[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6362824,"mediaKeyId","2167259-58b165ac0908f197805fdb4c648a0cca","parentId",2167259,"title","Stakeholders press committee for child care capacity, mental health, broadband, school-food and CPR funding","audioSeconds",1937,"startMs",3777780,"endMs",5715550,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167259-58b165ac0908f197805fdb4c648a0cca&start=3777&end=5715","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167259-58b165ac0908f197805fdb4c648a0cca/thumbnail_3777780.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6362824/Kansas/Stakeholders-press-committee-for-child-care-capacity-mental-health-broadband-school-food-and-CPR-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362824-697470f59f392140ff3fd38fd2587710/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203891&Signature=To6fcqoCuApzW3~ODATyxAyONkOZOqH-t0NjMK58B7zRI3ww5MhaIP3GDt9N2aDDO5oE-A3reUzZ8j1~zu~aPU20f5VmcBuKbT6x2beFVSow0XekG8qB4K~piexKYPZbnPQfiZWJxDmhPsX8IiDGPGkHEQqo7iBLZzdkieGJg-~5l~qqBuCDlERfQRhmzSJCFEcZcfBJHfOnq4WdIsTW~JrFbOWWFe33FkzFXNpb7F2h29sV6qy2p0eg4Ukae6E8qWpPJdkHGHGR9TyKmu-1tg3N6~BsNrT~JQkRaFEOAFspJMZzhVJF4E3fsCadT1EWznW9hRnolF08XkpDR-WF-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Committee on K-12 Education Budget , KS","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","A series of outside witnesses delivered brief oral testimony during the public-comment portion of the Committee on K‑12 Education Budget. Presenters summarized written testimony filed with the committee and highlighted line items or enhancements they urged members to support.

Thrive Allen County (Thrive Kansas) asked the committee to fund a Child Care Capacity Accelerator at $10,000,000 from the State General Fund to support local projects that expand slots, including innovative rural models. The witness emphasized a backlog of approved local projects and gave examples of multi‑county home‑based networks that had used prior capacity funds.

SparkWheel (Ethan Sperling and Kelly Stanford) described a request to expand their in‑school integrated student supports across additional Kansas feeder patterns. The transcript records a total cost figure that the witnesses gave as “$1,258,000,000” and an estimate that the expansion would serve an additional 45,100 Kansas students. Committee staff requested written copies for the record and follow‑up on the numbers.

Kansas Appleseed supported eliminating the reduced‑price meal copay, citing state and national evidence that hunger impedes learning and pointing to neighboring states that have removed copays. Several witnesses repeated support for the governor’s $5.5 million estimate to remove reduced‑price meal co‑pays for eligible students.

WANRAC (David Soffer) and other broadband advocates urged a $1,000,000 state match to draw down federal special‑construction E‑Rate funds, arguing the match reduces long-term broadband costs and delivers multi‑year savings to districts. WANRAC provided examples of projected returns on investment for districts that had used state matching programs.

The American Heart Association sought $250,000 to purchase school CPR training kits (mannequins and AED trainers) to implement recently enacted cardiac emergency response plan requirements and to encourage youth CPR training. Hazel Health proposed a public‑private pilot combining $2,000,000 in state funds with philanthropic support to deliver school-based telehealth mental-health services statewide and cited reduced absenteeism and improved clinical scores in partners’ evaluations.

KNEA and other education advocates reiterated support for Gannon‑era funding levels, consumer price index adjustments, and continued phasing to reach the statutory special‑education funding target (92%).

The transcript records committee members asking witnesses for written materials and for clarification of large or unclear figures (for example, the SparkWheel dollar total), and staff collected written testimony for the record. No committee votes occurred during the public‑comment block.

Witness list (selected): Logan Stensing (Thrive Allen County/Thrive Kansas), Ethan Sperling and Kelly Stanford (SparkWheel), Haley Kotler (Kansas Appleseed), David Soffer (WANRAC), Carrie Rinker (American Heart Association), Maria Jose Norrero (Hazel Health), Timothy Graham (KNEA), Erica Sheets (Moms for Liberty, Webex), Leah Fleiter (education stakeholder).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee on K-12 Education Budget 01/29/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Advocates urged the committee to fund childcare expansion, school-based mental health and telehealth, E‑Rate broadband matching, child-nutrition copay elimination, CPR training kits and other education priorities.","taxTitle","Committee on K-12 Education Budget, Standing, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Kansas","taxId",18819,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6362836,"KLRD tells committee language-only items in House Bill 2007 are on technicals list; committee asked for emailed text",188,95729,284570,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167259-58b165ac0908f197805fdb4c648a0cca&start=95&end=284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167259-58b165ac0908f197805fdb4c648a0cca/thumbnail_95729.jpg","/articles/6362836/Kansas/KLRD-tells-committee-language-only-items-in-House-Bill-2007-are-on-technicals-list-committee-asked-for-emailed-text","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362836-95e3b003420c31d9259e19ed5acf6938/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203891&Signature=dxqLn76J~kb5qJebaj4pdG3ELvjm8dg-MpS~cMvXudAb4skR1ltpDZCXMOewZ29kUunwTE0gq0kp4WIx5UvT8U-1nGh71fa-Gisshl-rDYTzYn0VN6pnad~~j-k5H0zjSZVnitxL2EoK~uQIbcgpt85E0KggzBtp-8tAUEpe3~TWAkTHAm1ANYmSdJDp8be6xH~QjwhY1HixXEmO298cr9ZCEmPi8ITBJa7GhTUUrmgszSXhQCPAHBfqUEC~FLdHwSM9rkm~4gVcikoGrYDfV7MrL3u49gVxPQbYDZCoeMP0WH14fW8iUIsclYUlxhO9aftotqSy~GE3ves0-0dpbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Light, a staff attorney from the Kansas Legislative Research Department, told the Committee on K-12 Education Budget that several language-only items currently included in House Bill 2007 are being placed on the technicals (corrections) list and may be deleted by House Appropriations or Senate Ways and Means.

