The Class of 2022 never attended school while the legislature was constitutionally funding public education. Academic achievement is a priority, and we were finally on the road to recovery until the 2026 session. Despite being on track with historic increases to special education funding, the legislature cut the 2026 special education enhancement from $50 million to $6 million forcing Johnson County school districts to make tough decisions about extracurriculars and staffing. It’s essential to send public school advocates to Topeka or risk losing what we’ve gained since a new K-12 finance formula is due in 2027.

We need to bring professionalism and transparency back to the budgeting process and ensure that school funding reflects the changes in educational costs, because local school districts are forced to use classroom dollars to make up for the special education shortfall from the state. 

I know the importance of a quality public education, and I value teachers and school staff. I have volunteered in the classroom and on the Rising Star PTA executive board. Teachers should have access to training, the right to due process, and the state must have high standards for licensing and hiring teachers. Schools should have the capacity to hire student support services staff and prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable students. We have to make sure that our policies help schools attract and retain excellent teachers and staff.   

Funding cuts over the years have led to larger class sizes, program cuts, and a greater difficulty in teachers being able to meet the needs of their students. All Kansas students deserve access to an excellent education. 

Kansas students have the right to an adequately funded education – but Kansas parents don’t want a basic education for our kids. We want the best.