The sponsor of a bill that would change the formula for the way state money is allocated to public school districts could again be a hot topic when lawmakers return this fall….or maybe not.
State Senator Andy Manar says he is getting frustated with the lack of alternatives being offered from opponents of Senate Bill-16. Manar says he understands that elections are coming up and incumbents are afraid of turning off their supporters.
“If you run on education funding as a candidate, you should not run away from education funding as a legislator,” says Manar. “Despite your party, despite where you live, despite the school districts you represent, you have to acknowledge the system is broken.”
The bill would raise the percentage of state education funds that are need-based from 42-percent to 92-percent. Manar acknowledges more affluent districts could see a net loss in school funding but all areas of the state have low-income students so all areas of the state would benefit.