It was a relief that the Kansas Supreme Court accepted the state’s school finance plan; it’s better that funding decisions be worked out through the legislative process rather than by court order. But it was the Legislature’s inaction that resulted in the court’s intervention. And even though the lawsuit is now dismissed, the Legislature’s work and responsibility are not done. For example, its own auditors concluded that Wichita public schools are significantly underfunded, even with the new increase. And lawmakers still need to improve operation efficiencies statewide, such as by consolidating some school administration functions.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
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14 Comments
I agree. We also should think about consolidating rural school districts as well.
While USD 259 might be underfunded, the rest of the school districts, in particular Johnson County will think they got shafted.
I guess the big loser is Alan Rupe. I wonder where he will make his next million off of taxpayers?
Consolidating rural districts is totally out of the question. For some rural communities,the school is a central focus of the community socially. Besides, studies have shown that consolidation will only save marginal amounts of tax dollars. Here’s a fairly basic question. If you were a parent of a children in the rural part of the state, would you want YOUR child to ride a school bus two hours+ to then from school?
I see more litigation arising in the future based on inadequate school funding.
Poor Alan Rupe.
From “Topeka newspaper sues to obtain school coalition’s records,”http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/state/15127715.htm
“Alan Rupe, the attorney for the coalition of school districts, said Schools for Fair Funding has offered to disclose what it has received from school districts this year. But, he said, it won’t release spending data, arguing the public money it receives becomes private upon receipt. He likened the group to the Kansas Association of School Boards.”
BUT, Alan Rupe doesn’t understand IRS 990 forms that non-profits, like Schools for Fair Funding, must file with the IRS. Non-profits get to “hide” the money they receive, but are supposed to explain their spending via an IRS 990 so the public knows what is done with non-profit money.
The press should do more to encourage the IRS to force Schools for Fair Funding to properly fill out their IRS 990 forms — retroactivley, too. Seehttp://www.kansasmeadowlark.com/2006/02-13/index.htm“Most IRS 990s MUST identify the top salaries and recipients of any funds, such as major contractors. The IRS should challenge Schools for Fair Funding to fill out their IRS 990 properly and identify exactly which law firms are receiving exactly how much money.”
In this case all the government money going to Schools for Fair Funding should be disclosed by the various schools districts, and the IRS 990 filed by the non-profit Schools for Fair Funding should explain their spending.
Doesn’t the public deserve to know about how tax dollars are being used to sue the State for more tax dollars for schools?
If Schools for Fair Funding can ignore IRS rules about their IRS 990 filings, why should any non-profit bother following the law?
Oddly, somehow the IRS 990 for Schools for Fair Funding is not online at guidestar.org. One must wait months to get copies of their 990 forms from the IRS in Ogden, Utah.
More Meadowlark poop? Haven’t we had enough already?
Focus on facts and logic. What good is name calling?
What do you know about IRS 990s and how non-profits abuse them for political purposes?
What is it with this Darwin’sDisciple? Does he/she have nothing to say that is not potty-mouth? I think we have had enough of this creature.
DD…………….I think the conservatives are offended by you pointing out the truth! LOL
“What is it with this Darwin’sDisciple? Does he/she have nothing to say that is not potty-mouth? I think we have had enough of this creature.”
Wow Susan, what are you, some kind of hall monitor or lunch lady?DD said “poop” and you didn’t like it? Hum-ho.I think we’ve had enough of YOUR attitude.You didn’t express any opinion on the issues, just that DD’s a bad boy for saying poop.Well, shit, that’s just down right fuuny, I don’t care who you are, that’s funny!
Susan, are you married? LOL!
Susan! Don’t mind the leftist on here. They actually don’t having much to say.
Callng somebodies research “poop” is just Ann Coulterish of them.
Great post Meadowlark. You always but out great stuff.
Oh great Joe, you turn out to be the playground monitor!
Tracy, I’m sorry to have butted in. Please forgive me.
It’s about time someone try and found out how the schools spent money (they said they did not have enough for the children) for a lawsuit. Why are they hiding it? Why is Rupe hiding it?
When most people file a lawsuit they just hire an attorney. They do not go out and start a private business and the hire the attorney from there. Who is really behind the non-profit that filed the lawsuit and paid Rupe? Why hasn’t the Governor asked for this information to be open to the public? I don’t know anything about this IRS 990 form but if it is suppose to be filled out then why is an attorney (who is supposed to know the law) not seeing that this is done?
Alan Rupe what are you hiding from us?
I am guessing that Alan Rupe is also behind the funding of Rajiv Goyle, a carpet-bagger who has raised a large sum of money from out of state to run against Bonnie Huy in the 87th District.Goyle is an ACLU attorney who took the Maryland legislature to court in a similar school funding case.We would be putting the fox into the henhouse if we let Goyle win.