Issue Position: Basic Education Funding

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Basic Education Funding

I would address the court's order to properly fund basic education, by doing just that, "fund basic education." To meet the intent and letter of the law, no more court hearings and putting off what we know needs to be done.

I would make basic education a priority and see that funding is established and supported prior to any other budget items being considered. Going back to the early- to mid-70s and looking at the Doran Decision, "School Funding I" was directed by the courts to be funded. The Basic Education Act of 1977 passed, defining basic education and creating a state education funding formula based on a ratio of staff to students. Regardless of all the political wrangling, court decisions, and challenges, ultimately, we are tasked with funding basic education. I see us treating basic education like a business, establish the budget, create and stick to the formulas. Address the inequities and flaws in school funding, such as how transportation costs are calculated, (e.g., straight line vs. actual routes of travel). Lastly, give the schools the opportunity to manage the budget based on best practices.

When calculating the impacts of increased funding and the effect of local levies on equal funding, it would stand to reason that as the state begins to fund basic education to appropriate levels, there would be less reliance on local levies. Historically, as state funding decreased, local levies increased to the level of survival funding. It has been discussed that the state may very well cap levy lids at 10% in lieu of the current highs of 24%.

Lastly, with the repeal of I-728 and the passage of House Bill 2824, and in cooperation with the Senate, a task force was created to address the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding basic education funding (TNT 6/14/12).

Our state's basic education short falls did not happen overnight, but with a requirement to be fully funded by 2018, we can begin to make staged corrections now, and have a solid plan by the required implementation date.

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