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Six education-related bills were introduced and the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year team was recognized on the House and Senate floors during week three of the 2024 Kansas Legislature Session.
Bill Tracker
There were six education-related bills that were introduced this week.
Other bills KSDE is tracking:
2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year team recognized
The 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year team spent Wednesday at the Kansas Statehouse as the team was recognized on the House and Senate floors. They each also presented to the Joint Committee of the House and Senate Education to provide a glimpse inside their classrooms.
Hearing on HB 2485
The House Committee on K-12 Education Budget on Monday held a hearing on House Bill 2485. If passed, the bill would change the current school finance law to allow the greater of the following student enrollments to calculate State Foundation Aid for school districts:
The current law allowability of a school district to use the second preceding year enrollment count would be eliminated.
Additionally, if a school district closed any school building that was an attendance center in the preceding school year, the district must determine enrollment using the current school year count.
If passed, the bill would become effective upon publication in the statute book for the 2024-2025 school year.
At least ten superintendents and other school personnel provided testimony in front of committee members or submitted written testimony prior to the hearing.
No further action was taken on HB 2485.
Hearing on HB 2489
The House Committee on K-12 Education Budget on Wednesday held a hearing on House Bill 2489.
The current law gives the legislature the right of first refusal to purchase school district buildings that a district would like to dispose of or sell. If passed, HB 2489 would amend the current law to define a school building as being any building that was used in any prior school year as an attendance center for students enrolled in kindergarten or grades 1-12.
If passed, HB 2489 would not have any fiscal impact on state aid to school districts.
One superintendent provided oral testimony and another submitted written testimony. No further action was taken on HB 2489.
Hearing on HB 2506
The House Committee on K-12 Education Budget on Wednesday also held a hearing on House Bill 2506.
If passed, HB 2506 would require the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) to allow students who attend a virtual school to participate in KSHSAA activities in the student’s resident school district. The bill also would prohibit KSHSAA from requiring the virtual student to enroll in or attend a minimum number of courses at the student’s resident school district as a prerequisite for participation.
To be eligible for participation, the virtual student would have to live in the district; be enrolled and attend a virtual school; comply with student vaccination requirements, meet the general age and eligibility requirements set by KSHSAA; and pay any required activity fees that other students are required to pay for that activity.
The school district’s local board may require the student to enroll in the school district to take a course if that course is generally required for student participation in the activity.
If passed, HB 2506 would take effect on July 1, 2024, upon its publication in the statute book.
Bill Faflick, executive director of KSHSAA, and a principal from Maize USD 266 provided oral testimony. Numerous students and parents submitted written testimony. No further action was taken on this bill.
Hearing on HB 2514
The House Committee on K-12 Education Budget on Thursday held a hearing on House Bill 2514.
If passed, HB 2514 would amend the school district open enrollment statutes to prioritize students who live in Kansas over those who live in another state. It also would provide for continued enrollment for a non-resident student who attended a school during or after the 2023-2024 school year, unless the student would be deemed by the school districts as “not in good standing.” Student transfer policy revisions would have to be published on a school district’s website.
One superintendent provided oral testimony and another submitted written testimony.
Up Next
The House is adjourned until 8:30 a.m. Friday. The Senate is adjourned until 9 a.m. Friday.
The Senate Committee on Education will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29 to hold a hearing on SB 387. The House Committee on Education is scheduled to meet Tuesday, Jan. 30 to hold a hearing on HB 2567. The House Committee on K-12 Education Budget is scheduled to meet Monday, Jan. 29 for an informational hearing on the Special Education Funding Taskforce and proposed Educational Funding Task Force.
Click here (Welcome | Kansas State Legislature (kslegislature.org) to see calendars of the House and Senate, track bills, and view agendas for committees.
In this edition | Feature Story | Assessments and Accountability | Reporting and Operations Standards and Instruction | Student Health and Nutrition | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
Questions about this page contact:
Denise Kahler (785) 296-4876 dkahler@ksde.org
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