Article Last Updated: 11/03/2007 03:15:03 AM CDT

School/tax connection is more complicated than that

BY JOHN MALONE

It is hard to recall an instance when a news headline - "Higher taxes, better schools? No" (Nov. 1) #150; and the associated story were so misaligned. The timing of this ill-conceived headline is especially troublesome with Election Day fast approaching and the fate of 99 school districts throughout the state on the line.

The article following the onerous headline provided a good summary of the vagaries associated with our current school funding formula and the inequities that occur when schools depend on local property tax levies for a substantial portion of their revenue. Each year since the "Minnesota Miracle," the state funding of education has been tweaked to deal with the changing political winds. The current system is a patchwork of general aid, categorical funding, program-specific funding, discretionary levies and voter-approved operating referendums. It is very difficult to explain to the average voter. Everyone seems to agree the system is overly complex and has reached a critical mass that is in need of reform.

The daunting task for school districts is to first make a case for the needed funding and, second, to explain why it may "cost" more for a voter in one district to provide the same funding. When it comes to funding public education, we require our school districts to hold an election every few years to justify their spending.

Initially, these elections were for additional programs. Because of diminishing state support that has not kept pace with the increased costs associated with running a district (health care and fuel, for example) these referendums now provide for basic needs. Justifying the need is difficult enough without having to also explain a complex funding system.

Voters have every right to know how new funds will be used to enhance student achievement and how the district will be accountable for delivering results. School board members and administrators welcome this discussion and are more than willing to make their case to the voters.

Fortunately, the state Legislature has appointed a task force to look at the current system for funding schools. Hopefully, they will develop a plan to reform the current system and move away from a model that that does not serve the students or citizens of Minnesota well. In the meantime, our school districts are left with no other option but to ask their communities to fill the funding gap left by inadequate state funding. Our students are left to depend on their communities stepping up to the plate and providing the funding necessary to offer the quality educational programs they need to succeed in today's global economy.

John Malone is the chair of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts board of directors and the vice chair of the Orono Board of Education.