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Minutes for HB2223 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Removing the sunset for the high-density at-risk student weighting under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 20, 2023
Chairman Thomas opened the hearing on HB2223.
Jason Long, Revisor, gave a summary of the bill. (Attachment 1)
There were questions for Mr. Long.
Proponents (Oral)
Bill Brady, Schools for Fair Funding, stated this particular weighting has been part of the formula since 2004 and was based on a legislative post audit study. In 2017, the school funding formula was reinstated and this high density part of the formula had a sunset on it, and there were audits done on each part of the formula. In 2020 the legislature extended this weighting through 2024. Now this needs to be addressed. Over 200 school districts depend upon this funding. Ideally Brady suggested the sunset be removed and the funding put into the formula without any end, but there could be another extension. (Attachment 2)
Kellen Adams, Superintendent, Chanute, spoke in full support of this bill, as the removal of the sunset has importance. He addressed the effects of poverty, while not the only factor in student success, do have strong influence on learning outcomes. He noted cycles of poverty can be broken with the right supports for the student. He stated it is important to look at where and how this money is spent. Dollars expended from high density at risk are targeted towards a specific intervention that is based upon the premise of supporting a known deficit. Superintendent Adams focused on the fiscal note for this bill. He explained that the critical point is this extends dollars already budgeted in the system. If the sunset is removed the effects will have a considerable negative effect upon our schools and students. (Attachment 3)
Because Superintendent Adams had to leave early, he stood for questions after his testimony.
Dr. Anna Stubblefield, Superintendent, Kansas City, shared that Kansas City would lose 7.5 million in funding. 81% of her students are considered at-risk. 57% have a home language other than English. She also noted she is the 6th superintendent in 6 years. Superintendent Stubblefield gave many examples of what this potentially lost funding presently supports. There are 7 schools that were honored by KSDE for achievements on math and reading results. (Attachment 4)
Susan Willis, Chief Financial Officer, Wichita Public Schools, shared Wichita District educates 47,500. 79% are considered at risk students. The anticipated sunset of these funds would be a crushing blow to the budget, $17 million cut. Ms. Willis described how the funds impact the support programs and also the graduation rate. If the sunset ends in one year it will be very difficult because the services needs to get funded. The district supports many programs, and tries to meet students where they are, and then support students to succeed and graduate and move forward. (Attachment 5)
Devin Wilson, Parent Teacher Association-Kansas (WEBEX) stands in support of the bill. Mr. Wilson noted how great the need is for 40% of public school students who qualify for the free lunch program. Private schools have admitted less than 4,000 eligible students. Public schools accept all students. Removing $76 million from at risk communities equals to enough money to hire 1,300 teachers. Mr. Wilson reviewed the Gannon/Montoy agreements and the disruption of the pandemic. Kansas PTA supports removing the sunset as written in HB2223. (Attachment 6)
Jim Karleskint, United School Administrators, stated 75% of the districts in Kansas receive high density at risk funding. He urged the Committee to support the bill. (Attachment 7)
Leah Fliter, Assistant Executive Director of Advocacy, KASB, agreed with the previous speakers. (Attachment 8)
Representative Ruiz asked how many single parent households are in Kansas City, KS. Superintendent Stubblefield agreed to send him that. Representative Hill asked for information from Wichita District, Susan Willis, about what the impact of at risk funding is upon the at-risk student success. Representative Estes asked Susan Willis for results from the $1.7 million tutoring program. Jason Long clarified that the entire school funding formula will be renewed in 2027, (10 years after the Supreme Court ruling).
Proponent (Written Only)
Juanita Erickson, Superintendent, Neodesha (Attachment 9)
Dr. Fred Dierksen, Superintendent, Dodge City (Attachment 10)
Dr. Michelle Hubbard, Superintendent Shawnee Mission (Attachment 11)
Dr. Deena Horst and Ann Mah, Kansas State Board of Education (Attachment 12)
Lauren Tice Miller, Kansas National Education Association (Attachment 13)
Judith Deedy, Executive Director, Game On for Kansas Schools (Attachment 14)
Chairman Thomas closed the hearing on HB2223, and adjourned the Committee at 2:45.
The next meeting will be February 21, 2023.
