Senators tentatively OK Kan. school finance bills

By The Associated Press on March 22, 2011

Topeka - The Kansas Senate gave first-round approval to two bills related to the authority of school districts to raise revenue locally for education.

On voice vote Tuesday, senators approved renewing the statewide 20-mill property tax for schools. The tax began in 1992 when the current plan for funding the 289 Kansas school districts was developed. It raises $1 for every $1,000 in assessed property valuations.

A second bill, also advanced by voice vote, allows districts to calculate their local option budgets raised from property taxes at the 2011 budget per-pupil rate. Legislators propose reducing the base state aid per student from $4,012 to $3,780 per student in 2012.

Using the higher figure will allow districts to raise more revenue locally and offset cuts in state aid.