Post Audit Plans Could Close Kansas Schools

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Posted: 7:50 PM Feb 8, 2010
Last Updated: 7:22 PM Aug 3, 2010
Reporter: Suzie Gilbert
Email Address: suzie.gilbert@wibw.com

14 comments

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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -- The Legislative Post Audit Committee heard a proposal today that could impact several school districts in our area. (VIDEO INCLUDED)

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It was a performance audit report that outlined how Kansas could save millions of dollars by reorganizing its school districts.

The post audit review suggests two scenarios. The first would consolidate any districts that don’t offer grades 1-12 and have at least 400 students or 200 square miles. That means Osage City and Burlingame would combine. So would Lyndon and Marais Des Cygnes.

The second plan would consolidate any district with fewer than 1,600 students. Researchers say districts of more than 1,600 operate at peak efficiency, but that scenario would combine 40 districts in our viewing area into 12. That includes combining Perry and Shawnee Heights, and Seaman and Silver Lake.

Critics say the plan fails to address important details. "Obviously they did not take into account class size or how far kids would have to be bussed," Rep. Ann Mah, D-Topeka, said.

They agree that some consolidation is vital to saving fine arts programs, but the process will be emotional and the planning will require more time and attention to detail.

"It's the fear of the unknown that really gets the parents upset," Rex Bollinger, Superintendent of Doniphan West said.

"Sometimes what may save you money is really bad policy," Mah added.

Now the Post Audit Committee will consider the plans and decide how to most effectively save money for the state.

For more information visit http://www.kslegislature.org/postaudit/audits_progress/school_district_restructuring.pdf

The second scenario combines the following school districts in our area.

CLIFTON, CLYDE, CLAY CENTER
LEBO, WAVERLY, BURLINGTON, LEROY, GRIDLEY
NORTH LYON, SOUTH LYON, EMPORIA
WAMEGO, KAW VALLEY, ONAGA, HAVENSVILLE, WHEATON
NORTH JACKSON, HOLTON, ROYAL VALLEY
VALLEY FALLS, JEFFERSON COUNTY, JEFFERSON WEST, OSKALOOSA
MCLOUTH, TONGANOXIE
PERRY, SHAWNEE HEIGHTS
SEAMAN, SILVER LAKE
HIAWATHA, SOUTH BROWN COUNTY
OSAGE CITY, LYNDON, SANTA FE, BURLINGAME, MARIAS DES CYGNES
SABETHA, NEMAHA VALLEY, B & B, AXTELL

Related Links

View the Full Audit Report

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Shelley Location: Americus on Feb 9, 2010 at 03:35 PM
I agree with Pam and Joe. Maybe the State of Kansas should collect all the sales tax owed to them from business and that surely could help out. They are not looking at how this will effect families or the children..just a quick fix to their problem. Look at how many of these tax payers are paying on bonds in their district.

Posted by: Mike G Location: North Central/Eastern on Feb 9, 2010 at 03:12 PM
The legislature knew that they would have a shortfall this year, but did nothing about in 2006. They could have raised sales tax by 1%, $1.00 on every $100.00 spent and could have balanced the budget, but they didn't. If our house and senate members can't do thier job, let's do what everyone else is doing and lay them off! The states around us, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado are not in the same boat financially as us. What are they doing right? Their Job!

Posted by: carolyn Location: burlingame on Feb 9, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Because some schools think they need so much. Other schools are going to suffer to let them have there way. Lets start my cuting out all the sports, they are for only a samll percent of the kids anyway.

Posted by: Suzie Location: Gilbert on Feb 9, 2010 at 10:17 AM
I just posted all the affected districts in our viewing area. Hope it helps!

Posted by: Amber Location: Ottawa on Feb 9, 2010 at 08:25 AM
the problem that catches my attention was the combining of Marais des Cygnes and Lyndon. both schools are small and combining them would meen less space. the bus trips would be outrageous. i think the state needs to think of other ways of recieving money for education before concolidating most schools.

Posted by: Joe Location: Topeka on Feb 9, 2010 at 06:15 AM
The real savings comes in the savings with central office expenses. Remember each district has a superintendent and support staff. When you want to save money cutting the top is the start. Of course, this also means that we should look at reducing county and city governments too. We have a lot of places to save in Kansas. We need to start!

Posted by: Pam Location: Reading on Feb 9, 2010 at 04:21 AM
Why don't the government employees take a pay cut starting with the governor. Look at all the holidays the Government gets off. They should only have 8 holidays like the rest of us do. How much money would that save us. Also if the state is in such a crunch why are they still working on the state building. I think the state needs to start looking in their own backyards before taking away from our kids.

Posted by: Leslie Location: New Strawn on Feb 8, 2010 at 10:49 PM
I too thought the news cast said to go to your website to see if your school was being considered. Where is it?

Posted by: Bill Location: Emporia on Feb 8, 2010 at 10:21 PM
what is the link to see the rest of the list and terms of the post audit report.

Posted by: Nathan Location: Carbondale on Feb 8, 2010 at 10:20 PM
The government needs look into fraud, waste, and abuse within the department of education. No one wants to discount children. Therefore, politicians use the education sector to create an artificial emergency and scaring citizens into needless tax increases. i.e.What happened to all the casino funds that were supposed to be directed for schooling? The federal government needs to return education to Kansans.

Posted by: Mary Location: Burlingame on Feb 8, 2010 at 10:08 PM
The worse part is that these consolidations should have taken place years ago BEFORE we all built the new school buildings that were not adequate anyway. Where was the state then?

Posted by: Jamie Location: KS on Feb 8, 2010 at 09:44 PM
Do they not consider space or the danger of having more kids on the roads? Longer trips to/from school lengthen days and time away from our kids. Rather than cutting from somewhere so important how about we send auditors into other government funded projects to pick pennies! As a parent with two children just beginning school I'm scared of where I may be sending them!

Posted by: Debbie Location: Lecompton on Feb 8, 2010 at 08:42 PM
What they are not telling everyone is that it wouldn't save the state any money for 3 years. In the first 3 years of consolidation, the combining districts keep their budgets. It's only in the 4th year that they will see a reduction.