Court Might Block New School Funding

A Kansas district court may block the state from changing its school funding system while a lawsuit regarding the system is pending.

The court released an order Friday announcing it may intervene to protect the status quo as it decides a case determining whether Kansas is funding education at constitutionally appropriate levels. The court will hold a hearing on the issue May 7.

The Kansas House passed a bill overhauling the state’s school funding plan just hours earlier. The plan would replace the current formula with block grants to each school district.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, in a statement, called the move unusual and unexpected. Schmidt said the order will further delay the case and create a host of additional constitutional and legal issues.