More funds sought for teachers, all-day K

School funding

Topeka ? A school finance panel plans to recommend increases for full-day kindergarten and teacher salaries, the chairwoman said Tuesday.

“It’s the two areas where we could make the most difference,” said Rochelle Chronister, head of the 2010 Commission.

The package would cost nearly $49 million for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Chronister said higher-than-expected state tax revenue probably could fund the increase, which the commission will recommend to the 2008 Legislature.

The recommendation would be in addition to a $122.7 million increase for schools that was part of a legislative response to a Kansas Supreme Court order.

The 2010 Commission is the second major panel to recommend more education spending as schools deal with recruiting and retaining teachers. The State Board of Education also has endorsed more funds for full-day kindergarten and teacher salaries.

Statewide, about two-thirds of kindergarten students are in full-day programs. In Lawrence, eight of 15 public elementary schools offer full-day kindergarten.

Officials have estimated it will take $75 million to establish full-day kindergarten in all districts. The 2010 Commission, State Board of Education and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius have endorsed a five-year phase-in, or $15 million a year.

On teacher pay, Kansas ranks 38th nationally at $39,351 a year. The national average is $47,602. The commission has endorsed $5,000 annual bonuses to math, science or special education teachers who delay retirement.

The panel also is investigating how school funding increases have been used. Under pressure from the Kansas Supreme Court, the 2006 Legislature approved a three-year plan that increased school funding by $466 million. On Tuesday, the 2010 Commission ordered audits to gauge districts’ efficiency and effectiveness of programs for at-risk students.

“A lot of kids in Kansas are doing well, but there are significant areas where kids are not doing well,” said Ray Daniels, a commission member and former superintendent of the Kansas City, Kan., district.