Audit: Funds Follow Formula

A study by the Legislative Division of Post Audit of overhauls of  the public education funding formula by the Kansas Legislature in 2005 and 2006 found that most of the additional money went to where it was intended by lawmakers.

The report released last week said Kansas public schools have received an additional $1.5 billion in state funding over the past three years, with most of it going to large school districts with many low-income students. Some 70% of the additional money has been spent on instructional needs and not administration.

The audit found that most districts used the additional state funding to provide pay raises and additional benefits for teachers. Teacher salaries rose by a statewide average of 11% percent in the first two years of increased spending, the report said.

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