the quickly rising enrollment of his area. This year there are 100 new students, which are coming into his small town, who are not funded through the regular funding process. (Attachment 3)
Joan Simoneau, Superintendent, Rock Creek Schools. She described her small schools which are situated in the middle of Pottawatomie county. Manhattan has grown towards the east and Rock Creek enrollment has risen. This past year they had about 100 new students who unfortunately were not funded because of the present school funding method. Superintendent Simoneau also noted that with open enrollment there are students that may come to her area and they will not be ready with that funding. (Attachment 4)
Link Luttrell, Superintendent, Spring Hill District, stated his district is a strong supporter of this legislation. For a declining district, the present system works, but for those whose districts are growing it is difficult to wait a full year for the additional funding to come available. Open enrollment will also affect increasing enrollment and if this was in place schools would be ready for larger populations. Superintendent Luttrell urged the committee to support this legislation. (Attachment 5)
Leah Fliter, speaking for Kansas Association of School Boards, stated that KASB believes this legislation would be very helpful as it gives school boards the option of using current year enrollment as the basis for calculating per pupil funding. (Attachment 6)
There was a time for questions and answers. Deputy Commissioner Craig Neuenswander of Kansas State Department of Education was present and answered several questions from the Representatives on behalf of the department.
Written Only Proponents:
Tyson Eslinger, Superintendent, Deerfield (Attachment 7)
Frank Harwood, Superintendent, De Soto (Attachment 8)
Richard Proffitt, Superintendent, Pittsburg (Attachment 9)
Written Only Neutrals:
Dave Trabert, CEO, Kansas Policy Institute (Attachment 10)
The Chairman closed the hearing on HB2040 and adjourned the meeting at 2:05.
The next meeting is Wednesday, January 25, in the Old Supreme Court room for the Teacher of the Year celebration at 1:30 in a joint meeting with Senate Education.
