To the editor:

Doug Mays is apparently having some difficulty with his arithmetic skills. Regarding the school finance plan approved by the Legislature, Mays states, “I don’t think it’s all that far off from the post audit.”

The Legislative Post Audit study calls for a minimum of an additional $400 million next year. The plan passed by the Legislature adds $194.5 million next year. This is 49 percent of the minimum amount called for. The post audit also calls for $53.8 million additional funding to three districts with high numbers of at-risk students, or about $13.45 million per district. The plan passed by the Legislature adds $22.7 million for at-risk students, and divides it over not three but 37 districts, for about $600,000 per district. This is 5 percent of the minimum amount called for.

The Kansas Supreme Court directed the Legislature to complete the post audit study (in spite of similar cost studies already available), and then fund public schools based on actual costs rather than on existing revenues or political expediency. The funding plan approved by the Legislature in no way meets the directives of the court.

If Doug Mays believes that 5 percent is not too far off, perhaps he should only receive 5 percent of his salary this year. I don’t think it’s all that far off from the levels of professionalism and leadership he’s provided.

David Reber,

Lawrence