( AP )--The Kansas Supreme Court has rejected the latest attempt by state lawmakers to fund the public schools.
On Monday, the state's high court released its latest verdict in the ongoing court battle over school funding. In it, the Justices ruled the $292.5 million increase over the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years was not constitutionally adequate.
They also said four provisions of the new law would "create or exacerbated unconstitutional wealth-based inequalities."
Despite finding the funding law unconstitutional, the Justices are giving lawmakers plenty of time to find a remedy. They have stayed their decision until June 30, 2018 to allow the legislature to come up with a solution. They have even scheduled a date (May 22) for oral arguments for whatever fix they pass.
In their decision the Justices warned lawmakers that after June 30, "we will not allow ourselves to be placed in the position of being complicit actors in the continuing deprivation of a constitutionally adequate and equitable education owed to hundreds of thousands of Kansas school children."
Several hours after the decision was handed down, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback issued a statement, saying, “Today’s court decision is yet another regrettable chapter in the never ending cycle of litigation over Kansas school funding. The court should not substitute its decision for that of the legislature.”
© Associated Press
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