Flat Funding, Rising Costs: Stability vs Sustainability for Kansas Public Schools

This week on the podcast, Leah and Shannon tackle one of the biggest issues facing public schools: the widening gap between expectations and funding.

In this episode, they break down how that gap is playing out from Washington, D.C. to the Kansas Statehouse — starting with federal education funding for 2026 and what “flat funding” really means for schools facing rising costs.

A major focus of the conversation is special education funding. Despite growing student needs and long-standing legal requirements, current Kansas budget proposals include little to no new funding for special education — forcing districts to backfill nearly half a billion dollars each year from general education funds and local property taxes.

Leah and Shannon also unpack several major bills moving through the Legislature, including proposals affecting at-risk funding, student privacy, recess and physical activity mandates, school nutrition rules, and local school board authority. The episode closes with a practical bright spot addressing the teacher shortage — and a clear call to action for school leaders and public education supporters.