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Olathe official: special‑education boost cut; vouchers and property‑tax proposals still active in Topeka
Summary
Dr. Stuart Little briefed the Olathe board on a fast legislative session, the likely small special‑education allocation, property‑tax proposals and pending voucher/tax‑credit measures.
Dr. Stuart Little, the district’s legislative representative, told the Olathe Board of Education that the 2025 Kansas legislative session’s expedited calendar has left special‑education funding uncertain and has placed several school‑finance proposals into play.
Little said the legislature started the session proposing a phased increase in special‑education funding (an initial figure discussed in committee was $73 million phased in), but the House reduced that to $10 million in the version moving forward. He said a separate Senate attempt to add additional multi‑year funding tied to a prior $73 million proposal resulted in a 5–5 committee vote and the chair breaking the tie against adding more — leaving, in Little’s summary, roughly $10 million on the table for the current cycle.
On taxes and school revenue, Little described competing proposals in Topeka: a constitutional amendment to cap assessed valuation growth at 3 percent, a rolling average approach, a floating cap tied to inflation and a revived flat‑tax idea. He said it was unclear which approach, if any, will secure the votes required to become law before the legislature adjourns; Little reminded the board regular session adjournment is scheduled for March 28.
Little also flagged school‑choice legislation under active consideration. He described what the presentation called Senate Bill 75 as “essentially an $8,000 per person refundable tax credit” available for private or nonpublic schooling, and said other bills would expand an existing tax‑credit scholarship program. Little said none of the measures that have passed the Senate so far have a veto‑proof majority, a factor that will shape final outcomes.
Board members asked how constituents should advocate. Little recommended contacting one’s own senator and representative through emails or local meetings; he said legislators are most responsive to constituents in their districts.
Little concluded with timing: the House and Senate will move to conference committees on remaining passed items, and the regular session was three weeks away at the time of his briefing. The update was delivered as an informational item; the board did not vote on policy positions during the meeting.
Direct quotes are from Dr. Little’s presentation and subsequent board questions.
