Kansas school funding debate drags on

Kansas legislators have made quick work on brokering a new school funding agreement aimed at satisfying a state Supreme Court ruling.

Negotiators met briefly early Sunday to revise a plan the House defeated on a 67-55 vote that would have increased school funding by more than $129 million. The rejection by the House prolonged the start of a planned three-week recess.

The new agreement retained a provision that would strip teachers of their tenure rights, but jettisoned creating tax breaks for parents who send their children to private schools. Senators will take first crack at the new plan, with debate expected around dawn.

Legislators are trying to find a solution to resolve equity issues identified by the Supreme Court that hurt poor school districts.