Brownback Signs School Finance Bill

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a school funding bill that restores aid for poor districts but also ends the current teacher tenure process.

The measure signed Monday is intended to satisfy a March ruling from the Kansas Supreme Court with a $129 million funding increase for the next school year. Legislators approved the bill on April 6. It now goes back to a three-judge district court panel for review.

The bill restores aid payments that equalize spending for school districts by giving poor districts additional funds for operations and capital improvements. The measure also includes provisions ending existing procedures for teacher tenure process and targeting additional spending for higher education.

Brownback praised the measure for providing more education spending and property tax relief to school districts.