From time to time we come across an exaggeration that just simply has to be called out and this is a gross exaggeration to say the least.

Alan Rupe, one of the attorneys representing the Salina and Dodge City schools in Montoy v. State of Kansas made this statement which appeared in several newspapers, including the Dodge City Globe and the El Dorado Times on April 30, 2009:

“They (the Legislature) seem to have just eliminated their ability to raise taxes,” he said. “Meanwhile, the cuts to the schools are huge, and, in fact, return the education funding to pre-Montoy levels.”

Read the full article here: http://www.eldoradotimes.com/state_news/x407215279/School-budget-cuts-co...

Here are a few facts we’d like to throw out there to refute this claim:

• According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, the most recent budget passed earlier this year cuts about $130 million from K-12 education. (http://cjonline.com/opinion/2009-09-29/editorial_no_time_for_sfff)
• FY 2009 K-12 state funding was $3.247 billion, so if the cuts are in fact $130 million, which means the FY 2010 budget will spend about $3.117 billion on K-12.
• The Montoy decision was handed down in 2004.
• K-12 funding in 2004 was $2.165 billion

As a matter of fact, we are spending $1 billion more today on K-12 education than the year in which Montoy was ruled.