Light said the items are on page 11 of the committee's budget summary under “additional legislative requests.” The provisions include (1) interfund transfers between agency State General Fund accounts, (2) a change allowing the State Safety Fund distribution to be made whenever funds are available rather than being held until Nov. 1, and (3) a rule allowing undirected income-tax refund donations to be distributed to a school district if a taxpayer fails to specify one. Light said the Legislative Budget Committee recommended removing them; they nevertheless remain in the current draft of HB 2007 and are being routed to appropriations as technical corrections. She offered to email the precise bill language to the committee for review.

Representative McDonald and Representative McNorton asked for the written language and for an explanation of why the items were recommended for removal; Light and other staff said they would provide the email and documentation. Committee discussion did not adopt or reject the language; decisions about keeping the provisions will be made later in appropriations.

The transcript records no fiscal estimates attached to those language-only provisions; Light confirmed they are “language only” and carry no dollar amounts in the summary.

The committee chair asked staff to circulate the text so members could consider a motion to retain any or all of the items before appropriations acted on the technicals list.","KLRD staff told the education budget committee three language-only items currently in House Bill 2007 are on a technical-corrections list and could be removed by appropriations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6362829,"KSDE requests staff and program funding for at-risk accountability, AP tests and E‑Rate support; committee presses for details",2822,509729,3332105,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167259-58b165ac0908f197805fdb4c648a0cca&start=509&end=3332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167259-58b165ac0908f197805fdb4c648a0cca/thumbnail_509729.jpg","/articles/6362829/Kansas/KSDE-requests-staff-and-program-funding-for-at-risk-accountability-AP-tests-and-ERate-support-committee-presses-for-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362829-033c15ab580eee859f2de4d789e7ecf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203891&Signature=WWQdd9KGVJYRh1524lv6U1RT04223xddQcAnGkHCHwYNjZ7oYyT81aPam1eFJ1-pU6ggk13ncqxKGe-Nn3yMeUdEmLwIeizNB9~Ti-u-LKZYFtqN6nVxRSVrUpxPokvhObuTDCInJdbTZvDg0TXtUB6RpLiMuiVL9jkFmreBTOFv8pcmPKCW4oQX7yhU7r54vgKf8aPg~HifaZiJlbb5EwYdaK38XeL1-~~Rgu5mMgsGHvq38gczwhduPiGG73qYiOjygYv5J0Dk2fp6h2BjYY-wIQA9JmPScgIgQ~Kkn0O2AuLHQMD9vVTDMeEXkFNNfBpZ7-niHVlww9aLlDOVtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Frank Harwood, deputy commissioner of the Kansas State Department of Education, briefed the Committee on K‑12 Education Budget on a set of agency enhancement requests and technical budget issues.

Harwood said KSDE seeks six full-time equivalent positions to implement the at‑risk accountability plan included in House Sub 4/Senate Bill 387, describing new duties to collect, evaluate and publicly post districts’ at‑risk plans and related longitudinal reporting. Harwood said KSDE is piloting the system with 13 districts beginning in 2026 and that full statewide implementation would require additional staff; the total appropriation request listed in the packet for 2025 was $626,500. He said the 6 FTE request was included in fiscal notes tied to the statute and that administrative duties have grown without commensurate staff increases.

Harwood also summarized two policy-related enhancement requests that currently carry no dollar amounts in the budget summary: a governor-requested $500,000 appropriation to pay Advanced Placement exam fees for “low-income students and students in foster care” (Harwood clarified the governor’s definition: free-and-reduced-price eligible students and students in foster care); and a $5,500,000 estimate to eliminate the reduced-price meal co‑pay for eligible students. He explained the $5.5 million estimate was based on last year’s number of reduced-price meals purchased; the appropriation would cover student payments (40¢ lunch, 30¢ breakfast) where families currently pay a portion. Harwood noted some students counted as eligible may not use school meals, and that the appropriation would lapse if actual costs were less than estimated.

