TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - State legislators have formed a caucus intended to work toward equitable funding among public schools, according to a report in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Rep. Dan Scripps, D-Leland, told the Record-Eagle that the group wants to continue efforts to close the gap in per-pupil funding between districts, but also make sure that schools are treated equitably if and when the state cuts per-pupil aid.
Most caucus members represent school districts that receive near the base level of $7,316 per student, the Record-Eagle reported.
Rep. Chuck Moss, R-Birmingham, told the Record-Eagle that the caucus will need to define "equity." A model in which all school districts receive the same per-pupil funding won't work, since it costs more to live and work in certain parts of the state, Moss said.
SOURCE:
Traverse City Record-Eagle, "Local state reps push for school equity," Sept. 17, 2009
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "A Michigan School Money Primer: The Foundation Allowance, General Education," May 30, 2007
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