But the idea of redividing the same amount of money among the schools is nearly as unpopular. That could mean asking some districts to do with less or to accept a smaller share of any increase. Kansas is not alone in struggling with how to pay for schools. Across the country, the battle over fair funding is being fought in courtrooms and state capitols. Yet nearly every school district thinks it needs more money.
Small districts get the most money per student under the current state formula.
They say saving the state some money by consolidating schools is not worth the devastation that closing schools would have on their communities. Larger districts say they need more money to face rising costs because of poverty and children with special needs. And midsized districts say they get pinched the most, disadvantaged by state formulas that favor smaller and larger districts. Newton and other midsized districts have filed state and federal lawsuits seeking to change the formulas. Partly, it reflects the cost of providing an education in different settings.