Kansas House Passes School Block Grant Funding Plan With 1 Vote to Spare

(AP) – The Kansas House gave first-round approval to a plan to overhaul the state’s school funding scheme.

The move to advance the bill passed 64-58.

Republican Rep. Amanda Grosserode from Lenexa carried the bill and said that it is possible some votes could change before the chamber takes final action on the bill Friday. The bill will need 63 votes to pass Friday.

The plan incorporates 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. He and other Republicans say the current formula is too complex and directs too much away from classroom learning.

Opponents argued that the Legislature is moving too fast on the bill and its impact on schools is still uncertain.