The Senate on Tuesday, OK’d bills requiring school districts to open their enrollment to students from other districts, prohibiting transgender students from participating on girls’ teams and requiring districts to provide classroom information to parents.
Approval of the bills was expected, but the margins are important when considering possible vetoes from Gov. Laura Kelly. The bills would require two-thirds’ majorities to overturn a veto, which is 27 votes in the 40-member Senate and 84 votes in the 125-member House.
SB 455 would allow students to enroll in school districts where they are not residents, subject to capacity. That bill was approved 23-16.
SB 484, which would prohibit transgender students from participating on female sports teams, was approved 27-12.
SB 496, which establishes a parental bill of rights, was approved 24-15.
In the House, HB 2512, which includes the budget for K-12 education and several policy measures, won first-round approval.
During debate, a provision that required districts to fund a new program called Math Nation was changed to open the program to other virtual systems. Proponents of requiring Kansas school districts to use Math Nation to raise math test scores argued the state needs quick action on the issue, while opponents said the legislature shouldn’t require districts to use a program that hadn’t been vetted by the State Board of Education. Opponents also noted many school districts have existing contracts to start or continue using standards-based programs to supplement approved math standards.
Some legislators were concerned that the adopted amendment focuses on virtual rather than in-person instruction; others questioned whether school districts with in-house math tutoring programs would have access to the $4 million Math Nation appropriation or whether other interested vendors could submit bids to tap into that funding, which remains in the bill.
An amendment by Rep. Jarrod Ousley, D-Merriam, to increase special education funding by $68 million was initially approved. But a motion by Republicans to reconsider defeated that funding increase.
Back in the Senate, legislators advanced to final action two significant constitutional amendments, but whether the amendments have the necessary two-thirds’ majorities to continue remains to be seen.
SCR 1621 would have Kansas Supreme Court Justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The measure will be on the Aug. 2 primary ballot. Currently, the governor selects justices from a list provided by a nominating commission that vets candidates. Justices then face retention elections. KASB supports the current system, saying it provides the appropriate balance between the three branches of government.
SCR 1620 would require a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to raise or adopt new taxes. KASB opposes this measure, saying that such a hurdle to produce additional revenue would hurt the ability to fund schools adequately and equitably. If approved by legislators, this would also be on the August ballot.
Roll call votes on these two proposed amendments and further debate on education-related measures were expected either late Tuesday or Wednesday as the House and Senate continued working into the night. Please follow KASB on social media platforms for the latest developments.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
