US/ND-2: Re: Equity-School Income
Re: Equity-School Income
Christine Rademan (cradema@libby.litchpkeld.k12.az.us)
Sat, 07 Sep 1996 10:56:14 +0000
Paul Preuss wrote:
> In New York the SED establishes a "wealth ratio" for each school
> district which in turn determines that district's "state aid ratio".
> "Wealth" in NYS is determined by the combined factors of the
> district's property wealth (as determined by true value of all
> property) and income wealth (as determined by individual income as
> reported on the state taxes). The combined wealth ratios may go as
> high as 15.221 (Amagansett Central Schools = 15.221 times the state
> average wealth) or as low as .194 (Salmon River CSD = 1/5 of the
> state's average wealth). In turn - Amagansett receives only 4%
> state aid while Salmon River receives 68%.
The AZ State Legislature has addressed providing equity in school
districts unsuccessfully for the past several years. Thanks for sharing
an interesting method. It sounds fair.
Here as in WI, there is a state cap on school budget expenditures, so
that most districts have to go to the voters for override elections (to
provide regular programs) every three years. Now there is a baby
"boomlet" so districts sometimes have to go for a fall school
construction bond election +and+ a spring budget override election to
maintain class sizes and programs.
Without universal service, poorer districts, or those with more retired
voters, will have to forgo the luxury of modern technology. (Today 1 of
4 voters is 50+ years, and the percentage increases as the boomers age.)
Connectivity can be part of those construction bonds, if there is some
sort of "shared platform" developed--just as we already expect water,
sewer, electric, fire etc. to meet established codes.