A state district court panel has ruled that Kansas isn’t spending enough money on its public schools to provide a suitable education for every child.
The three judges on Tuesday did not set a specific figure but said evidence indicates the state needs to spend at least $548 million more a year.
An attempt by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and the GOP-dominated Legislature to comply would complicate efforts to close state budget shortfalls. It also would jeopardize aggressive personal income tax cuts enacted at Brownback’s urging to boost the economy.
The state is expected to appeal the Shawnee County District Court panel’s decision to the Kansas Supreme Court.
The ruling came in a lawsuit filed in 2010 by the parents of more than 30 students and four school districts.
