Budget Update
A quality educational system is vital to a thriving Kansas economy. Increased funding over the past few years has allowed the Wichita Public Schools to add teachers and other direct educational support programs to help its diverse student population to continue to improve. The results – since 2000, reading proficiency has improved by 19 percent, math proficiency has improved by 24 percent, and high school graduation has improved by 15 percent.
Cuts in state funding will have a significant impact on the education of more than 50,000 students in the Wichita Public Schools, including larger class sizes and fewer program offerings.
The Wichita Public Schools is anticipating cutting at least $25 million dollars from next year's budget, on top of the $25 million that was cut from its budget in 2009. Governor Parkinson's budget cuts in November 2009 resulted in an additional cut of more than $4 million from the district's general fund budget, and is $14 million lower than the funding level the district should have received based on September 20 enrollment.
The district will soon begin the budget process for our 2010-2011 school year. State revenue shortfalls will make the next two years very challenging. The district will need to review personnel, programs, transportation, school locations and all other aspects of the district’s operation.
Updated information will be provided on this site as the Wichita Public Schools goes through the budget process.