State Legislatures Deliberate over School Funding
As many state legislatures come to a close, one issue that is almost always at the forefront is school funding. Each state funds public school education differently and uniquely. Here we look at what several states have been up to this session.
Alabama – Governor Bob Riley has proposed an $850 million bond issue to help with facility construction. The last time the state had a similar bond issue was in 1998 and was mainly used to help construct facilities that would replace many of the state’s portable classrooms.
Arkansas – For the last 14 years, Arkansas has been dealing with a state funding lawsuit. It appears legislation is in the works to address many, if not all of the suit’s issues. One of the burning issues is schools with dramatic changes in enrollment. The state operates a “per student” funding formula, and proposed changes will help schools with dramatic increases and will considerably ease the burden of those with declining enrollments.
North Dakota – Debate over reforms in state funding for schools has been spurred by a pending school finance lawsuit. Two rural senators are arguing that the state is underfunding nearly 60 schools. Without adequate funding, these schools will have difficulty operating. If given the needed funding, these schools would have the opportunity to start consolidation and/or reorganization talks.
Ohio – A constitutional amendment to make access to high quality public education a fundamental right is being considered, thus giving the State Board of Education authority to set the level of state aid for public schools. Cost estimates for the measure include $600 million the first year and approaching $1 billion in years to come.
The Center for Rural Affairs has long held to the policy of “fund them where you find them.” Schools should be funded in much the same way as our roads – where roads are needed they are funded and maintained. Such is not the case with many of our small schools. Further developments in these legislative sessions and those of many other states can be found at the Rural Policy Trust, www.ruraledu.org.
Contact: Kim Preston, kimp@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1022 for more information about the Center’s work on school issues.
Alabama – Governor Bob Riley has proposed an $850 million bond issue to help with facility construction. The last time the state had a similar bond issue was in 1998 and was mainly used to help construct facilities that would replace many of the state’s portable classrooms.
Arkansas – For the last 14 years, Arkansas has been dealing with a state funding lawsuit. It appears legislation is in the works to address many, if not all of the suit’s issues. One of the burning issues is schools with dramatic changes in enrollment. The state operates a “per student” funding formula, and proposed changes will help schools with dramatic increases and will considerably ease the burden of those with declining enrollments.
North Dakota – Debate over reforms in state funding for schools has been spurred by a pending school finance lawsuit. Two rural senators are arguing that the state is underfunding nearly 60 schools. Without adequate funding, these schools will have difficulty operating. If given the needed funding, these schools would have the opportunity to start consolidation and/or reorganization talks.
Ohio – A constitutional amendment to make access to high quality public education a fundamental right is being considered, thus giving the State Board of Education authority to set the level of state aid for public schools. Cost estimates for the measure include $600 million the first year and approaching $1 billion in years to come.
The Center for Rural Affairs has long held to the policy of “fund them where you find them.” Schools should be funded in much the same way as our roads – where roads are needed they are funded and maintained. Such is not the case with many of our small schools. Further developments in these legislative sessions and those of many other states can be found at the Rural Policy Trust, www.ruraledu.org.
Contact: Kim Preston, kimp@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1022 for more information about the Center’s work on school issues.
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