School funding lawsuit could see closing of schools

OTTAWA — Could the issue of school finance cause the closing of public schools in Kansas next year? What may have seemed unthinkable, is now possible. Area legislators discussed that possibility at Tuesday night’s legislative dinner sponsored by local government officials at Neosho County Community College at Ottawa. A lawsuit over how the state has funded public education, known as Gannon vs State of Kansas, has been before the Kansas Supreme Court, and the high court could issue their decision in January, when the new legislative session convenes. State Rep. Blaine Finch, R-Ottawa, said if the court decides that the school finance system is unconstitutional or that the state’s funding efforts don’t meet adequate levels, there could be an ugly standoff between branches of government. “We could face a constitutioinal crisis in the state,” Finch said. The courts could order the state treasurer not to disburse money to schools, which would basically close all schools, he said. “That will certainly affect tens of thousands of Kansans in a number of ways,” Finch said. Finch said he hopes the justices act with moderation, and don’t try to take over the function of the Kansas Legislature. Many of the school boards which won a previous lawsuit concerning education funding called Montoy, filed suit after the state failed to fund public education at levels outlined in Montoy. Members of the Brownback Administration blamed the recession for the state’s money problems and the drop in state education funding. However, the school districts said that state officials chose to ignore Montoy and made heavy cuts in income taxes.
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 3:30 p.m.