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Kansas State School for the Deaf urges restoration of language‑assessment funds, pay parity and capital projects

Kansas Legislature Appropriations / Budget Committee (Joint Committee on State Budget) · January 26, 2026
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Summary

Superintendent Lou Anne Baron urged the budget committee to restore a 1.5% lapse for the language assessment program serving birth‑to‑8 deaf and hard‑of‑hearing children, requested pay parity with the Olathe district and sought SIBF funding for building projects and demolition of an obsolete powerhouse.

The Kansas State School for the Deaf pressed the Legislature’s budget committee on Wednesday to restore funds for a statewide language‑assessment program, approve teacher pay adjustments and support several capital projects, including a dorm remodel and demolition of a decommissioned powerhouse.

Lou Anne Baron, superintendent of the Kansas State School for the Deaf, testified remotely that the agency’s requests are targeted investments in language development, staff retention and campus safety rather than expansions for convenience.

Baron asked the committee to restore the 1.5% SGF lapse for the language assessment program, which she said would allow the school to continue providing statewide assessments and services for about 47 children in the earliest language‑development age window.

“The language assessment program … ensures that children have equitable access to both American Sign Language and English,” Baron said. “Restoring that funding allows us to continue providing statewide assessments, training and access to ASL and English assistance for students.”

KLRD fiscal analyst Jennifer Light summarized the Deaf school’s FY2026 baseline and noted two items the school requested as supplemental or enhancement: (1) restoring the 1.5% lapse for the language assessment program (about $94,880 SGF) and (2) funding for six additional school days and associated pay to move the school calendar from 181 to 187 days. Light said the supplemental for additional days was originally about $228,000 SGF and was later revised during contract negotiations.

Baron also requested targeted teacher pay adjustments to align with the nearby Olathe district and proposed incentives for American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency and supplemental contracts, including higher per‑day pay for extended‑year summer programming. In capital proposals, the Deaf school is seeking State Institutions Building Fund (SIBF) support for an Emery Elementary dorm remodel and a $1.8 million SIBF request to demolish an outdated powerhouse structure.

Committee members were given written testimony and told the committee would take up further questions at a scheduled work session later in the week. No formal committee action occurred during the hearing.