Topeka government relations official briefs Olathe board on K‑12 budget fights, vouchers and pension proposals

Stuart Little, government relations representative in Topeka, told the Olathe Board of Education on the board’s February meeting that the 2025 legislative session is advancing rapidly and that education-related proposals are drawing intense attention.

"So we are, third of the way through the legislative session," Little said, describing a faster schedule that aims to adjourn in mid‑April and a House budget process that differs from past years.

Little summarized the House appropriations activity affecting K‑12: the governor had proposed $72 million to accelerate special education funding toward a 92% statutory target by 2029; a House committee reduced that recommendation to $30 million and approved it by unanimous vote. He said the governor’s proposed $5.5 million to cover co‑pays for families on reduced‑price lunch was reduced to $2 million in committee. Little also said the committee included funding for AP exam fees for at‑risk students.

He flagged a set of large, high‑cost proposals that could reshape district revenue and program choices. One is an…