Committee members pressed Harwood for details: Representative Steele asked how many reduced‑price students actually pay the copay; Harwood explained the 36,000 figure is the count of reduced‑price-eligible students and that the $5.5 million is based on last year’s paid reduced-price lunches. Representative Hill asked about the origin of the CTE transportation proposal; Harwood explained that the department submits a full budget to the governor but typically does not receive line‑by‑line explanations for items the governor omits. On the CTE transportation enhancement, Harwood said community and technical college tuition is funded through higher education appropriations; the KSDE request targets district reimbursement for transporting students to colleges and reimburses by vehicle type and miles.

Harwood described a separate agency request to restore parity in State Board of Education compensation, explaining board compensation had remained tied to legislative per‑diem statutes since the 1970s and that a recent change disconnected the two. The request would increase State Board daily compensation (not an annual salary) and KSDE asked for enabling legislation; the packet listed an approximate $170,000 cost.

On E‑Rate support, Harwood said KSDE historically received a contribution (about $95,000) from the Kansas Board of Regents to help districts with E‑Rate application assistance and a helpline. KBOR told KSDE this fund is no longer reliably available because of an audit liability; KSDE requested the committee continue funding that service either by preserving the KBOR transfer language in the bill or by an SGF appropriation. Jennifer Light (KLRD) later reported a KBOR fiscal analyst that the fund balance at end of FY 2025 was $282,375. Harwood said without KSDE’s verification work, some districts could be ineligible for E‑Rate funding. Separately, outside witnesses urged the committee to consider a $1,000,000 state match to draw down federal broadband construction dollars under E‑Rate special construction funding; suppliers said that match can reduce long‑term broadband costs for districts.

Harwood closed by noting KSDE administers roughly $6 billion in K‑12 payments while state agency operations total roughly $21 million (0.35% of that cash flow) and reiterated that an expanded accountability and reporting workload requires staff if the legislature expects thorough evaluation and public posting of at‑risk plans. The transcript records no committee vote on the enhancements; members requested further documentation and follow‑up on the at‑risk pilot, fiscal breakdowns, and the KBOR transfer status.","Kansas State Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Frank Harwood asked the committee for staff and program funding to implement new at‑risk accountability duties, pay AP exam fees for low‑income students, and maintain E‑Rate support to districts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6362841,"Representative McDonald introduces three fetal alcohol spectrum disorder bills to committee record",69,6480,75695,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167259-58b165ac0908f197805fdb4c648a0cca&start=6&end=75","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167259-58b165ac0908f197805fdb4c648a0cca/thumbnail_6480.jpg","/articles/6362841/Kansas/Representative-McDonald-introduces-three-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-bills-to-committee-record","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362841-365d1063209bde6e8a245b840c6a7685/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203891&Signature=joDFsZdv39cMOW-78HVlMpJ10xCcmN3DsMZN2xV5DRaEe48okIKW9wnNc3kZ7-sniSwX1PLQnS~XrECMt8GEPaYVREMPepQ7fCXHCdK~T2uNAag5B-KyX94ghwEIQdzZws15CtnlxQiQIz6J6r8VoF6~g3reDwk8YhTDB5KqtMYkCzP6wUB9yDh-lsNR5J9YtFI5VsUqycXf1~A7S3y-hhgcjUXn1XginRRNZnNo7AcPP2ClGMHRDzi7z3gHmo67iMzLfvngry3rbapdegjXNMbg3nfurMvQHLv82ORkuqJZOQHQRYfYTuc8mPVatUgsBF3lMQAb9BEziK8~wr2J7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Laura McDonald introduced three bills related to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder during the Committee on K-12 Education Budget meeting.

McDonald said she presented the measures on behalf of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Support Network of Kansas and Dreammakers Farm. She identified the bills as 25RS 0775, which would add fetal alcohol spectrum disorder to the health-impairments portion of special-education eligibility; 25RS 0786, which would add FASD to Kansas Board of Regents requirements for teacher-preparation programs; and 25RS 0750, which would create a fetal alcohol spectrum awareness day. She did not move a motion or seek a committee vote during the discussion.

The bills were read into the record and noted as being presented to the committee; committee staff did not record a formal recommendation or vote in the transcript. Committee members asked no substantive policy questions during the introduction. No fiscal details were provided at the time of introduction.

Next steps: the measures, as introduced, proceed through customary bill-processing steps (referral and committee consideration) unless the sponsor or chair takes alternate action. The transcript does not record any request for a committee vote on these introductions.","Representative McDonald presented three bills to add fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to education and awareness provisions: adding FASD to special-education health impairments (25RS 0775), adding FASD to teacher-preparation requirements (25RS 0786), and creating a FASD awareness day (25RS 0750). No committee action or vote was recorded.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Stakeholders press committee for child care capacity, mental health, broadband, school-food and CPR funding

KLRD tells committee language-only items in House Bill 2007 are on technicals list; committee asked for emailed text

KSDE requests staff and program funding for at-risk accountability, AP tests and E‑Rate support; committee presses for details

Representative McDonald introduces three fetal alcohol spectrum disorder bills to committee record