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.