K-12 Budget Cuts

The following article was in the Pittsburg, Kan., newspaper today. While the article focuses on budget cuts there is a clear roadmap as to areas in which K-12 schools will need assistance in the upcoming two years.

http://www.morningsun.net/news/x1090820508/USD-250-cuts-budget-by-815K

Kansas State Budget

By Duane Goossen
Wichita Eagle

I thought it might be helpful to explain what has been done to balance the state budget, and Gov. Mark Parkinson's plan for keeping it balanced moving forward.

Two years ago, the Legislature passed a state budget of $6.4 billion for fiscal year 2009. By January 2009 (which was halfway through the fiscal year), it was clear that there wasn't going to be enough revenue to make that budget work. As a result, then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and the Legislature cut $340 million from the 2009 budget.

In late April, Parkinson was sworn in. With just a few weeks left in the 2009 session, Parkinson and the Legislature worked together to pass a 2010 budget with another $360 million in cuts.

Unfortunately, it became clear that even that lower number wouldn't work. So by November we had cut the last $260 million.

Today the state budget sits at about $5.4 billion — down $1 billion from last year.

Unfortunately, even after all these cuts, the fiscal 2011 budget, which we are now working on, will come up short about $400 million if we don't find new revenue — even if we keep services at drastically reduced levels.

Last Monday the governor said that he has cut more money out of the state budget than any Kansas governor — ever. So when he says there's no more to cut, he means it.

I agree with the governor. We have cut beyond the point of waste; we are now cutting deeply into the foundation of critical programs.

The governor's plan to come up with the $400 million is to take the cigarette and tobacco tax from 79 cents a pack and raise it to the national average of $1.34, and to raise our sales tax by 1 cent for a temporary period of 36 months.

If we take these two steps, Kansas still will remain a low-tax, business-friendly state. The Tax Foundation rates each state every year for its combined state and local tax burden. Its findings for 2009 are the same as its findings for most prior years — Kansas is below the national average for taxes that we pay.

So by temporarily raising the sales tax, we can balance the budget, protect safety-net programs and remain a low-tax state. By raising the tobacco tax, we can reduce teen smoking and ease the budget situation — that's a win-win.

The alternative to coming up with this $400 million is to implement an impossible round of cuts that would do permanent damage to those things that make Kansas a great place to live.

This session, the Legislature must make wise decisions that help us get through today and plan for tomorrow. If we choose to cut state programs, we will do permanent damage to the assets we have worked so hard to build in this state.

If we choose to adopt the governor's budget proposal, we can protect these assets, which will help us attract jobs and build for the future.

We know we will come out of this recession, but the question is: Will we come out of it needing to make up lost ground, or do we come out of it moving forward? The governor's budget proposal moves us forward.

Duane Goossen has been state budget director for Kansas since 1998.

A Thought on Leadership

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop on the Crypts of Westminster Abbey. One of our superintendents shared this with our leadership team on Tuesday and I thought I'd pass it along.

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family, From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, I may have even changed the world.

Kansas School Funding Challenges

The following article appeared in the Salina Journal on Dec. 12. This emphasizes the reality that 2009-10 will be tough and 2010-11 will be tougher.

Greenbush's business partners that find ways to 1) save schools money, 2) add value to current school programs, and 3) create a revenue stream for schools will be the ones on the forefront of helping schools through these tough times.

Legislators, school districts wrestle with fund problems

12/12/2009

By MICHAEL STRAND

Salina Journal

Probably nobody was expecting good news to come from Friday's meeting between area lawmakers and school officials.

And while some lawmakers said tax increases or reductions in various tax exemptions might be possible in the upcoming legislative session, others were far less certain.

Rep. Dan Johnson, R-Hays, was next to last of the lawmakers to speak Friday at an annual legislative forum sponsored by the Smoky Hill Education Service Center.

"Let me take you to the real world now," Johnson said, following legislators who had suggested possible repeal of sales tax exemptions, increased gambling, and other ways the state could raise additional funds and avoid further cuts to schools and other parts of state government.

Johnson noted the state is approaching a half-billion-dollar difference between current spending and tax revenues.

"We cannot spend money we don't have," Johnson said. "And I don't believe we'll ever be able to pass a revenue increase in the House of Representatives this year," repeating that last sentence for emphasis.

Even were some tax increase to happen, Johnson said, "We could not get the money fast enough to make a difference this year."

Brace yourselves

Johnson also told districts to brace for worse news in the future, as federal stimulus funds cease.

"This year will be rough -- but next year will be much worse," he told the crowd of more than 100 superintendents, administrators and school board members from across north-central and northwest Kansas.

Other lawmakers stressed that while they do support education, they consider education funding alongside other state-funded activities.

Rep. Vern Swanson, R-Clay Center, agreed that the Legislature "promised" money to education in a three-year plan three years ago and that money has been cut from that plan -- but that the state has also taken back money that was scheduled to be sent to cities and counties.

And, Swanson said, he's also concerned about cuts in services to the handicapped, prisons and public safety.

"I support education," Swanson said, "but there will be votes where it appears I don't."

Doesn't hate Scouts

Rep. Eber Phelps, D-Ellsworth, said there are plenty of ways the state could raise additional money, including re-opening dog tracks.

Revoking sales tax exemptions is another possibility, Phelps said, "but right away you're labelled as somebody who hates Girl Scouts."

