Kansas school districts select law firm to explore lawsuit over school funding

August 12, 2026 - 02:18

A coalition of Kansas school districts has taken a significant step toward a potential legal battle over state education funding. The group has formally selected a law firm to investigate options and prepare for a possible lawsuit against the state, focusing on both general public school budgets and special education services.

The move signals growing frustration among local superintendents and school boards who argue that current state funding levels are not keeping pace with mandated programs, especially for students with disabilities. District leaders say they have been forced to shift money from regular classrooms to cover special education shortfalls, a practice they call unsustainable.

The law firm will conduct a thorough review of state funding formulas, compare Kansas to other states, and determine whether the state is meeting its constitutional duty to provide suitable education for every child. This is not the first time Kansas has faced such a challenge. Previous lawsuits over school funding have reached the state supreme court, leading to major increases in base state aid per pupil.

However, this new effort appears to focus more sharply on special education, an area that has received less legal attention in the past. Advocates argue that the state has never fully funded its share of special education costs, leaving local property taxpayers to pick up the difference.

No lawsuit has been filed yet. The districts are expected to review the law firm's findings over the next several months before making a final decision. If they proceed, the case could become one of the most closely watched education funding disputes in the region. State officials have not yet commented on the selection of the law firm, but they have previously defended their funding levels as fair and adequate.