HUTCHINSON, Kan. – After Republican Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback asked for input on a new school finance formula, Hutchinson Public Schools decided to use a community-wide survey to collect feedback from stakeholders regarding elements to include in a new finance formula.

USD 308 Superintendent Dr. Shelly Kiblinger said that based upon the input from 726 Kansas citizens, the district was recommending the elements below for inclusion in the new school finance formula.

The detailed survey results follow these recommendations.

The new formula should provide schools with a predictable annual budget, adjust funding based upon student enrollment numbers, adjust funding annually based upon inflation rates, fully fund special education services as required by law, provide funding for all-day kindergarten.

The new formula should also adjust funding based upon the cost of specialized services, such as transportation, English as a Second Language or Career and Technical Education, provide funding to prevent at-risk students from failing or dropping out of school.

The definition of classroom spending should include student support, such as nurses, counselors, librarians, social workers and student busing.

As the state transitions from the current block grants to the new formula, districts with declining enrollment should be given adequate time or financial support to adjust operations as opposed to making drastic cuts to balance their budgets.

State funds should not be used to provide vouchers to students of private schools.

Low wealth districts should receive state assistance with construction projects to lower property taxes for citizens.

Information provided by USD 308.