Kansas board warns of ‘crisis’ in special-education funding, directs advocacy after KSD task force work

The Kansas State Board of Education heard an urgent warning Feb. 10 that special-education funding is falling far short of the statutory standard and putting districts at risk, and it renewed a focus on the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD).

Commissioner Watson, describing the board’s recent KSD task-force work and next steps, emphasized immediate priorities and larger funding shortfalls. "It is a crisis," he said, laying out figures the board used to calculate the state’s obligation under law and the present gap between appropriations and the 92% excess-cost target.

Why it matters: school leaders and the board said districts are shifting general-education dollars to cover rising special-education costs, a dynamic the board tied to both declining enrollment and a growing share of students identified with more-expensive, intensive needs. Watson told the board the 'consensus' estimates for state budgeting showed a roughly $226 million shortfall for the current fiscal year and a projected $259 million shortfall the following year if funding patterns hold.

Board context and next steps: Watson said the board will prioritize a national search for a new KSD superintendent and reinstate advisory and parent councils to increase engagement. He pressed the state’s federal delegation and the Kansas Legislature to use money being returned to the state because of enrollment declines to help meet excess-cost obligations, and he urged parents and advocates to lobby for additional federal and state funds.

What presenters said: Watson and staff framed the shortfall as the product of two forces: falling enrollment that reduces state base aid, and a rising transfer of funds from general education to pay for costly special-education services, such as intensive medical supports and transportation. One slide accompanying the presentation estimated that, under current plans, districts could be funded for only about 65% of excess costs rather than the 92% the statute prescribes.

Public comment and family perspective: During the citizens open forum parents and staff with ties to the Kansas School for the Deaf urged the board to keep language access central to the search and to broaden engagement. Harmony Jarrett, a KSD teacher and parent, said many students arrive at the school with limited access to language at home and described how early identification and outreach programs at KSD had helped students she now sees reading above grade level. "Deafness is not the issue… it is lack of access to language," she said.

What the board did: The board did not adopt a new funding formula in this meeting; rather, members voted to continue outreach and to press for legislative and federal action, to track implementation of KSD task-force recommendations, and to pursue the superintendent search.

What to watch next: The board and staff said they will provide timelines and periodic updates on KSD implementation and will follow developments in federal and state appropriations as the legislative sessions continue.