A three-judge panel in Shawnee County on Friday ruled that the block-grant school finance bill passed by the legislature this spring unconstitutional, saying that it did not address the adequacy and equity issues the court raised in previous rulings.
The ruling in the case of Luke Gannon and Friends et al vs. the State of Kansas could potentially bring the Kansas Legislature back for a special session. The ruling came down on the same day the House and Senate adjourned after a record 114-day session which featured a bitter battle over education and a budget shortfall that at one point was $406 million.
USD 383 School Board member Aaron Estabrook released the following statement Friday afternoon in reaction to the ruling:
“Today the court decision validates what school districts and parents across Kansas have been telling their legislators since January. The Legislature is under-funding public education at an unconstitutional level. They along with the Governor have reneged on the equalization promise from last year and have been dishonest in counting KPERS as money going into the classroom. 15 days ago Speaker Ray Merrick rallied his caucus for a tax bill saying ‘we all took an oath to uphold the constitution’. It’s not too late for them to still uphold their oath. Public Education in Kansas is a fundamental right. The decision today fittingly referenced Brown v Board suggesting that equality in opportunity is an unwavering principle and adequate funding has yet to be delivered by those elected serving in Topeka”
