Public school districts across Kansas are cutting programs, shedding jobs, ending the school year early and blaming it all on the state’s new school funding law.

Meanwhile, conservative Republican officials behind the law tout it as a generous step forward for education.

Supporters contend the law provides stability for the state’s 286 school districts and will boost total state aid. They also say districts are getting far more money now than they did during the 2013-14 school year.

But new law trimmed the aid districts had expected to receive during the current school year by almost $54 million.

At least eight districts are ending the school year early. The Kansas Association of School Boards reports that at least two dozen are considering spending cuts or property tax increases.