Kansas Government and Schools

In order to compensate for budget cuts, several Kansas school districts are considering major changes: district or school consolidations. Schools are looking to consolidate administrative functions, custodial services, and other ways to prevent duplication between neighboring districts. Two schools are being consolidated through an Executive Order, the Kansas School for the Blind (KSSB) and the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD).

Governor Parkinson's Executive Order requiring the consolidation:
http://governor.ks.gov/issues-a-initiatives/executive-orders/569-01262010-executive-order-10-02-kansas-advisory-committee-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired

Read the Governor's Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission report which includes recommendations to consolidate KSSB and KSD:
http://governor.ks.gov/files/Facilities_Closure_and_Realignment_Commission_Report.pdf

Minutes from the Governor's Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission regarding KSSB and KSD:
9/28/2009 http://governor.ks.gov/issues-a-initiatives/53-balancing-the-budget/422-09282009-minutes-for-kansas-state-school-for-the-deaf-and-school-for-the-blind

8/17/2009 http://governor.ks.gov/issues-a-initiatives/53-balancing-the-budget/421-08172009-minutes-for-kansas-state-school-for-the-deaf-and-school-for-the-blind

Read KSSB Superintendant Madeline Burkindine's remarks regarding consolidation:
http://www.kssb.net/node/72

Read KSD Superintendant Dr. Bob Maile's remarks regarding consolidation:
http://www.ksdeaf.org/

See the summary of the superintendants' report to the Kansas Department of Education:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=36&ctl=Details&mid=1030&ItemID=450

Post Audit Report regarding possible savings garnered from school consolidation:
http://www.kslegislature.org/postaudit/audits_perform/10pa07a.pdf

Want to learn more about your school district's finances?

Report detailing operating expenditures for school districts in Kansas:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3519

Compare Kansas school districts’ performance and financial systems:
http://cpfs.ksde.org/cpfs/

School district information by county:
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=223

Read school districts’ report cards at:
http://online.ksde.org/rcard/

A chart that lists the estimated cuts in state aid for school districts:
http://www.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=pDrv68NXirc%3d&tabid=119&mid=8049