School districts don't always spend all of their revenues in the year received, setting some money aside to increase their cash reserves.  Data obtained from the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) shows that carryover cash reserves totaled $1.7 billion at the end of the 2011 school year, including $4.7 million in federal funds, $873 million set aside for capital projects and debt service, and $868 million in all other funds.  The 'all other' group of funds has increased $410 million, or 90% since 2005.  There are restrictions on how some individual carryover balances can be used but there are ways that districts can use the balances in those 'all other' funds to supplement current operating costs.  KSDE officials also say districts can effectively access the balances in many funds by putting less into the fund than is needed to operate and using some of the carryover balance to make up the difference.  A new law effective July 1, 2011 eliminates restrictions on the balances in certain funds and permits the use of those balances for any purpose; see Carryover Transfers by District for more details.

The SFFF grouping represents the 63 district members of Schools For Fair Funding, which are using taxpayer funds to sue the state, demanding that funding be increased by several hundred million dollars.

Charts and Reports

Statewide carryover totals by major category

SFFF districts' carryover totals by major category

District carryover totals by major category

District carryover totals by fund

Carryover transfers to current operations by district

Carryover Reserve Ratio