Final Vote Friday On Education Overhaul

Kansas House members expect a close final vote on a plan from top Republican lawmakers for overhauling how the state distributes more than $4 billion in aid to its public schools.

The vote Friday will determine whether the school funding bill goes to the Senate.

Both chambers have large GOP majorities, but on a key test vote Thursday in the House, the tally was closer than many members expected at 64-58. A bill needs 63 votes to pass the House.

The plan incorporates Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposal to give districts “block grants” based on their current aid for the next two school years, until lawmakers draft a new formula to replace the existing one.

The bill’s critics say GOP leaders are moving too quickly to make massive changes.