TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ 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.
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