20-03-2025
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.
