Everything you need to know about the Supreme Court school finance case
The case: Luke Gannon, et al vs. State of Kansas
When: 9 a.m. Hearing is expected to last about three hours.
Where: Kansas Judicial Center, 301 SW 10th Ave., Topeka.
Online: Live video streaming available at www.kscourts.org. Lawrence Journal-World reporters Peter Hancock and Scott Rothschild will tweet live from the Supreme Court hearing, starting at 9 a.m. Follow @LJWrothschild and @LJWpqhancock. Also hashtags #scokan and #ksleg.
Plaintiffs: Several public school districts in Kansas, as well as individual students and their parents, who are part of a group called Schools For Fair Funding.
Defendant: State of Kansas.
The Lawyers: Plaintiffs’ attorneys are Alan Rupe of Kutak Rock LLP, Wichita, and John Robb of Sommers Robb & Robb, Newton. Kansas University law professor Stephen McAllister is serving as solicitor general for Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.
Background: The state appeals a decision of the Shawnee County District Court that said the Kansas Legislature has failed to comply with Article 6, Section 6, of the Kansas Constitution requiring it “to make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state,” arguing that the courts have no jurisdiction because funding decisions should be left entirely to the Legislature. The plaintiffs filed a cross-appeal, arguing that the trial court did not go far enough, and they want the Supreme Court to order greater spending. Plaintiffs also ask for a declaration that education is a “fundamental right.”
Helpful links:
Trial court decision, Jan. 11, 2013