Senate Education committee backs funding “per Gannon,” approves several budget recommendations, rejects some targeted add-ons

The Kansas Senate Education Committee on Oct. 27 recommended that the state continue to fully fund K–12 education "per Gannon," including the CPIU increase, and took a series of votes on related budget provisos and additions.

Committee chair (referred to in the meeting as "Madam Chair") opened the committee's budget recommendations by saying the committee would send a consolidated budget committee report to Senate Ways and Means and asked members to review it. "What we will verify is we will make sure in ways and means that whatever amount fully funds our schools is what will be appropriated including the CPIU," the chair said.

Why it matters: The committee's guidance will shape the Senate's Ways and Means presentation and influences final state K–12 funding. The Gannon litigation and its remedy remain the primary legal reference for the committee's funding decisions; committee members debated how federal and local dollars intersect with the state's responsibility.

Most important actions

- Motion to "continue to fully fund our schools, including the CPIU, per Gannon" (moved by the chair; seconded by Senator Blasey) passed and will be forwarded as the committee recommendation to Ways and Means.

- An amendment to reappropriate previously unspent funds for the School for the Blind — adding $41,000 to pay for the extended school year and to allow re‑appropriation going forward (moved by Senator Patty; seconded by Senator Sykes) passed as a committee recommendation.

- The committee accepted the House position…