Every school district in Kansas is dealing with drastic budget cuts. On Monday, a state senator from Arkansas City proposed a plan that increases funding by $58 million and guarantees each district more money. But not everyone is backing it.
In December, Governor Sam Brownback proposed a new method for school financing. It increased funding to nearly half the districts in the state, but some felt that wasn't enough.
"We heard several times from various districts that there were some districts that were getting new added dollars and some district were not getting new added dollars," explains Senator Abrams.
For example, under Brownback's formula a large district like Wichita would receive no additional funding. But a smaller district like Mulvane would get a nearly $700,000 boost.
In Senator Steve Abrams plan, Wichita would get about $7.5 million dollars in extra funds and Mulvane would get about $780,000.
A spokesperson for the Wichita School District says the plan only benefits them on paper. She says the amendment would also change the way districts receive money for at-risk students - costing Wichita millions.
The amendment would define an at risk student as someone failing math and reading assessment tests, instead of basing it on poverty, as it has been done for years. The spokesperson for the Wichita district says students need assistance before they fail, not after.
"If they're not proficient in math and reading it becomes difficult to be successful and graduate. Consequently my belief is those students are definitely the ones that need the extra help and should be assisted by the additional at-risk dollars," adds Abrams.
The bill will have to be debated and voted on before districts see any changes.
