The Kansas State Legislature has failed to provide funding for special education services since 2011. The state is required to fund 92% of excess costs used for special education services — every student is allocated base state aid, special education students cost more than that, and the state is required to cover 92% of the costs.  Since the funding hasn’t met the budget, Kansas school districts, including SMSD, are forced to divert general fund dollars, cut into resources meant for all students, stretch tight local budgets and absorb costs the state is legally obligated to pay, according to the Kansas National Education Association.  The excess costs include teacher raises, additional teachers and programs. However, the state isn’t following the 92% requirement, leaving districts like the Shawnee Mission School District to fill in. Last year, the state only covered 63%. To read more, click the link in bio. #storybyaddynewman #socialmediabyevielewis #designbyjackfitzpatrick