Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Attorneys for the state and a coalition of Kansas school districts are preparing their respective cases in a lawsuit over funding of public schools.

The trial is tentatively set for next June before a three-judge panel in Topeka. The judges will decide if the state is adequately funding elementary and secondary education.

Newton attorney John Robb represents the school districts. Robb said Wednesday he and others are gathering evidence throughout Kansas on the effects of three years of cuts in state funding.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt says the $1 billion in cuts were a legislative decision based on the state's economic conditions and
declining revenues.

Robb said the cuts have forced districts to make reductions that hurt teachers and students.