Topeka — Members of the State Board of Education expressed concern about the state's ability to meet schoolchildren's needs following Gov. Bill Graves' annual speech to the Legislature.
The board gathered Monday in a rare night meeting to consider the details of the taxation and spending plans that Graves outlined in his State of the State address earlier in the evening.
"It certainly isn't going to allow (districts) to do any kind of negotiated salary increase," said board member Sue Gamble of Shawnee.
Gamble said to offer salary increases or boost special education, districts would be forced to trim from other programs or transfer money from reserve funds.
Board member Steve Abrams of Arkansas City pointed out that the Legislature had convened the 2002 session just hours earlier.
"It's going to be a long session," Abrams said. "There are going to be a lot of changes. There's no use getting bent out of shape this early."
With a $426 million hole expected in the new budget, Graves proposed increasing sales, cigarette and motor fuels taxes.
For elementary and secondary education, Graves' proposal would mean a $20 increase in base state aid per pupil, to $3,890, in the budget year that starts July 1. The plan also limits special education spending at 85 percent of excess costs.
Still, the figure would be a sharp contrast to a budget blueprint released by Graves last week that included no increase in taxes and a $158 reduction in state aid per pupil. Graves himself said he would not support the blueprint.
Dale Dennis, deputy commissioner of education, said one-third to one-half of the state's 303 school districts would lose funding because of declining enrollment under Graves' enhancement plan.
"Everyone declines under his original cuts," Dennis said.
About 52 percent of the state budget, or $2.3 billion, is dedicated to public education.
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