The Statewide School Finance Constortium
(March 27, 2013) Statement by Dr. Rick Timbs, Executive Director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium (SSFC), in Response to Provisions of the 2013-14 State Education Budget
“In this Budget, the Legislature clearly demonstrated a growing awareness for the serious fiscal crisis confronting hundreds of low-to-moderate wealth school districts in all parts of the state. By adding funds over the Governor’s original proposal and directing much of their attention to Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) reform, the Senate and Assembly undertook a welcome approach that we greatly appreciate.
“The additional funds will be put to good use by schools as they will help maintain important programs and save jobs. In this spirit, our organization wants to offer special thanks to the efforts of Senator Patrick Gallivan for his leadership in working to get expanded funds into this Budget, as well as Senator Patty Ritchie and Assembly Member Addie Russell for their efforts in lowering the income wealth index (IWI) floor and ceiling, which plays a central role in affecting the level of state-determined eligibility for funding.
“That said, while there are some extremely valuable stop-gap measures in this Budget, this is yet another year that has not provided schools with any genuine long-term solutions. Therefore, we still have a long way to go – particularly in abolishing the Gap Elimination Adjustment and reforming the existing Foundation Aid formula.
“Even with the welcome attention given to GEA reform in this Budget, this especially onerous program still takes back $1.639 billion in promised school aid in 2013-14. And the Foundation Aid formula remains highly inequitable in terms directing state aid to the low-to-moderate wealth districts that need it the most.
“These are vital issues that need to be resolved once and for all – and is something that the 400-plus school districts that comprise SSFC will work hard to bring about in next year’s budget – starting now.”