OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE CRAFT: REQUEST TO STUDY IMPACT AID FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS APPROVED

FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE CRAFT

July 11, 2008

For more information, contact:
Rep. Barbara Craft
785/238-1384


JUNCTION CITY -    Kansas House of Representatives member Barbara Craft (R-Junction City) announced today the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) approved her request to review how Kansas calculates and distributes Federal Impact Aid when providing funding to schools.

  “I am very pleased Legislative Leaders agreed with me that we need to assess how our state’s handling of Impact Aid impacts students of military families,” Rep. Craft said.  “These students face a number of challenges regular students do not.  We must make sure the schools have the necessary tools so these students make a smooth transition to their new schools and have a better chance of being successful.”

  Federal Impact Aid reimburses public school districts for the loss of traditional revenue sources because of a federal preserve or federal activity such as the Fort Riley Military Base.

  Rep. Craft made the request after talking with Maj. Gen. Robert Durbin, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, about how Kansas’ process compares to other states.

  “Right now the state counts 70% of Impact Aid as part of a district’s local contribution.  If it appears Kansas is truly not passing on as much aid to military students as most other states, I will work during the 2009 Legislature to address this situation,” Rep. Craft said.

  At Rep. Craft’s request, the LCC assigned the interim study to the Legislative Educational Planning Committee.