HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Supreme Court Monday ruled for the third time in two years that the state’s spending on public schools is inadequate despite an increase approved earlier this year, but gave the state another year to come up with more money. USD 308 Superintendent Gary Price commented on the court’s decision:

 

Price says one of the other major hurdles with the ruling is that this will hopefully end a long period of litigation that was also hampered by several economic factors:

 

Price also took time to comment on gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach’s comments that the courts should stay out of school funding:

 

The high court rejected arguments from the state that a new law phasing in a $548 million increase in funding over five years is enough to provide a “suitable” education for every child as specified in the state constitution. But in a nod to the Legislature’s efforts, the court delayed its mandate until June 30, 2019, or until further order of the court.

Its decision allows Kansas schools to remain open for the upcoming school year.