The bill serves as the state’s schools budget

• This version of SB113 puts $23.7 million (via the Children’s Initiative Fund for the Early Childhood Block Grant) toward child health and welfare programs, and another $4.2 goes toward pre-kindergarten preparation programs.
• The bill also puts $5 million toward school communication equipment, $9.4 for parent education programs, and $1.8 million toward professional development for teachers.
• It also sets aside $1.3 million for mentor programs for teachers, along with $40,000 for a career and technical education pilot program for students.

The bill helped give Blue Valley teachers a raise

• Earlier this month, the Blue Valley Board of Education approved a 6% salary increase for both classroom teachers and “classified” staff (like paraprofessionals and office workers).
• The new agreement raises the minimum salary for a Blue Valley professional employee — an employee with a certification or license — from $46,000 to $48,000 annually.
• “The money we got (from the state) allowed us to give our staff a substantial raise this year, and that is so deserved and so needed,” said Blue Valley Superintendent Tonya Merrigan. “We know that our schools wouldn’t be what they are without the amazing teachers, librarians, and support staff that we have within them.”

Kelly said funding education remains a priority

• During her time as Kansas’ governor, Kelly has prioritized funding school resources like special education, mental health services and computer science programming.
• During this year’s legislative session, she opted to veto a bill line-item that would have cut funding for schools with declining enrollment — which would have particularly impacted rural school districts.
• “Investing in education is one of the most important obligations of elected leaders,” Kelly said. “And frankly, one of the smartest decisions we can make when it comes to the future of our state. Kansas will never reach its full potential if we don’t fully support our public education system.”

Go deeper: Blue Valley teachers, staff get 6% pay bump as new year starts