Wichita Public Schools Board To Continue Discussion Over Funding Gap

Abigail Beckman

The USD 259 Board of Education will meet tonight.

Members of the public are scheduled to speak against about the possible closure of Metro Meridian Alternative High School and earlier start times for several schools. Both ideas are being considered by Wichita Public Schools as ways to save money for the upcoming school year.

Board members have been discussing options to close a $22 million funding gap. The district has determined how to cut half of that, but officials are still looking for ways to cut expenses by about $12 million.

Also on the schedule for tonight is a report from Superintendent John Allison on how a potential court-ordered shutdown could affect USD 259. In February, the Kansas Supreme court ordered the Legislature to fix unfair and unconstitutional school funding or school districts statewide would be closed.

The court will hear oral arguments Tuesday on a bill legislators hope satisfies the requirement. If it doesn’t, the bill will be sent back for revisions. Lawmakers have meet given a June 30 deadline on the issue.

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Follow Abigail Wilson on Twitter @AbigailKMUW.

To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.

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