Recent actions by the Kansas Legislature have prompted a central Kansas school district to make a difficult decision. Schools in the Twin Valley USD 240 district will dismiss classes for the summer two weeks earlier than scheduled. The last day of classes in the district will be May 8th, instead of May 22nd. Both Bennington and Tescott are in the Twin Valley school district.

According to a statement from the district, the decision was based on the financial plight of the district. The district has few fiscal reserves to endure the present mid year unplanned financial cuts recently signed into law.

Student athletics and activities will continue past May 8th. The building principals and athletic directors will be communicating with patrons and will use School Messenger frequently to communicate important updates and messages to you.

The district has scheduled two town hall meetings, on April 6th in Bennington and April 7th in Tescott, to discuss issues involving the schools.

Earlier this month, Kansas lawmakers scrapped the current school funding formula, instead opting for “block  grant” funding.  The plan gives school districts “block grants” based on their current aid for the next two school years.

Opponents to the bill, including local school leaders, were against the move. They feared that abandoning the current formula opened up schools to cuts and uncertainty.