Kansas education official warns of rapid changes as legislative turnaround nears
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Summary
KSDE legislative director Dr. Harwood told the State Board of Education that Feb. 19 turnaround deadlines make budget and policy outcomes uncertain, highlighting competing House and Senate positions on special education funding, K‑12 base increases and procurement changes for state residential schools.
Dr. Harwood, KSDE’s legislative reporter, told the State Board on Feb. 10 that the 2026 legislative session is moving quickly and that many education measures may change before the chamber turnaround next Thursday. “Most of those will never get a hearing, and nothing will ever happen with them,” he said, adding that legally required deadlines and the conference committee process mean provisions often shift in the final days.
Why it matters: Harwood focused on changes that would affect the Kansas School for the Deaf and Kansas School for the Blind, including new procurement rules that would let those schools purchase like local districts — requiring the board to approve purchases above a threshold — and potential salary changes that could require renegotiating contracts. He said the House and Senate differ on special education funding totals: the House’s position had added $10 million while the Senate added $5 million in its discussion, and either figure could change in the coming days.
Key details: Harwood summarized several pending measures that could affect districts and state schools, including: a CPIU (cost‑of‑living) base increase, shifts in special education appropriations, bills about school device policies and cell‑phone rules, changes removing a statutory requirement that KSDE contract with a named vendor for college entrance exams, and proposals tied to naloxone stocking and fentanyl education in schools. He warned that proposals labeled as ‘provisos’ or committee trial runs could be adjusted before becoming law and urged board members to monitor rapidly moving committee actions.
Board response and next steps: Members pressed Harwood on procurement thresholds (a state agency threshold versus school district threshold) and on the practical effects of negotiated contract language for the state residential schools. Harwood said KSDE will continue briefing the board and will return with updates as committees act.
What’s next: With turnaround approaching, the board was urged to watch committee calendars closely; Harwood said any final funding decisions could be subject to conference committee tradeoffs and to changes up until adjournment.