March 1 - Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

Kansan – March 11, 2009Stimulus money may keep cuts lean in KCKPSby Nick SloanThe Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education received a report this evening concerning up to date budgetinformation.Like in other school districts in the area, the Kansas City, Kan., Public School District could have less severebudget cuts after federal stimulus money comes into the state.Outgoing Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' amended agenda would cut state base aid from $4,433 to $4,400 perstudent. just a $33 decrease from funding last year. An across the board 10 percent cut would have resulted in a$440 cut.In KCKPS specifically, when incorporating the district's weighted funds, the district would lose $110 underSebelius' new budget, which incorporates federal stimulus dollars for education.A six percent cut would result in $496.18 in the district per student, while a 10 percent would result in a$787.60 decreasing in aid per student based on the district's weighted funds."It certainly gives us hope that school funding will not be cut dramatically," said Cindy Lane, assistantsuperintendent. "It's not great news but it's much better."Still, even with the federal stimulus dollars coming in to KCKPS, the district would still be short of $1.1 millionin state aide.Lane outlined a preliminary plan on potential budget cuts under Sebelius' new budget. Reductions would comemostly from Central Office salary costs. In preparation for staff cuts, the district is also looking at increasing the