Shawnee Mission, Kan., Parents Sue To Raise School Taxes

[Zephie]

MISSION, Kan. — Parents in a suburban Kansas City school district where some homes cost $1 million or more have done as much as they can to raise money for their children's schools, including holding country club fundraisers to pay for elementary Spanish programs, counselors and nurses.

But with limits on what private money can be used for and state funding cuts forcing the closure of schools and increases in class size, the parents want a judge to toss out state property tax caps so they can pay more for their schools. Seventeen parents have filed a federal lawsuit that's believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. A hearing in the case is set for Friday.

School funding lawsuits have been filed in 45 states, but most of those ask the states to provide more money for education, said Molly Hunter, director of education justice at the Education Law Center in New Jersey. Kansas provides basic funding and extra money for such things as serving poor, rural and non-native English speaking students under a formula developed in response to a lawsuit filed about 20 years ago.

Parents in the Shawnee Mission School District say they agree the state should provide a minimum amount of money for education; they just want to pay more.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/shawnee-mission-raise-school-taxes_n_825177.html

[Horse with no Name]

1. The problem I have with this lies in one sentence

"to raise money for their children's schools,:
Emphasis on "their".
Public education is a shared entity.
Inner city kids deserve more too, yet their parents can't afford it.
This should NEVER be allowed to happen because it will set precedent that wealthier school districts are going to get more than they already get...and the disparity grows greater.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. California courts have ruled that differential funding is not legal

which is what these parents are asking for.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. This is where I live. I have very mixed feelings on this.

It's an outstanding school district. One of the best in the state. But they are now so crippled by the state funding formula they are being forced to close schools and lay off teachers.

However, I don't support the creation of a two tier education system in this state, which is what the current funding formula was set up to avoid. And because of this funding formula, our low income kids who live in the neighboring urban district are being well educated. It's actually one of the most successful urban districts in the country.

So while I want my neighbors to be able to support our schools as they wish, I'd hate to see the kids here where I live get a better education than those in the next county, whose parents are poor.

It's a pretty complicated mess right now.

[RKP5637]

4. I agree with you!!! n/t