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An Important Message from
Renae Hickert, |
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An Important Message from
Renae Hickert, |
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January 2010
Our schools, the heart of our communities, are facing unprecedented times. School districts receive almost all funding from state government. For Hope and White City Schools, this means that for every dollar in our budget, eighty-nine cents comes from the state. Declining tax revenues have resulted in significant funding reductions over the past year for all schools and other governmental departments. On average, school districts across the state have lost almost 10% of their general fund budgets since June 2009.
What does a 10% reduction mean for the Hope and White City Schools? In financial terms, this is over a $300,000 loss from the planned budget for the current school year to date. This has occurred in two cuts. The first reduction came in July 2009 and the board of education in anticipation of that cut approved $159,000 in reductions. The next cut ($162,000) occurred in November 2009. The board approved spending reserves and the elimination of capital outlay transfer from the budget as well as reducing the money used for local special education expenses. In student terms, it means fewer bus routes, fewer aids to help students, fewer assistant coaches to help student athletes to name a few. It also means funds are normally set aside for emergencies will be spent. There will also be less money for building maintenance and technology upkeep.
Many think the national recession alone is the sole cause for the decline in tax revenues. It is only part of the story. For the rest of the story, we must look to Topeka at what our lawmakers have been giving away for the past several years. For several years, the legislators have cut all different types of taxes. These cuts now reduce revenue to the state by about a billion dollars a year. Many of these tax cuts do not benefit ordinary Kansans. In 2006, when the legislature passed funding increases for schools, it was known that there would be a $427 million shortfall in 2009. They did nothing to raise revenue to meet expenses. Below are links to lists of tax credits that are available in Kansas.
http://www.ksrevenue.org/taxcredits.htm http://www.ksrevenue.org/taxcredits-hpip.htm http://www.ksrevenue.org/taxincent-proptaxabate.htm
Generally, tax cuts are viewed as positive. However, when the ability to adequately educate Kansas children is negatively impacted and other essential government services are cut, perhaps it is time to stop cutting and invest in the future of Kansas--our children.
If nothing is done to raise revenue, school districts will continue to be cut. This will force cuts in staff, educational programming and extracurricular activities. The ultimate cost will be borne by the children in lost educational opportunity. We must stand united to protect the education of Kansas children.
The Rural Vista Board of Education urges you to participate in the political process. Contact your lawmakers to urge them to find ways to replace the revenue streams to restore funding to Kansas schools.
Renae Hickert, USD 481 Rural Vista Superintendent Kevin Kniebel, Board of Education President Esther Dillon, Board of Education Vice-President Duane Blythe Jim Barten Tanya Coons-Redig Casey Riedy Steve Whitehair
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