Johnson County educators oppose bill threatening special ed funding
OLATHE, Kan. – Educators across Johnson County are speaking out, voicing their disapproval for legislation that could threaten funding for special education in Kansas.
As it stands, many Kansas school districts don't have a designated budget for special ed, which forces them to take money from other pots to fund those programs.
Kansas man posing as Walmart security charged for kidnapping, rape
School district leaders in three large Johnson County communities – Olathe, Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley – lead a combined 80,000 students. Leaders with those three school systems say the debate over special education funding in Kansas has gone far enough.
Last year, it appeared this debate was settled, but now, a new piece of Kansas legislation is cause for mutual concern.
Dr. Brent Yeager, Olathe Public Schools superintendent, speaks for all three school districts. On Tuesday, he explained that from 2024 to the present, educators have moved a combined $100 million from the state education general fund to coffers to fuel special education.
'It would impact all of Kansas,' Yeager said.
Johnson County's three largest school districts are going on the offense, working to influence members of the Kansas State Legislature to ensure and increase funding for special education.
They're concerned that Kansas House Bill 2007, which is rooted in appropriations, may end a long debate over this issue, and drop funding for special ed altogether.
Yeager said state budgets haven't kept up with the growing need for school districts. Last year, Kansas legislators increased statewide budgets for special education by $72 million, $9 million of which came to Olathe. However, Yeager said that still leaves districts like this one, where 20% of students are involved in some form of special education, with a big shortfall, leaving them to take money from other programs.
'The reality is it's our obligation to do what's right for all our students. That's why we continue to have these conversations each and every day. At the end of the day, it's all about them,' Yeager said.
Rep. Troy Waymaster (R-Bunker Hill) sponsored the original bill, which is now onto its second version.
FOX4 reached out to his Topeka office on Tuesday. No one answered questions concerning this matter, but one of Waymaster's staff members commented that the office has received a high number of calls regarding HB 2007.
Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android
The American Federation of Teachers is the labor union representing teachers in Kansas public schools. On Tuesday, AFT-Kansas' president Ron Hobert told FOX4, 'I'm disappointed elected legislators are ignoring that we need to put money into special ed.'
The second version of Waymaster's bill is currently with the Kansas Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Florida man accused of dealing drugs, promoting dogfighting kept 9-foot alligator on property: JSO
The Brief The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said it discovered a 9-foot alligator in the yard of an accused drug dealer. According to JSO, there were multiple neglected dogs on the property as well as evidence of dog fighting. Marquis Williams, 49, was arrested and is facing more than a dozen animal abuse charges, including illegally possessing an alligator and promoting dog fighting, which are felonies. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A drug bust in Florida landed a man in jail and led to the rescue of a 9-foot alligator and multiple neglected dogs that may have been used for dog fighting, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The backstory In March, JSO said it received a tip about a house on the north side of Jacksonville that was being used to distribute illegal drugs. Investigators said they found cocaine, oxycodone, marijuana and several guns inside the home, which led to the arrest of 49-year-old Marquis Williams. READ:Florida suspects accused of creating counterfeit money hid bills in a Bible: MCSO While serving the search warrant, officers noted there were multiple dogs on the property as well as dog-fighting equipment, trophies, and books. Several dogs were kept in skyboxes while others were chained, according to JSO. Officers said the dogs showed serious signs of neglect, including being covered in feces, fleas, and infections. READ:Governor DeSantis touts Florida job growth as manufacturer announces new facility They added that some of the dogs had open wounds, others had wounds that were in the process of healing. The officers said they found other animals in similar condition, including young raccoons and turtles. Dig deeper Authorities also discovered a 9-foot alligator in a small, fenced-in area. Officers said the gator had no access to water in the cage and bones scattered on the ground suggested it was being fed the other animals on the property. An FWC nuisance alligator wrangler came to the property to safely remove the gator. READ:Lu, beloved Homosassa Springs hippo, dies at 65 In addition to felony drug and gun charges, Williams is facing more than a dozen charges for animal abuse, including illegally possessing an alligator and promoting dog fighting, which are felonies. The Source This story was written with information posted by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lead concerns in Milwaukee Public Schools; new push for federal help
