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Kansas is violating the state constitution by not providing enough funding for schools.
A district court in Shawnee county issued the ruling today. The decision comes after more than 50 school districts sued the state.
They demanded lawmakers increase funding. But while the court agreed, the issue is far from settled.
Wichita Public Schools say it's about time.
"This is a win for Wichita kids and a win for kids all over Kansas, now we have to move forward and do the right thing for all kansas kids," says Lynn Rogers, President of the Wichita Board of Education.
A Kansas district court ruled that the state has not been adequately funding education.
The wichita school board says the state has been providing about $3800 per student when it should have be providing $44-hundred.
This is the 3rd time in 20 years kansas schools have sued the state.
Some parents say they're relieved about the decision. The school districts have had to slash budgets that included cutting extra-cirriculars, expanding classes and at times even closing schools.
"There are a lot of things that are not funded and I see it and Booster club and athletics and other things, so I think this is a really good thing," says Jolene Tritschler, President of Southeast High School's Booster Club.
But the fight isn't over yet. The state will appeal the decison, which could keep the case in court for another year or more. Parents say lawmakers need to put the children first.
The children are our future and someday I'm going to be old and I want to be well-taken care of so unless we educate the young, the old will die," says Pearlie McCoy.
Governor Sam Brownback released a statement Friday evening saying the decision increases the property tax burden on every Kansan.
He says: "The Kansas Legislature, not the courts, has the power of the purse and has, in fact, increased total state funding for schools every year during my administration. The legislative process is the appropriate venue for debating and resolving issues of taxation and spending."
The state spent between $3700 and $3900 per student through the 2004-2005 school year.
You can see a jump in 2005 after the last school finance ruling.
After the recession -- funding dropped back to the same levels as the late 90's.
Friday's ruling prohibits lawmakers from making further cuts to per-pupil spending.