NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Buhler USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman is clear that her district is not immune to the issues that come from underfunding of special education, when compared to state statute.
"Funding SpEd to the legislated level of 92 percent is really something we are pushing hard across the state of Kansas, from every educator's perspective. We end up paying that shortfall through our general budget, which could go to either all programs for all students, to staff salaries, there's always needs."
The estimated shortfall in USD 313 would be $567,000.
"The state would sometimes argue, well, if the feds were doing their job, we wouldn't have to pitch in as much money," Couchman said. "As educators, we're just like, we need both of y'all to follow the law. That's what we're really pushing for. We're trying to push our state legislators, because of the budget surplus that they have right now, to prioritize. Every shortfall hurts either a student or a staff, somewhere. That's what we're really trying to ask our legislators is, invest in the future of Kansas and invest in our students."
The federal government has been funding in the teens percentage wise of excess cost. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act asks for 40 percent of excess cost as part of that law.
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