3 Basic Issues Impacting Public School Funding

3 Basic Issues impacting the State Formula

State funding of public education is a complicated process. There are so many variables that effect state funding.  I selected three issues that impact the state funding formula.  Property values have a major impact in generating revenue or the lack there of. Property values tend to vary dramatically across the state.  Property values have an effect on local district tax rates.  Districts that have high property wealth receive fewer state dollars than districts that have low property wealth.  Lawsuits against the state impact the state funding formula. The majority of lawsuits deal with inadequacies of the state funding of public education.  The creation of Chapter 41 and 42 schools has created another issue for funding. Chapter 41 schools are property wealthy districts and a portion of their funds are reallocated to Chapter 42 districts. This plan also known as the “Robin Hood Plan,” has created controversy. The plan was supposed to create equality of funding for all districts. This assignment has been very interesting. I do not know if a permanent solution will ever be created. There are too many barriers that impact funding. Hopefully a better plan will be created so that districts will receive equal funding.