School Funding and the Courts

What happens when taxpayers say enough is enough to school districts? Do you think school districts realize they have to make do with what they have? No, they go to court. They have now successfully done this in Texas where they got the court to rule property taxes were unconstitutional. They did the same in South Carolina, where they got another judge to rule state’s system of funding poor schools unconstitutional.


          

Texas
The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Legislature had, in essence, created a statewide property tax, which the state constitution prohibits. Throwing out the system that pays for half of the state’s education budget


          

South Carolina
The lawsuit was brought by eight districts that claimed they did not have enough money to adequately teach children. The schools argued that the funding system relies too much on local property taxes and not enough on state dollars.

The judge did not require districts to fix dilapidated school buildings or raise teacher pay, as many had hoped.

Add this to the ruling in Florida, preventing competition and you have a system that is out on control on spending. It’s not about the kids anymore, it’s about the beauracracy. (Hat tip: Extreme Wisdom for the link and the great beuracracy line)

Read the full letter to the editor after checking out these numbers (Hat tip: Extreme Wisdom and CRAFT):

Reformatted for easier viewing.


          

According to the 2005 School Report Cards:

  • Central District 51 ($4,438 a student);
  • Aviston District 21 ($4,789);
  • Germantown Hills District 69 ($5,036);
  • Oak Grove District 68 ($5,189);
  • St. Rose District 14-15 ($5,421);
  • Washington District 52 ($5,429);
  • Breese District 12 ($5,545);
  • Geff District 14 ($5,584)

all had a higher percentage of students meeting the state’s math and reading standards than
Lake Forest’s Rondout District 72 ($23,799 a student), at a quarter of the cost.

How long before this comes to Illinois? Not long I’m afraid. Big Ed is going to try to push HB750 through again in the legislative session starting tomorrow. If that doesn’t work, start watching the courts. It’s not about the kids, it’s about the beauracracy. (Great line Bruno)

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