At the August 22 Administrative Council meeting, Salina Tech President Greg Nichols briefed faculty and staff on legislative discussions that could significantly reshape higher education funding in Kansas, with technical colleges facing some of the sharpest risks.
Nichols reported that legislators are exploring strategies to reduce state spending by $200 to $300 million per year over the next three years, with higher education identified as a primary target. During a recent Technical Education Authority (TEA) meeting, proposals were raised to cut funding as early as Fiscal Year 2027, which would affect the 2027–2029 budget cycle.
Among the proposals under consideration are changes to Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the Excel in CTE program. Community colleges are lobbying to exclude freshmen and sophomores from eligibility, restrict funding to only Promise Act programs, reduce the Concurrent Enrollment Partnership (CEP) support rate by 35 percent, and withhold state funding if a student fails a course.
Nichols noted that these changes would directly undermine Salina Tech’s current model, which depends on enrolling CTE and Excel students, including underclassmen. He cautioned that restrictions would harm students while limiting institutional resources needed to sustain technical programs.
In addition to funding concerns, Nichols pointed to ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector, where a shortage of workers is colliding with faculty wage disparities. He said legislators are also working with the Kansas State Board of Nursing to address accreditation differences between institutions.
Nichols emphasized that advocacy will be critical as the debate moves forward. He encouraged faculty and staff to share student and program success stories on social media and in the community to help demonstrate the value of technical education.
“Tensions are expected to be high as four-year universities, community colleges, and technical colleges compete for limited funds,” Nichols said. “Maintaining visibility and showing real student outcomes will be essential to protecting funding and program viability.”