Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB339

Introduced
1/11/24  
Refer
1/12/24  
Report Pass
2/15/24  
Engrossed
2/22/24  
Refer
2/22/24  
Refer
2/28/24  
Report Pass
3/5/24  
Enrolled
4/30/24  

Caption

Prohibiting the state department of education from distributing or expending state foundation aid moneys in fiscal year 2025 to a school district that has no students enrolled in and attending school in such school district in school year 2024-2025.

Impact

The enactment of SB339 directly influences state laws regarding the distribution of education funding. By setting a condition on the disbursement of funds based on student enrollment, the bill aims to prevent taxpayer money from supporting districts that are not serving any students. This could lead to a reevaluation of how school districts manage their resources and student outreach programs, particularly in areas with declining student populations. Such measures might encourage districts to foster better educational environments to attract or retain students.

Summary

Senate Bill 339 focuses on the appropriation of state funds for education within Kansas for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The bill specifically prohibits the state department of education from distributing state foundation aid moneys to any school district that has no students enrolled and attending school in that district for the 2024-2025 school year. This financial restriction aims to ensure that funding is allocated only to those districts with active student populations, thereby optimizing the use of state resources in alignment with educational needs.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding SB339 appears to be supportive within legislative circles that favor accountability and efficient use of state funds. Proponents likely view this measure as a step towards ensuring the state's education budget is effectively utilized for active educational programs rather than supporting districts that do not currently require funding due to lack of enrollment. However, potential skepticism arises from local communities that may fear financial repercussions for districts experiencing declining student numbers, which could raise concerns about educational equity and access.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the implications this bill may have on school districts already facing critical challenges due to enrollment declines. Critics might contend that such a funding mechanism could exacerbate hardships for those districts, potentially leading to further reductions in services and programming. Additionally, discussions may focus on the fairness of disbursing educational funds on the basis of enrollment figures, challenging the notion of providing a safety net for all districts regardless of their immediate student population.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB113

House Substitute for SB 113 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the department of education for FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25; establishing the mental health intervention team program; authorizing certain students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association; requiring school districts to post certain enrollment and academic information on school district websites; revising school district open-enrollment procedures; authorizing local school board members to receive compensation from their school district; authorizing current-year student enrollment for determinations of state foundation aid; continuing the 20 mill statewide tax levy for schools; amending the school districts that qualify for and the amount that school districts are able to levy pursuant to the cost-of-living weighting.

KS HB2730

Expanding the tax credit for low income students scholarship program act to allow students enrolled in underperforming school districts to be eligible for a scholarship.

KS HB2485

Requiring enrollment under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act to be determined using the current school year or the preceding school year and requiring any district that closed a school building in the preceding school year to use the current year enrollment count.

KS SB83

House Substitute for SB 83 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the state department of education for FY 2024, establishing the sunflower education equity act to provide education savings accounts for qualified students, requiring school districts to provide a salary increase to all licensed teachers and defining enrollment of small school districts as the highest enrollment from the preceding four years under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act.

KS HB2184

Making and concerning appropriations for fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 for various state agencies.

KS SB28

Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and appropriations for fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 for various state agencies.

KS HB2514

Revising school district open enrollment procedures and requirements to prioritize students who are residents of Kansas over students who are residents of another state, providing for continued enrollment of students who attended a school district of nonresidence in school year 2023-2024, authorizing school districts to deem students as not in good standing prior to enrollment and requiring publication of nonresident student transfer policies on the school district website.

KS A5379

Provides that certain school districts will not receive State school aid reductions in 2023-2024 school year.

KS A189

Provides that certain school districts will not receive State school aid reductions in 2023-2024 school year.

KS SB475

Eliminating school district open enrollment requirements and authorizing school districts to determine nonresident student enrollment.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.