The Brief Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin is making a new push for federal help to address the lead concerns in Milwaukee Public Schools. Six MPS schools have been shut down in 2025 because of the lead concerns. Four remain closed. MILWAUKEE - Dangerous lead levels forced the closures of six Milwaukee Public Schools in 2025. Four of those six remain shut down. Now, there is a new push for federal help on the matter. What we know Westside Academy is one of six Milwaukee Public Schools shut down for dangerous lead levels. Koa Branch has two children who attend school there. Even before the lead problem at Westside, Branch regularly had her kids tested for lead. Moving schools was a test for her kindergartner, Jonas. What they're saying "We're getting them tested again, tonight. I'm just nervous about it, so I just test them whenever I feel I need to test them," Branch said. Other MPS parents shared similar problems during a roundtable with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) on Monday, June 9. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android "I run a tight schedule. So, I'm used to my son getting off the bus at 2:36, so I can be at work by three, so now I'm getting late to work. I mean the communication with Brown Street is excellent, the transition, as far as getting them to school is excellent. But, it just took us out of our routine," said Santana Wells, a parent of a Brown Street School student. What we know Sen. Baldwin is now inviting U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy to visit Milwaukee and hear the stories from parents like Branch and Wells. "These children are people. It is not a blue or a red issue. This is everybody's issue," said Shyquetta McElroy, Coalition on Lead Emergency. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News The senator urges the Trump administration to reinstate laid off CDC lead experts. "They could make the situation better today, by rehiring these experts," Baldwin said. Dig deeper In April, the CDC told the Milwaukee Health Department it could not send a team of lead experts. The CDC blamed it on the complete loss of the lead program. Secretary Kennedy told reporters in April, he thought that the program was being reinstated. But Sen. Baldwin said she is still waiting. "He either was lying or he didn't know what was happening in his own department. And I don't know which is worse," Baldwin said. HHS said the CDC did help validate new lab equipment for Milwaukee's lead testing. A Milwaukee Health Department spokeswoman said that was a single lab tech who helped calibrate a new machine, not the team of experts once in discussions to come to Milwaukee. The Source The information in this post was produced by FOX6 News.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jackson County legislator envisions no vote for Chiefs, Royals this year
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri House of Representatives is in Jefferson City again Monday as lawmakers try to pass a stadium package aimed at keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri. At the same time that's taking place, FOX4 is getting county reaction to the chances either team goes back to the voters of Jackson County. Kansas City's Country Club Plaza struggles with closures and empty shops Our biggest question for Democratic Legislative Chairman DaRon McGee was whether he believes the Chiefs are willing to go to a vote of the people in November of this year. 'What I can tell you since I am chairman, I do not envision a vote for the Chiefs or Royals this year,' McGee said. FOX4 asked McGee why doesn't think a vote will happen this year. His response: 'My position is that, it's not about when the vote is, it's that the work has been put in with the community, that feedback from the community is heard and what they're going to do, how things are going to go, how money is going to be spent,' he responded. 'What is their plan and that this plan is not rushed, so if there is to be a vote, whether it's Chiefs only, Royals only, I don't envision a vote until next year.' McGee said the teams could go in April of 2026, the primaries in August or the mid-term elections in November of that year. Meanwhile, one of the opponents to the April 2024 election spoke to us as well. End Zone Extra: Get the top Chiefs news and insider features all season long 'If the Chiefs go back to the voters of Kansas City with a lease agreement, details of what their request is and what it's for, and go through the proper process, I believe that that would be successful at the Truman Sports Complex,' Chairwoman of the Committee Against New Royals Stadium Taxes Becky Nace said in an interview with FOX4 Monday. 'I personally would not be opposed to supporting a Chiefs request for renovations, reasonable renovations over a reasonable timeframe staying at the Truman Sports Complex.' The Chiefs and Royals wouldn't comment on Nace or McGee's remarks Monday. On June 3, Chiefs' lobbyist Rich AuBuchon said the team was looking at a renovation still if they were going to stay in the Show-Me State. That same day, the Royals' lobbyist, Jewell Patek, said the Royals were looking at a new stadium either in Jackson or Clay County if they were going to stay in Missouri. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
