Education funding

The Kansas House last week narrowly passed a "school choice" bill that would shift public tax dollars to private schools, much to the frustration of public school leaders and Gov. Laura Kelly. The Kansas State Board of Education opposes the bill, saying there's no way to track how students are doing.

The Kansas House narrowly passed a "school choice" bill that will allow families of K-12 students to access upwards of $5,000 in state funding for alternatives to public education — including private schools and homeschooling. The Kansas State Board of Education opposes the bill, saying there's no way to track how students are doing.

Wednesday's vote on education savings accounts sets up a potential quandary for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who supports additional funding for special education but opposes voucher-type programs that fund private schools with state dollars.

Republican lawmakers in Kansas want to make it easier for parents to send their children to private schools, and they’re once again pushing for more parental control over what’s taught in public school classrooms. Plus: A look into the vision of Kansas City Artists Coalition's new leader, who took the position a few months ago.

Conservatives want to make it easier for Kansas families to send their children to private schools, and they’re once again pushing for more parental control over what’s taught in public school classrooms.

A Kansas Republican wants to give families more choice over where their children are educated, but one opponent says H.B. 2218 takes funding away from public schools and gives taxpayer dollars away with no government oversight.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s budget proposals are attracting some surprising support — from Missouri Democrats. We’ll find out why and get a Democratic take on the legislative year ahead.

In his State of the State address on Wednesday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he wants to use the state’s general revenue surpluses for major transportation and capital improvement projects.

Kansas has more than $2 billion in budget surplus. The Republican-controlled Legislature and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly may use the 2023 session to spar over how that money can be used through tax cuts and government spending, among other political issues.

Las escuelas públicas de Kansas City están considerando la posibilidad de cerrar cerca de 10 escuelas, debido al envejecimiento de los edificios y a la disminución en sus inscripciones. Pero las familias se han opuesto al plan, y algunas dicen que si su escuela cierra no mantendrán a sus hijos en el distrito.

Missouri's state treasury has a large surplus after 28 months of double-digit revenue growth and federal payments tied to COVID-19 relief and recovery. The extra money should help smooth any economic downturn while also allowing for new spending initiatives.

The raises, paid for by a tax levy approved in August, will take the district from the lowest salaries in the metropolitan area to the highest.