Follow Us 
Current Poll
| Schools Could Face Large Cuts |
 |
 |
 |
| News - Linn County News | |||
| Written by Denise Cassells | |||
| Wednesday, 04 February 2009 09:00 | |||
|
House Appropriations Committee Chair Bill Feuerborn, a Garnett Democrat, led a debate late Friday against further cuts to the education budget. “Based on a strictly partisan vote of 23 committee members, 14 Republicans voting in favor of education cuts and nine Democrats voting against. In Linn County, Prairie View USD 362 will lose $163,858., Jayhawk USD 346 will lose $100,934 and Pleasanton USD 344 will lose $69,942 this fiscal year which ends in June,” Feuerborn said. On top of the education cuts, Republicans proposed an additional four percent cut for safety, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, police patrol and correctional. “They only have their current budget, which ends in June, so they will essentially be faced with an eight percent cut in funding for the remainder of this fiscal year,” Feuerborn said. “I was very frustrated after the committee hearing.” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius requested no more than a three percent cut for other programs such as public safety and aid to seniors, Feuerborn said he met with school superintendents last Saturday who stressed their concerns in making cuts because of contract stipulations. “Since most teachers, transportation and food costs are under contract, this will mean the cuts will have to be taken from non-contract, such as custodians, aides and cooks.” Feuerborn said. With a goal of trying to buy time for schools and vulnerable citizens and an aim to better prepare school districts for cuts during the 2010 fiscal year which begins July 1, senators approved a bill drafted by a bipartisan coalition even over objections of GOP leaders. District 12 Sen. Pat Apple, a Louisburg Republican, voted in favor of the cuts. “All legislators agree we have to cut the budget and live within our means. Nonetheless, we’re trying to stave off the cuts for school funding as long as possible so the schools will have time to prepare,” said Sen. Chris Steineger, a Kansas City Democrat on Friday before the appropriation committee’s vote. After the 25-15 vote passed the Senate to save most of the school funding, educators hoped the House would pass a 2009 fiscal year rescission in conjunction to the bill the Senate passed. On Friday, Republican leaders on the Appropriations Committee — after House members were sent home — attempted to include an amendment that would allow for an additional $22 million across-the-board cut to public schools. The proposal would make $327 million in adjustments to the budget for the fiscal year ending in June. “Based on my knowledge, it looks like school districts will get more of a cut than what the senate passed, therefore I am deeply troubled,” said Rep. Shirley Palmer, a Fort Scott Democrat, adding it is hard to say exactly what happened since the appropriation committee met after the House was dismissed. Feurerborn and House Minority Leader Paul Davis, a Lawrence Democrat, sent a statement to members Friday night relating how troubled they were. Senate GOP leaders had wanted to cut funding for education by $99 million. Of that total, under one Republican’s plan, $53 million would be taken from Kansas aid to public schools. “It’s expected to go to a vote on Tuesday after facts and figures are heard on Monday,” Palmer said. “Tuesday, we will offer an amendment on education, seniors and public safety to try and reduce that number for cuts,” Feuerborn said.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 964 Trackback(0)
Comments (0)
 Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
|
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