Girl Scout cookies are among items exempted from sales taxes.

Phelps also urged those contacting lawmakers to make their points clear.

During the past legislative session, he said, he saw other lawmakers supporting cuts to education he didn't expect them to; when he asked them about it, they told him they'd talked with superintendents in their districts, and been told districts could handle the cuts.

But when he called those superintendents to confirm that, they said that hadn't been the message they'd been trying to convey.

State Board of Education member Kathy Martin told the group she didn't want to be characterized as "anti-education" but said she thinks the state's current budget troubles need to be overcome.

And until the economy improves, she said, that may mean education "that's the best we can afford right now -- not the best money can buy."

She also suggested districts use any available funds to increase teacher pay, "rather than the latest computers or the latest textbooks."

Kansas Budget Cuts

The following legislative update is from United School Administrators of Kansas in regard to budget cuts in the state of Kansas and the effect of those cuts on Kansas' school districts. School districts in Kansas are once again receiving budget cuts. Saving money and adding value is of utmost concern right now.

Governor’s allotments; House appropriations meetings take us into Thanksgiving holiday

The spirit of Thanksgiving felt a bit dim to many around the Statehouse on Monday, as Governor Parkinson reluctantly announced allotments (budget cuts) needed to get FY 2010 to a balanced budget. This spirit was only enhanced as education leaders came before the House Appropriations Committee to highlight the painful nature of district cuts already made and were given little hope from legislators that the picture for next year would look any better.

Three school administrators—Fred Kaufman (Hays), Gary French (Osawatomie), and Rob Winter (Salina)—are to be commended for presenting such strong, often impassioned, portraits of just how painfully the dramatic budget cuts are impacting their students and districts—and how absolutely heart-rending many of the decisions thereof have been for school leaders.

While there were some comments from the committee that chided and questioned district leaders’ decisions—one even expressing contempt for claims that the increased funding in recent years had any real impact at all on student achievement—the overall tone expressed by most committee members was appreciation for administrators’ attempts to make decisions that have the least harmful impact on student learning. As well, a number thanked administrators for keeping an open dialogue with the Legislature and implored them to keep “painting the picture” of how schools and students are being affected by legislative policies and budget cuts.

Governor’s allotments

As was reported yesterday, the governor did announce his latest round of allotments. (It should be gratefully noted that the governor’s office provided a courtesy call to USA|Kansas' lobbyist Monday morning detailing those allotments, out of respect for the organization and its leaders.) The K-12 allotment decisions are as follows:

Requested Supplemental General State Aid will be reduced by $85.9 million, but that will be offset by calling up that amount in federal Recovery Act funds that had been budgeted for FY 2011. This will leave the state with just $189.6 million in federal Recovery funding, both State Fiscal Stabilization and Special Education, in the next fiscal year;

General State Aid will be reduced by $36.7 million, taking it down to the FY 2006 level and the governor will not seek a waiver that would allow the state to go below that level; and,

The governor will not seek to decouple from the ARRA regulations tying K-12 and higher education funding together.

So, where does that leave the BSAPP? It, first, bears keeping in mind that Kansas Statues provide for a BSAPP of $4,492 for the current fiscal year and each school year following. Last year’s appropriations process provided a BSAPP of $4,400 in school year 2008-09 and the Legislature adjourned providing $4,280 in BSAPP. The first round of Governor Parkinson’s allotments earlier this year left it at just $4,068. Now, according to Deputy Commissioner Dale Dennis, the BSAPP will drop to approximately $4,012.

Dale Dennis has produced and released a run detailing the impact of the latest allotments on school districts (SF0011 can be accessed on the USA|Kansas website). USA|Kansas will keep you updated on further legislative and executive decisions, as they impact K-12 education in Kansas.

Excerpt from Governor Parkinson’s allotment address

“Unfortunately, we are now to the point of potentially making crippling cuts to state services. This latest round of budget reductions will mean that class sizes will again increase in Kansas schools. Some districts will be forced to lay off teachers and close schools. These cuts mean that our universities will have fewer professors, offer fewer classes and critical investments in our future are in jeopardy. These budget cuts will force us to reduce supervision of released prisoners, increase the number of disabled citizens waiting for services and reduce road maintenance across the state.

It is my obligation as a leader to balance the budget. But it is also my duty to protect our most precious resources. So I have once again balanced the budget. I promised that I would and I have kept that promise. But we cannot make it through this recession by cutting ourselves into an incurable position. When the Legislature returns in January, together we must look towards building a solution for the years ahead or we will permanently damage the foundation of our state.”

We wish all of you a very safe and joyous Thanksgiving!

Regards,

Cheryl L. Semmel

Executive Director

United School Administrators of Kansas

515 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 201

Topeka, Kansas 66603

November is Here

I am meeting with many school district administrative teams to apprise them of the opportunities to save money through Greenbush Procurement. Capital projects seem to be moving right now as capital outlay funds are the only liquid funds available right now. Bond issues seem to be a distant speck on the radar of the future of K-12 schools in Kansas.

Greenbush is set to launch our new website on Friday, November 6. Be sure to check it out at www.greenbush.org.

"Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless." --Thomas A. Edison

School Specialty

Oklahoma representatives from School Specialty visited Greenbush on Wednesday to discuss how to expand the use of Greenbush/AEPA contracts into Oklahoma.