Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in contested races address leading up to the Aug. 4 primary election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.
Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
The clearest education-related message readers made with their questions was to fully fund public schools and special education. Several readers noted that districts were “underfunded for special needs” and forced into lawsuits to secure funding. As a state board member, how would you advocate for adequate funding, especially for special education? Do you agree with readers’ assessment that this is an urgent priority?
For the Kansas State Board of Education, there is a primary just for Republicans. Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:
Jim McMullen
I advocate for smart and proper use of the funds allocated by taxpayers to schools. It’s an easy political statement to say that the state needs to “fully fund” schools, or fully fund special education excess costs. But there is an economic reality that responsible leaders should address, as well. The percentage of Kansas’s general fund allocated to K-12 education has risen from 45% to 50% in the 1990s, to 52% in the 2010s, to over 55% in recent years. From 2011 to 2024, Kansas’ 4 th grade reading scores on the NAEP national exam fell from 224 to 214 (placing it in the middle of the country), while Mississippi rose from 209 to 219 (moving from 49 th in the U.S. to 9 th in the U.S.). During that time, Kansas spent more than $3,000 per pupil per year than Mississippi. Funding is important. Good leadership is even more important.
Steve Roberts
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Coming up:
Tomorrow we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:
Readers worry that vouchers and tax credits will drain public dollars from public schools. Do you support or oppose diverting public funds to vouchers? How do you weigh family choice against the board’s duty to public school students?
