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Minutes for SB465 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Authorizing school districts to levy an annual levy of up to two mills for the purposes of school building safety, security and compliance with the Americans with disabilities act and including such levy in the capital outlay state aid determination for such school districts.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 15, 2024
Chair Baumgardner opened the hearing.
Staff gave an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Jim Karleskint, United School Administrators, said this bill would authorize school districts to levy an annual levy of up to two mills for the purpose of school building safety, security and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and including such levy in the capital outlay state aid for school districts. The school safety and security fund is unable to meet the many needs of school districts across Kansas. When districts have 2 mills to use, they can begin to prioritize their needs for safety concerns. (Attachment 2)
Leah Fliter, Assistant Executive Director of Advocacy, Kansas Association of School Boards, explained that this bill extends welcome flexibility to local boards of education and their constituents to raise additional capital outlay funds for the specific purposes of enhancing safe and secure school environments and making improvements to enhance the accessibility of district facilities. However, it is unclear how this expanded authority might be impacted by the revenue neutral rate hearing laws. (Attachment 3)
Proponent written only testimony was submitted by:
Karen Burrows, Superintendent, Satanta USD 507 (Attachment 4)
William J. Clark, Superintendent, Mission Valley USD 330 (Attachment 5)
Justin Coup, Superintendent, Solomon Schools USD 393 (Attachment 6)
Sherri Edmundson, Superintendent, Cheylin USD 103 (Attachment 7)
Larry D. Geist, EdS, Superintendent/P-5 & KOLP Principal, Centre USD 397 (Attachment 8)
Jess Herbig, Executive Director of Student Services and Doug Maxwell, Chief Financial Officer, Goddard Public Schools USD 265 (Attachment 9)
Ben O'Dell, Principal, Onaga USD 322 (Attachment 10)
Chris Vignery, Superintendent, North Ottawa County USD 239 (Attachment 11)
The Chair closed the hearing.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 PM.
The next meeting will be held Monday, February 19, 2024 at 1:30 PM in Room 144-S.
