Kansas Association of Community College Trustees

KACCT Newsletter
February 11, 2005

700 S. W. Jackson, Ste. 1000, Topeka, Kansas 66603 - (785)-357-5156

Ways and Means Subcommittee Completes Report….The Senate Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee took just 30 minutes to concur with the Governor’s budget recommendations for higher education with two important changes:  out district tuition buy-down and Adult Basic Education.  While the subcommittee was in agreement with the Governor’s intention to buy-down out-district from $12 to $6, they did understand that this is an approximately $3.1 million dollar loss to community colleges and should not affect the $5.1 million operating grant proposed by Governor Sebelius.  To help compensate for that loss, Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, recommended that $2 million be added to help offset the loss.  The Adult Basic Education Association requested $100,000 to leverage (1-3) more dollars from the Federal Government.  The committee agreed and recommended an addition of $100,000 for ABE.  The subcommittee report will go to the full Ways and Means Committee on Monday, February 14, at 10:30 a.m.  Committee members include Sen. Dwayne Umbarger, R-Thayer, Chrm.; Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg; Sen. Jim Baron, D-Frontenac; Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick; Sen. Steve Morris, R-Hugoton; Sen. Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka; Sen. Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita; Sen. Mark Taddiken, R-Clifton; Sen. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford; Sen. David Wysong, R-Mission Hills; Sen. Laura Kelly, D- Topeka; and Sen. Chris Steineger, D-Kansas City.

Senate Education Plan Revealed….Senate Republican leaders have released and begun discussion on a school finance plan that would bring $415 million to K-12 education in Kansas over a three year period, $125.4 million in year one, $147.6 million in year two and $142.0 million in year three.  Key points of the plan are:
  *  increasing Base State Aid Per Pupil by $125 each year for three years, moving the amount of aid per pupil to $4,263 after three years
*  increasing at risk weighting by $29.1 million a year for three years for a total of $87.3 million
*  increasing ESL by $5.6 million a year for two years
*  increasing Special Education excess costs now at 81.7% to 85% the first year, 88% the second year and 92% the third year
  *  increasing Local Option Budgets from the current 25% to 27% the first year, 29% the second year and 30% the third year
*  eliminating $30.2 million in weighting for vocational education

There would be no tax increase the first year, but, instead, the state would find dollars from elimination of  vocational weighting ($30.2 million), possible growth of the economy and a $80 million draw-down on the State General Fund ending balance.  Funding for the next two years will require new money, which is interpreted by most as a call for a tax increase.   The plan also includes the formation of a “2010 Commission” to review the state’s educational needs and submit an annual report.  According to Senate Education Chairman Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita, the plan is intended to be a starting point in the discussion of funding for K-12 education.  This is just the first of many.

In other K-12 funding developments, a bi-partisan group of House members met to discuss the findings of a Board of Education survey.  The survey provides information from 55 school districts regarding their costs for a “suitable” education for at-risk students, English-as-Second-Language and general education pupils.

House Education Budget Committee Hears about AccessUS….Dodge City Community College President Richard Burke was invited to speak to the House Education Budget Committee about AccessUS and the program’s impact on western Kansas on Tuesday, February 8.  Funds have been allocated during the past two legislative sessions to be used as a subsidy to pay for program costs that are left unpaid if enrollment in the approved program falls below the break-even point.  The Board of Regents has approved redirecting $100,000 of the money appropriated for scholarships and marketing AccessUS.

Student, Faculty Health on the Agenda….Echoing a concern issued this week from the Center for Disease Control concerning meningitis vaccinations, a bill has been introduced in the House calling for “evidence of meningococcal disease vaccinations” for students residing in on-campus housing at public postsecondary educational institutions, HB 2396.  According to the CDC, college freshmen who live in dormitories are six times more likely than others to be infected with meningitis.  Along a similar vein, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee will hear testimony on Tuesday on a bill calling for tuberculosis evaluations for faculty, staff and students who enter high school, college or university classrooms, SB 217.

 Coming Next Week….

 Monday, February 14:   Senate Ways & Means   10:30 a.m., Rm. 123-S  Subcommittee reports on higher education
 House Higher Education  3:30 p.m., Rm. 231-N    Hearings on…HB 2234:  Tuition rates at state educational institutions

 Tuesday, February 15:   Senate Public Health & Welfare  1:30 p.m., Rm. 231-N  Hearing on…SB 217:  Tuberculosis evaluation for faculty, staff and students
Senate Education    1:30 p.m., Rm. 123-S  Hearing on…SB 131:  Teachers; nonrenewal or termination of contracts, due process hearing

Wednesday, Feb. 16:     House Higher Education    3:30 p.m., Rm. 231-N   Staff briefing on Higher Education Funding Mechanism

 Thursday, February 17: House Education Budget Subcommittee 1:30 p.m., Rm. 514-S
                                                    

Important Resources to gather legislative and budget information:
www.accesskansas.org
www.kslegislature.org Kansas Legislature
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/klrd.html Legislative Research Department