After nine years, could Kansas school funding lawsuit be over? Justices will decide

Justices on the Kansas Supreme Court appear ready to wrap up a legal fight over school funding that lawmakers have been trying to end for nearly a decade.

The high court heard arguments Thursday over whether public schools in Kansas are now constitutionally funded after the Legislature approved a $90 million increase in April. The boost is the latest in a series of moves aimed at complying with court orders to appropriate more money for schools.

The plaintiff districts – Wichita, Kansas City, Dodge City and Hutchinson – argued the newest finance plan falls about $270 million short of complying with the constitutional requirement for the state to provide “suitable” funding for public education.

The justices gave few indications of how they plan to rule, but questioned an attorney for the plaintiff districts more aggressively than in the past.

“I’ve been on this court 14 years and 11 of those 14 years there’s been ongoing school finance litigation … is there ever crossing the finish line in these types of cases?” Justice Eric Rosen said.