The Kansas State Department of Education submitted its annual budget request on Friday, Sept. 6, to the Division of the Budget of the Kansas Department of Administration. 

This year’s budget request included a revised estimate for state fiscal year 2025 and an initial estimate for FY 2026. The state fiscal year lasts from July 1 to June 30. A summary of the budget is provided below. The agency’s full budget request can be found on the KSDE website at Fiscal Services and Operations.  

FY 2025 

KSDE’s FY 2025 budget estimate totals $6.6 billion, including $4.8 billion from Kansas’ State General Fund (SGF). The budget includes $6.5 billion ($4.8 billion SGF) for state aid to school districts, other local education agencies, and individuals. Additionally, the budget includes $80.4 million ($20.7 million SGF) for agency operations, including staff salaries and numerous contracts.  

The FY 2025 budget funds a Base Aid for Student Excellence (BASE) of $5,378, which is an increase of 5.7 percent above the FY 2024 BASE of $5,088.  

FY 2026 

KSDE’s FY 2026 budget request totals $6.7 billion, including $5.0 billion from the SGF. The budget includes $6.6 billion ($5.0 billion SGF) for state aid to school districts, local education agencies, and individuals. Additionally, the budget includes $77.7 million ($20.8 million SGF) for agency operations.  

The FY 2026 budget funds a BASE of $5,618, which is an increase of 4.5 percent above the FY 2025 BASE. However, the FY 2026 BASE will not be finalized until April 2025. 

The FY 2026 budget includes the following requests for additional state aid to schools approved by the Kansas State Board of Education. 

• $87.6 million for special education services state aid. The Kansas State Board of Education recommends a three-year plan to bring state aid for special education up to the required 92 percent of excess costs. 
• $4.5 million for professional development state aid. 
• $1.0 million for the mentor teacher program. 
• $517,662 for career and technical education transportation. 
• $10.0 million for Safe and Secure Schools grants. 
• $1.0 million for E-Rate funding. 

Contact John Hess, KSDE director of fiscal services and operations, jhess@ksde.org, with any questions.