To the editor:

I am writing to clarify my remarks in an article dated July 6 about legal advice given by Atty. Gen. Phill Kline to the Kansas Board of Education. At the time I was interviewed I was not aware of the circumstances surrounding General Kline’s legal opinion. As a matter of fact, I was under the impression that General Kline had volunteered his advice without being requested to do so. I have now learned that the opposite is true.

General Kline received a request from Sen. Karin Brownlee for a legal opinion as to whether or not Kansas statutes precluded the Kansas Board of Education from certifying the amounts due as general state aid to each district for the entire school year rather than on a monthly basis. The attorney general is obligated, when requested, to provide a legal opinion to legislators and other state officials. An opinion was issued to Sen. Brownlee on July 1.

There was nothing unusual or improper in issuing the opinion. As a matter of fact, General Kline was merely fulfilling his obligation as the chief legal officer for the state.

When General Kline met with the Kansas Board of Education, he was merely restating the opinion given to Sen. Brownlee.

Had I been aware that an opinion had been requested, my comments would have been the same as former Atty. Gen. Vern Miller. Kline had a responsibility to advise his clients of all their options. I see nothing to fault in regard to Kline’s proceeding to explain a properly prepared opinion in reply to a senator’s request.

Robert T. Stephan,

Lenexa