Business & Finance

Several Kansas districts will end school year early because of budget constraints

State budget cuts and lower-than-projected revenues have left some districts without enough money to finish the school year.
April 20, 2015

At least six school districts in Kansas say they plan on ending the school year early in May because of budget concerns.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Concordia Unified School District 333, Twin Valley USD 240, Smoky Valley USD 400, Haven USD 312, Skyline USD 438 and Shawnee Heights USD 450 have shortened their calendars.

The decision to cut school days from the calendar follows the state legislature’s passage of a K-12 block grant bill, which cut about $50 million in operating and maintenance aid that was to have gone to school districts.

The budget outlook became even more grim on Monday when Kansas officials announced projections that state revenues would come in almost $90 million short of expectations over the next three months of the year — and almost $200 million less than once predicted in the next two budget years. That, The Kansas City Star reports, could mean even more reductions in education aid.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy, senior editor, has written for AS&U on a wide range of educational issues since 1999.

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