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Johnson County Legislative Priorities

The six Johnson County school districts, Blue Valley Schools, De Soto Schools, Gardner Edgerton Schools, Olathe Public Schools, Shawnee Mission School District and Spring Hill Schools have aligned on four legislative priorities for 2026

All six Johnson County school district logos side by side: Blue Valley Schools, De Soto Schools, Gardner Edgerton Schools, Olathe Public Schools, Shawnee Mission School District and Spring Hill Schools

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Blue Valley Schools

Impact on All Students as a Result of Special Education Funding

  • Johnson County school districts must redirect significant portions of their general funds—dollars intended for experiences for all students, staff salaries, classroom resources and daily operations—to cover the state’s shortfall in its statutory special education appropriation. For just the districts in Johnson County that amount was over $130,000,000 last school year.
  • This lack of statutory funding, equates to Johnson County Districts transferring $1,397.80 for every student from the General Fund/LOB to cover the costs for special education. This is far outpacing increases on Base State Aid Per Pupil.
  • Fully funding special education at the statutory 92% rate would direct over $60 million dollars back to all students, all programs, and staff salaries and benefits within Johnson County.
  • Funding special education at the level required by law benefits all learners and supports the long-term educational and economic vitality of our communities.

Support Student & Staff Physical & Mental Health

  • Our communities demand that we keep students physically safe while in our care.

  • Each district has spent millions of dollars on physical safety with minimal additional funding efforts from the State Legislature.

  • Students must be emotionally and physically cared for in order to access high levels of learning; well-being and safety are the foundation of academic success.
  • Schools rely on strong community-based mental health and behavioral health partnerships to meet increasing student needs.
  • Keeping our students and staff safe requires continued investment in prevention, early intervention and coordinated support systems.
  • Enhanced funding from the Legislature is essential to sustain and expand programs designed to support student and staff mental health and safety.

Support Local Control & Community-Driven Decision Making as Directed by the Kansas Constitution

  • It is critical to hold all students and staff to high standards, and local boards of education are best positioned to reflect those expectations.
  • Districts must maintain autonomy in selecting curriculum, instructional materials and resources to ensure high-quality, locally aligned instruction.
  • The Legislature should remove itself from decisions related to the sale or transfer of school property, which are best made at the local level based on enrollment and long-term planning.

Kansas School Finance Formula

  • Kansas’ school finance formula is complex, and ongoing review is necessary to ensure it remains fair, functional and responsive to student and staffing needs.

  • Increase Local Option Budget (LOB) authority so districts have the flexibility to respond to rising costs and local priorities especially with regard to student safety.
  • Provide greater flexibility in the use of at-risk dollars, allowing districts to apply resources where they are most effective for students.
  • Expand the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to reflect regional differences and support competitive wages across the state.
  • Continue working toward a finance formula that fairly accounts for differences among Kansas communities—including district size, demographics, cost of living, wage competitiveness and staffing needs—so all students have equitable access to high-quality education.