TEA Meeting Sept 15th, 2026

The Kansas Board of Regents Technical Education Authority (TEA) held a meeting on September 15, 2026, to review and discuss the distribution and funding of the Excel and CTE (Career and Technical Education) state aid program for academic year 2026. The meeting focused on addressing a $10 million reduction in funding from the legislature, the impact of legislative provisos including the Promise Scholarship eligibility, and the resulting shortfall between calculated costs and available state funding. Members debated two proration scenarios for distributing the limited funds, with concerns raised about the fairness and legality of each approach, as well as the administrative challenges and communication breakdowns that complicated the process. A motion was passed to approve the proration scenario that aligns with the legislative intent and minimizes harm to institutions, while also requesting supplemental funding to cover the shortfall for services already provided. The meeting underscored the need for better coordination among community and technical colleges and the TEA to avoid similar issues in future budget cycles.