RE: Question 1: Funding Schools- What's in the Plan

"Equity" was an important model for school funding because it helped lessen the disparity between wealthy and poor districts.  But inadequate funding left all California districts poorly prepared to educate students.  Districts have found ways to increase funding despite the equity model through building bonds, band boosters, etc.  Fitting funding to need is excellent, but why haven't we done it before?  Clearly it is more expensive and funding issues are important.  Shouldn't our model include both equity and adequacy as guiding principles that may need flexibility to ensure best educational efforts and sensitivity to local needs?

All of us who have worked in education know of (too many) examples of fiscal waste and corruption.  Rarely to teachers have a budget for their classes; ordered items do not make it to the classroom; classrooms are in disrepair to the point that safety is compromised.  Others have given other examples.  Schools must have good accounting practices by knowledgeable professionals who are both supported and trained by the State and closely monitored, as well.