NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School Boards isn't sure exactly how much effect the open borders bill that would allow Kansas students to attend in any district they chose would practically be different than current policy, depending on how school districts determine how many educational slots they have for new students.
"We've been managing this for decades in Kansas," Tallman said. Most districts do allow students in. If they don't, it's probably already because of capacity issues. The question is, what will this bill really accomplish?"
School boards already can turn down individual open enrollment requests from students that don't live in their district.
"It's up to the school board to decide," Tallman said. "Theoretically, a district right now could say, we're full, based on how we define full. I don't think that's the intention of the supporters."
It's a key difference between the Senate and House versions of the bill. The Senate bill is supposed to define full based on pupil teacher ratio. The House bill doesn't get that specific. That's just one area where a conference committee that will start meeting next week will have to come to an agreement that both houses can pass.
"This is one of the few cases where the House and Senate have both passed a similar topic, but with quite a few differences procedurally," Tallman said. "I think there will be a lot that will have to be worked through when they get to that bill."
Right now, at least on the House side, Republicans only have a narrow majority at 63-59 on the legislation, so potential changes could scuttle the idea entirely.