PRESS RELEASE
March 7, 2014

For Immediate Release
Contact: James Franko
316.634.0218

KPI on Gannon: Still, no one knows how much needed for K-12

March 7, 2014 - Wichita - Below is a statement from Dave Trabert, the president of Kansas Policy Institute, in response to Gannon v. State of Kansas:

"We're encouraged that the Court ruled that total spending cannot be used to measure adequacy. This is especially important because spending is currently based on deliberately-inflated numbers in the old Augenblick & Myers report. To this day, no one knows what it costs for schools to achieve required outcomes while also making efficient use of taxpayer money.

"The next step in helping each student succeed while acting responsibly with taxpayer money is to model a K-12 Finance Commission on the KPERS Study Commission from recent memory. The
Legislature and Governor Brownback should determine what schools need to achieve required outcomes while organized and operating in a cost-effective manner, including appropriate equity measures, and fund schools accordingly."

Link to the legislation on the KPERS Study Commission: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/statute/074_000_0000_chapter/074_049_0000_article/074_049_0132_section/074_049_0132_k/

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Kansas Policy Institute is an independent think-tank that advocates for free market solutions and the protection of personal freedom for all Kansans. Our work centers on state and local economic policy with primary emphasis on education, fiscal policy and health care. We empower citizens, legislators and other government officials with objective research and creative ideas to promote a low-tax, pro-growth environment that preserves the ability of governments to provide high quality services.

To speak with Kansas Policy Institute, please contact James Franko at (316) 634-0218.