Joint Press Release-May 20, 2026

Kansas Public School Funding Coalition

Four Johnson County school districts – Blue Valley Schools, De Soto School District, Olathe Public Schools, and Shawnee Mission School District – have joined forces to challenge Kansas Public School Funding Deficiencies.

• Elevated financial burden due to the state's failure to meet its legal funding obligations for public education and special education.

• Initiated a process to secure legal counsel to pursue litigation against the State of Kansas.

• Legal requirement to provide special education services to students based on their individual needs.

• Underfunding results in a growing financial crisis, diverting resources from general education classrooms, staff recruitment, retention, and compensation, student programs, and operational needs.

• Legal obligation to fully fund special education has been unmet for over 15 years.

• Litigation strategy aims to secure adequate and equitable funding for both special and general education for all Kansas public schools.

Coalition's Goals

• Monitoring and advising on Kansas school funding and K-12 education budget issues.

• Evaluating when litigation against the State of Kansas should be pursued.

• Identifying strategic opportunities for collaboration with other districts or organizations.

• Developing a litigation strategy aimed at securing adequate and equitable funding for both special and general education for all Kansas public schools.

Commitment to Students

The Coalition remains fully committed to providing the services, programs, and support needed for students receiving special education services.

Accountability and Action

Lawmakers and state elected officials have had ample time to meet their legal obligation to fully fund special education. Instead, they have repeatedly chosen to underfund public schools while local districts, educators, and taxpayers bear the burden.

The Coalition believes it is time for accountability and action. The State of Kansas must meet its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to adequately fund public education.