My son is going into his junior year of high school. He has autism and is non-speaking. For his entire school career, he has relied on a qualified paraprofessional to access his education, meet his individualized education program or IEP goals, and receive the appropriate public education the law guarantees him. We have been fortunate. The Blue Valley school district has brought in dedicated individuals who know him and make it possible for him to learn. That is becoming harder to sustain, and the reason has nothing to do with the school’s commitment. It has to do with what Kansas refuses to pay.
Kansas law requires the state to reimburse school districts for 92% of excess special education costs. The last time that happened was the 2010 to 2011 school year. Today, according to the Kansas Legislative Research Department, the state pays roughly 67 cents of every dollar it legally owes.
Blue Valley pulled $18 million from its general fund this year to cover what the state refused to pay. Across all six Johnson County school districts, $132 million was redirected from general education. Paraprofessionals are watching hours cut and duty days slashed. Some have left. More will follow…